Making a case for Cam Cameron

By Hugo Guzman  |   Tuesday, October 02, 2007  |  Comments( 7 )

Miami Dolphins
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The most common knee-jerk reaction occurring in South Florida right now is the tried-and-true "fire the coach" call to action.

Miami Dolphins sideline general Cam Cameron is being blamed for everything from the defensive line's ineptitude to the lightning strike that postponed the game for nearly 30 minutes on Sunday, and the majority of fans are calling for a most unorthodox changing of the guard just four games into his NFL head coaching career.

Fortunately for Cameron, the powers that be for the Dolphins don't share those rather hasty sentiments.

Don't get me wrong, Dolphin fans. I'm not a Cam Cameron apologist. In fact, I was one of the first to question his insistence on forsaking Ronnie Brown in favor of a clearly less-talented Jesse Chatman during the summer. In addition, Cameron must be held accountable for his decision to jettison Daunte Culpepper in favor of a clearly ineffective Trent Green, and his move to bring in unheralded tight end David Martin while releasing a known commodity like Randy McMichael has proven to be a lateral move (or cap move) at best.

However, some of the items that have been brought to the "fire Cam Cameron" forefront hold little to no merit.

Fans and some media members have been quick to bring up the team's decision to let go of veteran defensive linemen Kevin Carter, Jeff Zgonina and David Bowens. However, the fact of the matter is that, while Carter is still contributing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he is far from a difference-maker. Meanwhile, Zgonina and Bowens have just a handful of tackles between them.

The reason the Dolphins' D-line is struggling is because it's getting old, and that issue cannot be resolved in just one offseason. There is some youth to build on, like end Matt Roth and tackle Paul Soliai, but Cameron can't be blamed for the sharp decline that Miami's defensive front has suffered through thus far in 2007, especially when you consider just how dominant those old-timers were only a season ago.

Another key rallying point for Cameron detractors is the utter lack of playmaking ability that has been demonstrated by free-agent pickup Joey Porter, a linebacker. The former Steeler has failed to make any game-changing plays so far, but that appears to be a side effect of the overall defensive scheme more than Porter's own shortcomings. For some reason, defensive coordinator Dom Capers has failed to put Porter in a position similar to the one he played in with Pittsburgh; as a result, Porter has not gotten an opportunity to pressure the quarterback or make the momentum-turning interceptions he's known for. Porter has actually made tackles when called upon, including three for a loss.

And what about the offense?

Green has definitely been a disappointment this year, but most facets of the offense have undergone marked improvement since Cameron's arrival.

Despite a slow start (thanks largely to being underutilized during the first two games of the season), Ronnie Brown is now leading the NFL in total yards from scrimmage and is averaging a robust 5.2 yards per carry.

Also, in spite of an off week, Chris Chambers is still among the league leaders in receptions and yards per catch, and he appears to have finally found the consistency that has eluded him throughout his career.

Perhaps most importantly, Miami's relatively young offensive line is looking solid in terms of both pass and run blocking; of course, as most astute observers know, long-term offensive success starts in the trenches.

Even the aforementioned Green, who most agree has been the sorest of sore spots, is completing over 60 percent of his passes and is on pace for nearly 4,000 yards through the air. The only problem is that he's also on pace for only 16 touchdowns and a whopping 28 interceptions. Yikes.

For the sake of argument, then, let us concede that, outside of kicker Jay Feely -- who is still perfect on the season -- all of Cameron's key offseason acquisitions (Green, Porter, Martin) have been monumental busts up to this point. That, of course, is an indictment on Cameron the personnel evaluator, not Cameron the head coach. If anything, his coaching ability on the offensive side of the football has overcome his shortcomings as an evaluator of talent.

That brings us to what is possibly the most common point of contention for Cameron non-believers -- his first and only draft class.

If I had a nickel for every fan who's uttered "Ted Ginn is a bust," I could probably quit my job here at RealFootball365. The reality is that Ginn, a first-round wide receiver and return man, is still just a green rookie whom Cameron has chosen to bring along slowly. As a matter of fact, outside of the Samoan triumvirate made up of Samson Satele, Paul Soliai and Reagan Mauia, Cameron has brought all of his key draft picks along at a less-than-speedy pace.

Ginn has yet to be utilized in the passing attack; second-round quarterback John Beck probably won't see action until late in the season at best; and third-round scat back Lorenzo Booker has been on the inactive list in all four games.

The mistake that most fans (and unscrupulous radio hosts) make is to equate these rookies' lack of playing time with lack of ability. The good news is that four games does not a career make, and if guys like Ginn, Beck, and Booker live up to their potential, it will be Cameron who reaps the rewards long after the calls for his job have withered away and died.

Keep the faith with the Miami Dolphins at RealFootball365.com
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About Hugo Guzman

Trying to bring an objective approach to NFL analysis.
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