Cameron Wake has been the heart and soul of the Miami Dolphins Defense for the past 7 years and like most Fin Fans, my favorite player since Zach and Taylor – with a sprinkling of Ricky (don’t crucify me on that one, I just loved the dude). Wake had such a unique path towards the NFL, Parcells plucked him up from the CFL and onto the Dolphins. And Wake has displayed a deep loyalty to Miami because the Dolphins were the only team willing to give him a chance. That was the Cinderella start to Wake’s career – this act of his story isn’t so kind. We all remember him just sitting on the turf. My gut emptied watching him. I felt an ill omen like a black crow landing on my shoulder and squawking: season ending Achilles injury came quick the next day.
In the 7 games that he played, he had 7 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles, and was just beginning to figure out how to maximize his potential playing next to Suh – we all were feeling it, then. Now, the Dolphins have the option to cut Wake this off-season, and the reason is tempting as he is going to count for $9.8 million against the cap next year, and there’s no guarantee that he will be healthy. For a fast twitch player this was THE worst injury – but if there was one guy who could come back it would be him!! Most football gambling fans would bet that Miami would probably look to cut Wake, so they can save the cap room and head in a younger direction with Vernon. Between Wake’s recent injury history, the fact he is 34 years old, and probably only has a couple of more seasons left, fans might be inclined to agree that it would be the safe, if not prudent move, to part ways with him.
However, part of me disagrees – barring any setbacks, because Wake showed last season, that when he is healthy, he’s still one of the best Defensive Ends in the league. Wake is known as a workout warrior, who meticulously takes care of his body and his health – one of the greatest physical specimens EVER to play in NFL. IF he can recover by next season, there’s still a chance for him to play at an elite level. I still want him to be a Fin – maybe it’s emotion driving me to see him go out in Aqua. Maybe it’s fear that the Patriots will scoop him up to jam him down our disrespectful throats. This is why is such an important evaluation. He is a class act. He is what a true Dolphin is – talent and character.
The most optimal move, would be to find a way where they can restructure Wake’s contract. Vernon is most likely going to hit the free-agency market and you never can tell how that will go, which means Miami runs the risk of being short handed on the defensive line. Then to make matters worse, Derrick Shelby is also unsigned for next season, so he as well may hit the open market and just sign with the highest bidder. That leaves alot of holes at DE – and that’s never good: EVER!!!. I know Wake is the older of the bunch and the riskier prospect, however, he is still the best of these three players when healthy, and COULD provide the Dolphins with another 2-3 years of elite performance. Just the other day it seemed so clear – go with Vernon. But, emotion clouds reason and when I think of all the bad things that could happen if he were to go, all the good things that could happen if he stays seem to grow in probability. If Tannehill will be the most crucial evaluation of the season – the DE situation will be the absolute most critical decision of Free Agency!! We can’t keep them all – that’s a fact, but we’d better keep the right ones!!