South Florida Sun-Sentinel.comMike Wallace on Dolphins: 'They're headed in the right direction'By Chris PerkinsSouth Florida Sun Sentinel12:44 PM EDT, March 13, 2013Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace, the most sought-after free agent on the market, had his sights sets on Miami for a few weeks.Wallace, the former Pittsburgh Steelers standout, said he watched film on the Dolphins, liked the system, and liked quarterback Ryan Tannehill. So in the end, although other teams pursued the fifth-year speedster, it was a relatively easy choice to sign with the Dolphins.“It wasn’t too agonizing,” Wallace said at Wednesday’s introductory press conference at the Dolphins’ facility.This seems to represent a change from previous years when it appeared players weren’t too excited about joining the Dolphins. Yes, it helps a player’s disposition when he’s awarded a five-year, $60 million contract with a $30 million signing bonus, which is what Wallace received.But Wallace hinted this signing goes way beyond money. He said he liked the vibe in the organization from general manager Jeff Ireland to coach Joe Philbin and the few players he’s met or spoken with over the phone.“This one just stood out to me,” Wallace said of the Dolphins’ organization. “I love being down south, I love everything that was going on here. I think they’re very competitive, headed in the right direction. Young team, second-youngest team in the league, actually, last year.“I think we can do some good things. I like coach Philbin. He’s a good guy. I like the offense, first and foremost.”Of course, Wallace, who has 235 receptions for 4,042 yards (17.2 yards per receptions) and 32 touchdowns in four seasons, won’t be catching passes from Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who throws one of the best deep balls in the NFL.But he doesn’t mind that too much.“It’s going to be different playing with a guy who is actually younger than me,” Wallace said.“Ben always treated me like his little brother. Actually being the big brother is going to be a little different. But I’m excited. I’m excited about the changes.”Wallace said he had dinner with Tannehill Tuesday night. He wasn’t sure where, but it was apparently on the water.“I know they had boats and stuff,” Wallace said with a smile. “I don’t really know too much about where we go. I just get out of the car, get in and get out. I just know they had a lot of boats. Big boats.”And Wallace seemed to like what he heard and saw from Tannehill.“This guy has a lot of upside,” he said. “I know that for sure.”Wallace said he also spoke with fellow wide receiver Brian Hartline via telephone.Interestingly, Wallace and Tannehill wear the same jersey number – 17. Wallace said they didn’t discuss that aspect of being teammates.“If he wants it, he keeps it,” Wallace said. “If not, I’ll take it.”Wallace also finds himself in the unusual position of being teammates with a heated rival, former Baltimore linebacker Dannelle Ellerbe, who is now a member of the Dolphins.“We don’t have choice but to get along now, but I don’t like too much those guys where he comes from,” Wallace said. “But we’re on the same team now so I’m excited.”Wallace said he thinks the Dolphins are a “competitive team” and he said he thinks they’ll be in playoff contention.“I don’t feel like this was a team that was 7-9 in a bad way,” he said of Miami’s record last season. “I feel it was all hard-fought games. Some of them get away from you sometimes.”As for the whirlwind venture through free agency, Wallace said he’s still trying to get a handle on things.“It feels crazy,” he said. “It feels like a dream.”And he has confidence in general manager Jeff Ireland, Philbin and his new teammates.“I like the direction the team is going in,” Wallace said. It’s a good one, and I’m excited about it.”Copyright © 2013, South Florida Sun-Sentinel