Cameron Wake deserves NFL Comeback Player of the Year award
Just a year removed from a torn achilles at the age of 33, a now 34-year old Cameron Wake is having arguably one of his best season in the NFL.
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While the Miami Dolphins had thought they were turning a corner in 2015 after the Joe Philbin firing, Wake was having a career year, accumulating seven sacks in seven games. In a mid-season game against the New England Patriots, however, Wake tore his achilles ending the season short.
Many, including myself, thought that may have been the end in what was a fantastic career for the former Penn State Nittany Lion and two-time Canadian league defensive MVP.
After signing a two-year contract in the offseason I thought it was ludicrous to re-sign an aging player coming off a torn achilles. Then after Miami started the season with a 1-4 record I was calling for Wake to be traded. Not because I wanted to see one of my favorite Dolphins leave but because I wanted to see him win. There was no doubt in my mind he was better off elsewhere, and Miami keeping him in town was doing him a disservice.
An 8-1 record later I’ve never been more wrong in my life.
Wake had one sack in the first five weeks. Over the course of the past nine games he has 9.5. The only game in which he didn’t have a sack was in the one loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
It’s been talk for a few weeks now in regards to Wake winning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award but after last nights victory over the New York Jets it’s pretty clear: Derek Cameron Wake hasn’t lost a step.
Wake made last nights victory miserable for Bryce Petty. Before knocking Petty out of the game he had one sack, one forced fumble and one interception, the first of his nine-year career.
Going into week 15 Wake trailed sack leaders Vic Beasley Jr. and Von Miller by only four sacks. Not only is he making his case for comeback player of the year but depending on the next two weeks he could easily jump into defensive MVP consideration.
Although the MVP discussion should be spoken with caution there’s no doubt what Wake means to the Dolphins organization. Miami may not be sitting at 9-5 if Dolphins personnel had decided to trade Wake.
That, folks, is why we let the professionals make the tough decisions.
