Cameron Wake's Pro Bowl caliber to be tested

True Story: In January of 2009 the Miami Dolphins decided as an organization that after having Cameron Wake on their CFL tracking list for some time, they would like to move on the pass-rush specialist. The club was well beyond the film studying and workout portion of its due diligence so it was time to get about the business of trying to sign Wake.

And so Jeff Ireland got to work negotiating with Wake's agent. During one session, Wake's agent got call-waiting and excused himself from Ireland. When he returned to the conversation and negotiation, he told Ireland that it had been another team calling.

Ireland immediately thought he was being toyed with. He thought the agent was telling him it was another team and that team was also jumping into the negotiations. (It is a typical agent ploy to increase the price for his client by saying there are other bidders.)

So Ireland assumed the worst.

Except the agent was actually up-front with Miami's general manager. He explained to Ireland the team on the phone was asking for tape of Wake so it could begin studying him.

Obviously they were too late to the festivities and Wake eventually signed with the Dolphins, picking Miami over about six other teams, among other teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"We studied and pursued him when he came out of the Canada," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said this week. "We do that on a yearly basis. We identified him and Stefan Logan, a returner that we had last year. They came out of the CFL together at the same time. We were able to acquire Logan, who did good business for us, but we weren't able to get in the mix on Cameron. We've been pretty aware of him even before him getting down there."

Now, the Steelers are keenly aware of Wake seeing as that he is a pass-rush threat and will be chasing Ben Roethlisberger this weekend.

Tomlin is pretty much an expert on great linebacker play. The Steelers have James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, both of whom are Pro Bowl players. And Tomlin says Wake is "having a Pro Bowl-caliber year."

I must concur. Wake is tied for fourth in the NFL with six sacks so far this season. He has more than Harrison (5) and is close to lapping Woodley (3.5). He leads the Dolphins. And he's coming off a three-sack outburst against Green Bay last week.

But the assignment for Wake gets more difficult, not less this week.

Last week, Wake did his work against rookie tackle Bryan Bulaga. This Sunday, the Steelers have veterans Max Starks and Flozell Adams at the tackle spots.

"Two quality, quality players," coach Tony Sparano said, describing Pittsburgh's tackles. "They're two veterans who understand how to play the game."

The Dolphins admit Wake is still a work in progress on how to play the game -- particularly as it relates to making him a three-down player. We all know he can rush the passer. That is obvious. But how's he doing on the other downs?

"It's getting much better, it really is," Sparano said. "Each week he does something different in the run game, he sets the edge better in the run game, gets off blocks better in the run game. There's another step taken. Now I think this is going to be the biggest challenge and I'm not just saying that because it's the next game."

Sparano is saying it because the Dolphins defense still hasn't proven it can contain the run on the edges all the time. They believe excellent running teams, like the Steelers, will see the film and believe they can exploit the edges of the defense with their running game.

"That part of it, he's got to step up to, there's no way around it," Sparano said. "We've got set the edges of the defense. That's a big part of the progression with him, which he is getting better at. He's done a solid job in ballgames here as of late." 

[BLOG NOTE: THERE WILL BE A LIVE GAME BLOG SUNDAY. THAT IS THE USUAL. ARE ANY OF YOU INTERESTED IN A LIVE CHAT ON SATURDAY? I'M NOT PLEASED WITH THE SATURDAY TRAFFIC SO I'M WILLING TO DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO GET YOU HERE ON SATURDAYS. LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS SECTION IF YOU'D BE WILLING TO PARTICIPATE.]

 

Comments

[Nobody else that's important]

You can imposter me all you want Home, don't bother me. Like I said, your an old, fat man with no ballz and no life. No doubt in my mind you are either a molester of young boys or have been accused of it. Your a worthless piece of dog sht who swallows guys loads after they pull out of you vag...I mean ass.For cancer awareness month I prayed you get cancer and die a shytty death. One day you will get yours, what comes around ass...remember

Posted by: Pannini | October 23, 2010 at 03:48 PM

Heck Pannini , i'm sure he's even molested his son.

[Home]

"Pannini"

Home finds your comments inappropriate & rude, border lining on criminal

As a man of Christ with a sense of humor
Home asks U to rethink your actions
and try to better yourself

and Home is not, nor ever has been even remotely fat or bald
Home is also strictly heterosexual and find your comments disgusting & sickening

May suggest u find Christ or something positive to believe in

God Bless U, Mr. Pannini

[Cuban Menace]

Home has a kids??????

[odinseye]

And to think, I could've been in the woods at 5:30 this morning. Communing with nature and trying to shoot the shyt out of something.

But NO! I had to stick around for the live blog..................................

Armando, you're going to get yours. Come Devils Night, that toilet paper all over your bushes and trees, that will be ME!

[Home]

again Imposter of Home

Find your comments vile & disgusting as well as your behavior reprehensible

Please think of others
Especially minor aged children
If u insist on posting such vulgarities

God Bless U
Love
Your Christian brother wishing to get u the help u need
Home

[finatic]

cmon guys getback to football.
if ur a FinFan then we need to get along.
if u are a FinHater thenn... Get The Heck Out Of Here!!!!
everyone Has a different view of the Fins which is greay for the Reader.
Peace,Love,and HoneyMustard please.
Go FINS!!!

[Jack Hoffman]

I don't see the fuss about Wake? three sacks against a rookie second teamer. Take those three gimme's and he's down near the bottom with 3.
He can'r stop the run or pass and once tackles get wise to that pass rush move and stay with him it's no sack wake.
There will be NO WAKE this sunday, i guarantee it. Calm seas.

[Cuban Menace]

Is Mando gonna Grace us with his presents???, Or was he just trying to get "more" hits for his blog???, You decide.....

[bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com]

wow jack, your a genius

[Nobody else that's important]

Since Dying breed and Home love each other so much they should get together for for a 69er.

[Home]

Stick your Chritianity up your ASS. I find YOU vile and disgusting. Rot in hell Home.

[odinseye]

Jack Hoffman,

STFU with your dumbass. Wake has more than doubled what Jason Traitor has done this season.

A rookie second teamer? Shows how truly stupid you really are.

I bet deep down inside, you wish James Harrison would take a cheap shot up side your head and run up in ya.

[finatic]

jack, i respect and understand ur view, BUT i disagree...
i believe that Wake, Dansby,Crowder understand sumwhat the level steelers D plays and the Threat of BigBen can be.
that being said i want to believe(as a Fan) that our D is Really coming to Play and will make us Proud.
Our Offense??? God be with us...

[Nobody else that's important]

Pannini"

Home finds your comments inappropriate & rude, border lining on criminal

As a man of Christ with a sense of humor
Home asks U to rethink your actions
and try to better yourself

and Home is not, nor ever has been even remotely fat or bald
Home is also strictly heterosexual and find your comments disgusting & sickening

May suggest u find Christ or something positive to believe in

God Bless U, Mr. Pannini

Posted by: Home | October 23, 2010 at 03:59 PM

Really Home ? how about some of the language you've used at some of the bloggers on here like Mark in Toronto or you're continued bashing of NJ and your homosexual references ? You're no man of christ . you're a hypocrite and a Fraud . You're a man of UFO's.

[seek God`s help]

Robert the jet fan
At this time i would refer you to the bible in your cell and remember you are there for unprovoked stalking and trying to murder members of your own family. This was your choice.

[Home]

God bless the little boys

Father Home

[finatic]

Fins Will Win. mark it!!!!
its not the "Loco" talking either...

[odinseye]

I love when someone is trying to be two posters and they forget to change their sign in name.

Doh!!!!

Or as Aloco would say:

Why I feel someone talking to self?

[Cuban Menace]

Speaking of Aloco, Notice he disappears and Pannini and others show up???????? Just saying...

[Constitution]

seek God's help

Seek the Constitution and read the First Amendment

Fool

[Carbon Monoxide]

Home, I hope and pray you get to meet Christ

The sooner the better

Bless you, you hypocrite

Carbon Monoxide

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. Salguero

Ever since you took that Radio gig and left us unattended things here at the blog are crazy.

If I were you I'd get my ass back to the blog asap because I am fixin to call social services.

Wait till the Herald find out that Social services took away your blog because of neglect.

Social Services is no joke, if they take your blog from you you have to jump through all kinds of hoops to get it back.

Plus there's the Social stigma of losing the blog...other writers won't let you near there blog...and can you blame them ?

Concerned and don't wanna end up in a foster blog.

Soiled :)

[Home]

Miami 27
Pitt. 24

[seek God`s help]

Robert the jet fan, why you try to do that and then reverse the story when confronted? Have you no shame?

[kris]

home....u forgot to change your sign in name when u were having yhe fake argument with yourself....

Take a break man...come back on tuesday with some new material

[Robert the jet fan]

"have you no shame?"

Uh actually NO none at all
Thks for asking though

[Grand Pa Jones]

Where oh where are you tonight?

Why did you leave me here all alone?

[SoiledBottom]

Mr. Grandpa Jones

I searched the world over, and thought I found true luv...but you meet another and (Rasberry)...you where gone

HeeeeHawwwww

Soiled :)

[seek God`s help]

Robert the jet fan how old are you?

[odinseye]

No shame?

No shame?

Are you kidding me? Lick an ugly womans dirty toes after a home cooked meal and tell me you ain't got no shame!!!!

Valhalla!!!!

[The Ghost of Frank Zappa]

Hee Haw

Oh man, I loooove that show.

Titties and Beer!

[Seeking Armando's Help!!!!]

Where's the Live Blog?

[Robert the jet fan]

seek God's help

Not interested in your Sermon on the Mount

Save it or stuff it whackjob

[Cuban Menace]

Doe's anyone know who the #1 best player is on the "NFL top 100" ?????

[Cuban Menace]

What are your guy's thoughts on who's # 1??????

[Pannini]

Sorry for blowing up the blog guys, had my say. I'm good till at least Tuesday.

[Charles Manson]

I need a fix cause I'm going down

Down to the bits that I left uptown

[Pannini]

No live blog tonight.
Mando saw the blog and ran
Plenty of hits though

[odinseye]

Cuban,

You think Aloco will show up anytime soon?

PS: Walter Payton. No if ands or buts about it.

[Home]

Steelers were Not even a play off team last year

*****The Dynasty Be Fins! *****

[Home]

Best set of WRs ever for the Miami Dolphins

B-Marsh
Simply The Bess
HeartLion

***** The Dynasty Be Fins! *****

[nobody important]

Marino was ranked 25th (7th by the fans). My guess is the talking heads will put Jim Brown as #1.

I AM ALWAYS...going to rank Marino higher than 25th.

[Cuban Menace]

Odin, Gotta through out Barry sanders ...........

[Home]

Steelers WEAK at defending the pass

Steelers r 24th in the NFL in pass defense

[Home]

So Odinseye, the hunter

The Steelers BLEED (24th in passing defense)

and if it BLEEDS,

We Can Kill It!

***** The Dynasty Be Fins! *****

[Pannini]

ALoco is currently counseling Robert the jet fan
Under the moniker "seek God's help"
ALoco thinks he is the Pope now

[nobody important]

Johnny U, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice probably all top 10. Any could end up #1.

[odinseye]

Ike and Tina Taylor will be double teaming Marshall with help from Ryan Clark.

Who will be covering Bess?

[Pannini]

Where does Lynn Swann and Joe Montana fall in that 100??

[Home]

Vontae Davis covering the physical WR Hines Ward

Should be Action, man

...Action

[nobody important]

I can't believe that Joe Namath is ranked as one of the top 100. That is absurd. Top 100 most important players of all time I could agree with, but top 100 best players?! Ridiculous. You could probably name 100 better QBs than that guy without even getting into other positions. Just another reason I put no stock in these kinds of lists.

[Cuban Menace]

Great Question...........

[Cuban Menace]

Wonder where Terry Bradshaw will show up on the list.....

[odinseye]

Nobody and Pianni,

2. Marino

8. Jerry Rice

10. Joe Montanna

12. Lynn Swann

17. Johnny U.

[nobody important]

Bradshaw is #50.

[Home Advantage]

Jason Allen has more INTs this year than Troy Polamalu

***** The Dynasty Be Fins! *****

[Pannini]

I though Swann was just all around best receiver ever.

[odinseye]

Bradshaw was and is a big dummy.

If it wan't for Swann, Stallworth and one of the best defenses ever assembled, we wouldn't even know Bradshaws name.

Just my humble opinion....................

[nobody important]

Odin, Payton was one of my all time favorite players. I will never forget the press conference just before he died when he broke down and thanked everybody for their support. Heart-wrenching to think abut even to this day.

All that being said, IMO Barry Sanders was the best RB I have ever seen play the game. If that guy would have had any support like an OLine, a QB, receivers around him, a defense, a good OC or a good HC the things he would have done would have bordered on supernatural.

[SoiledBottom]

Best players in my book

Dan Marino #1
Barry Sanders #2

The rest is just conversation