Cam Cameron's fate (with The Daily Poll)

      New Dolphins potentate Bill Parcells (left) fired general manager Randy Mueller, not unexpectedly, and replaced him today with former Cowboys colleague Jeff Ireland. Next comes known the fate of head coach Cam Cameron. Should Cameron be dismissed or should he be given another year? A decision seems imminent. Help Tuna decide.

     Vote in our Cameron-referendum poll and leave a comment on why you think the coach deserves the axe or another chance. Also inviting thoughts on the dismissal of GM Mueller and the hiring of Ireland to replace him.

     [Update: Vote total had surpassed 5,000 by late this afternoon, a blog record. Keep 'em comin'!]

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Comments

[gersom]

It's not hard to see why Cameron has to go. People aspire to certain roles in life and cannot or should not go further than that. Cam is one of those people that's in over his head. It's been clear this whole season.

[longtime dolfan]

He just does not cut it. Bad game management, bad personnel moves, no motivation by the players. Do I need say more?

[FZB]

NOT HEAD COACHING MATERIAL...

[dave]

Life is like a box of chocolates, if you pick a ***ty one then you throw it away and go on to the next. You dont eat ***it and expect it to evolve into creme brulee. NEXT>

[Mike Y.]

Cam should definitely be let go. He has shown consistently throughout the year that he cannot make a correct decision wether it be clock management, player selection in the draft or play calling during the game. He does not have the respect of the players on the team, he is basically as clueless of a head coach as you could ever find.

[Phin Slice of Pizza]

Did the team improve at all over the course of the season? Not even close ... it's time to move on now and not wait two to three years down the road. We Dolfans have been down this route before, Wannstedt Lane, and it's not a smooth ride!

[Tom]

19-52 lifetime as a head coach. Need I say any more?

[Johnny]

We need to keep him to lose a lot of games and get better players in the draft. Once we have the horses, fire him.

[blue]

There is no way Parcells can keep Cam. Unfortunately the rebuilding project has maybe taken a step back under the "Cam" era. It is really time for someone like Parcells to take stock of what this team can actually do given the talent, or lack of talent and move on. New coaches, scouts, draft philosophy, etc.

[OC Dolphin]

When one hits rock bottom. And make no mistake, this team has hit rock bottom. Then it is time to change everything. From the coaching staff to the majority of the players. From the uniforms to that stupid fight song. Change everything.

Purge EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE. FIRE & TRADE - the new mantra!

[Bill J]

Someone with vision, should have insisted Beck be started as soon as practicable after Green went out!

After Lemon went out yesterday, the first couple of (Beck) possessions proved current coaches failed to prepare Beck for even a relief role; Beck's ability has shown through even with his limited playing time. Beck is gifted and a legitimate team leader.

HERE'S THE PLAN:

We don't need a retread QB or to waste any high draft picks on a QB.

Take McFadden #1, (imagine Brown, Booker and McFadden taking a load off the O line pass blocking) and build the O line around Satele in rounds 2 & 3 then the D line.

Trade age for established aggressive coverage dbacks.

Take no prisoners Bill

[BigRob]

Cameron and Parcells are not on the same page, in fact I think these guys work from completely different books. Even if Cameron had a decent record he might be gone... I think with the near embarrassment of imperfection and the obvious ineptitude on the field it's not a question of if, really it is when and who is next? I mean Cameron's game management easily lost 3 or 4 close games for us, that bears on the players and the fans, especially when you're scratching for a measly win the whole season.

[Johnnie Rod]

cameron needs to go...we need picks and savvy free agent acquisitions. you win games at the line of scrimmage and a leader at the QB position. draft d-line and o-line and get a veteran QB that can manage this team.

[Tom]

Damn OC, I'm renaming you "Chainsaw" in honor of Al Dunlop.

[James]

Taking McFadden would set this franchise back even further. You can't have that much invested in the RB position ($$$, #1 and #2 picks - not to mention what they gave up to get Ricky).

Brown (healthy) and Booker should be enough to get you excited.

Gotta draft defense. Dorsey seems like an injury risk. Trade the pick. Get a corner and a LB that makes us forget that we could have had Patrick Willis last year.

Also, Peter King floated the possibility of trading a 3 to Cincy for Chad Johnson. That would be great.

[OC Dolphin]

No way does a Chad Johnson leave a bad team for a worse one. As much as he is talented, this team does not need a malcontent. Do agree with the balance of your post James.

[James]

You make sense OC, but where do we go for help at WR? This is a pretty big need.

[the shadow knows]

dean,

ben gordon coming off the bench in last two games- wins for the bulls and great production from the sixth man. same deal as john starks when misused by riley: riley faxes in his resignation, van gundy brings starks in off the bench and he becomes sixth man of the year. old boston celtic ethic- second best forward off the pine, NBA teams need firepower from the reserves.
BTW, cameron seems doomed if parcells reads this blogsite.

sedrick ellis getting a lot of hype from the media guys; he or lawrence jackson (injury free to this point) not the gamble that dorsey is. let's see what he does against a strong buckeye offensive line.

[Bill J]

Think back to '72 when we had Csonka, Kiick & Morris...made life much easier for Griese and Coach Clarke

[tony b]

fire cam bring in cowher

[Jon]

I think he deserves 1 more shot since he walked into this mess that he didn't create. He needs some counseling on clock management and he needs someone else to call the plays. But think about it he did get Brown moving like a Pro Bowler and for a while the O-line was looking pretty good as well. Hey the worst thing that can happen is we get the #1 pick in the draft again. We can take Tebow

[OC Dolphin]

James,

Not sure who fills that WR role yet. However, consider how the Patriots dominate. Everything continues towards more and more specialization. We've all seen "nickel packages" and the like. New England has re-introduced what the 72 Dolphins had. Namely a tough OL that allows an accurate, experienced QB to pick apart the opposition with a deep threat ball (Warfield/Moss) and a sure handed short possession guy (Twilley/Welker).

Parcells' method may not necessarily follow this formula, so we'll just have to wait and see. One thing that is certain however, and even Parcells has made clear, is the need for a dominant QB. I don't see Beck filling that role for the start of next year. Maybe for the third year, but not for the start of the season.

The roles today are best filled by QB's and wide-outs who weigh about 220 lb and 6'-5" or 6'-6". And possession guys who are defined by Welker's size and ability.

[carlos]

Cameron inherited this mess but never corrected the mistakes early on. Hindsight is 20-20 but the right thing to do when Green went down was to start Beck and keep him there for the rest of the season. Lemon did nothing except guide us to "ONE" win. Whoopteedoo!!

Now it is left up to Parcells to decide whether Beck is worth it or not, something Cameron should have done, before the draft comes along and we wind up with another lousy draft. Firing Mueller was a done deal and the right call-he was worthless for us.

I like Cameron personally because he is calm and collected but he seems over his head in the motivation department and we need fire and brimstone--hence, Parcells and a new vibrant coach that he will choose !!

So my suggestion, if Parcells can get along with Cam, is ask him to stay as offensive coordinator, his strength, and hire a coach that will light a fire under the team, who won't take us down the path of mediocrity and who will own up to every decision he makes without blaming it on the past drafts or lack thereof.

[Bill Hozie]

Why is everyone talking about firing Cam and no one has mentioned Dom Capers? The defense was supposed to be good this season and they stink worse then the offense. That's right, they are worse then the offense. Part of the reason they only put up 10 points a game is because of the field position the defense puts them in time and again. The D can't be counted on to stop a team with 2 mins left in the game from their own 4 yard line.

And please don't talk about the injuries because the offense has lost the starting QB, RB and WR too. I dare say those 3 positions are more valuable to an offense then the middle lineback and the 2 safeties are to the defense. And at least the D had Jason Taylor and Joey Porter the whole year, 2 pretty good players. What did the offense have to work with? They didn't have even a single veteran player you could count on. So please, can we stop putting on the blame on Cam and the offense when it's the D that was supposed to keep us in games and they failed big time. I say keep Cam and give him a chance and let Capers go. If Cam is cut, then Capers better be right behind him. He stunk it up this year.

[Charlie]

He has been outcoached by everyone he has coached against. He has repeatedly not made halftime adjustments and right down to the last game he has mismanaged time outs, clock management, and challenges( or lack there of,see chad johnson's 70 yard touchdown catch). On top of all this he does not and will not ever have respect from the vets. He has got to go. In waaaaaay over his head from day one. On a larger note where is the accountability for the people who hired him? They still remain employed in high ranking positions on the organization?!? They have never been football people, business maybe, but not football.

[ATL Phinfan]

OC Dolphin says on 12/31/01 that trading for Chad Johnson is a bad idea in part because he's a malcontent. This is the first I've heard of this! I dare you to name one thing Ocho Sinco has said or done to give anybody the impression that he's a malcontent. I think you're confusing loud behavior and being an ego-maniac with being a malcontent. Malcontent? Think again.

[the shadow knows]

Bill J,

the dolphins ran the ball well no matter who was in the backfield, owing to a tremendous offensive line. having a bruiser of a fullback and a halfback with the speed and moves of mercury morris was a tremendous plus, but the line was the nucleus o the team, creating an unparalleled running game that made passing almost unnecessary in the super bowl victories. bob griese was an expert at calling the proper play on top of all the other plusses the dolpins' offenese had going for it.

[Rod]

I hope Parcells trades the pick for more draft picks and a QB who can start now! Cam should go just for the Chambers trade alone...he is obviously looking towards helping San Diego with the hope that Norv gets canned and he goes back. I'm sure the Tuna has connections among the coaching ranks that will turn up a more than capable Head Coach.

[ginrai]

I've heard Parcells is going to clean house.
Sorry Cam! It appears you are not in Parcells plans.
http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/31694

[Mark]

WHAT A HORRIBLE SEASON ! ! !
I think, Cam Cameron should be given two options.
1) Become our offensive coordinator.
or
2) Get FIRED ! ! !
Cam Cameron needs to understand that He is NOT a FOOTBALL head coach. He is just a damn good offensive coordinator.

[Bill J]

To Shadow & Tuna:

I rest my case. It should happen again!

[Julian]

Cameron needs to go for many reasons:
-picking Ginn over Quinn
-making the team worse (never had a 1-15
season, even Wannsted was better)
-the defense got worse as well
-made many bad decisions (game in
Pittsburgh, where he chose not to go for
the filed goal when they got a call to get
closer)
-did not use Jason Taylor for his abilities
Do I need to say more...fire the bum

[the shadow knows]

Bill J.,

amen!!! happy new year to you and let's get that running ATTACK going again for miami

[Julian]

Cameron needs to go for many reasons:
-picking Ginn over Quinn
-making the team worse (never had a 1-15
season, even Wannsted was better)
-the defense got worse as well
-made many bad decisions (game in
Pittsburgh, where he chose not to go for
the filed goal when they got a call to get
closer)
-did not use Jason Taylor for his abilities
Do I need to say more...fire the bum

[OC Dolphin]

ATL Phinfan,

Please don't misinterpret what I posted. Ocho Cinco is a great receiver. But there is no way this guy comes to this team under the shape it is currently in. No Way! After about the fourth game this season when Cinci looked like anything but a playoff team, Chad was making noise about being traded. Again, I think he is one of the top 5 guys out there, but like Moss, and T.O. they can only be happy under a playoff caliber team.

[NJJohn]

I'm a little disappointed, was hopeing to start the new year minus Cam and Mueller, didn't really want Cam associated with the 2008 Dolphins. Oh well, if Parcells gets rid of him tomorrow all will not be lost.
HAPPY NEW YEAR Thanks Tuna

[XaviX]

He was hired to turn the franchise around. Nothing he has done can be shown as proof of that. We would be 0-16 if not for Billick's dumb call to kick a field goal from the inch line with time on the clock. We are placing all of our hope on Parcels. Cam needs to go so as to at the very least, illiminate any excuse Parcels may give next year by saying it wasnt "his" coach.

[Dave (not that one)]

One thing to remember about the '72 Dolphins is that Griese only played half that season, due to injury, Earl Morrall played the rest. So Griese's not some brilliant QB without whom we'd never have had the '72 Dolphins, like Brady is for the Pats. Plus, Griese has no love for the "U", and I'll always dislike him for that.

[Kevin]

How can you really blame all of this on Capers. That is a bad path to take. Remember the offense went 3 and out how many times this year. The defense was on the field the whole game nearly all year. You lose your signal caller in Zach Thomas. You can't keep any safety for longer then 2 games without them hitting the IR. Our defense was worn out and injury plagued. It was Cam and Mueller that made the personell changes. Over paid for Porter. Released Sammy Morris, Randy McMichael, Kevin Carter. Neglected to resign Welker and traded Chambers. New England gobbled up our cast offs like no other team and each one had a big impact on their season. Why weren't they good enough for us. Did we really have better players waiting in the wings. This comes down to Cam and Mueller dwindling what talent we had here and somehow making our cupboard even more bare then when they started. It is time for Cam to move on and get back to what he does best. O-Coordinator. He doesn't have IT to be a head coach. Cowher isn't going anywhere no matter how persuasive Parcells is. Although a great coach just got fired today that might still have the spirit to resurrect this team. Enter Brian Billick. Their offense was innept but their defense won championships. I think it will be easier and quicker to retool our defense then our offense.

[the shadow knows]

Dave (not that one),

griese was a brilliant quarterback that don shula thought gave the dolphins a better chance in the playoffs than earl morrall. his success the next season and the year after, when the defense let the team down against oakland, were not tobe scoffet at. griese knew how to run a team, and was successful even after the "stars" bolted for the World Football League.

[tacoma-tone]

The only reason that cam should not go and the only reason is they need some consistancy in the playbook. learning new systems take a little getting use to

[DCDolphins12]

I blame our current situation squarely on Dave F'n Wannstedt. The guy is a franchise killer. However, the decision to take Ginn over Quinn this year, was an epic mistake as much as a PR disaster. It was the coach basically the coach giving the finger to the fans.

I think people would have been more forgiving of him if Quinn was our QB of the future. Atleast we have some hope. Beck may still be the answer but he did nothing to give me confidence.

[Andy D]

Tom, how happy are you right now pal? Mueller is history and Cam will be gone tommorow, you can bet on that.

Like OC said, when you hit rock bottom, its time for changes - NOTHING, NOTHING could put us in a worse situation then we have right now! But help is here Dolfans..

[Bill Hozie]

Kevin, the difference is that the D was supposed to be good, the O was only supposed to be decent and that was before Trent and Ronnie go out for the season and Chambers is traded away. They've had 5 rookies in on O this year. Can you say that about the D? The D had a couple of pro-bowl players the whole year. The O? None. Sorry, but the D let this team down more than O and Cam had nothing to do with that. That's all on Capers.

[ginrai]

Happy NewYears to everyone! May Boston also get a dosage of their own medicine by thinking if other teams including ours are going to be down forever. Which it won't be so. Sooner or later Boston! Watch out! Enjoy it while you still can. Boston won't always be this lucky.

[rick martinez]

NEED TO TAKE BEST PLAYER IN THE DRAFT WHICH IS DARREN MACFADDEN CANNOT LET PATRIOTS GET HIM.IMAGINE THAT BREAK AWAY RUNS THAT RONNIE BROWN DOES NOT HAVE.AND TRADE RONNIE BROWN FOR DRAFT PICKS ON THE DEFENSIVE SIDE.FIRE CAM WHEN YOU HAVE NO TIME OUTS LEFT AT THE END OF THE HALF AND NO TIME OUTS IN THE 4TH QUARTER THATS ON CAM.AND HAVING YOUR QUARTERBACK SPIKING THE BALL ON FIRST AND GOAL WITH 1:16 LEFT WAS THE LACK OF BRAINS A HEAD COACH HAS EVER SHOWN.THE AVERAGE FAN HAS ENOUGH COMMON SENSE NOT TO DO THAT

[Scott]

Has any coach been given less of a chance to succeed than Cam Cameron? Has he been very good with management and decisions? No he hasnt but he has had to deal with the worst roster in the league. The worst. He'll probably be fired and not for a horrible reason, but he doesn't deserve the fate, completely. Bad luck old boy, good luck with the new gig.

[jdog]

He is a good offensive coach but not head coach. But coach why did you trade Chambers, Welker, and release mcmichael? Imagine what the receiving first team would have looked like....Chambers,Ginn,Welker,and Mcmichael on the field at the same time. Opportunity lost.

Second point Ginn looks like a great athlete but we needed a QB real bad and you passed on Brady Q. Another lost opportunity. We need a QB of future not what the HECK BECK!

[klndry]

Fire the bum. He didn't even win the close ones. He got lucky on the one win. The Ravens blew that one.
When they had a chance to do something they didn't. The weather is the variable that evens the playing field and they didn't even take advatage with that.
He doesn't motivate me and certainly didn't motivate the players. Spying on them when they are blogging? C'mon you gotta have better things to do like watch some film.

[raoul duke]

He should not have been hired in the first place. We were desperate for someone, he contributed to San Diego's remarkable season and he was available. But honestly I never thought the guy was going to be long term answer. I did hope I was wrong but with all craziness coming to light connected with this guy my hope obviously went for not. GOOD RIDDANCE. And I still like the public humiliation idea followed by barbecue and hour long egg pelting of his home and vehicles all on his tab.