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Ravens' Wallace: I've lost a step, but 'can still get it done'

Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images Sport / Getty

At 29 years old, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace admits he may have lost some of the speed that allowed him to light up defenses deep early in his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but believes he has a great deal left to offer his new team.

"I've probably run about 10,000 post routes and go routes since when I first came into the league, so maybe just a step, a half a step," Wallace said, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. "But I can still get it done."

Wallace's skills as a deep threat peaked in the 2010 and 2011 seasons. He averaged 21 yards per catch in 2010 and ended the campaign with 1,257 yards on just 60 catches. Wallace had a slight drop off the following year, with a 16.6 yards per catch average, but still was viewed as one of the most dangerous receiving weapons in the league.

Since then, however, Wallace has failed to hit the 1,000-yard receiving mark and the Steelers, Miami Dolphins, and Minnesota Vikings have all cut ties with him.

Despite his lack of recent success, Wallace believes he'll prove his doubters wrong in his first season with Baltimore after they picked him up during free agency.

"I think I've gotten better, even though (the) numbers don't say so," Wallace said. "I think I'll get better this year, and I'll show some people I have a lot up my sleeve."

Wallace could be tasked to shoulder the majority of the offensive workload early on, as Steve Smith is coming off a torn Achilles and with the Ravens likely to be patient with the return of Breshad Perriman after another knee injury scare this offseason.

"I welcomed the challenge even before Breshad got hurt," Wallace said. "That's my guy; I envisioned us both making plays and us both being a threat for this team. So, my plans don't change."

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