Killing some major Miami misconceptions

By Hugo Guzman  |   Tuesday, October 23, 2007  |  Comments( 16 )

Miami Dolphins
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Let's face it, the 0-7 Miami Dolphins are currently enduring what will likely go down as the worst season in franchise history.

Worse than the 1966 edition that went 3-11; that was an expansion team which many expected to struggle.

Worse than the 1988 squad that went 6-10, the one that had Dan Marino. By the way, these Dolphins have almost no chance of winning six games.

Worse than the 2004 unit; those guys could still count on a consistently stingy defense to hold up its end of the bargain.

That being said, there are a multitude of ill-conceived notions that need to be squashed like the postseason aspiration that prompted head coach Cam Cameron to bring in veteran free agents Trent Green and Joey Porter. Sadly, just like it took a while for the powers-that-be to acknowledge that Miami was indeed rebuilding, it will probably take just as long (if ever) to convince fans that the following assertions hold no merit:

1) Ronnie Brown will never be the same now that he's suffered a torn ACL.

The fact of the matter is that many running backs have returned to their former glory after sustaining an ACL injury. Some guys have even returned to form after suffering worse injuries. The San Francisco 49ers' Frank Gore dealt with successive ACL tears, one to each knee, but has gone on to become one of the league's most impressive young runners. Everybody remembers the gruesome injury suffered by Willis McGahee in the January 2003 Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State, but he averaged 4.0 yards per carry and scored 13 rushing touchdowns after less than two years. Right now, McGahee is second in the NFL in rushing with 639 yards and is averaging 4.4 yards per tote.

Perhaps the best example of guy bouncing back from a knee injury is Deuce McAllister. He tore the ACL in his right knee on Oct. 10, 2005 and returned in '06, rushing for over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns, despite having to share carries with Reggie Bush. And for those of you who are curious, McAllister's recent injury was to his left knee, not to the right knee he previously hurt.

Clearly, history says today's pro running backs can return to form after an ACL tear. If you're still not convinced, consider that NFL greats Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James both posted multiple Pro Bowl-caliber campaigns after suffering ACL injuries.

2) Cam Cameron is being outcoached and/or is a poor play-caller.

This one is extremely perplexing. It's hard to believe that fans and some media pundits, like South Florida whipping boy Jorge Sedano, would adhere to this stance considering that Cameron was able to confuse the Patriots' defense on an impressive first-quarter drive that culminated in a nifty quarterback draw by career backup Cleo Lemon. The fact that Cameron's offense was able to befuddle a seasoned defense like New England's should be evidence enough, but if you need more convincing, here goes.

Miami is scoring 22.3 points per game, which is roughly a touchdown more than what it averaged last year and is the team's highest since 2002. Cameron's offense has converted all of eight of its fourth-down conversion attempts this year, displaying both courage and consistent execution at key junctures. Under Cameron's tutelage, the offensive line has become a pillar of strength, allowing just 13 sacks in seven games and paving ample running room for Brown and his reserves. This past week, when Brown bowed out with injury, the line made backups Jesse Chatman and Patrick Cobbs look like stars. The duo finished the day with a combined 82 yards and two touchdowns. Perhaps most importantly, a lot of this offensive damage has been done with Lemon at the helm.

If anything, then, Cameron's offensive scheming and play-calling ought to be considered one of the team's brightest beacons of hope in an otherwise dark and gloomy season.

3) The 2007 Dolphins are the worst team ever.

Actually, the Dolphins might not even be the worst team this year. At least they can score points. Their stiffest competition, the 0-7 St. Louis Rams, are scoring a paltry 11.3 points per game and have been blown out in four of their games. Miami, by comparison, has kept things interesting in most weeks, suffering its first blowout loss of the season against what is arguably one of the most impressive teams in league history, the Patriots.

Furthermore, Cameron has made good on his promise to build the offense from the middle out. He and general manager Randy Mueller drafted what appears to be a star-caliber center in Samson Satele along with a solid fullback, Reagan Mauia. A potentially franchise-saving quarterback, John Beck, could also be waiting in the wings. And when Beck is finally ready to step into the fray, it appears as if he has a duo of solid youngsters to throw to. Derek Hagan might not pan out as a starter, but rookie Ted Ginn Jr. seems poised to be a playmaking receiver, consistently outrunning defensive backs and putting himself in position to score time and again.

Granted, the defense seems to have 11 holes to fill, with veterans Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas set to walk into the sunset sooner than later. Still, there's reason to believe that this team has finally found a fix for an offense that has been a sour spot since the end of the Marino era.

And if you use the offense as measuring stick, its not beyond the realm of possibility to think the defense could get back to respectability in just one offseason. After all, if Cameron's current offensive unit, which boasts just one returning starter from 2006 (Marty Booker), is capable of making a complete turnaround, who's to say that a similar transition won't occur on the other side of the ball?

Realistically, the Dolphins are probably two seasons away from competing for a playoff berth, and that's only if Beck pans out. The defense, and more specifically the secondary, is in need of a major revamping. The special teams coverage, which inexplicably allowed a return for a touchdown on a squib kick last Sunday, is also major issue.

That being said, when it comes to the Dolphins, there are a lot of misconceptions that need to be dispelled and a lot of subtle positives to be gleaned from this disastrous '07 season.
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About Hugo Guzman

Trying to bring an objective approach to NFL analysis.
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CommentsComments: 16  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Rudy Raygoza		02:48 AM
10/23/2007
It looks like it way to early to tell. But cameron looks like a softie no balls as a coach. get someone with some hard nose...
No.2
Matthew, Boise		06:36 AM
10/23/2007
I agree with your article. This has been a dismal year, but that has been almost 100% due to the sudden and horrific decline of...
No.3
Dave		11:43 AM
10/23/2007
Actually, I think it takes big balls to go for it on fourth down. Now, having said that, when you are 0-7 you tend to do it more...
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