New Dolphins linebacker itching to prove himself in NFL

I like these two sections:

"Not being in football, at home on the couch watching people I played with and against, it sets that fire in you. … Every day on the field the blood in me itches and I know how to appreciate it. I know what it's like not to play, at home, wishing, wondering and hoping. That's the fire I've been playing with, and is something I'll keep the rest of my life.''

- Kind of reaffirms what commitment this guy has.

"You have to eliminate all the fluff, take it out and look at each team for what it's worth, the total package,'' said Wake, who turns 27 at the end of the month. "Not just who offers the biggest deal or who has the best record. From the coaching staff, position opportunity, the organization, everything combined Miami put themselves above the others.''

- I hope Karlos Dansby and a few more FA's are the next to echo that statement. Shows you how big of an influence our FO and successful season has on our opportunity to land playmakers.

:drool:

joey porter, cameron wake, karlos dansby and clint sintim.

make it happen bill!

Sounds like the guy has the right attitude and hunger/desire to play in the NFL. Sometimes 22 year old guys end up in Canada because they often don't know whether they want to play football for a living. It sounds like he has worked hard to prove himself. Just from the video clips I have seen of Wake, he looks like a better tackler and has more of a motor then Crowder.

Crowder is mediocre at best. . he has shown some improvement but I think we can upgrade on him quite easily.
Roth after a promising start was also mediocre. .

Bart Scott from the Ravens may well become free this year and I think we should be all over him to get him in to partner Porter who, lets be honest, only has 2 years left in the tank. .possibly 3?. .

Polar opposite attitude from Calvin Pace.

Im really excited to see what this guy can do for us. Ive seen bits of him in the few CFL games I watch from time to time, and he really jumps out at you during the game. 39 sacks, in 2 seasons? Thats just insane... Hopefully he can do the same for us.

I watched a clip from the CFL and this guy has the right attitude. I hope he is a diamond on the field.

"brandon27 wrote:

Im really excited to see what this guy can do for us. Ive seen bits of him in the few CFL games I watch from time to time, and he really jumps out at you during the game. 39 sacks, in 2 seasons? Thats just insane... Hopefully he can do the same for us.

I wouldn't count on THAT type of production. But even HALF of that production over 2 seasons would be great. That would be 9.5 sacks per season. I could live with that.

"SCall13 wrote:

I wouldn't count on THAT type of production. But even HALF of that production over 2 seasons would be great. That would be 9.5 sacks per season. I could live with that.

9.5 sacks would be stunning production from a player who hasn't played NFL ball Scall...I'd be happy with like 6, and a whole gang of ST tackles and Qb pressures...

Who do you think will be an impact player first: Wake or Gholston?

"syborg wrote:

Crowder is mediocre at best. . he has shown some improvement but I think we can upgrade on him quite easily.
Roth after a promising start was also mediocre. .

Bart Scott from the Ravens may well become free this year and I think we should be all over him to get him in to partner Porter who, lets be honest, only has 2 years left in the tank. .possibly 3?. .

I'm not a big Crowder fan, but I'll also say that mediocre is a little harsh...inconsistent...yeah but I'd certainly say better than mediocre...

At any rate, I'd love to see Scott here as well. Add in a Sintim and we could be looking at a pretty good LBer corps...

"Finascious D wrote:

Who do you think will be an impact player first: Wake or Gholston?

V Gholston, Rex Ryan is a defensive thinker, he will find a role for him first.

C Wake will have to earn playing time.

If Wake is even half of what shawn merriman is, we just got a first day draft pick for free.

"Larryfinfan wrote:

I'm not a big Crowder fan, but I'll also say that mediocre is a little harsh...inconsistent...yeah but I'd certainly say better than mediocre...

At any rate, I'd love to see Scott here as well. Add in a Sintim and we could be looking at a pretty good LBer corps...

I should have said Mediocre this year. . but inconsistent is prob fairer to be sure. .still he is prob gone and wont really be missed. . will he?

Scott is a definate upgrade should he become available, after all the Ravens wont be able to hold onto Suggs, Scott and Lewis. . although Lewis is 34 now and there is a rumour today that Dallas are looking at him (lewis) to move over..

Link:

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/01/ray_lewis_2.html

If that were to happen then Ravens could keep Suggs and Scott. .

Dansby is a possible choice for us.. ?

BC Lions fan forum-

Wow... can't believe the contract Cam Wake got from the Dolphins!! Really deserves this for all his hard work to be the best 2 years in a row. I am sure Miami will benefit with him there. I don't really watch NFL but I am sure I'll try to see a game next year just to check how Cam does.

I definitely love the guys attitude, seems like his head is in the right spot.

This guy could be very special for us, and he cost us nothing but money, WOW, love it.

"Finascious D wrote:

Who do you think will be an impact player first: Wake or Gholston?

Gholston.

It wasn't Gholston's fault he didn't flourish in 2008 with Eric Mangini at the helm. I'm not too confident in the Ryan hiring when it comes to everything EXCEPT Defense. I think no matter what our Defense will improve and so will Vernon Gholston. I suspect he'll be one of the four starting backers (OLB - Calvin Pace & Gholston, ILB - David Harris and ???) in a pretty good, young linebacking core.

I havn't really read anything on this Wake guy. Any reason he wasn't drafted and didn't get a more serious look when he first entered the NFL? Just too raw?

"124 wrote:

Gholston.

It wasn't Gholston's fault he didn't flourish in 2008 with Eric Mangini at the helm. I'm not too confident in the Ryan hiring when it comes to everything EXCEPT Defense. I think no matter what our Defense will improve and so will Vernon Gholston. I suspect he'll be one of the four starting backers (OLB - Calvin Pace & Gholston, ILB - David Harris and ???) in a pretty good, young linebacking core.

Gholston is lost in space 124, he is a 4-3 End if ever there was one, but Ryan is a sharp cookie, he'll figure something out for VG.

I havn't really read anything on this Wake guy. Any reason he wasn't drafted and didn't get a more serious look when he first entered the NFL? Just too raw?

Raw, a bit atheltically lazy, and he went to the Gmen who are loaded at De, and only stayed there a season.

Physically, he is tremendous, but the nuances will decide between Special Teams guy, or OLB who mostly starts.

Stuff like slipping blocks, using his hands, finding the ball in the wash, dropping back into coverages, just being a Lb.

But Tuna and Co will bust his chops, he will have a chance to compete.

"padre31 wrote:

Raw, a bit atheltically lazy, and he went to the Gmen who are loaded at De, and only stayed there a season.

Must've been more towards the raw and atheltically lazy side because he was there before the 2005 season and the Giants didn't have Tuck or Kiwanuka at that point, just a young Osi and Strahan.

For 4 years, $4.9 million, I assume they are prepping him to become Joey Porter's replacement in two years or so?

"124 wrote:

Must've been more towards the raw and atheltically lazy side because he was there before the 2005 season and the Giants didn't have Tuck or Kiwanuka at that point, just a young Osi and Strahan.

For 4 years, $4.9 million, I assume they are prepping him to become Joey Porter's replacement in two years or so?

Maybe, he looks like Roth's replacement on passing downs, as well as a Down lineman and Special Teams daemon, but ya never know with CFL guys, he might blow up if given a chance.

When the Gmen drafted those guys, C Wake became expendable, a year on the Practice Squad is not much of a shot at playing.

I remember when he was Derek Wake at Penn State... Joe-Pa was always in his face, talking him down, but with much reasoning that he wasn't making the plays he should be.... then around his Junior year or so he was moved to the DE position and started to really come about. He never became what he was stated to be in college though... but was always stated as probably THE very best athlete on the team.

From Penn State, not getting drafted and making it in the NFL, and now In Canada he basically has learned more about himself, life and what needs to be done for his career... he is a great character that has worked hard!!!

This guy seems to have a chip on his shoulder. He wasnt even drafted out of college and he was cut in camp. Maybe he can be our James Harrison because he was cut by several teams before he came to Pittsburgh.

"RBrown23 wrote:

This guy seems to have a chip on his shoulder. He wasnt even drafted out of college and he was cut in camp. Maybe he can be our James Harrison because he was cut by several teams before he came to Pittsburgh.

He needs a ton of work though, in the CFL he played as DE on a good Dline, dropping back and reading a Qb and finding the ball in the wash are things he needs to work on.

But I'm thrilled to have him in Miami.