Give Chambers a bleepin' break

     [Updated Thursday, 8-30. I wrote on Chambers in today's column. Find it by clicking on Chris is better than you think].

     Close to 40 percent of Dolfans in our online poll say the team should trade Chris Chambers, certifying my long-held belief that roughly 2 in 5 sports fans in general are nuts.

     Chambers is in his prime at 29. He is (pending the presumed eventual rise of Ted Ginn) the team's best wide receiver, in an offense with too few weapons. And, no, he has not been a bust or an egregious disappointment. His career has been commensurate with what you'd expect of a low-second-round draft pick. Not a superstar, not bad. Pretty good.

     For fun, here are Dolphin per-game receiving averages including playoffs for the six Miami wide receivers who have made at least one Pro Bowl with the team and including two guys, O.J. McDuffie and Duriel Harris, who never did. Ranked by yards per game. Had no idea how this would turn out when I began the research. I think it shows Chambers, stats-wise, right there in the mix with the best WRs Miami has had, and undeserving of the criticism he seems to get:

Player                   Games   Catches   Yards     Average    TDs

Irving Fryar              51       4.18        65.88    15.77       0.41

Mark Duper            155       3.50        61.06    17.43      0.41

Paul Warfield           71        2.68       57.35     21.43      0.52

Mark Clayton          168       3.65        56.43    15.44       0.52   

Chris Chambers        94       3.98        56.10    14.10       0.46

O.J. McDuffie         125       3.72        45.42    12.21       0.24

Duriel Harris          118       2.44         40.99    16.80       0.16

Nat Moore              193       2.76        40.61    14.70       0.40

Comments

[hey there, how's your steak?]

Yeah, you're right Greg, Chambers is a #1. It doesn't matter what he did in Buffalo last year and it doesn't matter he's considered a puss. I don't think he's man enough to own a pittbull, nevermind murder one. He doesn't deserve the criticism he seems to get. I wish people would just lay off him and give him a fair shake, because he really hasn't had an opportunity to prove himself after 6+ years.

[Dave]

Chambers makes the highlight film on espn every year with his amazing catches. He drops some easy ones along the way but he is truly a n asset to the Dolphins. Really, who would fill his shoes at this point and time? Keeping Chambers this year with Booker,Hagan, and Ginn is the best receiving corp in years. Stop the complaining and let the year pan out, I'm really excited Beck as our Qb of the future. Brady v.s. Beck is a tough call because Brady is one of the strongest Qbs and I believe his durability will set him apart. Beck has impressed though in preseason- Green should've been on the cover of Madden 08 to keep the curse going because I give him 4 games(mark it on the calendar)

[PJK]

If Chambers made half of what he's making,this wouldn't be an issue.He's not a bad player,but he's not great,and he's paid like a great WR. It's not his fault he's overpaid,but it's not Cameron or Mueller's fault either. Miami is coming to a point where they have to re sign or replace Ronnie Brown. If Vernon Carey doesnt pan out,a new LT will cost a lot. If he does pan out,he'll cost a lot to sign long term.They need quality CBs and o-linemen,which arent cheap. They need cap space to rebuild more than they need a $7 million WR who has had 1 good year.

[the shadow knows]

chris chambers was a great draft and has shown a flair for the spectacular. he needs to settle down, concentrate and catch the ball, which seems to have become difficult for him, maybe since he received that crunching hit a few years back. just keep him away from chris carter, he who dropped the touchdown pass against the vikes that made the patriots game the following week the decider and who gave the choke sign before that dinosaur kicker placed that long field goal just over the crossbar and inside the post to defeat miami.

[the shadow knows]

nice article in today's paper regarding "trick" plays. as noted by matt roth, the possibility of a "gimmick" makes the defense tentative and allows the base plays to be that more effective. the idea is not to have on offense based on these kind of plays and to have a few of them ready for use at appropriate times during the season. am i incorrect in stating that the entire time ricky williams was running wild for miami, the dolphins did not run him into the line and have him pitch back to fiedler? when you have a runner like that, that play should be a staple play, not a gimmick. did they ever run that play during the jay/ricky/dave years?

[manny]

There is nothing wrong with criticizing a WR who seems to make the impossible catch, then drop a pass right in the numbers killing a drive.

I loved Chambers when we got him...hell I think he is a top 15 WR talent wise, but he just isnt consistent. I dont have the numbers in front of me, but look at his drops...it is ridiculous.

That said, trading him would be dumb, what purpose would be served. Im hoping you turn it around Chris, good luck this season

[Dave in VA]

I too have been disappointed in Chamber's consistency, but he has shown signs of greatness. I look forward to seeing what Ted Ginn can do as far as opening up the field for Chambers, Hagan and Booker. Green goes down with a soft grape, the rookie steps in and the aerial onslaught begins!

I need another beer...

[the shadow knows]

their rosterswhile not wishig anybody, including trent green, any injury, it seems that many fans share the opine of Dave in VA that the future with john beck looks bright. as good as brady quinn has looked recently, the tandem of beck and ginn looms bright on the dolphin horizon. cleo lemon is a very adequate QB that many teams would relish having on their rosters.

[the shadow knows]

don't know how the last two words of last post became the first words- apologies to all

[OC Dolphin]

Cameron is obviously trying to light a flame under him in an attempt to increase his performance this year. If Chambers delivers a good season the whole point will be closed. If however he duplicates last year's efforts, well, then he has served notice that Chambers will be cut or traded before the start of 08.

BTW, did anyone happen to note how 16 analysts and editors at ESPN registered their selections for this coming season? Among what is a total omissions at every category - i.e., "rookie of the year, defensive player of the year, MVP, etc. All of them see N.E. winning the division. While that may not be such a stretch, 10 out of 16 give them the Super Bowl already!

Keep reading New England. Hope it all goes to your heads like that Sports Illustrated prediction did to us last year.

[Vazman]

Once again Cote is misguided. A mediocre player in his prime is still mediocre. If Chambers was being paid 1 million a year, then I would agree that he's worth that in today's market. However, there is absolutely no way he is a 7 million dollar a year man. Greg Cote's list of Dolphin receivers and their per game averages merely proves that statistics are meaningless. Every receiver on that list is better than Chambers. It's not even close. I commented before the draft that Cameron would get rid of Chambers next year after evaluating him this season. I stand by that prediction. If we can get a second round pick (or even third round), let him go.

[Dan]

One big thing that Cote either missed or purposely omitted is that most of the Dolphin receivers on that list had a big-time companion sharing the load and thus reducing their production. What would Duper or Clayton have done if their running mate was Booker? Marino was also known for spreading the ball around. How many potential catches did Jim Jenson take away from the Marks? What would Duriel Harris have done if Nat Moore wasn't with him and instead ran with a legitimate #2 receiver instead of a co-number one?

I'll bet their stats would have been way up.

As a #1 receiver working on a team with poor secondary receivers Chambers has done very little. Good #1 receivers do not let the ball get into their body like Chambers does. Too many drops on easy balls for too many years.

I wouldn't push the issue this year but Chambers will be pushed out in 2008 or 2009. Makes too much and doesn't produce.

[John Michaels]

I want Chris to succeed in Miami as much as anybody. However, can we please just get a little consistency from Chris? Granted, he's been through three head coaches, countless offensive coordinators, and a plethora of crappy quarterbacks. However, when are we going to start putting the blame on Chris for some of his shortcomings? I mean, all of the "circus catches" in the world don't make up for all of the easy ones he's dropped. Chris seems to disappear in a lot of games, and he's always asking for a flag, even when he was well covered!

I will say this, Chris does deserve this year to prove himself to Coach Cameron. This season could be the "Chris Chambers Farewell Tour" or it could be the season where Chris saves his job with Miami Dolphins and his performance finally equals his salary. I would love to see Chris finally breakthrough and become a consistent and reliable receiver. However, after six seasons, now going into his seventh. I'm not sure if Chris can be anything more than what he already is. A marginal talent, that has occasional brushes of greatness.

If Chris has another lackluster season, I can only hope it doesn't totally diminish any trade value he may have left.

[the shadow knows]

dan,

have the basics of football changed? when i was a youngin', catching solely with the hands was frowned upon- the ball was supposed to get near the chest where it would then be wrapped by the hands and pressed against the body for security. good hands were meant for pulling the ball in and tucking it away against the torso.

[david]

everybody is looking for an excuse for the failures of this team. has it occurred to any of chamber's critics that he is working with, what, his FOURTH quarterback and offensive scheme? it changes every year! the coaching changes on this team have done more to ruin it than anything else. the choices have been abysmal, and hopefully that will begin to change.

[I-Win]

If you can't make a routine catch, you shouldn't be playing in the NFL.

That's how I feel about Chris Chambers.

[Testoretta]

I agree - give him a break. Also try giving him a QUARTERBACK. He's had nothing but losers throwing it to him for the last 6 years.

[Tommy]

I'd hate to say this, but this could very well be the last year you see Chris Chambers (and Marty Booker) in Aqua and Orange. Both of those guys have high cap numbers next year and their salaries don't match their production. Booker is nothing more than a possession receiver. Chambers makes incredible catches, but then drops easy ones. Additionally, they both don't fit into Coach Cameron's rebuilding plan.

[CC]

Manny-
What happened to Glen Sharp, he is not even listed on the depth chart?

[Jay]

It seems the verdict on Chambers depends on the standard.

If the standard is late second round pick or valuable receiver, Chambers would seem to qualify as a find.

If the standard is his contract, he might seem to lean more toward bust.

Chambers is probably a bit overpaid for what he brings to the table. His occasional big catch/big game demonstrate #1 receiver skills. His occasional big game drops seem to demonstrate why he fell to the late second round in the first place.

We might also remember that for each one of the top Dolphin receivers there was at least one equally worthy battery mate to relieve some of the pressure. (e.g. for Clayton, there was Duper and veteran Nat Moore).

Perhaps, by the time Ginn is a Clayton, Chambers could be his Moore. Now, if only there were also a Marino and a Duper!

[Dylan]

I understand the criticism, but all this talk about him being $1 million/year WR is just idiocy. Derek Hagan makes more than that, as do most #3 receivers. EVERYBODY in the NFL is overpaid.

I do believe this could be his last year here, because he doesn't have Randy McMichael to drop more balls than him this year. BUT, if he does do well with Green (or Lemon or Beck) this year, I'm all for keeping him and let him be a Dolphin for his entire career.

I'll get to see first hand how we does week 1 against the Skins CBs, who aren't bad, and then I'll judge how he could perform this season. Preseason doesn't mean squat. I'm glad that Ginn is starting to push Hagan for the slot position. Competition is a good thing.

[David Tucker]

Greg, I just want you to know you've given me an entirely new outlook on Chambers. I'm not talking crap about him again.

[the shadow knows]

David Tucker,

wishing you and everyone a happy, healthy, prosperous new year and looking for tim tebow to have a brilliant career for the gators. rooting for miss. state tonight, although the LSU uniforms (away) are my favorites in college football.

[Jimbo]

Chambers has been mediocre. But.. team him with Dan the man in his prime, bigger #'s speak. The ugly: some games he disappears. dropped balls. way overpaid,taking up cap $. The good: flashy plays, has been a pretty good returner, runs well-reverses. I would promote Hagan and Ginn and keep another young guy and dump Marty Booker. I don't care what statisical numbers McMike put up at TE, he stands out as a loud mouthed underachiever who drops game winning catches. You can't tell me that McMike is a better reciever then Keith Byars and Keith Jackson. If Jackson didn't waste yrs with Filly he would have been the alltime MIA TE.

[NMFINSFAN]

Greg, chambers, august 30th article might be the best article i've read this entire off season
GREAT JOB!!!

[Evan Klein]

Are you kidding me? Chambers has gone through more offensive coordinators, head coaches and QB's than any of the top receiver in the NFL. I wouldn't dare compare Chambers to the likes of Chad Johnson, Steve Smith or Marvin Harrison, but how many front office and coaching changes have they been through. Chambers has made the best of his situations and his stats are more than acceptable given his team situation. I just don't get fans sometimes!!!

[YearoftheFish]

Great article Greg. I agree 1000%. Chambers has held down the fort while everyone else has come and gone. He hasn't been the vocal leader, but he has definitely been Mr. Consistency. This guy has charater, makes acrobatic catches, and goes over the middle when Joe Blow is leaving him to hang out to dry.

[Dan]

Shadow,

Not sure where you learned football at but it certainly wasn't at a good program.

A receiver should always try to catch the ball with their hands and then tuck it away.

Look it up, I'm sure there is something on-line you can look at.

I'm having a hard time believing you even wrote that.

[the shadow knows]

dan,

ever heard of the term "hit him right in the breadbasket" or "on the numbers"? these refer to the combination of body and hands- i stand by what i wrote, even if there are other opinions to the contrary.

my high school was not a football power, but i believe the coaches were decent. they taught us to block and tackle properly, which meant getting under the opposition when blocking and wrap, lift, and drive to the ground when tackling. a "hit" instead of a tackle meant sitting the rest of the quarter at fairfax high school, home of some seriously famous musicians, including the red hot chili peppers.

have a great weekend and thanx for the feedback, always welcomed.

[david]

shadow, you still in los angeles? we should watch the dolphin games.. dean has my email.. shhhh.. we are actually internet friends..

[the shadow knows]

david,

i am in san diego but get to l.a.on occasional sundays, so a dolphin viewing is a possibilty. about dean, well let's not tell the gang here that he is goofing 90% of the time on this blogsite and that he is a gentleman- he might not appreciate it!

[Bill Hozie]

What those stats don't show is that all of those guys except Chambers had to share catches with another guy on the list. Clayton and Duper BOTH managed to have better averages than Chambers when they were playing together and McDuffie and Irving Fryar also shared catches for half of McDuffie's career. Sorry Greg, but the numbers don't tell the whole story. If Chambers wasn't the "go to" guy, then you'd have something, but he has been all of his career and he doesn't have much to show for it.

[the shadow knows]

dan,

how about the most famous non-catch in NFL history: jackie smith in the super bowl; that ball hit him in the chest, as it was supposed to, but he failed to wrap his arms around it and "cradle it in". i have heard many comments about that play, and never have heard "he should have caught it with his hands". the defense rests- your witness, please!

[ME]

You guys have got to be kidding, right? Warfield caught passes from Griese and the rest were nailed in the face mask by Marino. Two fairly good quarterbacks playing behind decent o-lines wouldn't you say? If/when we have even decent play from those two peices of the team then you can grade out Chambers. The guy is there game in and game out, doesn't wine or otherwise damage team morale and gets doubled nearly every play...because he doesn't have anyone on the other side. Maybe you would rather have any of the Chiefs recent WRs who couldn't even lead their own team in receptions.

[the shadow knows]

David Tucker,

tim tebow looked like the goods today!!
gators back-to-back in football also?