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We are currently making our way through the Miami Dolphins' 90-man offseason roster, breaking down last season for each player, as well as what could happen this year. Today, we continue today with a look at defensive end Cameron Wake.
(Picture courtesy Marc Serota/Getty Images)
Previous Roster Breakdowns: Chad Bumphis Marcus Thigpen Aaron Corp Jelani Jenkins Jonathan Martin Tristan Okpalaugo Reshad Jones Jeff Adams John Denney Philip Wheeler
2012 Review:
Cameron Wake
| 2012 Stats | |
| Games | 16 |
| Starts | 16 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Forced Fumbles | 3 |
| Recoveries | 0 |
| Touchdowns | 0 |
| Sacks | 15.0 |
| Tackles | 53 |
Pro Bowl. First Team All Pro. Career high in sacks. Career high in tackles. Career high in forced fumbles. Top ranked pass rusher by Pro Football Focus. Anything else you need to know about Wake's 2012 campaign?
Wake dominated opposing offensive lines last year, in route to his 15 sacks, 25 quarterback hits, and 42 quarterback hurries. He also draws holding calls like no one else in the league. Wake is simply a dominant player on the Miami defensive line.
Why he could improve in 2013:
Wake doesn't need to improve. He just needs to keep playing like he has been. If he records 14 or more sacks this season, he will join Reggie White as the only players to record that number in three of their first five seasons in the league. Any time you can mention a pass rusher in the same sentence as White, you do not need to see any improvement from him.
Yet, Wake may improve this year. Second round defensive end Olivier Vernon is making a move for more playing time, pushing Jared Odrick over to defensive tackle on passing downs, and the team traded up to add Dion Jordan with the third overall pick in April's Draft. Add in pass rush threats from the Miami linebackers on blitzes, and Wake could find himself with easier paths to the quarterback this year, as teams look to neutralize the multiple threats on the Dolphins defense.
Why he could regress in 2013:
Age? Wake is 31 this year, despite only entering his fifth season in the league. Two years off from football and two seasons in the CFL will do that to you.
Maybe if the pass rush from Odrick, Vernon, Jordan, and the linebackers does not materialize, teams can go back to focusing on trying to slow Wake.
Really, those are the only things that could be obstacles to another dominant season from Wake.
Odds he will make the 53-man roster:
Ummmmm....really?!? Let's say he has a pretty good shot at making the 53-man roster. His name is probably written in permanent marker on the big white boards in the offices of Joe Philbin and Jeff Ireland.