Ex-Dolphin Chambers was good on some not-so-great teams

By Anthony Bialy  |   Friday, October 19, 2007  |  Comments( 2 )

Miami Dolphins
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It wasn't quite the equivalent of Dick Butkus with the Bears or O.J. Simpson's time on some fair-to-lousy Buffalo Bills teams, but Chris Chambers -- traded from Miami to San Diego earlier this week for a second-round pick -- can be remembered as a bright spot during a tough era for the Dolphins. They lost their sole playoff game during his stay in South Florida, a game in which he didn't even play because of injury, but he was an important puzzle piece on a team trying to right itself.

A player who led Miami in receiving every full season he was there except last year should be remembered fairly sympathetically as a contributor at a time when precious few of his teammates did the same.

Those Dolphins fans preparing to light torches before they storm team headquarters demanding Ted Ginn Jr. play more at wide receiver may be further emboldened if they remember how outstanding Chambers was his rookie season. The Wisconsin product handled the transition to the pro game smoothly, picking up 883 yards from 48 catches. The ground gained total was good for 30th in the league, and any rookie leading his team not only in receiving yardage but also in touchdowns, as he did with seven, can be said to have had a fine campaign.

Chambers did a fair job delivering on the promise he showed his first year over the next three seasons. He registered 734, 963, and 898 yards in 2002-04, respectively, with reception totals of 52, 64, and 69. Further, those were racked up without exactly having Peyton Manning throwing to him or Reggie Wayne on the other side: the Dolphins finished 26th in passing yards per game in both 2002 and '03 as well as 21st the next year, so it's not as if he was surrounded by talent or simply flourishing in a prolific system.

The peak of Chambers' peak season in 2005 was undoubtedly when he gained approximately three miles by repeatedly burning Nate Clements in that December's game against Buffalo. His 238 yards from a nearly unthinkable 15 receptions, including the game-winning score, were part of a day fans can remember as being among the all-time great regular-season performances for the franchise.

That ridiculously productive afternoon helped Chambers get to 1,118 yards that year, his only four-digit total season. Throw in his 82 grabs, and Chambers certainly earned the Pro Bowl appearance he was granted.

By any standard, and particularly by comparison to his superlative previous season, 2006 was a letdown for Chambers. He dropped down to 59 catches and 677 aerial yards on a team that, kindly, had some turmoil at the quarterback position.

But he was still a clearly talented player, so why is he gone? Of course, Miami is looking toward the future, as looking at the present is currently too painful. Plus, Chambers had some downsides to his game and approach to it. For one, his inability to replicate his Pro Bowl form last year even considering quarterback issues could have been a factor in the Dolphins' willingness to deal him.

As for this season, he had back-to-back 100-yard games in Weeks 2 and 3. But then, he only managed totals of 21 and 19 yards in the next two games, getting a mere pair of catches during each in a sign of inconsistency.

Further, as far as his overall game, Chambers' tendency to drop passes was an unfortunate habit about which many fans frequently grumbled. This was especially true because not holding on for receptions seemed to be indicative of a larger problem, namely the fact that Chambers frequently appeared to be a player who lacked focus. The nonchalance often seen in the way he ran routes and competed seemingly half-heartedly kept him to one Hawaii trip instead of it being a perennial event.

But, despite his flaws, Chambers was a valuable bullet in the chamber during an era when Miami was usually low on ammo. He caught over 400 passes for his now-former team and was a legitimate threat among occasional dysfunction.

He'll now get a chance to help another city's franchise make the playoffs, while his former team can restock itself with a high draft pick next April. Looking at this trade as benefiting both sides takes some of the sting off knowing that an imperfect yet effective player has parted ways with the team that drafted him after more than six seasons together.
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