Shot to Nothing

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Reasons To Keep The Cameron Rolling

Imagine what would've been if the 49'ers had dropped Bill Walsh after his first season as head coach finished 2-14. Imagine if the Broncos had dropped John Elway after he was benched in his rookie year.

In the 24hr media driven world in which we now live, the press have become more concerned about the story of a fired coach then they have about what it means for the team.

And for the Dolphins, losing Cam would mean starting all over again. Again.

Cameron's first year as the Phins Head Coach cannot be judged solely on the results. Inspite of the cliche, they do not tell the whole story.

Take for instance, the injuries that the Dolphins have suffered this season. Imagine your teams roster... now put a big line through the starting quarter-back... done that? Ok, now put one through the starting running back, the second string running back, the third string running back... oh and the fourth string running back too.

How does that look to you? But wait, we're not done! Now strike a line through five DBs (any five you like, as long as at-least three of them are starters) and strike a line through your star linebacker, the leader of your team, and then one through the guy that replaced him. Stick all those players on I/R and tell me how many games you think you will win with what's left of your roster?

You see my point.

What coach could find a win with all of those injuries? Well, Cam Cameron actually. He found one against the Ravens just two weeks ago.

But aside from harking on the bad luck, what other reasons might we have for wanting Cameron to remain as head coach in Miami?

Let's see... How about personnel?

Just about every bright spark in this dark Dolphins season has come from a player who was either, drafted by Cameron, brought in by Cameron or developed by Cameron.

This year we saw Ronnie Brown finally become the stud RB we have been waiting for and Jason Allen come back from the bust abyss to lead the team in interceptions.

We saw Greg Camarillo come off of free agency and score two touch downs in two games, (one of which was the winning one in OT) and we saw Jesse Chatman over-performing week after week as second string RB until he too went down.

From his first draft we have the incredible success stories of Samson Satele, Ted Ginn Jnr (who is looking remarkably un-bustlike), Lorenzo Booker, Paul Soliai and Reagan Mauia. The jury is still out on John Beck.

Remember all that hullabaloo about the Dolphins draft last year? All seems a bit silly now, doesn't it?

Whether we like it or not, the Dolphins are in a state of rebuilding. Cameron has already put one superb set of youngsters in place and has set about rebuilding the roster. He has found diamonds in the free agency rough at times when we desperately needed them and he has held the locker room together, despite a truly horrendous season. What more can you ask from a head coach in his situation?

I am fully behind Cameron and I have everything crossed that Parcells will give him another year to continue rebuilding this team. The press may not like it, but it's the sensible thing to do.

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2 Comments:

At 12:03 pm, Anonymous Donald3625 said...

You make a good case there. Certainly given me food for thought anyway!

 
At 5:21 pm, Anonymous James said...

I agree with everything you wrote...However, if Parcells thinks as you and I do about the draft and personnel, then why did he fire Mueller???

 

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