Q&A with DE Fred Wakefield

[Jim O]

Q&A with DE Fred Wakefield
Interviewed by Chrissy Mauck

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Last year you had the wrist injury, missed a few games, and then had to work back into playing time? Can you describe how the season went for you and the difficulties that were presented?

It was difficult. Initially, I didn’t want to accept it but I was hurt pretty bad. I was trying to play, we had guys who were injured. Kenny King was still coming off the toe problem and a couple other guys were banged up and I had to play on it in a cast and I just wasn’t playing well enough at that time. I wasn’t able to do what I wanted. They sat me down for about five games and it was hard to watch those guys when I felt like I was out there practicing and playing hard and making plays. I think finally I worked myself back in there and so I felt like I had accomplished something on the year.

You have been one of a few players that Coach Green has singled out since his hire as a guy who really works hard. Given your history, coming in as an undrafted free agent and having to prove you belong in this league, is it rewarding to know your hard work was recognized by this new staff?

It was nice, it is something good to hear, but on the other hand you have to take it with a grain of salt, just like everything else. I still have to come out here and work harder than the next guy and I still have to earn that spot. Just because he says that I should be a starter, it doesn’t mean it is yours.

What kind of mentality is Coach Pollard bringing to the defensive line?

I think a big thing is his attitude. He’s out there and he’s wanting to go, go, go so everyone is getting a lot of reps and seeing all the different looks you can see. He doesn’t want you getting out there and seeing something he hasn’t shown you. The technique is a lot different too. Last year, we were trying to lock up. They said it was an attack scheme but we were still locking up with 350 pounders and trying to pass rush off of that. Now, we are just ripping gaps and flowing to the ball and trying to make plays.

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[seesred]

I'm pumped ! Big guy with a great wingspan, can be very disruptive. We will see who starts but Fred should be in the mix.

GBR
40

 

[cardsunsfan]

Now is Wakefield faster than Bell?...pretty sure he is faster than Tanner....

 

[Tangodnzr]

I agree with seesred.

I liked everything Wakefield said.

Great attitude.

But also things like how their not just "locking up" but trying to shoot gaps.

I like one of the defensive guys saying "I'm exicited about watching our offense, with Josh and the Receivers."

All is Good ! ! !

 

[Gnomad]

hope springs eternal before preseason. i'd love to see an effective D line this year. we have a chance... assuming no more knees blow up and the like....

 

[jf-08]

holy hell - kerouac is going to have a field day with this one

 

[Ryanwb]

holy hell - kerouac is going to have a field day with this one

Ker-o-wack?

 

[Tangodnzr]

Bring him on !!!!!!


I've got my new maxi-gauge "Falcon" model gun loaded with birdshot.

 

[CardLogic]

The technique is a lot different too. Last year, we were trying to lock up. They said it was an attack scheme but we were still locking up with 350 pounders and trying to pass rush off of that. Now, we are just ripping gaps and flowing to the ball and trying to make plays.

This statement blows my mind! What type of defensive line technique is "locking up" with the opposition. The objective of the OL is to lock up with the player you are trying to block; this would sure makes it easier for them.

I suppose one could assume that the objective was to keep the OL off of the LB's. But that is a screwed up way to play football!!! The first task of a defensive player, DL's, LB's whoever is to shed the blocker.

Can this be for real????

 

[Gnomad]

Can this be for real????

especially in defensive plays aimed to stop the run, many times a DL will lock up on an OL and not allow him to push. this generates a gap stop in itself by using the OL to help you fill said designated gap, and keeps OL from blocking the LBs. generally it's why guys like Gilbert Brown have a job in the first place... no need to penetrate, just fill the gap, and allow your teammates (primarily linebackers) to make the tackle.

 

[Redheart]

This statement blows my mind! What type of defensive line technique is "locking up" with the opposition. The objective of the OL is to lock up with the player you are trying to block; this would sure makes it easier for them.

I suppose one could assume that the objective was to keep the OL off of the LB's. But that is a screwed up way to play football!!! The first task of a defensive player, DL's, LB's whoever is to shed the blocker.

Can this be for real????

I remember my old coach saying, "Defense is easy, just go get the ball!"

 

[JeffGollin]

The technique is a lot different too. Last year, we were trying to lock up. They said it was an attack scheme but we were still locking up with 350 pounders and trying to pass rush off of that. Now, we are just ripping gaps and flowing to the ball and trying to make plays.
I think Fred was describing a 2-gap approach designed to protect our LB's from blockers by locking onto them.

The problem with that is that if the other team has 350 lb blockers and your lineman aren't big or strong enough to take them on, they're going to take you out of the action. (All too often over the past several years, I've whined about our tacklers "being velcro'd to blockers." And to add insult to injury, our LB's failed to step up and make enough plays anyway. Fred has described perfectly what I was referring to).

He goes on to say that this was supposedly going to change last year, but it never really did. Now, apparently, it will.

Hope so.

 

[Capital Card]

Fred confirms what was most frustrating for me last season. (Aside from the losing.) After all the preseason hype about how we were going to become a blitzing team of defenders, shooting gaps, I never actually saw us do it last year. It was the same old square up with the man in front and just stand there. It drove me bonkers.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Fred confirms what was most frustrating for me last season. (Aside from the losing.) After all the preseason hype about how we were going to become a blitzing team of defenders, shooting gaps, I never actually saw us do it last year. It was the same old square up with the man in front and just stand there. It drove me bonkers.

No wonder our D line never got any sacks.

But Wakefield still has to prove he can get to the QB off the edge, or, disrupt the interior of the opposing O line from the DT spot. Hes done neither consistently to date (sorry Fred!).

 

[Tangodnzr]

No wonder our D line never got any sacks.

But Wakefield still has to prove he can get to the QB off the edge, or, disrupt the interior of the opposing O line from the DT spot. Hes done neither consistently to date (sorry Fred!).

Have you actually watched any tape replays of last year?

It wouldn't appear so. Wakefield did both, at times, when he played.
I felt he and DJ were about the only 2 players on the DL that showed ANY improvement last year.

To me, Wakefield's biggest problem prior to last year was not always containing the outside like he is supposed to, he would sometimes get suckered inside too soon and plays would go around him.

I saw a big improvement in that area last year. And he did do some disrupting from the interior too.

 

[Ryanwb]

To me, Wakefield's biggest problem prior to last year was not always containing the outside like he is supposed to, he would sometimes get suckered inside too soon and plays would go around him.

I noticed that too, what I also saw was that if he didn't get a strong 1st push and the QB dropped back into pass he would position himself to try and knock the pass down instead of continuing to go after the passer. Not sure if this was a habitual thing but I definately saw it more than once

 

[Capital Card]

No wonder our D line never got any sacks.

But Wakefield still has to prove he can get to the QB off the edge, or, disrupt the interior of the opposing O line from the DT spot. Hes done neither consistently to date (sorry Fred!).

Oh, I definately agree with you. We wern't a 4-12 team last year only because of the play/scheme of our DL. We stunk because we have too many undrafted, mediocre players starting, whether by injury or design.

Sure, every year there is a nice story of some guy getting overlooked in the draft, who goes on to prove all the "experts" wrong by stringing together a couple of nice seasons to make a career. However, our policy of trying to field a team with these guys that are long on heart and short on talent has submerged us to the bottom of the league.

Add to that that we are asking these guys to play timidly (read/react), and it's no wonder we are the laughing-stock of the league. IMO, you can not ask your defense to allow their opponent to run whatever they want. The one thing Buddy Ryan was right about (although I prefer to refer to the late Fritz Shurmur) was that defenses must always attack! Whether Fred can be successful at it or not, who knows, but at least we are finally him a chance.

Go Cards!!!

 

[40yearfan]

Have you actually watched any tape replays of last year?

It wouldn't appear so. Wakefield did both, at times, when he played.
I felt he and DJ were about the only 2 players on the DL that showed ANY improvement last year.

To me, Wakefield's biggest problem prior to last year was not always containing the outside like he is supposed to, he would sometimes get suckered inside too soon and plays would go around him.

I saw a big improvement in that area last year. And he did do some disrupting from the interior too.

You're absolutely right Tango. Both Wakefield and DJ showed marked improvement last year. We're going to have to wait until the season starts, but I have a feeling, those two guys will be playing prominently in our defense and the fans are gonna love it.

 

[Shuesters2]

Fred confirms what was most frustrating for me last season. (Aside from the losing.) After all the preseason hype about how we were going to become a blitzing team of defenders, shooting gaps, I never actually saw us do it last year. It was the same old square up with the man in front and just stand there. It drove me bonkers.

Concur,

Just another example of what was wrong with McGinnis. He talked a good game but it wasn't done on the field. Preseason we went after the QB and talked about a new aggressive defense. Then the season starts and it was the same old crap.

Also Fred W really came on at the end of the year. I hope it was a sign of things to come.

Shuesters

 

[AzCards21]

Have you actually watched any tape replays of last year?

It wouldn't appear so. Wakefield did both, at times, when he played.
I felt he and DJ were about the only 2 players on the DL that showed ANY improvement last year.

To me, Wakefield's biggest problem prior to last year was not always containing the outside like he is supposed to, he would sometimes get suckered inside too soon and plays would go around him.

I saw a big improvement in that area last year. And he did do some disrupting from the interior too.

I agree, and would add. Why would Wake and DJ be out of position? Because the scheme didn't work in our favor. They were trying to make something happen and the end result was a huge run because they didn't trust the rest of the line to do it.

The new plan may just put these guys where they need to be with the confidence in other players to stay where you're supposed to.

That alone will make a huge difference.