Doubt Mike Wallace's speed? He'll race you

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Mike Wallace had a bad day back in February 2009. 

Back then, the new Eagles receiver was just a young prospect hoping to shock the world at the NFL Combine. But, according to the story he told Friday at his introductory press conference in Philadelphia, Wallace tweaked his hamstring before the 40-yard dash. 

He didn’t break the record, instead settling for a time of 4.33 seconds, which just happened to be the second-fastest time recorded that year. With a smile, Wallace said he would have run a 4.1 sans injury. 

So after nine years in the league, what time could Wallace run today? 

“Probably like 4.3. I told you my hamstring was tweaked that day,” Wallace said, showing off a quick wit to go along with his lighting foot speed. “I told you. I was running slow. That was a bad day for me. I had plans on breaking the record when I got there, but the hammy tweaked up. It’s good. Still not going to stop the show. I think I can run a 4.3. 

“Whenever you want to race, just let me know. Whenever you’re ready, just let me know, baby. We can do it. I’m with it, always.” 

When the Eagles brought in Torrey Smith (another veteran speed receiver) last year, he challenged a different reporter to a race. So the lesson is this: don’t question the speed of a speed player. 

Wallace said he trains with younger players during the offseason to maintain his world-class speed and to keep him young; so far it’s working. Even at 31 last season, he still caught three passes of 50-plus yards (see story)

But it’s important for Wallace that people know he’s more than a deep threat. On Friday, he said a player can’t put up the numbers he has in his career — 538 receptions, 8,072 yards, 57 touchdowns — by running just go routes. 

The stereotype of being just a deep threat bothers him. 

“Yeah, but at the same time, as long as my teammates know what type of guy I am, my coach knows what type of guy I am,” he said. “It is what it is. It’s a world where you can’t please everyone. And s---, 99 percent of the people, I don’t even know them. I really could care less about what they have to say about me. I’m going to go out and continue to be Mike. I’ve been playing 10 years being Mike and not worrying about what other people say, so that’s what I’m going to continue to do.”

While Wallace is more than just a straight-line runner, his speed is what has always separated him. He knows that. And for a player who will turn 32 before the start of the 2018 season, he’s had to change the way he takes care of his body. On Friday, Wallace admitted he used to eat fast food all the time; he doesn’t eat it anymore. 

He said he just needed to learn how to be a pro. He was lucky enough to have veterans around him to show the way. Now, he’s that veteran. As weird as he said it is for people to think of him as the old guy, Wallace is more than happy to help a younger player learn the ropes. 

He’d also probably be happy to whip them in a race too. 

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