Cameron Wake – November 9, 2018
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Friday, November 9, 2018
DE Cameron Wake
(The last time you guys went to Lambeau Field, you had a pretty nice day. It was a big win. What are your memories from that day?) – “It’s ancient history. I don’t know how many guys were on the team when that happened, probably three. That’s probably it. I don’t even think guys know about that. We’ll forget about it.”
(Do you like playing in Lambeau?) – “I like playing football. I like playing football in the back yard if you put some paint down. It doesn’t really matter to me. I’m not really big on the location. I’m more about the outcome.”
(But you don’t ever take time to appreciate the venues whether it’s Soldier Field or The Big House at Michigan or anything like that?) – “The Big House is in State College. (laughter) Probably when I’m done playing, I’ll probably go back and watch film and look at clips, so on and so forth. To be honest, I have a bigger job at the moment (than) to sightsee. I’ll come back and do the Hall of Fame and do all of the things you talk about and reminisce; but for Sunday, it’s about going there and getting the job done, then in the offseason I’ll go do my tour and do all that stuff.”
(Going against Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, how is he different than other quarterbacks as far as what you guys have to do to him?) – “I’m not going to say it’s the same old song and dance, but any time you have a quarterback that can be mobile, given the situation, you have to do your job. That’s been the theme the past few weeks: do your job. If your job is to be in a certain area, a certain place, close off a certain gap, you have to do that. Those guys are going to run for a first down or run and throw for a first down or throw for a first down. Either way, all of the guys have to be doing what they’re supposed to be doing, and this week is no different.”
(The defense had four interceptions last week. What was the defensive line’s role in those plays?) – “I always like to say this and (the DBs) won’t ever tell you this, but I think most of the time as a d-line, we’re probably highly accountable for interceptions and they’re probably, more than most people make a deal out of, more accountable for sacks. A lot of times you see a quarterback pumping and pumping and we get to him, everybody cheers us on and we did a great job. But the reality is somebody was back there covering a guy and he couldn’t get rid of the ball. A lot of interceptions, they were just throwing it before they want to. Maybe one of these big guys up front is getting after it. I’m going to have to tell T.J. (McDonald) and Walt (Aikens) they have to take me out for a steak dinner or something. (laughter) It’s playing together, complementary football. I always say front-to-back, side-to-side. When you get sacks up front, like we had a couple times last week, that was on them, and I like to say our interceptions are on us.”
(We’ve asked you many times about your commitment to nutrition, sleep, recovery. I’m wondering what you’ve noticed about your teammate LB Kiko Alonso and how he takes care of himself.) – “He’s an interesting character to say the least. As far as that is concerned, he’s definitely up there as one of the guys who takes tremendous pride in taking care of his body. Obviously, you watch him play on Sundays, it shows in his recovery and being able to get back to as close to 100 percent as he can every Sunday. I think that is from the things you do off the field. The traditional lifting weights and running and all that, everybody does that; but what are you going to do when nobody is watching, when you could get that McDonald’s cheeseburger or whatever it is that probably is not going to help you? Those are the things that make him a great player and I’m glad he’s on our side.”
(After your second sack, you kind of let out a fury of rage and a huge scream there during the game on Sunday. Was that a little built up for you?) – “That’s every sack. It’s hard to get there for however many, 90-whatever (career sacks). All of them are hard, every single time. You’ve put in a lot of time, energy, nutrition, sleep, sacrifice. A lot goes into that one three-second, four-second play. Not to beat a dead horse with my story; but all of the other things that kind of go into it, that moment is a little opportunity to release. That one is no different than the others.”
(What teammate comes closest to you in terms of diet discipline?) – “There’s a lot of guys. It’d be hard. I’d have to do a shadow to figure it out for sure. Even right now this week, for the next three hours there is a whole routine, from Pilates, yoga, stretching, cryo(therapy). We have it all and it’s a full house. There’s a lot of guys that have to do it. To be very honest, you won’t last very long if you don’t take care of yourself in that way. If you look at the guys who have been around for a long time, those guys have to be doing something right. When you’re not looking at them, they’re definitely taking care of themselves.”
(You mentioned routine so what is your pregame routine?) – “It’s a lot of mental preparation. I think at that point, a lot of the different stuff, if you are waiting until then, it’s too late if you’re talking about purely pregame Sunday. It’s a lot of mental things that I have to do obviously to get ready, whether it’s stretching, warming up, things like that. Traditional things, and then some – I don’t want to say superstitious – but things that for me personally I need to do to feel like I’m ready to go out there and play the game. There’s nothing magical or extraordinary. I like to stay in my own zone, put my blinders on and focus on the task at hand.”
(Not necessarily superstitious, but are there things that you only do that you have to do every Sunday?) – “I talk to my family. Again, I won’t say superstitious, but the people who supported me and kind of allowed me to be in the position I’m in. They’re my biggest fans obviously. That’s probably the biggest thing before every game, no matter what it is. Just touching base with them and getting back to that foundation. Aside from that, the rest of the stuff is kind of monotonous; but that, where your heart is, is the only way to go out there on Sunday.”
(Anything special you do as far as pregame meals?) – “Carbs. I’ve got to get ready. It’s crazy but you think about the way we play … I think a lot of guys eat at 9 or 10 o’clock in the morning and we don’t get another meal until after the game is over and it’s 5 o’clock. You have to get a lot of carbs, energy, proteins from eating greens, some proteins, chicken breast, things like that. Nothing world-changing, but you have to get the fuel in the vehicle when you’re riding around.”
(What’s a cheat meal or a cheat day like for you?) – “My lifestyle is changed so it’s not a cheat anymore. I don’t have it. I’ve structured my life in a way that what you would consider a cheat is no longer part of what I do anymore. To me, eating salmon and salad, that’s my life. I enjoy it. I do it everyday, offseason, on season and probably will for many years.”
(So you like to indulge in a salad?) – “Kale salad with a little oil and vinegar. That’s my cheat meal.”
(No dressing?) – “Oil and vinegar. That’s dressing to me.”
(And grapes?) – “Grapes, I guess. That’s a cheat. Dessert. Grapes.”
