Dishman gone, Wakefield penciled as starter

[Mr.Dibbs]

From the Arizona Republic:

Defensive end Fred Wakefield, who last season went from starter to inactive for five games, is penciled in as the starter at left end.

New coach Dennis Green said Wakefield is "probably as good as anyone" the team has.

"Fred's a big guy (6 feet 7, 288 pounds) who ideally suits what we're doing at left end," Green said. "He should be able to defeat all tight ends. His size gives him a tremendous advantage, and he works very hard. He should go out and earn that spot at left end and should make us a better team."

Guard Chris Dishman, cornerback Emmanuel McDaniel and defensive tackle Derrick Ransom have been informed that the team won't offer them new contracts.

All are due to become unrestricted free agents next week.

Also, tender offers will not be extended to the following restricted free agents: cornerback Nijrell Eason, kicker Bill Gramatica, center Jason Starkey, guard Tony Wragge and defensive end Aaron Hunt.

Safety Quentin Harris and fullback Joshua Rue have signed one-year contracts.

 

[joeshmo]

I dont see one spot in Greens comments that say the Wakefield is going to be the starter. All he says is that he should go out and earn that spot. Nothing but the republic make a bad assumption, and playing with Greens words.

It is nothing more then a confidence booster statement to Wakefield and a get your arse in shape and ready to play statement to the other DE's.

 

[Mr.Dibbs]

I'm happy a lot of the restricted free agents are gone. Pretty much all of them were worthless to us this year. Hopefully they'll work hard and find homes somewhere else...

I agree about the Wakefield thing being assumed by the Republic, it's so early that I really don't care. I'm sure the person with the best camp will get the job.

It is nice to see that every position is up for grabs.

 

[joeshmo]

Originally posted by Oran
I'm happy a lot of the restricted free agents are gone. Pretty much all of them were worthless to us this year. Hopefully they'll work hard and find homes somewhere else...

I agree about the Wakefield thing being assumed by the Republic, it's so early that I really don't care. I'm sure the person with the best camp will get the job.

It is nice to see that every position is up for grabs.

It is nice to see a lot of the jobs up for grabs and no blind loyalties likes the last coaching staff.

 

[BuckeyeCardinal]

Wakefield Penciled In?

I'd rather his name be there in invisible ink.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Originally posted by joeshmo
It is nice to see a lot of the jobs up for grabs and no blind loyalties likes the last coaching staff.

copy that joeshmo!

however, its is just a little disconcerting that Green is talking up Wakefield.

True, Fred played better in the last four games of the season, which is not surprising. Most players respond after losing their job and then getting it back.

But Wakefield is never going to be a guy whos going to get it done at DE over a 16 game stretch, and, if we bring in a FA DE, I think Dennis Johnson has showed enough that he deserves to be the back up at LDE. So I think Wakefield should have trouble even making the roster this year.

I would be shocked and disappointed if Green goes with Wakefield as his starter on opening day, and Green talking him up is the most troubling thing I've heard from our new coach so far.

 

[Shane]

Wakefield sucks! Thats all there is to it!

As long as he a second team player filling in on running downs then I have no problem but if its much more than that we are in trouble!

 

[Sandan]

Why are folks hyperventilating over Wakefield.

All Green is saying is that he works hard and can compete. Green has also said, that a lot of what he says is designed to motivate players.

In addition Green was very clear at the chalk talk that the DL needed significant upgrades.

What he didn't say is how he is going to upgrade it. From everthing else he has said I would think it will be a combination of FA, the draft and maybe a player or 2 rising to the challenge.

 

[Tangodnzr]

I totally agree with you joeschmo.

This appears to me to be just another case of people reading too much into things due to their own biases.

I don't see why anyone should be upset, in any way, because Green is "talking some players up". It strikes me that a lot of this is just motivational technique by Green, and I must say I'm impressed. What I see is that Green isn't just using a one size fits all technique to his motivation.
He appears to be using "different strokes for different folks", and I see that as a big plus. Anyone who's had successful experience with managing people SHOULD know that different people respond differently to "types" of motivation.
Some need challenged, some need encouraged, some even need to be coddled a little at times.
I see Green doing that. Challenging guys like Freddy Jones,....remember his comments about him: "If he isn't pro-bowl, then I don't know why he should be on the team".
Taking a hard line with some, and building up others like Josh and Wakefield. From what I've seen both of those guys probably need support and ecouragment to build their confidence. They are not slackers, by any means.
Guys like Big, Jones, need a fire lit under them.
Guys like Kendell, Emmitt, maybe LJ, Ronnie Mac, Jackson, are pretty self sufficient,...they don't need much of anything from the coach other than the opportunity to play.

So, like I said, I'm actually impressed, so far. I give Green a solid A from what I see. Contrary to this being anything to be pissed about, I think its more likely a cause for celebration. Just the fact that players like Josh and Wakefield are getting attention and support tells me, Green must think they are worth the time and effort...again, to me, another positive sign.

 

[BuckeyeCardinal]

But

"If you always do what you've always done then you always get what you always got."

Yogi Berra

 

[Tangodnzr]

Re: But

Originally posted by BuckeyeCardinal
"If you always do what you've always done then you always get what you always got."

Yogi Berra

So what does that have to do with the topic here?????

If just whipping out a cute little axiom is the answer then you might just as well repeat that venerable (my word for the day )
" A wet bird never flies at night".

 

[BuckeyeCardinal]

Re: Re: But

Originally posted by Tangodnzr
So what does that have to do with the topic here?????

If just whipping out a cute little axiom is the answer then you might just as well repeat that venerable (my word for the day )
" A wet bird never flies at night".

Do I need to spell it out for ya Miss Tango.

Our DE's suck.

Same one equals same suck.

Here's another one for ya Tango:

Guy's that dream about deer and Jake Plummer get wet dreams.

 

[Tangodnzr]

Re: Re: Re: But

Originally posted by BuckeyeCardinal
Do I need to spell it out for ya Miss Tango.

Our DE's suck.

Same one equals same suck.

Here's another one for ya Tango:

Guy's that dream about deer and Jake Plummer get wet dreams.

"I think people who laugh at their own jokes are one."

 

[BuckeyeCardinal]

Re: Re: Re: Re: But

Originally posted by Tangodnzr
"I think people who laugh at their own jokes are one."

Thanks for the Pee Wee Herman comeback.

You've made my day.

 

[CaptTurbo]

Originally posted by Shane H
Wakefield sucks! Thats all there is to it!

As long as he a second team player filling in on running downs then I have no problem but if its much more than that we are in trouble!

How can you say that when Joe Greene has been the DL coach for several years here. They all suck after that teaching. Now they have anew teacher.

 

[NeverSayDieFan]

I agree w/TangoDnzer

Coach Green is pushing alot of "buttons" these days. ie; motivating, challenging; encouraging. This is ALL positive. I don't re-call in days past alot of public player evaluation. Bottom line: Dennis Green has been to the NFC Championshp game twice!! Have we ever been?? No. So I say, let the man do what he's obviously capable of doing. I have a hunch we're going to like the end results. GO CARDS!!

 

[kerouac9]

Originally posted by Shane H
Wakefield sucks! Thats all there is to it!

As long as he a second team player filling in on running downs then I have no problem but if its much more than that we are in trouble!

I wonder if this is also a shot across the bow of Kyle Vanden Bosch. Of all the players on the defensive line, these two are probably in the most jeopardy. Green basically said that Wakefield has been there, playing hard, and (apparently) has the potential to be as good as anyone (say, some 2nd round draft pick whose only played 19 games in three years?).

Wakefield obviously has the edge. It's up to KVB to show that he deserves the roster spot more.

 

[jmr667]

Re: I agree w/TangoDnzer

Originally posted by NeverSayDieFan
Coach Green is pushing alot of "buttons" these days. ie; motivating, challenging; encouraging. This is ALL positive. I don't re-call in days past alot of public player evaluation. Bottom line: Dennis Green has been to the NFC Championshp game twice!! Have we ever been?? No. So I say, let the man do what he's obviously capable of doing. I have a hunch we're going to like the end results. GO CARDS!!

One thing I really like about Green so far is he has more than one tool in his tool box. He is motivating different players using different methods. Josh McCown has the physical ability but has been playing nervous, so Green props him up in the media and tries to give his self-confidence a boost to calm him down. Some of the other vets have talent but have gotten complacent, so Green blasts 'em in the media (says "we've only got 5 starters") and tries to get 'em riled up so they'll train and practice harder to prove him wrong.

I think that he'll probably have much more success treating each player the way he needs to be treated rather than just trying to motivate the whole team as a group of clones.

 

[Russ Smith]

Originally posted by Oran
From the Arizona Republic:

Defensive end Fred Wakefield, who last season went from starter to inactive for five games, is penciled in as the starter at left end.

New coach Dennis Green said Wakefield is "probably as good as anyone" the team has.

"Fred's a big guy (6 feet 7, 288 pounds) who ideally suits what we're doing at left end," Green said. "He should be able to defeat all tight ends. His size gives him a tremendous advantage, and he works very hard. He should go out and earn that spot at left end and should make us a better team."

Can't be true, our resident DG expert told me repeatedly that LDE's do NOT go up against TE's, so why would green say Wakefield should be able to defeat them?

Clearly a made up quote by the media to make DG look silly!

 

[AZCB34]

I always had higher hopes for Dishman. I really thought he would be a steady if not solid OL but just never quite got there.

So far as Wakefield is concerned...if this gets his ass motivated to actually tyake and keep the DE job, I could care less. As long as there is production, I don't care if it is Fred Wakefield, Fred Savage or Right Said Fred.

K9 may be onto something about this being more of a shot across KVB's bow than anything.

 

[Shuesters2]

Re: Re: I agree w/TangoDnzer

Originally posted by jmr667
One thing I really like about Green so far is he has more than one tool in his tool box. He is motivating different players using different methods. Josh McCown has the physical ability but has been playing nervous, so Green props him up in the media and tries to give his self-confidence a boost to calm him down. Some of the other vets have talent but have gotten complacent, so Green blasts 'em in the media (says "we've only got 5 starters") and tries to get 'em riled up so they'll train and practice harder to prove him wrong.

I think that he'll probably have much more success treating each player the way he needs to be treated rather than just trying to motivate the whole team as a group of clones.

Good point.

Shuesters

 

[vikesfan]

Re: Re: Dishman gone, Wakefield penciled as starter

Originally posted by Russ Smith
Can't be true, our resident DG expert told me repeatedly that LDE's do NOT go up against TE's, so why would green say Wakefield should be able to defeat them?

Clearly a made up quote by the media to make DG look silly!

Uh this means that a TE will not be able to block your LDE 1 on 1 if he can your team is in trouble. It means teams should have to put an OT on him. I hope you didn't take it to mean that DG was saying Wakefield was going to get 12 sacks next year

 

[CardinalChris]

Originally posted by joeshmo
I dont see one spot in Greens comments that say the Wakefield is going to be the starter. All he says is that he should go out and earn that spot. Nothing but the republic make a bad assumption, and playing with Greens words.

It is nothing more then a confidence booster statement to Wakefield and a get your arse in shape and ready to play statement to the other DE's.

He also says he's "as good as any end we have" Not saying a lot about our DEs......