Dolphins LB Cameron Wake Wants to Earn Starting Job
Posted by Brian McIntyre, Wednesday May 26th 2010
Miami Dolphins linebacker Cameron Wake posted 5.5 quarterback sacks in a limited role during the 2009 season, his first in the NFL. With veteran linebacker Joey Porter released in the off-season, and Jason Taylor signing with the New York Jets, Wake is expected to receive more playing time in 2010, and Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports that Wake plans to push for a starting job on Mike Nolan's defense.
"I'm always hungry for more," Wake told Salguero. "Everybody wants to do that. But I'm always hungry for more. That's what got me in the situation I am now. It's about not being satisfied. I wasn't satisfied with Canada. I wasn't satisfied where I was last year. I'm not satisfied where I am here. Every day I want more."
After dominating the CFL, Wake was primarily used on special teams (9 tackles) and as a situational pass-rusher last season, but is working at becoming a well-rounded defender.
"Like I said last year, I'm trying to be a good all-around football player," Wake said. "Obviously I'm working on my pass rush, but there are other things also. We have a new scheme, new coordinator, new coach, so I've been picking their brains."
Wake will compete with Charlie Anderson and 2010 second-round pick Koa Misi for a starting job. Prior to the 2010 NFL Draft, before the Dolphins selected Misi and opted not to make a serious offer on Jason Taylor, head coach Tony Sparano said he'd be comfortable with Anderson and Wake as his starting outside linebackers.
"There's some improvement needed and without a doubt there are some steps that need to be taken," Sparano said. "Am I comfortable? I would tell you that I feel comfortable in that these players are pretty diligent about their work and what they need to do to make themselves better.
"Some way or another there's going to be competition out there and the best guy will end up playing, but I do feel comfortable that we have good answers," Sparano added. "They're good young players. Whether or not we take the complete next step at the position remains to be seen but I hope that happens."
The complete next step may involve signing veteran outside linebacker Adalius Thomas, a favorite of Nolan's who was released by the New England Patriots last month.
"I'm always hungry for more," Wake told Salguero. "Everybody wants to do that. But I'm always hungry for more. That's what got me in the situation I am now. It's about not being satisfied. I wasn't satisfied with Canada. I wasn't satisfied where I was last year. I'm not satisfied where I am here. Every day I want more."
After dominating the CFL, Wake was primarily used on special teams (9 tackles) and as a situational pass-rusher last season, but is working at becoming a well-rounded defender.
"Like I said last year, I'm trying to be a good all-around football player," Wake said. "Obviously I'm working on my pass rush, but there are other things also. We have a new scheme, new coordinator, new coach, so I've been picking their brains."
Wake will compete with Charlie Anderson and 2010 second-round pick Koa Misi for a starting job. Prior to the 2010 NFL Draft, before the Dolphins selected Misi and opted not to make a serious offer on Jason Taylor, head coach Tony Sparano said he'd be comfortable with Anderson and Wake as his starting outside linebackers.
"There's some improvement needed and without a doubt there are some steps that need to be taken," Sparano said. "Am I comfortable? I would tell you that I feel comfortable in that these players are pretty diligent about their work and what they need to do to make themselves better.
"Some way or another there's going to be competition out there and the best guy will end up playing, but I do feel comfortable that we have good answers," Sparano added. "They're good young players. Whether or not we take the complete next step at the position remains to be seen but I hope that happens."
The complete next step may involve signing veteran outside linebacker Adalius Thomas, a favorite of Nolan's who was released by the New England Patriots last month.
At least he gave Armando credit for stealing his blog...
ReplyDeleteLOL@Patrick.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea if we have players who are good enough to start at other OLB position since every player that is competing is unproven. I guess the most proven OLB we have is Wake to play the weak-side. At least he has proven that he can rush the passer which no other OLB on this roster can say. Now does that make him good enough to be a starter??? I have no idea which is essentially why I'm still confused that we didn't draft a legitmiate pass rusher in the first two rounds. That's not to say that Odrick won't be a good player BUT with all the bodies we have a DE (including Starks who may or may not be a good NT), a month after the draft I'm still left trying to figure out what we did with our first two picks. I don't think that Odrick will have a problem making the adjustment to the NFL as a DE but I honestly have no idea what Misi can do as an OLB on either side.
ReplyDeleteI really hate to wish away my summer but I CANNOT wait til the season starts or should I say even pre-season.....
ReplyDelete<span>Date Rape Warning!
ReplyDeletePolice are warning all men who frequent clubs, parties & local pubs to be alert and stay cautious when offered a drink by any woman.
Many females use a date-rape-drug on the market called "beer".
The drug is found in liquid form and is available anywhere. It comes in bottles, cans, or from taps and in large kegs.
"Beer" is used by female sexual predators at parties and bars to persuade their male victims to go home and sleep with them.
A woman needs only to get a guy to consume a few units of "Beer" and then simply ask him home for no-strings-attached sex.
Men are rendered helpless against this approach. After several "Beers" , men will often succumb to the desires to sleep with horrific looking women to whom they would never normally be attracted.
After drinking "Beer" , men often awaken with only hazy memories of exactly what happened to them the night before, often with just a vague feeling that "something bad" occurred.
At other times these unfortunate men are swindled out of their life's savings, in a familiar scam known as "a relationship". In extreme cases, the female may even be shrewd enough to entrap the unsuspecting male into a longer-term form of servitude and punishment referred to as "marriage".
Men are much more susceptible to this scam after "Beer" is administered and sex is offered by the predatory females.
Please forward this warning to every male you know.
If you fall victim to this "Beer" scam and the women administering it, there are male support groups where you can discuss the details of your shocking encounter with similarly victimized men.
For the support group nearest you, just look up "<span>Golf Courses</span>" in the phone book.</span>
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<span>For a video to see how Beer works click here: <span>http://www.brackenspub.com/beer.swf</span><span><span></span></span></span>
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<span><span>This could have been a Navy training video in disguise</span></span>
I know this is dangerous territory I'm going into, but I don't seem to able to help myself. So I ask before I write it for everyones forgiveness.
ReplyDeleteFor about 12 years we had a player here that couldn't do much more than rush the passer, and people loved him. If Wake can bring the pressure as he did, I'm wondering what we are worried about if Wake doesn't play the run that well. It seems like a double standard to me.
Please be kind to me guys...
I feel so violated!!!
ReplyDeleteOh so that's what happened ??
ReplyDeleteFang,
ReplyDeleteTaylor could play the run too.
It sounds like Philip Merling has had too much of 13's moonshine?
ReplyDelete