Cameron Wake is an unproven commodity in the NFL.
However, that hasn't dimmed fans' enthusiasm about the former CFL star pass rusher.
And those high opinions of Wake are also found in the Miami Dolphins' locker room, which Edgar Thompson of the Palm Beach Post found out during an interview with former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Jason Taylor.
"He's very athletic, you can see that," Taylor said of Wake. "He's quick, he's fast, he's sudden. He's a strong guy, so you know the explosiveness is going to be there. It's just a matter of learning this game and the nuances. . . .
"If anybody looked at me as a 22-year-old kid coming out of Akron and looked at Cameron with where he is right now, they'd say he has a better chance to make it than I did."
Wake, who played at Penn State, blossomed north of the border in British Columbia.
And Wake has progressed to the point where the Dolphins have big plans for him.
Hey, 39 sacks in two seasons speaks volumes in any football league.
"That's a lot of sacks," Taylor said. "You can't argue with putting somebody on their back that many times.
"Now we all know this is a different league. The talent will be different. The pressures will be different. The expectations will be higher. I'm confident he can do it."
The Dolphins signed Wake to a four-year deal with a maximum value of $4.9 million, including a $1 million signing bonus.
Wake drew interest from the St. Louis Rams, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, and Minnesota Vikings as well as several other NFL teams before signing with the Dolphins.
Last year, Wake registered 23 sacks and was named CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
♪ ...Wake me up, before you go go!
♪ Don't leave me hangin' on like a yo-yo
♪ Wake me up, before you go go!
♪ I don't wanna miss it when you hit that high
♪ Wake me up, before you go go!
♪ Cos' I'm not plannin' on goin' solo
♪ Wake me up, before you go go!
♪ Take me dancin' tonight!
♪ I wanna hit that high!
♪ Yeah! Yeah!.......
Sounds like a nice prospect, but he's small for the NFL. If a lineman gets a hand on him that's probably lights out.
And those 23 sacks came in an 18-game season. It's still impressive, just not quite as much as it sounds.
If he can even put up double digit sacks im happy as can be. Lets see if this kid can keep up with the speed and power of the NFL.
I have said it before, and I will say it again. Wake will win the rookie Defensive POY, he is the real thing and if given even a small chance to prove himself he will.
Wake is up to 260. He was a beast in BC last year and should be solid with the Fins - esp. given pass rush depth.
Wake is listed as 6'3 267 which is fine for an OLB...
Joey Porter - 6'3 255
James Harrison - 6'0 242
Lamar Woodley - 6'2 265
re: And those 23 sacks came in an 18-game season. It's still impressive, just not quite as much as it sounds.
Really? That translates to 20.44 over 16 games ...
not shabby .... if he can get half that many his first year as a situational player, I'm sure the team will be ecstatic ...
AFC East = the toughest division in football this year
LewD says:
July 11, 2009 11:34 PM
Really? That translates to 20.44 over 16 games ...
not shabby .... if he can get half that many his first year as a situational player, I'm sure the team will be ecstatic ...
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Absolutely, they'd be ecstatic with 20. But is it as impressive as 23? No. And did it come against NFL competition? No.
I did not see that he was up to 260 lbs, though. Is that offseason bulk he's added or did he play at that weight in the CFL?
I'd still be surprised to see him come in and get DROY.
Wake hasn't been nearly that impressive in OTA's.
i think Jason is just doing & saying the right things, being the politically-correct guy he always has been. the coaches have also been praising wake....
if you want a true evaluation, read what the beat writers were blogging about him in the last two months.... not nearly as flattering.
i'll save my optimism for wake when i see him crack the starting rotation & start making plays. I don't doubt he did well last year in the CFL, but the NFL is completely different.