Cameron Wake wants to "throw around" opponents in "real football"

DAVIE, Fla., Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Bulging biceps and a smile now hide the pain Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake felt after tearing his Achilles tendon in October.

His journey back to All-Pro form began the morning after his injury. Now the menacing 6-foot-3, 263-pound Wake wants to eat NFL quarterbacks.

"I've been working on that since Oct. 31, the morning after my injury," Wake said Friday at Dolphins training camp. "I'm looking forward to that first opportunity. Whether it's Seattle, New York...getting out there and grabbing somebody else wearing a different color."

"It has been fun grabbing my guys," Wake said. "I always enjoy that, throwing them around a little bit, but that's not real football. When you start going out there and have a guy who really doesn't care about your well-being, that's when you start feeling that little bit of extra. So, personally I'm looking forward to it a lot. In seven days, we kick off six hours from now. It will be fun. You'll see me in action."

Wake, 34, had four forced fumbles and seven sacks in seven games before his injury last season. At that point in time, Pro Football Focus' Chris Collinsworth and Neil Hornsby ranked Wake the No. 3 edge rusher in the NFL. Wake trailed only New Orleans Saints' Cameron Jordan and eventual Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller, of the Denver Broncos.

Wake tallied 11.5 sacks in 2014. The former first-team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection looks to improve on his 70 career quarterback takedowns. He signed a three-year, $23.4 million contract in May. That deal pays him $10 million guaranteed and $7.1 million this season, including a workout bonus.

The Dolphins signed defensive end Andre Branch in March to add some depth to its pass rush.

Intimidation could work in the Dolphins favor this season when offensive opponents eye its front four. Even head coach Adam Gase marveled at just how long his group is.

"When I watch, whether it be against the run, in the pass pro stuff, it feels like no matter what group is in there, they're up the field challenging the offensive line," Gase said Friday. "Yesterday I stood back there and we were doing a low red area period. I'm standing right behind the quarterback and I'm like 'I don't know how they see.' Those guys are so long and tall and physical. You're seeing like glimpses of color, as far as receivers, and to complete balls in that low red area is...This is so great."

"It's great work for our quarterbacks because I don't know if we're going to see anybody as long as what our defensive line is right now," Gase said.

Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph also took notice, specifically of veterans Mario Williams and Ndamukong Suh. Suh was given the day off Friday and is dealing with a back injury.

Defensive line coach Terrell Williams talked about how the pass rush will fit into the new wide-nine defensive scheme.

"It gives them some angles as far as pass rushing, but it also gives them some angles in the run game as far as coming off and being physical with tight ends and tackles," Williams said. "We have the personnel to run that defense, and it's smart for us to do what our personnel is capable of doing."

"Big, athletic DE's," Williams said. "If you're going to have big, athletic guys across the board, you got a chance to be good upfront."

The Dolphins have another week of practice ahead before facing off against the New York Giants at 7 p.m. Aug 12 at MetLife Stadium.