Pure Steel
First and 10 with Mike Wallace

The Steelers made Mike Wallace their third-round draft pick last April, and the lightning-fast rookie from Ole Miss quickly grabbed the third receiver spot for the defending Super Bowl champs. PSR's Rob Stott chatted with Wallace last month.

WALLACE: As a rookie, what did that first nice big paycheck go towards?

Wallace: Aw, I didn't get a chance to spend it yet. I've been trying to save it up. I don't make as much as these other guys, like (fellow receiver and locker-neighbor Limas) Sweed here, so I gotta save my checks. I've gotta let them build up so I can have some cash to spend. Sweed: I gotta save my checks too, kid.

WALLACE: What drew you to want to be a wide receiver

Wallace: I want the rock. You know, when I was smaller I used to play quarterback. Everybody played quarterback when you're younger. But when I got older I just felt different, knew I was a wide receiver. I didn't feel like playing defense so. I knew it since I was a kid. I liked getting the ball. Scoring touchdowns.

WALLACE: You were open for a touchdown in the first game of the season, but Ben Roethlisberger overthrew you. Then on your first TD you were slightly under thrown and had to make a tougher catch. What was it like getting that first touchdown? What was going through your head?

Wallace: It was a relief. Finally, you know, get that off my chest, get that first one.

WALLACE: What did you do with that ball afterwards?

Wallace: Actually, I forgot it. It was still on the field, but Hines got it for me, so I'm good now. It's at the crib.

WALLACE: Did you expect to play this big a role and make this many catches as a rookie?

Wallace: It's been fun, been real fun, you know. Just being on a big time team like this and catching balls from a quarterback like Ben. I mean, words can't really explain it.

WALLACE: You play alongside two Super Bowl MVP's. What has that done for you?

Wallace: It's done a lot. Because they've been there. They've been through everything I'm trying to get to and everything I'm going through, so if I have any problems I can ask them and they've been through it all. They're two of the best in the game.