Cameron deserves another chance
I know I've written that the right time, at the least the fair time, to make a decision about Cam Cameron's future with the Dolphins is after the end of the season.
And that's what the Dolphins will do -- wait until after this season ends in two weeks.
But for me, it was more about seeing whether Cameron could win a game or not. I just couldn't fathom backing a coach as he tried to get another season if the Dolphins became the first team in NFL history to go 0-16.
Well, Cameron will not go 0-16. And so I think he deserves one more season to prove he is the right coach for the Dolphins.
I know many of you won't agree with me. I know many of you will attack me. So be it. That's my opinion, I'm sticking to it. I shared that opinion in the pages of The Herald today.
Now I understand Cameron is not perfect. He has made a ton of mistakes this year that I have documented on this blog and in the newspaper various times. But I believe it is possible for someone to learn from their mistakes and Cameron has shown the ability to adapt -- he did so by bringing Ricky Williams onto the team even though he had no intention of doing that when the season began.
He has, I am told, begun to pay closer attention to his veterans since I reported many were dissatisfied with his handling of them.
So the rookie coach deserves a chance to show he is improving. And he deserves a chance to show what he can do with a roster of players that hopefully will be better next season. At the very least one would expect the injury plague that smote Miami this year will not return next year. And by then, one would also expect better things out of John Beck and Ted Ginn Jr. and other young players.
One would also expect an influx of talent in free agency.
If Cameron can't make the Dolphins relevant at that point, then he should go. But he deserves the opportunity to try.
And that's what the Dolphins will do -- wait until after this season ends in two weeks.
But for me, it was more about seeing whether Cameron could win a game or not. I just couldn't fathom backing a coach as he tried to get another season if the Dolphins became the first team in NFL history to go 0-16.
Well, Cameron will not go 0-16. And so I think he deserves one more season to prove he is the right coach for the Dolphins.
I know many of you won't agree with me. I know many of you will attack me. So be it. That's my opinion, I'm sticking to it. I shared that opinion in the pages of The Herald today.
Now I understand Cameron is not perfect. He has made a ton of mistakes this year that I have documented on this blog and in the newspaper various times. But I believe it is possible for someone to learn from their mistakes and Cameron has shown the ability to adapt -- he did so by bringing Ricky Williams onto the team even though he had no intention of doing that when the season began.
He has, I am told, begun to pay closer attention to his veterans since I reported many were dissatisfied with his handling of them.
So the rookie coach deserves a chance to show he is improving. And he deserves a chance to show what he can do with a roster of players that hopefully will be better next season. At the very least one would expect the injury plague that smote Miami this year will not return next year. And by then, one would also expect better things out of John Beck and Ted Ginn Jr. and other young players.
One would also expect an influx of talent in free agency.
If Cameron can't make the Dolphins relevant at that point, then he should go. But he deserves the opportunity to try.
posted by Armando Salguero at 2:15 PM
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49 Comments:
I agree with you I think he deserves another shot. Although I think Capers needs to go and possibly Mueller. Since Cowher doesn't want to coach until 09 give him another shot and if he fails go hire cowher for whatever price.
If Mr. H sells the team, Cam will not be back. However, if doesn't, I can see him getting another opportunity even if H hires a football person to run the Dolphins. Mando, is there any truth to Bill Parcells potentially running the Dolphins?
Armando,
I agree with you although, here in Scotland, I am far removed from the day to day that you see. When I saw the team play against the Giants I didn't think we were outclassed (and the Giants may end up being a play-off team). We were close against the 'Skins, who were also viewed positively until recently. I watched a Carolina game recently and they were really shocking. I know we have also had some howlers but generally our record does not do justice to the effort that many have been making.
Many felt that Cameron was a good appointment for the Dolphins - I think that giving him another draft and season is only right.
Things were never going to get better instantly.
John
I believe he should get another shot to prove himself, and he will this week in NE. Good luck!
Wouldnt it be awsome if we opened up the game with an onside kick? The best way to beat the Pats is to keep there O off the feild!
I agree with you Armando.
People who want the next coach off the street are like the people who want the next QB on the depth chart.
It's nice to dream that someone else could step in and do a better job, but usually all that happens is it makes things worse.
I agree too. Lets see what cam can do with this squad next year, if he wins 8 games or more, hes the man to turn this around. If we rebuild our defense the next two drafts and grab another key offensive weapon(TE) and solve our QB prob, I would love to see what cam can do with this offense. Have Ronnie tearing it up again, lil booker on 3rd downs, promising bunch of young receivers and an ever improving o line. The tide may be turning in so flo.
I also agree. I still think Cam can be an effective coach, but we've got to give him some legitimate bullets to find out. One coach I think HAS to be scrutinized is Keith Armstrong. How much blame do you assign to him, Armando?
Do people forget that Jimmy Johnson went 1-15 in his first year in Dallas? I don't think anyone would argue that it would've been a mistake to fire him after that. Now I'm not saying that Cam is Jimmy, but I definitely think any coach deserves at least a couple of years to turn a team around. If he had take a playoff team and turned into a 1-15 team, that's a different story, but Cam inherited crap, and crap that's a lot worse and older than last year. Not to mention crap that got a ridiculous amount of injuries.
Unbelievable! Not only does Armando write a mature, positive column about the Fins, free of cynicism and offering hope about the team's future, but then some rational people write in with thoughtful comments, -- a welcomed change from the "blow-the-joint-up" mentality that has pervaded this blog.
If this keeps up, this blog may be worth reading again!
Unbelievable, Armando continues to write great stuff and some anonymous a=hole has to come with sarcasm and a holier-than-thou. Do us all a favor: Don't continue reading this blog again. The thousands of us won't miss you. And neither, I bet, will Armando.
Armando, I have never seen someone make a 180 degree turn like you can.
I won't even bother with all the reasons I think you have been snatched by aliens and replaced but you take the title of biggest flip-flopper in the universe.
To the others who have their heads up Cam's butt, I am sure some of you still believe there are WMD's in Iraq or Saddam was responsible for 9/11.
If Cam is the best coach available in 2008, keep him. If there is ANYONE better, you ditch him faster than a girl with the clap.
This comment has been removed by the author.
I thought about the whole Jimmy Johnson argument but, Cam is no Jimmy Johnson. I dont want to be watching the Draft next season when Cam and Mueller blow our Number One Pick!!!!! Cam, I am sure still believes Beck is our QB of the future. I dont want a replay of this season again either.
Armando
I agree to a certain extent!! But we need some more of your infamous blogs, as you see this blog has been up since about noon and you have less than 15 comments !! The more controversial the better!! LOL
Keep up th good work!!!
Cameron has got to go! I don't want anymore wasted years (Did'nt you have enough of those with Wanndstadt?)CC is NOT a HC.
We won on Sunday,not because of what Cameron did,but what Billick did'nt do.Cameron almost lost that game with that friggin squib kick!!
Lets get a proven HC in here now,WH is going to sell the team anyway and the first thing the New Owners are going to do is send Cam packing .
Um, Flatbush, the "anonymous a=hole" appeared to be paying Mando a compliment. Mando admitted he had been negative in the past, and he's not above criticism. Don't get your panties in a bunch.
WOW!!! I had no idea that this many people were willing to give Cam another season to improve the team! i thought I was all alone on an island, hoping for some Stability at the head coaching position. thats nice to read.
Now, if somebody can just convince TOM over on Cote's blog...
Ok, I have been reading your articles all season and I feel I have earned the right to put my two cents in since I have been a dolphin fan since “73. Let’s start with the coaches. Yes Cameron has made some mistakes, but I am sure he is intelligent enough that he can learn from them. This does not mean he can not be a great coach, which in time I think he can be. The only thing he should do is show some emotion, players respond to it and will get fired up more if he does. Also he needs to be more honest with the fans and media, tell us the truth not just lip service. We have lost some close games this season, and if we had all of our players in there we would have won some, it is not his fault because of injuries, and it just shows you we need to improve in our backups. There is a big difference in performance between our starters and backups. I hope we address this in the off-season with FA and the draft. The only changes I see we need in coaching are in the scouting department. Now the owner, you will not find an owner that cares as much as Wayne, he has spared no expense in doing so. He needs to be more involved with the team, and I think he needs to hire someone that knows the business to show him how to do it. After all, he needs to be there to protect his investment. Now the players, I bet you will see a big difference if you had each player receive a base salary and the rest based on performance. On offence, it all stats with the line. It would not matter who was quarterbacking or who was the running back, if the offensive line can not substance blocks or dominate and open holes, it does not matter who was playing the position, and no one would be successful. That is where we need to invest on offense. On defense, we need a dominate line and strong corners. We have been burned all season and need upgrades there. We need to evaluate the defense; it has not worked all season. It made no sense to bring in porter and make him play a different style that what he was successful in Pittsburgh. He should have been playing the same scheme that made him successful. He was not used properly. These things can be corrected, but if the coaches are honest and say, it is not an overnight solution, it will take several years then they would not be going through all the drama they are going through now. Coaches, just be honest, you now have a full season to see what works and what does not work, you are being paid to fix them, if it is going to take time, tell us, we are more understanding that you give us credit for.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME ARMANDO CAMERON AND MUELLER ARE BORN LOSERS THEY NEED TO BE FIRED AT SEASON'S END!BRYAN IN OHIO.........
stevebuford - I totally agree with you that there is a major difference in our starters and our backups. Most people seem to be forgetting that several of our starters will be back next season: Y. Bell, R. Brown (hopefully), Ricky Williams (if we keep him), and several others. Let's see what Cam can do with these guys after playing a whole preseason and several mini-camps together mixed in with some hungry young guys.
I do, however, disagree with the fans being more understanding than coaches give them/us credit for. Have you read most of the comments on some of these blogs?
You definitely cant forget the fact that the offense has improved a lot (when Cleo is in) since last season. Thats what Cam was really brought to Mia to do and there has been improvement.If Ronnie didnt get hurt I think we would end up at least 8-8 if not better. More ball control would probably mean less defensive players injured. People didnt agree with the draft at first but most of the players have shown they were good choices. As long as Cam addresses the defense first by getting players thst can stop the run and dbs that can stay with receivers on third down we will be greatly improved.
Valid point. Armstrong must go however. Calling that "special" teams means a totally new thing this year.
Your wrong again Armando!!! Cameron has already shown himself to be a poor judge of talent along with Mueller.How else can you explain the waste of 20 million dollars on an over the hill LB whose former team made no attempt to re-sign him.Also,how about wasting a 5th round draft choice on an already damaged QB whose former team was waiting for someone to take him off their hands.Then came the draft and we wasted a #1 pick on a #3 wide receiver.Our #2 pick doesn't look much better.The only reason our 3rd round pick is playing is because everyone else was injured.Our only real success among our draft picks has been the center.Punters don't really count as they are a dime a dozen.As for managing a game it's pretty clear Cameron is over his head.Just say "pooch kicks" and that says volumes about his play calling ability.Just because he got lucky on Sunday and won his first game doesn't entitle him to another season as HC.His whole body of work should be evaluated and for that reason he should be fired along with Mueller and the rest of the coaching staff,except Houck,and the entire scouting department.
I couldn't disagree more, and I usually see eye to eye with you Mandy. Everyone love to give Cam credit for the (few) positives on this team, which he had NOTHING to do with. He butchered this team, injuries and poor coaching did the rest, and we all suffered for it. That's unforgivable. BTW, there's NO COMPARISON between JJ, or any other of the coaches that had terrible records their first year and Cam. He was no good in college either!
Armando, people can learn from their mistakes, I agree. But, what we saw from Cam this year were not simply mistakes. It was genuine ineptitude as a head coach.
1. You want to give him credit for adapting because he played Ricky Williams 10 weeks into the season? It took him 10 straight losses to show that he can adapt? You have got to be kidding me!! From the very beginning, Cameron was unwilling to adapt. He inherited a team with a great defense and refused to play within that context. He inherited a team with a starting RB that averaged 4.2 yds per carry over his last 400+. Did he adapt to that? Yeah, after two games and only because that third game was against a poor run defense. Even against that Jets team, he threw more than he ran it.
2. So, you like that "he's begun to play closer attention to his dissatisfied veterans?" How is that good leadership? You want a head coach that lets the inmates run the insane asylum? You want a head coach that needs the approval of the men he's supposed to lead into battle? That's weak! Cameron doesn't get a scholarship for that!
3. You want to give him a pass because of injuries? He wasn't steeped in injuries until R. Brown got hurt in week 7. Why didn't he win before that game? Also, he was the one that traded or let go of the depth that could've gotten him through the Bell and Holliday injuries which were the most significant before week 7 (Zach was backed-up well by Crowder up to this point). As far as I'm concerned, The injuries mattered becuase of his ineptitude in the offseason.
4. "One would also expect an influx of talent in free agency."
What did he during his first attempt at free agency. He dismantled our storied defense from '06. Additionally, our special teams got worse as a result of the '07 free agency, he brought in Porter which has only recently payed off and he traded away Welker. Now, tell me Armando, why should one "expect an influx of talent in free agency?"
Stick to your opinion all you want. Blow up your chest and defiantly print your opinion for all the world to read. All the bluster in the world doesn't make your opinion any more useful or any less arbitrary.
First of all ya gotta love the people who say your opinion is wrong. Opinion aren't wrong or right they are opinions, not facts people. Second you can always tell who the under 18 posters are in this blog with all of the capitals and name calling. Third, the people who are saying that nothing that has gone right is any of Cams doing are not thinking clearly. You can't blame the coach for all the bad things and not give him credit for any of the good things. It just doesn't work that way. The o-line improved, Brown improved and Ginn improved as the season wore on. Also I love how people point out how they made a mistake in picking Beck but don't point out the rest of the draft. Satele,Booker,Ginn,Mauia,and Wright are all good players with promising careers ahead of them so who gets the credit for that? Let see what Cam can do for one more year because there is no one better available. If someone thinks there is please let us know and also refrain from mentioning Pete Carroll so we all don't die laughing. NYScott
I liked his comment on the fact that Jason Taylor called the time out to ice the kicker. It seemed like Cam was acknowledging that JT is a veteran, and has his respect.
I don't think Cam has to take the Fins to the playoffs next year. In fact, I hope the people in charge realize they are not just one year away, and run the offseason accordingly. No 'quick fix' type free agent signings please! It'll be at least two years. As long as the team shows (significant) progress, then Cam's doing his job.
Are you kidding! Cam was a horrible college coach, he drafted a kick returner with the ninth pk. and a QB that cant beat out a 3rd string nobody (C.Lemon),he has lost his veterans support, and his game managment/play calling is ridiculous. The fins win one game, and that was a lucky win, and Cam deserves to come back? Whats the big difference between 1-15 and 0-16?
Dolphins are bad, but NOT that bad.
Cam coached us to O-Fer-land. His blunders are countless. Cam's coaching is too costly & makes us worse.
We can't stick with losers so long, like we've done in the past.
Get some good management & a plan.
A good experienced & solid dude i.e. Marty Schottenheimer is what we need.
On second thought ...
Maybe we SHOULD keep Cam!!
We could use the TOP Draft Pick for a few years. Might get a QB with a few trys.
If we're not going deep into the playoffs anyway, Cam's our man!!!
Yeah Boy ... Coach 'em Cam!!
Armando you may be good at convincing some of the local sheep to blindly follow your warped logic which I will expose and diassemble shortly, but you don't convince the more cerebral and informed sports enthusiasts of this town, you nimrod.Let me start by saying that you share something with the bum that you're defending namely that you're both too cowardly to admit when you make mistakes-you with your bizarre justification for continued mediocrity and Cameron for complete lack of coaching ability. Just who the hell do you think you are to suggest it's okay for Miami to accept anything less than the very best that is available to us in coaching talent. If you like to settle for mediocrity in your personal life choices so be it, but I'm willing to bet anything that real Dolphin fans are finished with this "let's just wait and see what he can do next year" bulls**t. When Cameron returns next year(and Im sure Huizenga will bring him back because he's as soft as they come) believe me you'll be reminded many times and in a big way about your support of this yinyang now when the Dolphins go 2-14. Let me repeat it again so you and the other momos weeping for this loser can finally get it. Cameron has failed on absolutely every level possible for a coach, absurd draft choices, poor clock management, inexplicable timeouts, lax training and improper physical conditioning of players,inept, ineffective playcalling, deception and contempt for fans and press,lack of emotion and fire on the sideline,non-existent leadership, and loss of respect from the fans and team, and yes Armando now I'll let you in on a little bit of info that should shut you up about how Cameron is regaining the veterans trust and respect. Jason Taylor was in my restaurant and totally trashed Cameron and went into details about what a clown the players see him as. Im saying this so that real fans are not convinced by insipid articles like yours that they should settle for ineptitude because you feel like being nice to Cam. Next time you're feeling warm and fuzzy send money to a starving or sick child somewhere and don't waste your charity on a very highly paid, extremely underacheving excuse of a head coach.
El TUNA GRANDE in Miami in 2008!!
Thats strange because JT was in MY restaurant saying that Cam was a good Coach and great person and that being expected to perform like a paid professional instead of someone ranting and raving trying to make you perform is very different and took some getting used to.
Im sure some bloggers here will appreciate your input but the next time you try and drop some knowledge on someone you would be better served taking your bullshit to the 8 and under crowd because I'm not a koolaid drinker!
BTW,I consider myself to be a "real" fan since I'm 43 and have been a Miami fan since I was 4 years old.
"Jason Taylor was in my restaurant and totally trashed Cameron and went into details about what a clown the players see him as"
Then Jason Taylor is a two-sided loser that put on big act giving Cameron the game ball. Let me ask you this. Did you see any Atlanta Falcons giving Bobby Petrino game balls during any of their wins? Nope, thats because that was a coach who had really lost his locker room.
let me also add that I don't really think Taylor is a two-sided loser, I just think you are full of crap...
I agree that Cameron should stay. I think he brings a lot to our offense which has been nonexistent since Marino retired. I think we should focus on defense. Our offense can score we just need to build up our defense and get them in a position where they can get a few three and outs per game. Cam's offensive play book is extensive and we've only seen 1/4 of it.
I would like to address the people who say Cam has lost the team. That they don't respect him. That he can't motivate them. And I tell you:
Why would the team unanimously give Cam the game ball when certainly Caramillo or Cleo deserved it? It is because they like the man, they respect the man, they want to win for him. Everything else was just frustration from losing and very normal.
For the wack jobs who want to change coaches I would like to inform you of two things.
1. Parcells has accepted the job of VP of the Atlanta Falcons.
2. Cowher has said he doesn't want to coach until 2009.
Please save your mindless chatter going forward on the topic.
Thanks,
Emanuel
The absolute best course of action is to keep Cam Cameron & Randy Mueller for next year and give them another off season and another draft.
Whether you choose to believe it or not, our 2007 draft was one of our best in recent memory. Look how many rookies have been playing and playing well. There's no reason to think that our next draft won't be a good one. With how far under the cap we are, do not be surprised if we land some prized free agents.
Whether you choose to believe it or not, our offense, with the players we have, is not horrendous. Face it, most of us thought our offensive line was going to be crap...32nd in the league..and look how solid its turned out to be.
Whether you choose to believe it or not, NONE of us thought this defense would collapse like it did. However a key injury here or there and look what happens...implosion. Look at what happened to the famous Ravens D when it had a few key injuries. Not so famous anymore.
Whether you choose to believe it or not, Ted Ginn was a better choice than Brady Quinn. We've all witnessed the explosion of speed he has. Give him another year or two to really bear fruit. I'll be curious to see how quickly Cleveland is willing to start the Brady Quinn era in light of Derek Anderson's success.
Of course, had Cam gone completely winless, I don't know how he COULD have stayed, but that point is moot now, because he's got the one win so far.
For those of you who say that we got lucky with Stover missing that 44yd FG, you're right, but thats part of the game. How many other teams have gotten victories this season with lucky breaks? The answer is ALL of them, thats football. Had luck been on our side, we'd have more than just one victory. Sometimes you don't get the breaks, sometimes you do.
Keeping Cam for another year is the right thing to do. Changing coaches again would only put us behind the eight ball yet again for 2008.
I think we're on the right track. Go ahead and accuse me of drinking the kool-aid, but this is my opinion.
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Armando, I used to respect you but with this column I have lost all respect for you!How could you want to have this disaster of a coach back on our sidelines?I thought you were a knowledgable reporter but after reading your column I realize you are just as incompetent as Cameron and should be fired !!
Thank You! I agree with your comments 100%.
It's also not bad to hear that MOST of the people responding here are in your camp....thinking along the same lines.
As for the others...they are on the side of the Grinch this Holiday Season.
Merry Christmas
Your new name is Waffle or Flip-flop. You have done exactly what I thought you would do given this topic. You went against your own advice of waiting until the season is over before committing to an opinion on Cam the Moron. You are pathetic! You are an enabler. You are a suck-up to the regime presently in charge, and finally, you are blind to reality. Cam and Randy will not save this team or lead this team out of despair. Cam is a chronic loser and you are doing nothing but enabling this loser to continue his losing ways by endorsing him for another year as Fins coach. Remember, it's not only those who are in charge that are to blame, it's the people who enable the people in charge that are just as guilty. You are pledging your allegiance to a loser of a coach and you will get what is coming to you--more losing. As a writer, I'm sure this ongoing soap opera of a team will only fuel your fires and pen. You love the despair and anguish this team causes because it's a good story and one that is easy to manipulate with your pen.
Keep up the great work at being such a hack of writer and an enabler. You'll get what you and the other Cam the Moron supporters are going to get in the end: Fired.
to the previous post that just tried to rip Mando:
you are an idiot.
go to another blog and live forever.
...also...
What is this "Jason Taylor" was in my restaurant crap?
First off, you have no proof that you own a restaurant. If you do indeed own a restaurant, step up and mention WHICH restaurant, and WHEN was Jason Taylor there. Also, if you're a dish washer, it doesn't count to say, "my restaurant" when all you do is work there.
I could just as easily say that Jason Taylor showed up to my kid's birthday party dressed up as a clown and told me that he loves to molest little boys in addition to sacking quarterbacks.
Your "Jason Taylor was in my restaurant" story is almost as funny as "we drafted Ted Ginn's family!!!"
Now let me go back to hanging out with my buddies, George Clooney and Brad Pitt. We're talking about what hot chick to cast in Ocean's 14.
Whether Cameron stays or goes, this is a great day for the Dolphins as long as cretinous Bill Parcells signs to take some other team's money. Atlanta sounds perfect for the reeking "Tuna." I hope he takes Bryan from Ohio with him...
Dude, you're such a liar. I was with JT in your restaurant and we were trashing YOU, not Cam.
Idjit.
Armando,
I am a long-time Dolphins fan who sturggled thru the season with them every step of the way. I supported Cam when some other yahoos on here were tearing him a new one. But - in my opinion, you're wrong. Had it not been for a fairly fortunate play this past Sunday, Miami would be 0-14. The pooch kick Cam ordered up that gave Baltimore the ball on their 40 - pure stupidity. Cam has made too many similar mistakes and needs to be replaced.
The pure emotion of winning, illustrated what this team has had to navigate. Hugging the coach and the jubilation exhibited by the players let me know these guys played hard all year and refused to quit. That says something about the respect they have for Coach Cameron. The Atlanta Falcons have a better record, but had no respect for Patrino, thus total destruction of a team and its identity.
As fans, be you fair-weather or die-hard dedicated, you had to see the emotion that ran like electricity through that team on that field and in the owner's box. Pure joy because nobody quit on the other. Doesn't that come from team leadership?
Cameron deserves another chance?
Are you out of your ever loving mind? I know the team is horrible but he just is not a head coach, plain and simple. way to many mistakes that he has done. He never got better.Bye Bye.
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