The Pittsburgh Steelersreportedly now are playing hardball with wide receiver Mike Wallace, and coach Mike Tomlin doesn't sound like a man with patience to spare.
"Obviously, we have a desire for him to be here," Tomlin said Wednesday, according to The Associated Press, as Steelers veterans reported to training camp in Latrobe, Pa. "We want him to be part of this thing, both short-term and long-term. We've been in negotiations with him. He's not here today. That's unfortunate for him."
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Tomlin wasn't done.
"I want the player here," he said. "One thing experience has taught me is this is bigger than all of us. It's bigger than Mike, it's bigger than me. So I mean that when I say it's unfortunate for him that he's not here."
Tomlin got his contract extension Tuesday. Wallace wants one of his own, and to this point has refused to sign the Steelers' $2.472 million restricted free-agent tender.
Steelers cornerback Keenan Lewis, who worked out with Wallace all summer in New Orleans, told The AP that the receiver is "in the best shape he's ever been in."
That's good news for Tomlin, but we're sure he'd like to see for himself.
