Cam Wake: Making waves in Miami

Former BC Lion Cameron Wake signed with the Miami Dolphins during the off season with the hopes of cracking a roster that features two outstanding – but aging – linebackers in Joey Porter and Jason Taylor.

The bad news for Lions fans is quite good news for Cam Wake fans… Don’t expect the 6’3″ 250 pound defensive monster to be returned to the CFL any time soon.  The 27 year old looks to be a lock to make the team this season.

3MW sought out the opinion Brian Miller who is a diehard Dolphins fan, knows them inside and out and covers the team with his blog phinphanatic.com and also co-hosts a weekly internet radio show called On The Fin Side.  I asked Mr. Miller what his impressions of Wake have been so far and how Miami fans are reacting to him and he had the following to say:

So far this offseason Cameron Wake has not been the defensive champion he was in Canada.  Many found that his mini-camp play left a little doubt as to whether or not he would stick.  That began to change when the pads came on.

The Dolphins who are entering day 5 of their training camp, are starting to see some good signs from the OLB.  While Wake still has a long ways to go before he successfully makes the jump to the NFL.  Wake has been having some rough times during practices but his physicality stands out.  He has to learn to adjust to the speed of the game, the complex schemes, and a coaching staff that likes things done their way.  Many fans are hoping and believe that Wake will be a dominant force down the road and that is the key.

Cameron Wake has the strength to be very good, he needs to hone the mental part of his game now.

Indeed it’s not only fans who are salivating at a possible future with Wake leading the linebacking corps in Miami, but Jason Taylor himself has been impressed with the kid:

“If anybody looked at me as a 22-year-old kid coming out of Akron and looked at Cameron with where he is right now,” Taylor, 34, said, “they’d say he has a better chance to make it than I did.”

– Palm Beach Post: Jason Taylor sees big things for Cam Wake

Cam and the Dolphins first preseason game takes place one week from tomorrow on the 17th at Joe Robbie Landshark Stadium against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Defense, special teams paves way for TiCats offense in win

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The recap from TSN.ca

The turning point: There was a point where the Lions looked like they were going to take a stranglehold of this game…  Early in the 3rd quarter with the Leos up 18-17, after a bad INT throw from Cats QB Quentin Porter the Lions drove it down the shortened field and with first down on the Ti-Cats one yard line brought in Jarious Jackson to make the dive for six.  Former Lion DB Markeith Knowlton though had other ideas and stripped Jackson on his dive attempt to give the ball back to Hamilton on their one one yard line.  From there Porter and the Cats marched methodically down field with a great series of short passes.  They took well over ten minutes off the clock as they practically owned the ball in the 3rd quarter.  The drive ended in just three points, but on the ensuing kickoff Lions returner Ryan Grice-Mullen fumbled the ball at his 30 yard line which put the tired Lions defense right back on the field and they quickly gave up a rushing touchdown to super rookie DeAndra’ Cobb.

The game ball goes to: Tiger-Cats running back DeAndra’ Cobb was all over the place and the Lions had no answer for him.  17 caries for 167 yards and 2 TDs, he also had 2 catches out of the backfield for 27 yards.  Honorable mention goes to the Hamilton offensive line for opening up huge gaps for Cobb.

Random game thoughts: How much do the Lions miss Cameron Wake?  …  Leo fans can’t really pin this loss on Buck Pierce, 23 out of 36 passing for 282 yards. He did have 2 INT’s, but one was caused as a result of a Lions receiver stumbling  …  Arland Bruce (da third) who came over from the Argos in a trade earlier this week saw only very limited playing time on offense and special teams.  He also wore #4 which is a number he first wore with the Bombers back when he broke into the league  …  Ti-Cats LB Jamall Johnson led his team with 10 tackles  …  This was the first time the Ti-Cats have swept a season series against the Lions since 1992

Final grades
Lions Offense: C
Lions Defense: C
Lions Special Teams: D

Ti-Cats Offense: B+
Ti-Cats Defense: B+
Ti-Cats Special Teams: A-