Rules catering to QBs draw fire from Wake

DAVIE — Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake lashed out at the NFL’s new emphasis on the roughing-thepasser rule, and said the NFL’s stance on player safety is only selective to quarterbacks and offensive players without the same consideration for defensive players.

“It’s sad, obviously,” Wake said on Friday as the AFC East-leading Dolphins (3-0) prepared for Sunday’s game at New England (1-2). “I don’t think it’s a secret the league is concerned about player safety – it just depends on what player. If it’s players’ safety, everybody should be safe, not just certain players.”

Wake, naturally softspoken in contrast to his dynamic playing style as a 10-year veteran, did not hold back in his remarks about quarterbacks getting preferential treatment when it comes to NFL rules.

“Just tell me, ‘listen, we want to protect quarterbacks differently or running backs or receivers or defensive players.’ Just be blunt about it. Not, ‘we care about your safety’ because you don’t care about my safety,” Wake said.

“You care about some people’s safety. My knees mean just as much to my family and my ability to play and provide just as [Dolphins quarterback Ryan] Tannehill’s does. I can’t understand why his are more important than mine.”

After Green Bay Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers was driven to the ground following a hard tackle that resulted in a broken collarbone last season, the NFL has placed an emphasis on officials to call roughingthe-passer penalties if players apply most or all of their weight while making a play on the quarterback.

Packers standout linebacker Clay Matthews has been outspoken about the rule interpretation after incurring a roughing-thepasser penalty in each of the first three games this season.

Dolphins defensive end William Hayes, who was trying to avoid applying his body weight on Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, tore his ACL in his knee in the process and will be lost for the season. Carr told media members in Oakland on Wednesday he wished Hayes would have landed on him if it would have avoided an injury.

Wake said NFL players are trying their best to conform to the new rules with safety in mind but added: “At the end of the day, it’s football. There’s only so much you can change.”

Wake said making football safer as a whole is an “uphill battle” because fans crave the big defensive hits and “violence,” while owners and offensive players prefer safety that requires rule changes. As a result, defensive players – not offensive players -- are blamed for plays that result in penalties.

Wake also said it would be helpless if defensive players wanted to lobby with the NFL and the Players’ Association about improving player safety and rules changes that also cater to them because quarterbacks and owners would object.

“How do you make a violent sport not violent if that’s what puts people in the seats?” Wake said. “Not many people want to watch flag football. … From the day I touched the field, it was to punish whoever has the ball, QBs included. But now, that's not part of the game. It’s gently assisting them to the ground.”