Foolish Cat January 3rd, 2008

Few things are as truly blunderful as a professional sports team with a glaring lack of talent and depth compared to the rest of the league. On the college level, we have become used to such disparity, and rarely flinch when Texas runs over Baylor by 60 in football or Duke drops 130 on Puerto Rico St. in basketball.

But the pros are supposed to be different. With the exception of a few teams in baseball, every professional sports franchise should have the ability to at least show up and compete every day, night or week, whatever the case.

And what a beautifully sad thing to watch when it doesn’t happen.

Enter the worst sports franchise of 2007: The Miami Dolphins.

Now I must reveal that this is a subject close to my heart; I have been a devoted fan since I was a child and have relished in the glory of Dan Marino and suffered the pain of John Riggins steamrolling my hopes of Super Bowl satisfaction in ‘82 (living in suburban DC, this was particularly hurtful). So watching the steady demise of my squad over the past few years has not been easy.

However…firing Cam Cameron won’t make it better.

Of course, he deserves no immunity from blame. After all, if Trent Green really was Cameron’s call, even without the benefit of hindsight, the risk was heavy and, with the wounds of Daunte Culpepper still open and bleeding, not acceptable. And Ted Ginn, jr. certainly doesn’t seem like the electric player we were promised; his play did nothing to assuage the fans’ criticisms of passing on Brady Quinn in the first round of the draft.

But Cameron wasn’t brought to Miami for his personnel skills, he was brought there because of his ability to develop a high-powered offense. Who knew that this would be the year that Miami’s defense would get old? Who knew that their best offensive player, who was leading the league in yards from scrimmage, would get hurt and be out for the season? With as little as Cameron had to work with, it’s a miracle they beat Baltimore - the team, lest we forget, that came closer than any other this season to beating the Patriots.

Bill Parcells should have come in, fired Randy Mueller like he did, and, in a sense, punished Cameron by reducing his role in the draft and any trade decisions. But getting canned is not fair. One year is simply not enough time for anyone with a horrible team to be expected to make any significant impression. Jimmy Johnson was 1-15 his first year - and he had Troy Aikmen and Michael Irvin!

I understand that when new bosses come in they feel the need to exhibit their role to show their bosses that they aren’t just sitting around waiting for things to happen. And Parcells obviously has a way of doing things that he feels will be carried out best by a certain type of coach. Fine. But two years from now, when Parcells retires for the 67th time and leaves the Fins leaderless and directionless again, remember: Cam Cameron never got the chance.

Good luck Cam. Blunder on.

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