Former BC Lions Cameron Wake giving Miami Dolphins money’s worth

DAVIE — Channing Crowder’s plan might be working.

Ever since training camp, he has been pumping up fellow linebacker Cameron Wake for the Pro Bowl.

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Crowder calls himself Wake’s “marketing manager.”

“When you go to the Pro Bowl, all you need is press,” Crowder said. “He’s leading in sacks, but you got to vocally amp it up, get people looking at him.”

Getting Wake to the Pro Bowl is only Phase I of Crowder’s plan.

Phase II?

“I’m trying to get him paid,” Crowder said. “I need 3 percent (commission), though.”

The Dolphins are getting incredible value this year from Wake, who leads the AFC and is second in the NFL with 9.5 sacks, two behind Green Bay’s Clay Matthews.

Wake received the highest signing bonus ever given to a Canadian Football League player when the Dolphins gave him $1 million before the 2009 season, but he is making little this year compared to other elite pass rushers.

Wake’s four-year contract, through 2012, pays him a total of $4.9 million, an average of $1.225 million per year.

Meanwhile, San Diego’s Shaun Phillips is getting $5.167 million per season, Pittsburgh’s James Harrison $8.625 million, Baltimore’s Terrell Suggs $10.417 million and Dallas’ DeMarcus Ware $15.6 million.

All have contracts for five years or longer, and all have fewer sacks than Wake this season.

The only other elite pass rushers in Wake’s ballpark are three other players finishing out their rookie contracts, and they still are earning significantly more than Wake: Matthews ($2.655 million), Washington’s Brian Orakpo ($3.08 million) and Kansas City’s Tamba Hali ($1.72 million).

The Dolphins have awarded a handful of contract extensions this year, but only to players on the verge of free agency, such as Davone Bess and Anthony Fasano. The Dolphins owe Wake base salaries of $480,000 next year and $565,000 in 2012, but the NFL Network reported that Wake’s agents will ask for a new contract if and when he reaches 10 sacks this year.

At his current pace, he will finish with 15. But Wake said he doesn’t see dollar signs every time he racks up a sack, and that he is leaving the financial stuff to his agents.

“Every sack I get is another opportunity for us to get off the field and get the ball back, and that’s it,” said Wake, who was undrafted out of Penn State in 2005 and didn’t stick with a pro team until 2007 with British Columbia.

“I’m blessed to be playing football again, and obviously being paid for it is a further blessing.”

Wake has recorded at least half a sack in seven of 10 games, with three sacks in the win at Green Bay and two in the loss at Baltimore.

Wake hasn’t committed a penalty this season, has forced two fumbles and, most importantly to him, has played 89 percent of Miami’s defensive snaps, showing that the Dolphins have the faith to play him on all three downs.

“Pretty good season is an understatement. He’s terrific,” Raiders coach Tom Cable said this week. “I don’t know that we’ve seen a pass rusher like him. We’ve seen some good ones but I think he definitely is at the top of the list. Very gifted that way.”

Wake, 28, said he will remain humble despite his success with the Dolphins.

“I’m a guy who always feels like there’s more to be had, there’s pieces left out there, and looking at personal success is not something I do very well,” he said.

“This is the top level of football, and to be named as an all-star in this league is an amazing, amazing honor. Would I love to (go to the Pro Bowl)? Obviously yes. Is it something I’m thinking about now? No.”

By Ben Volin

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer