Wide receiver Mike Wallace’s Dolphins debut was a bigger success for the team than it was for the individual.
Miami beat the Browns 23-10 with Wallace catching one pass, leading to a post-game refusal to talk to reporters about his usage that just about everyone interpreted as Wallace expressing his frustration with the game plan. Wallace’s teammate Brandon Gibson said Wallace had to swallow his pride and coach Joe Philbin said that Wallace just needed to be patient because it’s a long season while Wallace broke his silence on Monday to say that he was upset at himself and not at the team.
“I was mad at myself because I didn’t have a good game,” Wallace said, via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. “Our quarterback made good reads. I was upset with myself. It wasn’t really anything else having to do with anything. I’m always happy when we win. But from a personal standpoint, when you don’t do well, you’re upset. If you’re not upset, you don’t need to be on the team. I want to be a great player and I want to make plays. That’s the only reason I’m here.”
It doesn’t quite mesh with Wallace telling reporters to ask the coaches about the game plan on Sunday, but it should be enough to put the issue to rest and turn the focus to facing the Colts in Week Two. And if that game should play out with Wallace upset with himself again while the Dolphins win, Miami will probably take it even if it means another round of the same questions.
