Dolphins go international in talent search

[DolFan619]

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2009/01/this-summer-bil.html

Dolphins go international in talent search

This summer Bill Parcells assigned a couple of Dolphins scouts to scour the CFL for talent.

"Find me a guy that can do something special," Parcells told his scouts.

The scouts answered that mandate this week when they presented the Dolphins with one Derek Cameron Wake. Wake, 6-3 and 241 pounds, is a former Penn State linebacker. In 2005 he was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent but was eventually released in 2006.

In 2007, finding no NFL suitors, Wake signed with the British Columbia Lions. Having struggled as a tweener with the Giants, Wake was converted from a linebacker to a defensive end in BC. Wake rewarded the Lions with 16 sacks and earned the league's rookie of the year and defensive player of the year awards.

This season, Wake picked up where he left off -- in the backfield tormenting quarterbacks -- as he led the league with an eye-popping 23 sacks. And he was named most outstanding defensive player again.

This week Wake got a workout with the Dolphins because he can do something special and because his specialty happens to be a Dolphins need. The Dolphins are looking desperately for pass-rush help. Although Miami had a very respectable 40 sacks in 2008, 17.5 of those came from one player, Joey Porter. So the Dolphins are looking for another pass-rushing threat.

Although Wake cannot play defensive end in the NFL at his current 241 pounds, he can definitely help in Miami's four-man rush in nickel and dime situations. (This suggests Charlie Anderson could become expendable.) Anyway, Wake was good in his workout, according to a source. The guy is in shape -- a big plus to the Dolphins -- and apparently has a great motor.

It will be interesting to see if he is signed as a free agent.

[DolFan619]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/miamidolphins/entries/2009/01/15/cameron_wake_works_out_for_dol.html

CFL stud Cameron Wake works out for Dolphins

By Edgar Thompson | Thursday, January 15, 2009, 07:29 PM

The best defensive player in the CFL worked out with the Miami Dolphins today, according to a published report.

Defensive end Cameron Wake of the British Columbia Lions was in South Florida so the Dolphins could take a look at the two-time CFL Defensive Player of the Year, according to the Toronto Globe and Mail.

Miami reportedly isn’t the only team vying for the services of Wake, a 6-foot-3, 241-pounder who played at Penn State.

The report stats that Indianapolis, New Orleans and Minnesota also are interested in Wake, who would move to weak-side linebacker in the NFL.

Sources told the Globe and Mail that Wake, 26, has been impressive in workouts, piquing the interests of potential suitors.

[DolFan619]

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2009/01/the-search-for.html

Searching for a pass rusher

Jeff Ireland's turn over every rock approach benefited the team in 2008 because it allowed the Dolphins to discover a few hidden gems worth developing.

Ireland said his scouting staff not only targets college talent, but they also keep files on Arena League players - like last year's practice squad receiver Anthony Armstrong - and Canadian Football League talent.

The search for a pass rusher to compliment Joey Porter motivated the Trifecta to claim former CFL defensive end Tearrius George last week, and this week the Dolphins worked out Cameron Wake, one of the CFL's top defenders the past two seasons.

Considering I've been told by the scouting community Bill Parcells is on a never ending quest to find the next Lawrence Taylor, it's highly likely that one of the team's top priorities this offseason is to find a complimentary pass rusher to Porter.

Former defensive end Matt Roth was decent in his first season as an outside linebacker, contributing 56 tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles, but his pass rush was lacking. However, it was his first season at the position.

Charlie Anderson, another converted defensive end, is a decent complimentary piece. But last year's free agent addition hasn't proven he can be an every down player.

Quentin Moses is a long shot to remain on the team because of his limited contributions (two tackles) in 2008, and marginal special teams impact, which is lacking.

When added to the roster late in the season rookie Erik Walden, another college defensive end, became a major contributor on special teams. His wedge busting and sure tackling improved that unit drastically. However, it's unknown what the former Middle Tennessee standout can bring as a pass rushing outside linebacker because it usually takes at least year or two for young players to make that adjustment.

The same adjustment process applies to all of the above mentioned options, which means the Dolphins have plenty of players that need more exploration, and time to blossom.

What is certain is they don't have much time to do it because have this team needs to find someone who will help the defense improve it's pass rushing next season.

"In the 3-4 you have to have productive outside linebackers, and for outside linebackers to be productive they have to be able to play and not think," former Steelers coach Bill Cowher told me. "If they are having to think out there they are not playing as fast, and they are not going to be as productive."

How should the Dolphins address this problem?

Will it require a big bucks investment in a free agent like Terrell Suggs or Karlos Dansby this offseason?

Can the Dolphins afford to bank on a drafted player, wait and pray that he learns quickly enough to make a contribution knowing one of last year's early first-round picks, Vernon Gholston, a player they were high on, struggled. Gholston, who has all the ideal measurables for that outside linebacker spot, was a bust in his first season converting from college defensive end to 3-4 outside linebacker with the Jets?

Should the Dolphins focus their energies on investing in the players they have, like Roth and Anderson, or find and sign possible hidden gems like George, or possibly Wake?

Steelers stud James Harrison, the NFL's 2008 Defensive Player of the Year, was cut by the Steelers three times before finally learning enough to make an impact in Pittsburgh.

Harrison serves as a testimony that hidden gems are out there, and could become productive given time and opportunity.

Deuces.

> Posted by Omar Kelly at 10:43:32 AM

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Talk about finding the players who can fit your systems/formations. 

[DolFan619]

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2009/01/dolphins-never.html

Dolphins never stop searching

In case you missed it guys, the Toronto Globe and Mail reported that the Dolphins brought in former Penn State linebacker Cameron Wake in for a workout this week.

FYI - Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland will give his only press conference at the Senior Bowl on Tuesday morning, so keep an eye out for Omar's reports. I'm passing on Mobile, and doing the Super Bowl week. We'll both be at the Combine.

Here's the story on Wake...

Cameron Wake of the B.C. Lions continued his series of workouts with NFL teams on Thursday by visiting the Miami Dolphins, one of several teams who are eager to sign the two-time CFL defensive player of the year.

Indianapolis, New Orleans and Minnesota are other clubs believed to be in the hunt for Wake.

Sources say Wake's athleticism has been very impressive during workouts, apparent every bit in person as it is on game tapes NFL teams have studied from the past two seasons.

Wake's impression thus far has erased any doubt that he will play in the NFL next season, likely with a sizable signing bonus given the degree of interest in him.

It is believed that Wake, who played on the defensive line in the CFL, would play weak-side linebacker in the NFL.

HF

> Posted by harvey fialkov at 10:44:11 AM

P.S. Clearly, the Dolphins want to give Joey Porter some help, plus Porter will be 32 in March. One thing about Porter he's in tremendous shape so he's got at least three solid sesaons left in him.

[DolFan619]

  Per Adam Schefter, Cameron Wake is now a Miami Dolphin.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/01/18/dolphins-import-pass-rusher-wake/

[Thundergod]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXhvg2HhTo0

A little featurette on Wake.

[Tepop84]

Quite the scouts he hired.  Tough to find a guy that has won DPOY 2 years in a row.

[Frimp]

Tepop, can't you say ONE positive thing about the Dolphins?

[YoFuggedaboutit]

I've heard the Dolphins are interested in West Virginia QB Pat White.  He's expected to go in the later rounds, but he would be perfect for the Wildcat Formation. 

[dolfan13]

i saw a couple of games with pat white, and for all the talk about tebow, i think white running the wildcat will be tough to defend. he can throw the ball on the run pretty good...

anyway, this is great news for the fins... another olb with pass rush ability, speed and good size. i thought they would be going after a de/olb with the first pick in the draft. wonder where they end up going now...

[DolFan619]

Tepop, can't you say ONE positive thing about the Dolphins?

  I think we all know the answer to that one.

[DolFan619]

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2009/01/dolphins-look-t.html

Dolphins look to CFL for pass-rush help

The Dolphins have reached an agreement with CFL defensive end Cameron Wake on a four-year deal that could be worth about $4.9 million with a $1 million signing bonus according to a report on NFL Network.

The Dolphins didn't return calls late Sunday and a phone message to Wake's home in Maryland was not returned.

The 6-3, 260-pound Wake, a two-time CFL Defensive Player of the Year, visited the Dolphins earlier this week. Several NFL teams were interested, particularly the Colts.

Wake, 26, should bolster the pass rush which was basically a one-man show named Joey Porter last season (17.5 sacks of the team's 40). He'll probably be converted to a weak-side backer and would complement Porter on certain passing downs.

Wake was undrafted coming out of Penn State, which happens to be DC Paul Pasqualoni's alma mater, so I'm sure his contacts there filled in some blanks. His was known as Derek Pace at Penn State but switched to his middle name in the CFL.

The Giants signed him in 2005 but he left for CFL in 2006. He was named CFL Defensive Player of the Year in '06 and '07. He had 39 sacks for the BC Lions over the last two seasons. We'll have to ask former CFLer Ricky Williams what he thinks of Pace.

As GM Jeff Ireland told me after the win over the Jets, the Dolphins believe in being proactive and not reactive and not even waiting for the free agency period to start and by looking north to Canada to fortify the pass rush certainly emphasizes his point.

I don't see this having an effect on their decision to re-sign ILB Channing Crowder or not because they play two different positions. After watching Ravens LB Terrell Suggs wreaking havoc today despite being hurt and seeing what he did to the Dolphins twice this season, I would be all over him if the Ravens don't re-up him. And watching Ray Lewis blow up RBs and forcing fumbles also tells you how much the Dolphins need a linebacker to make game-changing plays on a regular basis.

HF

What do you think about Wake, good move, eh?

> Posted by harvey fialkov at 12:37:28 AM

[DolFan619]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/miamidolphins/entries/2009/01/19/dolphins_sign_cfl_stud_cameron.html

Dolphins sign CFL stud Cameron Wake

By Edgar Thompson | Monday, January 19, 2009, 08:29 AM

Road tripping to Mobile for Senior Bowl week, so I apologize for just getting to this …

Seems like the Dolphins’ remarkable turnaround has put the team in a strong position to build during the off-season.

The Dolphins have signed CFL stud Cameron Wake, Adam Schefter of the NFL Network reports.

This pick-up could be a coup, considering Wake worked out for eight teams. Schefter reports 17 coveted the two-time CFL Defensive Player of the Year, who had 39 sacks the past two seasons for the British Columbia Lions. (The deal could be worth up to $4.9 million, including $1 million in guaranteed money, Schefter reports.)

Wake’s decision came down to the Colts, a perennial playoff team and Super Bowl champions two seasons ago, and the Dolphins.

Maybe the Dolphins just offered a lot more money than anyone. Or maybe Wake chose the Dolphins - a franchise on the rise that could use some playmakers in the 3-4 defense.

The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Wake was a defensive end in the CFL but is projected to line up at weakside linebacker in the NFL. Wake, 26, could spell Joey Porter, who will be 32 next season, and possibly develop into a replacement.

Wake, who was undrafted in 2006 out of Penn State, ran a 4.55 at the scouting combine. His workouts, including one last Thursday with the Dolphins, turned heads around the league.

His arrival also raises the question of Charlie Anderson’s long-term future with the Dolphins. Anderson, 27, had a team-high five penalties in the season’s first three months. But he came on during December, including sacks in back-to-back games against Buffalo and San Francisco.

Anderson is due to make a base salary of $1.7 million next season and $2.2 million in 2010.

[StL FinFan]

It certainly fills a need if his talent remains in the NFL.