Is Dolphins’ Camarillo a rock star or one-hit wonder?

By Hugo Guzman  |   Monday, December 17, 2007  |  Comments( 3 )

Miami Dolphins
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You'd have thought the Miami Dolphins won the Super Bowl.

Fans erupted in jubilation. The owner cried in his luxury box. The play-by-play man was out of control. Players rushed the field and mobbed one another in celebration.

Although there were many people (including Ravens head coach Brian Billick) who contributed to Miami's first win of the 2007 season, it was unheralded slot receiver Greg Camarillo who was the consensus man of the hour.

As a matter of fact, South Florida celebrity and media pundit Dan LeBatard christened Monday as "Greg Camarillo Day" on his afternoon radio show. Camarillo was also the main topic of conversation on virtually every local newspaper, radio show and fan forum. Undoubtedly, this little-known wideout deserves all of his newfound adulation. After all, the second-year pro reeled in three crucial grabs, including the game winner in overtime of Sunday's 22-16 triumph over Baltimore.

Camarillo's unexpected breakout performance definitely brought a bit of welcomed warmth to many fans' defeat-riddled heart, but it also brings about a couple of interesting revelations.

The first one is that getting production out of the slot receiver position is a relatively easy prospect, clearly. Over the years, a multitude of relatively unknown receivers have made a living by matching up against slower linebackers and inept defensive backs, and while Wes Welker's production in New England is certainly eye-opening, it is more a testament to the Patriots' high-powered offense than it is to Welker's innate ability.

To put it into perspective, consider that in Welker's two seasons in Miami, he generated just one receiving touchdown. Camarillo matched that total Sunday.

It's not as if Welker is untalented or that he doesn't deserve Pro Bowl honors for his sterling '07 campaign. However, he is clearly just the latest slot guy to benefit from good scheming and a pair of solid starting wideouts (including future Hall of Famer Randy Moss) on his periphery.

Frankly, though, that was the case even before Sunday's breakout performance by the previously unknown Camarillo. However, now that the former Charger - yet another product of coach Cam Cameron's San Diego days - has flashed his speed, hands and playmaking ability, the question comes down to whether Camarillo has the tools to become a solid producer for years to come.

If nothing else, Camarillo has all of the measurables. At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, he's actually a bit bigger than the average slot receiver. Furthermore, his 64-yard gallop against the Ravens confirmed that Camarillo possesses the speed required of an NFL wideout. And at 25 years of age, he's definitely young enough to be considered a long-term prospect.

On the flip side, Camarillo is still just a fourth wide receiver who would not have made the field this year were it not for the trade that sent Chris Chambers to San Diego. Also, there are some radicals out there who feel that scat back Lorenzo Booker, a guy who seems to break defenders' ankles every time he touches the football, is more deserving of reps in the slot. Lastly, and perhaps most damning, is the realization that Camarillo did his damage against an injury-riddled Ravens secondary and that his touchdown grab occurred well after middle linebacker extraordinaire Ray Lewis left the game with a broken hand.

So, is Camarillo a star in the making or just a warm and fuzzy footnote in Dolphins history?

The answer is probably somewhere in between. Camarillo has probably cemented an opportunity to compete for playing time going into the 2008 season, but his success will likely be dictated by the overall production of Miami's offense. If the Dolphins continue to struggle in the passing game, the way they have for most of this season, then Camarillo will likely fade into obscurity. If Cameron -- or whoever the head coach is in 2008 and beyond -- can return this team to its pass-friendly glory years of the 1980s and '90s, then Camarillo could become a fan favorite and household name in the future.

Either way, Greg Camarillo can ride off into the sunset knowing that he has secured a sliver of South Florida immortality and permanent place in Dolphins lore.

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About Hugo Guzman

Co-founder of RealFootball365.com. Born in Argentina, of Dominican descent, living in Hoboken, but from Miami through and ...
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