Yeah, CFL. Seems like he was a DE and DPOY. I can't recall if it was during JJ's or Wanny's tenure. I think he was cut in either the first or second round of preseason cuts. I'm sure somewhere someone could run his name down, but I'm not that motivated. Again, though, these diamonds in the rough turn up from time to time, but the odds are against them.
Ah.... I do recall now. It was either during JJ or Wanny's tenure. His name was Haley and we actually used a draft pick on him. 7th rounder I think. You have to keep in mind though that you can't use ANYTHING that happened during the Wanny tenure as a measuring stick for future personnel moves.
My first thought after seeing that video of him jumping up to get the 5 dollar bill was that surely we will see some blocked field goals and extra points in our future!! I already like this guy.
This guy looks just phenomenal -- here's another utube link that's a bit more of a biography on Cam: http://phoenix.fanster.com/2009/01/16/arizona-cardinals-taking-a-look-at-cfls-cameron-wake/
I'm glad we're looking to get speed pash rushers. And this guy looks to have a lot of potential. But we now have to start turning the discussion to exactly how we're gonna use him. He obviously looks to be a 3-4 WLB. The problem is Joey Porter already mans that position. He's no ILB, so we can forget that. He's too small to play 3-4 DE (And those guys don't rush the passer as much due to their size, hence the Langford and Merling duo.) Can he play SLB? I'm not sure how good he is at stopping the run, but it doesn't look like he'll get in in 1st down situations or 2nd and shorts. Here's how I see this guys role in 2009. He'll be in opposite Joey Porter in the OLB position only in Passing situations, whereas Roth will be in on running situation. Then when we play pass happy teams like the Pats, he'll get a lot more plays
To add to my post above, I really do think this sets the tone for the draft. As we already have 3 pass rush OLBs in Porter, C. Anderson, and now Wake, I just don't see them using a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd round pick for pass rush. A later round pick on a guy with raw talent, yes, but not an early pick. Maybe 4th - 7th round. This will allow us to concentrate on ILB, NT, S, and OL early on. Strategically it was a good signing IMO.
This guy's attitude is terrific. He reeks of great character. I have a good feeling about this signing. This guy has the perfect attitude and work ethic to be successful in the NFL and help our team immensely.
A little news update, was listening to a Calgary sports radio station this morning and they had a guest on, an O-lineman for the Stampeders, he was thrilled to hear Wake was going to the NFL, obviously Wake was tough to play against for their group. Then the hosts talked about most CFL'ers signing in the NFL, ie: Flutie, Garcia, Kenton Keith and they brought up the note that they believed Cam Wake's contract was the largest by a CFL'er going south. To that note they said most players who go to the NFL are role players and like in the case of flutie signed a league minimum with the bills because he was a backup. They went on to speculate and give their opinion that the nature of the contract miami gave Wake they must feel strong that he can contribute in a significant way right away, otherwise he would have signed for the minimum just to get into the nfl. I tend to agree with this, I hope that is the intention with him because I truely think he can produce for us in 2009, time will tell but the early signs are our FO thinks highly of a CFL player enough to guarantee him a million dollars along with a 4 year contract.
He actually looks more like a SOLB but he's not Matt Roth in the run game. I doubt anyone is. He could be Charlie Anderson's replacement all-in-all so that does not guarantee a lack of picks but I would prefer to keep both and rotate guys in and out. Will it prevent a pick at OLB? I'd hardly say that. A first round pick at OLB? Quite possibly, unless Sintim is available. I have to say though that this is interesting. We've hardly spent anything at OLB, Bill's favorite position over his years of coaching. Some of the predictions on which spots on the defensive line the man prefers and what his actions will be have been proven wrong. He'd never drafted a tackle as high as Long. We may see Suh as our first round pick at this rate. For that matter a center may also not be a surprise.
Yup , last year we got Charlie Anderson for 7.35 mill for 3 years and he got a $2.5 million signing bonus
wow, when you really look at it. with the basically wasted money invested in anderson, torbor, wilford, and Crocker, we really had a terrible Free Agency period last year.(outside of Smiley and if you want to count undrafted FAs) i just dont know about a 4 year deal. im suprised of the length for an unknown. we'll see though, hopefully hes here and productive for at least those 4 years.
Does anyone have any idea whether or not C Wake will have to attend Rookie Training Camp right after the Draft?
23 sacks in 2008!! 16 in 2007! Half of that for a total for the next 2 years would be beyond incredible!!!
I have no idea. I hope he shows up to any and everything the team has in the offseason. Rookie Training Camp, OTAs, Camp, Photoshoots
Well, he did last a season on the Giants practice squad (Hmm...are we the Giants..South) so he probably wouldn't have to report for orientation and workouts. But IMO, he should, no room for ego here he is better served to earn everything he ends up with.
That makes the selection of Unger or Mack even more likely. I'd be drooling if Carey were retained and Unger drafted. Had a question to ask you by the way buddy, what do you think of Max Unger in one-on-one situations against NTs such as the low-built run pluggers like Hampton?
Maybe they don't want to make the same mistake as they did with Davone Bess! We need to sign Bess to a contract extension!
Yeah, but he put up those numbers in the CFL. Biiig difference in talent level between these two leagues. I'll be happy with the signing if he comes in here and becomes a very good ST's player.
How much more? The talent difference has to be taken into account and so does the fact that NFL teams, scouts, etc all passed on him in the draft, as well as the fact that he was cut by the Giants. Take away the CFL clips and if this was any other player we would just be happy with him playing well on ST's. He won't be starting and I doubt he'll steal much playing time from Porter. I just don't see much opportunity for him to put up any sort of numbers.
He is one of those Philosophical picks L2G, he dominated the CFL, he has the physicality and maybe the desire, he could end up merely being a ST guy. Add in Sparano's methods...Competition...who knows how high he can grow?
That is a realistic expectation, can't expect him to light it up like he did in the CFL. The talent is way better in this league, cant just walk in and dominate like he did up here in Canada. That being said he has alot of the tools that I feel given the right coaching he could become something in a few years time. That is the hope anyway, either way it was low risk.
Maybe, the one thing that we love about Head Coach Sparano is, a player will be given a chance if they work hard in practices, C. Wake has every mark of doing that for us. And CFL Qb's tend to be smaller and quicker, or at least they have good footspeed.. And from what I've been reading, C. Wake had some help up in BC.
I'm not saying that I feel his ceiling is ST's, but the odds are stacked against him and until he shows me something that tells me that he belongs in this league, I'm going to keep my expectations low.