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The Miami Dolphins signed a pass rush specialist out of the Canadian Football League back in 2009, giving Cameron Wake a chance to return to the NFL four years after he failed to make it with the New York Giants. As he returned to the NFL, Wake turned to Miami's established pass rushing threats, Jason Taylor and Joey Porter, to aid in his transition to the league.
Now, in 2012, Wake has established himself as the pass rush threat for the Dolphins, and is ready to take his role as mentor for the younger players, including third round draft pick Olivier Vernon.
"It's funny you say that because it's kind of already started," Wake told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel last week. "...I'm a tenured guy on the team already. Some of the younger guys are coming in and kind of doing the same thing. ...I remember back when I got here doing the same thing with those older guys, Joey and Jason.
"The torch has been passed."
What exactly can Wake show Vernon and the rest of the developing pass rushers for the Dolphins?
"It's just general things (the players ask), ‘When the tackle's doing this, what do I do? How do you get out of this move? Show me this move,'" Wake explained. "Things like that. I remember asking when I first got down here. It's always helpful when you can go out there and teach some of the young guys, and help them help the team. It's encouraging that they're out there playing hard, and I want to help all I can."
What does Wake expect of the Dolphins this season?
"I look at the tools we have," Wake said. "I look at all these guys, and we have playmakers, guys with great motors and that's what you need to get to the ball. Quarterbacks, running backs, o-linemen, it doesn't matter. We have the tools to go out there and be very successful. I don't think that's something that is unique to the way I feel. I think other guys you speak to would feel the same way. I think it's something we have to put on the field.
"It can't just be talk."
Hopefully, it won't be.