Wakefield no longer a starter...

[Krangodnzr]

Wakefield squeezed out by defensive line depth

Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 31, 2003 12:00 AM


With the Cardinals defensive line nearing full strength, Fred Wakefield appears to have lost his job as starting left end.

Wakefield was inactive Sunday against the 49ers, partly because of an injury to his right wrist. Dennis Johnson played well in his place, as did Wendell Bryant, who moved from tackle to end and backed up Johnson.

Wakefield's wrist is improving, but Johnson remains the starter. Wakefield is now in a battle just to be among the players activated on Sundays.

"It's rough," Wakefield said. "They never told me I'm playing bad or anything. I'll keep working and try to get my spot back."

That might be difficult, however. Wakefield has five sacks in 37 starts over the past three years, and coaches have tried to find a better pass rusher at that spot.

The plan this year was to play Kyle Vanden Bosch there, but he suffered a season-ending knee injury in August.

Wakefield moves to tackle in some nickel situations, but the Cardinals have more depth there, too, since Kenny King returned last week from a dislocated toe.

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IMO, this is great news. I was a big fan of Wakefield's until I realized that we can't play winning defense if he's getting a lot of snaps. Nice guy, tries hard, but lacks the ability to get after the QB, and is terrible in pursuit at times.

I think our defensive line is getting better, and by next season if we play our cards right, it could be a strength. The depth is there, but we need at least one more playmaker on our line.

 

[arthurracoon]

Finally...Wakfield is ok, but he is not good.

 

[Snakester]

I hope they rotate him at DT. He doesn't have the speed I would prefer at DE, but he has looked pretty good at DT rushing the passer when I have seen him there. I wouldn't give up on him yet. I think that Johnson and Bryant should stay as the DLE rotation.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Originally posted by Snakester
I hope they rotate him at DT. He doesn't have the speed I would prefer at DE, but he has looked pretty good at DT rushing the passer when I have seen him there. I wouldn't give up on him yet. I think that Johnson and Bryant should stay as the DLE rotation.

I agree. I was pleasantly surprised by his play at tackle, though I only want to see him there on obvious pass downs.

Who knows...maybe he can put on some weight (muscle that is) and move to tackle? If he were 20-30 pounds larger, he could be a decent tackle.

 

[PeoriaAZCards]

We were standing at the players entrance/exit after the 9'ers game.
Everyone was there to see EMMITT , and he just blew them all off, and most of all the other players!


We were there thanking all the other players and my wife called out to "Mr. Wakefield". He was the ONLY player that came over and shook our hand!!
Class act guy!!!!!:

THANK YOU!!!!!

 

[Jttsaz]

Wakefield is good for passing downs(DT) and Field Goals cause that guy has got some LONG arms! He's batted a few balls in his day...

 

[Snakester]

Originally posted by Krangthebrain
I agree. I was pleasantly surprised by his play at tackle, though I only want to see him there on obvious pass downs.

Who knows...maybe he can put on some weight (muscle that is) and move to tackle? If he were 20-30 pounds larger, he could be a decent tackle.

I also think he matches up better against guards. He did put a swim move on a guy that made me proud. I tell ya, I think his nitch is going to be at DT. He is so tall that he can block the throwing lanes over the middle. Also I agree with PeoriaAZCard, he is a class act. I don't think anybody will disagree with that. Plus, he is already signed through 2006.

 

[Shane]

Any way you slice it thats great news!

 

[Wild Card]

Originally posted by Krangthebrain
IMO, this is great news. I was a big fan of Wakefield's until I realized that we can't play winning defense if he's getting a lot of snaps. Nice guy, tries hard, but lacks the ability to get after the QB, and is terrible in pursuit at times.

I think our defensive line is getting better, and by next season if we play our cards right, it could be a strength. The depth is there, but we need at least one more playmaker on our line.

Krang:

Agreed. And Fred Wakefield is perfect, as part of that depth. With experience at both DE and DT, a great work ethic and attitude, and a relatively low price tag, he's the prototype career backup d-lineman and special teamer. You just don't want him starting, not long-term at least.

WC

 

[Krangodnzr]

Re: Re: Wakefield no longer a starter...

Originally posted by Wild Card
Krang:

Agreed. And Fred Wakefield is perfect, as part of that depth. With experience at both DE and DT, a great work ethic and attitude, and a relatively low price tag, he's the prototype career backup d-lineman and special teamer. You just don't want him starting, not long-term at least.

WC

Oh definitely. Kerouac and I argued this point numerous times, and I have to give him credit. He said that Wakefield should not even be playing end, and I thought he could be a decent backup.

Well, after watching more of him this year, I've totally changed my mind. He is a poor starter at end, but he could be decent at tackle as a backup, and is definitely a cheap depth guy.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Because of Wakefield's height, he is best off being used at DT on passing situations where he can maybe get a hand on the ball or mess up passing lanes.

 

[spanky]

Re: Re: Wakefield no longer a starter...

Originally posted by Wild Card
Krang:

Agreed. And Fred Wakefield is perfect, as part of that depth. With experience at both DE and DT, a great work ethic and attitude, and a relatively low price tag, he's the prototype career backup d-lineman and special teamer. You just don't want him starting, not long-term at least.

WC

WC:

Very valid point about Wakefield and his versatility. It seems to me that Mac is trying to "cross fertilize" a number of players: Wendall B. as a DT/ DE; Kenny King as a DE/DT; Hayes as a OLB/MLB; Stone as a CB/S; "BIG" as a G/RT or LT; Kendall as a G/C; Bush as a TE/FB, etc.

This is how good teams manage to get through the inevitable injury periods that happen to every team most every year. It also is valuable for a team's marquee players to have an understanding as to what each position has to do in order for an entire "unit" to play "together".

 

[Mr.Dibbs]

Wakefield is a solid back-up. I am glad he's on our team, and I'm glad he's no longer starting. I like some of the position moves that have happened lately.

 

[seesred]

I like Wakefield as well. LOng arms and strong desire, that being said he is a great back up and occasional starter in this league.WE are getting stronger up front every week. The additions of King, and Bryant at end will finnaly make us competitive. Don't forget DJ if he can keep improving.

GBR

 

[CardinalChris]

Originally posted by Snakester
I hope they rotate him at DT. He doesn't have the speed I would prefer at DE, but he has looked pretty good at DT rushing the passer when I have seen him there. I wouldn't give up on him yet. I think that Johnson and Bryant should stay as the DLE rotation.

The guy has great heart, and is versitile. You need guys like this on your roster. Unfortunately, we have 3 of them and a couple o foyung ends starting to play better. It is just a umbers game right now. He's not a starter, but I'm glad to have him somewhere on my team.

 

[YRUGSFS]

Yes, Yes, Yes, Wakefield is a backup at best.

 

[Shuesters2]

Wakefield,

I remember his rookie year he consistently blocked passes at the line, I think we were going to tag him Batman. Since then it looks like Joe Green has couched that ability out of him. It's too bad because he has always been a little slow for end and too small for tackle as a starter.

Shuester

 

[spanky]

Originally posted by Shuesters2
Wakefield,

I remember his rookie year he consistently blocked passes at the line, I think we were going to tag him Batman. Since then it looks like Joe Green has couched that ability out of him. It's too bad because he has always been a little slow for end and too small for tackle as a starter.

Shuester

Question: If you are too slow to be an end and too small to be a starter as a tackle, you are "defacto", a backup. What is "too bad" about this?

Wakefield was never intented to be a starter for this team. He was only a temporary starter last year because VandenBosch got hurt and Dennis Johnson was slow to develop. Now that Johnson is coming along and learning how to play DE (which was the plan initially), Wakefield returns to back up status.