Cameron Wake: 'I know I can play' in the NFL

New Dolphins outside linebacker Cameron Wake just took part in a conference call with a handful of American and Canadian reporters.

During the call Wake addressed what seems to be the biggest question about his weekend signing with the Dolphins after a stellar career with the British Columbia Lions: Can he match what he did in the CFL in the NFL, particularly after not getting drafted in 2005, then washing out with the New York Giants and not playing in 2006?

"I know I can play," Wake said. "And I know what I can do. Every time I step on the field I wanted to show people that I belong and that I can play and produce. That's the mentality I took to the CFL and that's the mentality I'm going with to the NFL."

Wake was out of football entirely in 2006. He has worked as a mortgage broker.

"Definitely wasn't something I appreciated," he said of his time away from football. "Not being in football, I was sitting at home on the couch watching people I played with and played against all my life. I know what it's not like to not play. I know what it's like to be at home hoping and wishing I could play. It's something I can carry with me the rest of my life."

Wake suffered an MCL tear in 2001 but that clearly wasn't the reason he was not drafted in 2005. It also wasn't the 4.49 time in the 40-yard dash Wake said he ran at his pro day. So why wasn't Wake drafted?

"That's the first question I asked," Wake said. "I had no idea. I know I wasn't a dominator or crazy All-American in college. But I tested with any of the names at linebacker and at defensive end at the combine and during workouts. So I don't know. That's a good question."

Wake played defensive end for the BC Lions and led the CFL in sacks both his seasons there. But he says he's already been told he's going to be used as an outside linebacker in Miami. He said he weighs between 250 and 260 now.

Wake said between four and five NFL teams showed serious interest in signing him immediately after the CFL season was over. So why Miami?

"I wanted to eliminate all the fluff," Wake said. "It wasn't about whoever offered the biggest deal. It was about the coaching staffs, the opportunity, the organizations. Miami put themselves above the others in those things even if it wasn't by much."

Having said all this, I would caution all of you to appreciate the signing but not go overboard. The fact this is good but not great contract as it would relate to proven free agents should tell you how the Dolphins view it.

The team is hopeful Wake comes as advertised. If he does, I would say Charlie Anderson should be worried. But to suggest this signing makes Matt Roth obsolete is wrong. Roth will come to camp and compete as will Wake.

And the better player will play.

Comments

[Bobby]

Now move Roth to Mike linbacker he may not be as fast but Channing go caught in traffic to much last year then could noy get to the ball carrier.Roth has the strength to play the middle.Even Zack as great as he was had the same problem.Save a draft pick.GO for peppers.

[MartinK]

The fins have finally learned to sign PSU players (wake and kilmer). It's about time! But I'm not overly excited about any of PSU's class entering the NFL this year (Derek Williams, AQ Shipley, Scirotto, Norwood, Butler, etc).

[dave auburn ny]

good siging it is all about adding depth to your teram trying to find a diamond in the rough.

First

forget about peppers the tuna is not going to throw big money,25-30 mil signing bonus on 1 guy.bet your house on it.

pizza for wake

[Ben]

I hope Wake is as good as advertised. Then the Fins can focus more on linemen, the secondary, and skill positions players during free agency and the draft.

first at being fourth sucker.

[Ken]

I like this move. It is low risk but it does not mean that we can just move Roth to MLB and say goodbye to Crowder. I think more likely this means we can say goodbye to Charlie Anderson and if we are lucky then maybe Wake can turn into an impact player, but you cannot bank on that just yet, especially for a guy who has not played a down in the NFL.

[mrmikejohnson]

That's great news. People are actually wanting to come to Miami. Bess last year. Now Wake. Hopefully, he can work out as well as Bess did.

[Sam]

I'd get rid of Moses before I got rid of Anderson.

[Patrick]

What I like about this more than whether he’ll be a great player is that he chose Miami over the other suitors. Guys like this were the finds NE always pulled off because people wanted to come and play in that organization. For last 5 years we had a hard time luring players because they didn’t want to play for losers and were willing to go other places for less money. We will need to find lots of diamonds in the rough because we will be playing a division winning schedule next season and then we’ll find out just how far we have come.

[jets sux]

Anderson was coming on towards the end of the season...why throw him out so fast now?? Could use both I'm thinking..BTW- jets suck

[mR742]

Please cut the following players:

Pennington
Beck

W. Allen
J. Allen
N. Jones

Thank you!

Excellent pickup, I'd cut the entire LB core if possible, but obviously it isn't. Take this move, pick up JT as a FA for league minimum and draft a NT and a safety and I say we can win the East again next year with one of the more potent D's in the league...Then again I only picked the Phins to go 8-8 this year so what do I know?

[Ken]

Anderson was coming on at the end of the year but he was horrible on special teams and I think he is a free agent or is going to be next year which means he will want money and I just don't think he is worth it. I think this move is designed to replace Anderson.

[shanader]

Now I can bring my peppers argument to this post lol. I say contact the guy and find out how much money he's looking for. The doplhins aren't the marlins. we have the money to sign peppers and keep our guys around. Nobody complained when Tuna gave 30 million to Big Jake cause he played great this year. Why complain if he wants 20-25 million? He would be worth every penny. I hope cameron wake plays well,but I would want the proven commodity in peppers.

[Cagerattler]

Can you imagine if we got JT back? We need a big house in the middle (NT and Center)..and oh yeah, WAHOOOO!

[John in Springs]

You have got to be kidding me, Peppers? I'd take Suggs over Peppers ANY day. If he isn't franchised, I say go after Suggs and leave Peppers in the kitchen cabinet.

[John in Springs]

JT needs to go back to dancing school, we don't need an over the hill has been, what did he do for the Deadskins this year?

[Mitch]

Can we see a transcript ? This was a terrible summation of the interview. Focusing on the guy being out of the league and not how he's kicked butt the last two years and named top CFL "D" player twice in a row. I yearn for the day Miami gets a news reporter who doesn't stink.

[go phins]

i just saw the tuna at senior bowl practice on the nfl network.your going to compare signing jake long who was your 1st overall pick.is 22years old and is going to be your franchise left tackle for the next 10 years at a premium position of need,to signing a almost 30 year old to big money at a position we don't need,in which the de doesn.t post big sack numbers lol

[HP in PA]

Peppers is a great athlete, but his football desire is questionable. Players, fans, reporters alike all said the guy was playing when he wanted too, taking plays off. This is for a team that won their division and had a first round bye. If he is lazy for a team that was picked by many to go to the superbowl, what do you think he will do when he gets a huge contract. The guy will be 29 meaning his best days behind him. I am sure he will make an impact in the short term to any team that signs him but I think the fins should take a pass. All these big name players that are in their late 20's, early 30's there is a reason the team they left did not sign them. We need to stay the course with younger, second tier free agents like the Smiley, Starks of the world who come much cheaper and they have their best football in front of them instead of behind them.

[Chris J. Nelson]

Roth isn't being moved anywhere. He's not going to be a start with the Dolphins beyond this season, possibly earlier.

[Chris J. Nelson]

starter*

[go phins]

john in springs i coudn't agree with you more on peppers.the tuna is not going to sign him,bank on it.

pepper had best two years of playing football .fins will sign him w/max 3 MIL A YEAR .peppers getting old it is time to sign the young the smart for the future even if fins has the money after many years of being in the cellar now it is thetime for wise thinking to be A TEAM like steelers not a team like the loins .BTW I HEARD BOWLES going for fifth interviw w/loins assitant helper.
by monalizzzzzzaaaaaaa

[Eff Mitch]

Mitch were you listening to the press conference? Otherwise how would you know it was a good or bad summation? I think you are really Omar or Harvey Fiawhatever trolling Mando's blog again trying to learn things you don't know so you can report it. Buzz off knob!

TO SMAR THINKER mR742.....WHAT IF YOU CUT CHAD.P . THEN YOU FIND THAT CHAD.HENNE IS A BIGGER INTERCEPTION MACHINE THAN THE PHIL QB BACK UP.
BY ...MONALIZA BABY

[go phins]

shanader,i think your outnumbered on peppers.he 2 and half sacks last year and turned it up this year .his contract year.he's a bum,crying to get out of carolina. we need " we"not "me"players.are you his agent or relative?lol.

[John in Springs]

To me free agency is even more of a crapshoot than the draft. How many times has a big name free agent signed a big deal and then they take a breather for the next 3 years out of a 4 year deal, then they really turn it on again in year 4 trying to set up another sweetheart deal.

I much prefer building through undrafted rookie free agents and through the draft. At least these young guys are hungry, they come to the team with the eye of the tiger. It's good to sometimes pick up an older player to bring the young ones along like we did with CP. But you have to find the older player with a chip on his shoulder, someone who feels they have something to prove if not to themselves to a former coach or team owner.

There are very few big name free agents that ever really pan out, just see number 4 at 2008 NY Jets for that fact.

[Mr. Bungle]

The signing of Cameron Wake does not mean other players will be discarded at this time or move to new positions. There is something called training camp. Wake has proven nothing at the NFL level.

I doubt we'll move Roth and why would we? He made a nice transition to OLB this past season.

[shanader]

Lol no I'm not related to him I'm just a fan of making my team better. I'm guessing you wouldn't sign Haynesworth either go phins...why can't the dolphins get a top flight free agent for once? Wouldn't a player like that make a diffrence here?

[DC-PHINFAN]

Wake said between four and five NFL teams showed serious interest in signing him immediately after the CFL season was over. So why Miami?

"I wanted to eliminate all the fluff," Wake said. "It wasn't about whoever offered the biggest deal. It was about the coaching staffs, the opportunity, the organizations. Miami put themselves above the others in those things even if it wasn't by much."

GOOD ANSWER KID! I HOPE HE DOESNT SUCK

[Foy]

Come on with the Peppers crap I would rather spend the money on Haynesworth or Ashumuga first.We need some secondary help bad Goodman did play well I'll give him that and so did Bell but thats where it ends also we do need to work on our interior o-line as well we should consider the center Brown from Baltimore god only knows how Thomas really is he only played all but two quarters last year so we could be looking for another tackle or gaurd and move some players here and there.Also we may look to trade for a wr or draft one because after TJ the free agent list is not that great.I think we are going to have a good offseason we will fill our needs in fa and hopefully use an earley pick to grab Hakeem Knicks.Also Suggs may come cheaper than Peppers as well.

MR.BUNGLE.CAMERON WAKE WILL BE A STARTER NEXT SEASON NO Q ASKED.YOU DO NOT SIGN HIM NOT KNOWING IF HE CAN IMACT YOUR TEAM OR NOT BEFORE CAMP .SECOND FINS HAS TO BUILD MORE NASTY AND SMART DEFENSE IF THEY WANT A BETTER TEAM THAN THE ONE THEY HAVE W/LUKY RECORD THIS SEASON.LOOKS EVERY DAYTHAT CROWDER IS GONE.DRAFT PICKS IS THE STORY .NO THING ELSE.
BY WHAT MONA

[go phins]

because that's not the tuna's style.if haynesworth can play nt,which he never has done ,maybe.but not de in the 3-4.we have plenty of them

[go phins]

yeeeeeeesssssss,monalizzzzzzzzza.good anwser.

[Armando Salguero]

Mind if I jump into the fray?

Peppers and Haynesworth are excellent players. But for the Dolphins, Peppers makes NO sense. Peppers is going to want a mega contract while changing positions. That's not what you should want to do. If the Dolphins were a 4-3 team, then it would make sense for THEM, regardless of what Peppers says. But for Peppers to say he wants to move to a 3-4 and still get paid like he's played great in it all his life is ridiculous.

About Haynesworth: He's played DT most of his career but not in the 3-4. He does seem to have the skills and pass-rush ability to play end in the 3-4. Fact is, he seems perfect for this move and it would likely extend his career. But getting this guy is going to take at least $10 million per year. For the Dolphins to do that is just so BOLD and so OUT THERE, that I don't see it happening. I would love it. But I don't see it happening.

[go phins]

i'm watching the north practice at the senior bowl .they are showing the ol against the dl.tuna is paying extra attention.

[shanader]

Chris jenkins never played NT for the panthers before being traded to the wets. You remember him tossing around satele like a rag-doll. Ask haynesworth if he can play NT.

ANY SMART YOUNG PLAYER WHO WANTS TO GROW IN PRO FOOTBALL KNOWS THAT TO DO THAT YOU HAVE TO PLAY FOR THE REAL BEST MIND IN THE SPORT AND THAT IS WHERE COMES TUNA . THAT IS WHY AGENTS WILL TELL THEIR YOUNG PLAYERS TO COME TO FLORID .IT IS NOT ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY YOU GET TODAY BUT HWO MUCH YOU WILL GET NEXT DAY .SALSA ANY ONE.
BY MONALiza

[go phins]

thank you very much armando.i 've been making the same arguements about peppers and now haynesworth.it's not the tuna's style.mando are you watching the senior bowl practice,the tuna is there.

[92]

I can play whereva: DT or NT. Line me up,coach!

[go phins]

shanader, did you not just read armando's answer to your question.case closed

[Armando Salguero]

I'm watching. I'm kind of surprised Parcells is there because he hates to fly ... Of course he could have driven.

[go phins]

i'm suprised too.It was reported he was staying home and watching on nfl network.i bet he.s paying real good attention on ol,nt-ron brace and lb.mando

[Baba Booey]

I'd rather go after Suggs. I'm not interested in Peppers or Haynesworth. Parcells will NOT pay huge dollar$ for anyone like that. I don't see him even enteratining the idea of bringing JT back. As much as we loved him, the only way we even MIGHT hav ethat happen is if he comes at the veteran minimum and Parcells is in a giving mood. We'll have to continue to overturn stones and make good draft picks.

[shanader]

I've read Mandos post go phins, it doesn't mean I have to change my position on it. Mando, how do u feel about duke robinson? The guy looks like an animal in the run game. Do you think he could fall us at 25?

[go phins]

maybe the tuna will change your mind ,when he doesn't sign niether one of them.we will get a good look at duke robinson tomm.,when the south takes the field at the senior bowl.

TUNA WILL NOT BRING BACK JT ,HE IS NOT INTERESTED IN ANY PLAYER WORRY ABOUT HIS LOOKS MORE THAN THE TEAM RESULTS OVER ALL .SHOW BIZ IS OVER .DANCE ANY ONE
BY MONALIZZAAAAA

[#1 Dolfan]

Dont forget to vote for Sparano for Motorola NFL coach of the year at NFL.com or on Dolphins website

[AK FinFan]

Hey Mando,
What is the latest on contract talks for current Fins like Bell Crowder Carey and Goodman?

What do you think it would take to get a trade done for Boldin, I think he has about 3 years at about 4 mill per year with the Cards. Maybe a 2nd and a 7th?

[allen]

Please trade Roth for a 4th or 5th round pick, we could find a WR prospect or OLB prospect with a pick like that...Roth doesn't fit in and can definitely be moved because he put up decent stats. He isn't explosive enough and his short arms diminishes his pass rushing ability, and don't think it was impossible to run to his side, i say sign another cheap free agent with upside like Roderick Green...this would allow us to grab a great o-lineman with the first pick, NT and safety in the 2nd round- Ron Brace and Sean Smith sound good to me. Bring in a vet like Dawkins to help communication and tutor young guys like Jason Allen.....keep targeting good talent for cheap costs in free agency unless you want to pursue a big name O-lineman in free agency....my opinion

[allen]

Boldin is a number 2 receiver, do not give up picks for him, he is also injured often...lets find our own WR talent in the draft, Ramses Barden----wait for the senior Bowl he looks like Plaxico....im also excited to see if the dolphins are willing to use a mid round draft pick on Pat White from West Virginia b/c of the problems he would create in the wildcat...this is why we need another pick in the draft....we have to trade someone and get a pick.....bye bye Roth, it was nice knowing you........

[allen]

Please trade Roth for a 4th or 5th round pick, we could find a WR prospect or OLB prospect with a pick like that...Roth doesn't fit in and can definitely be moved because he put up decent stats. He isn't explosive enough and his short arms diminishes his pass rushing ability, and don't think it was impossible to run to his side, i say sign another cheap free agent with upside like Roderick Green...this would allow us to grab a great o-lineman with the first pick, NT and safety in the 2nd round- Ron Brace and Sean Smith sound good to me. Bring in a vet like Dawkins to help communication and tutor young guys like Jason Allen.....keep targeting good talent for cheap costs in free agency unless you want to pursue a big name O-lineman in free agency....my opinion

[Foy]

I think Hayneworth would be ok in a 3-4 but you never know,Peppers in a 3-4 don't see it he may have to move to olb nah I would rather have Suggs,but then again we still have alot of needs and I do agree with some of you that we will not be spending the big bucks on these two.

[David in Galveston]

I can't see Roth in the middle. He's just so big. Levon Kirkland was a huge Mike (biggest one I can think of), and he was 3 inches shorter than Matt Roth.

Little MLB's are way better: Sam Mills, MIke Singletary, Zach of course . . . ever heard of a guy named Nick Buoniconti? They're not great in coverage, OK, but a Mike's job is to TACKLE.

[shaggy]

First of all if roth can play outside, he would have no problem playing inside. if anyone should be worried its the current olb's which roth is, but in no way would they cut him, they would just slide him over. Roth would probably be better inside anyway.

[Mr. Bungle]

It's nice to see some people post with no name and say things that make no sense. So because we signed Wake he's going to be a starter? So every player a team signs always makes the team and makes an impact?

When did you 'no name' start following football, this morning?

[Mr. Bungle]

These comments about Roth moving inside because we signed a CFL star is very funny. Let's stop with if you can play outside you can play inside. They're different positions and not everyone can do that.

What is it about the unknown and undrafted players that impress some of the fan base so much? With the way some of you talk, you'd cut the entire team and field a team of unknowns and undrafted players.