The curious case of Mike Wallace, Part II: Dennis Hickey meets with WR

The Miami Dolphins have a decision to make this offseason, one that may have less to do with money and salary cap space, than it does with the player involved. At the end of the 2014 season, wide receiver Mike Wallace, who was the focus of our first edition of the "curious case" series, was benched for the entire second half of the season finale against the New York Jets. Reports have stated that Wallace took himself out of the game late in he first half, which lead to coach Joe Philbin benching him.

Whatever happened in hat final game, the team has to figure out exactly what hey are going to do with Wallace this offseason. The wide receiver, who signed as a free agent before the 2013 season, is too expensive to trade, and may be too talented to release. The question really focuses on how Wallace will fit with quarterback Ryan Tannehill and the rest of the team after the drama that ended the season.

The first step toward figuring out exactly what to do with Wallace may have been taken recently, as general manager Dennis Hickey and Wallace shared a meal recently, according to a report from the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson.

Jackson goes on to write that the Dolphins were "disappointed" by Wallace's behavior, by that the "like his production and work ethic." Wallace, Jackson continues, is described by a close friend to "absolutely be okay with returning and he just 'wants an opportunity to make a difference.'"

Wallace has recorded 140 receptions for 1,792 yards, with 15 touchdowns in his two seasons with Miami, but he has not seen the same deep-threat success that he had with the  Pittsburgh Steelers to begin his career. The Dolphins appear at least willing to hear Wallace's side of the situation and, potentially, working to bring him back to the team in 2015.