Miami Dolphins: Was the Cameron Wake Extension Worth It?
Last week the Miami Dolphins gave defensive end Cameron Wake a contract extension for two years and $15 million. The question on every fan’s mind is will Wake be able to live up to the new deal?
The news of Wake’s extension wasn’t met without criticism. In the week since the extension was announced, many have questioned the idea of giving a 34-year old pass rusher coming off a serious leg injury an extension worth so much money. Despite the fact that the deal actually lowers Wake’s salary cap hit, the deal has led some to question whether or not Wake will be able to live up to the expectations.
Cameron Wake has been nothing short of a diamond in the rough since coming to the Miami Dolphins straight from the Canadian Football League. Since joining the squad seven years ago, Wake has averaged double-digit sack totals every year, tallying 70 sacks in those seven years.
But more than the production he’s brought to the Dolphins, Wake has provided a spark. He’s been the emotional leader of the defense since day one. When Wake isn’t out there, there is a marked difference in not only the efficacy of the defense but the fire with which they play. The difference was evident when Wake was lost for the remainder of last season with a ruptured Achilles.
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What does Wake need to do to live up to the expectations of his new deal? Does he need to average double-digit sacks for the life of the new contract?
There is some historical context to suggest that the 34-year old Wake could average 10 or more sacks for the next two to three years. In 2000, Dolphins defensive end Trace Armstrong had the best season of his career, totaling 16.5 sacks at the age of 35. Just last season, Julius Peppers managed to record 10.5 sacks at the age of 35.
But that’s just one year, can it be done multiple years in a row at that age? Is that even a reasonable expectation for someone of Wake’s age?
Yes, it can, if you’re one of the very best. Bruce Smith, Reggie White, Kevin Greene, Chris Doleman, John Abraham, and Rickey Jackson all put up two or more seasons of double-digit sacks after their 34th birthday. However, none of them were coming off of a significant leg injury like Wake is attempting to do.
So should 10 sacks be the mark by which we judge whether or not Wake has lived up to the new deal? Arguably Wake has already lived up to the contract without playing a down in the 2016 season. In a league seemingly bereft of loyalty, the Dolphins giving Wake this extension shows an appreciation for all that he’s done for the franchise, and a belief in Wake’s ability to come back from a major injury and be a contributor again.
If that wasn’t enough to justify the new deal, the cap space that the Dolphins freed up by signing Wake to this extension allowed them to seal the deal with free agent, and former Detroit Lions, defensive end Jason Jones.
Bringing Jones into the fold allows the Dolphins to have a rotation at the defensive end position, keeping Wake and new Dolphin Mario Williams more fresh throughout the season. Having fresh legs and versatility on the defensive line is never a bad thing.
All in all, I think that when you actually look at the new deal, and the scope of Wake’s contribution to the team since his arrival from the CFL, the criticism of this deal is entirely misplaced. I understand the skepticism of giving an aging player coming off an injury $10 million guaranteed, but it’s impossible to say that Wake has not earned it with his contributions on the field with production and, more importantly, the leadership and fire he provides for the team.
Going into the 2016 season and beyond, should Wake’s production drop off from his yearly averages and he’s only able to produce 6-8 sacks over the life of the extension, that should be enough. I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect double digit sacks from a player a year removed from a ruptured Achilles, especially at Wake’s age. Then throw in the possibility of him being in a rotation with Williams and Jones, and 10 sacks just doesn’t seem realistic.
So what, then, are reasonable expectations for Wake going forward? Past production and leadership are great, but the coaching staff and fans are going to want to see current production as well. Where should the bar be set to determine what is a successful year for Wake?
Realistically, fans and the coaching staff should probably look for Wake to come in around 7 or 8 sacks for the season. To expect anything more than that the first year off this injury is setting up for failure. What I think everyone should look for more than production, however, is how Wake influences those around him.
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If Wake is able to light a fire under Ndamukong Suh and fuel him towards the kind of production that warrants the enormous contract he was given, and if he is able to get through to Mario Williams and re-ignite that passion he played with prior to last season, that should be enough.
The mark of a legend is always a combination of what you do on the field and the impact you have on those around you. Wake propelling these two back into All-Pro level production more than warrants the extension.
If fans and the media can temper their expectations and look at this deal for what it is, a reward for a great career while also being a move to free up cap space, I think the only conclusion you can come to is that the 2-year, $15 million extension is a great deal for all parties involved.