Mike Wallace Looking Forward To “Fresh Start” In Minnesota

Image courtesy of Vikings.com

The Vikings welcomed their newest pass-catching weapon to Minneapolis on Saturday, the same day they released veteran Greg Jennings, and he spoke publicly about what is ahead for him in his new home.

“I’m excited to be here. Fresh start,” said Wallace on Saturday. “I’m excited about the opportunity that Coach [Mike] Zimmer gave me, [General Manager Rick] Spielman and the Wilfs. I’m excited. Great city from what I’ve heard. A great young quarterback. A lot of good players on the team. I’m looking just to be an asset to the team. I want to help out and do the best I can.”

To those optimistic about this weekend’s moves, Wallace’s words might come as a relief, but those pessimistic about the whole deal are surely going to be worried about exchanging a well-respected veteran leader for a guy that comes with a perception of selfishness. Many feel like Wallace once shunned Minnesota and that last year he quit on his Miami Dolphins team.

Wallace is obviously aware that the perception is out there and he addressed concerns about his willingness to play in the cold.

“The cold factor was big at that time with an opportunity to play in Miami with palm trees instead of trees with no leaves,” Wallace said. “That was then. This is now. I’m excited to be here.”

“I thought there was a lot of love when I got here,” Wallace said. “Guys really wanted me here. So I’m excited about the fresh start. Wish things could have ended better [in Miami], but you know…”

Wallace was asked about the report out of Miami that he wasn’t thrilled to have been traded to Minnesota.

“I’m excited. That’s really not true because I didn’t even tell anybody,” he said. “I don’t know where that kind of came from. A lot of people always put words in my mouth. Nobody ever heard me say that. I don’t have any problems with being here. I’m excited. I’m excited for a fresh start.”

As far as his arrival signaling the departure of Jennings, Wallace sounds like a guy that fully understands the cold business that is the NFL.

“I got traded yesterday, so it doesn’t surprise me,” he said of Jennings being cut. “Last week you seen Jimmy Graham get traded, you seen Andre Johnson get released. So in this league, nothing is surprising. It’s all business. And that’s one thing I never will forget about this game, man.”

Time is the only answer as to just how committed to being a Minnesota Viking, a genuinely committed teammate, that Mike Wallace actually is.

Here’s hoping.

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