Steelers Free Agent Spotlight: C Cody Wallace
By Kim Myers
Oct 20, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers center Cody Wallace (72) looks on from the sidelines against the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The offensive line free agents continue with Cody Wallace, a center who offers flexibility on the offensive line because he can also play guard. Wallace was signed by the Steelers in September of 2013 and filled in for Velasco at center once he went down with his Achilles injury. Wallace will be an unrestricted free agent on March 11th.
Cody Wallace was drafted in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers out of Texas A&M. He spent two seasons with the 49ers but only played one game during that stretch. He spent some time with the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers during his 5-year NFL career. He stepped in at center for the Steelers once Velasco went down during the Thanksgiving game against Baltimore. Part of the seemingly never-ending game of Offensive Line Tetris the Steelers have to play each year. He played capably, which isn’t easy to do for a player to step in at center, particularly with a quarterback like Ben Roethlisberger.
The Steelers probably have more of a reasonable option to nail down Wallace as a backup for Pouncey than they do Velasco. Wallace has been cut several times so he’s not likely to be looking for starter money and might just want to settle on a team for the foreseeable future. Here’s a player that they can come to terms with on salary expectations and provide some proven depth for the offensive line. I’d say that in a perfect world they can sign Velasco to a reasonable deal to be Pouncey’s backup but the reality probably is that they’ll more likely come to terms with Wallace instead.
What are your thoughts, Steeler Nation? Do you think Cody Wallace plants roots down in Pittsburgh for the long term?
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