DAVIE, Fla. – Miami Dolphins backup defensive end Derrick Shelby realizes a big opportunity is in front of him. Shelby is the projected full-time starter for the final nine games of the season now that Pro Bowl defensive end Cameron Wake is out for the year with an Achilles tear.

But Shelby also is a realist and knows that replacing a four-time Pro Bowler and current team leader in sacks will not be easy.

Fourth-year pro Derrick Shelby has 5.5 career sacks, 1.5 behind Cameron Wake's total this season. Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

“I’m not Cam Wake at all,” Shelby said after Monday’s practice. “So I just try to be Derrick Shelby. That’s the way I approach it.”

Wake tore his Achilles in last Thursday’s loss to the New England Patriots while rushing quarterback Tom Brady. In Wake, Miami lost its emotional leader and sack leader. He has seven sacks this season. The next-best totals are Ndamukong Suh and Olivier Vernon with two each.

Shelby has 11 tackles this season and zero sacks. He’s a solid backup known more for defending the run than rushing the passer. Shelby, who also has two tackles for loss, will get some help from second-year backup Terrence Fede.

“Speaking from Cam’s perspective, there is no way to match that production,” Shelby said. “But it’s a bunch of guys on the D-line and we’re going to take that burden as a whole.”

Shelby said the circumstances aren’t good with Wake injured, but he is reaching a goal to be a starter in the NFL. Shelby also is in a contract year.

“I think a starter is everybody’s goal in the NFL,” Shelby said. “I mean, older guys that are out there are the guys making the plays a majority of the time. In any level of football, actually, you aim to be a starter.”

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