Dolphins Head Coach Cam Cameron provides a regular column for MiamiDolphins.com giving Dol-Fans a unique behind-the-scenes look at the team. Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron alternates writing a column with General Manager Randy Mueller for MiamiDolphins.com. In this edition, Cameron answers fans' questions.
In addition, Coach Cameron will occasionally answer questions from Dolphins fans in his column on Miamidolphins.com. Please click "Ask the Coach" to submit your questions.
December 4, 2007
Q. Coach, this organization has had so much instability over the past decade. How important, from your viewpoint, is establishing a stable environment both on and off the field?
Vincent Rawlings
Margate, FL
A. Change is a big part of this business. And adaptability is a huge part of someone's success in this business. However, when you can maintain stability and keep the right people in your program, I think it's tremendous. That's something as we build this through the draft, we're going to have to maintain. You have to do the same thing with your staff in keeping your quality staff members to maintain a sense of stability.
Q. How do you judge the progress being made by John Beck on a game -to-game basis?
Bobby Rogers
Atlanta, Ga.
A. I think with any first year player, much less a rookie player, there are certain things you can't simulate in practice and he's done a tremendous job throughout the course of the game making the normal adjustments. I've been impressed with the way he's orchestrated and communicated the offense. That has progressed in each of his games. He needs to execute better, but the more he plays the better that will get.
Q. What does six losses by three points tell you about your team?
Margaret Simons
Fort Lauderdale, FL
A. It mostly tells me we haven't taken advantage of our opportunities. I guess there are two schools of thought here. Hey, you're close and that's a positive and it is a positive given the youth we have. At the same time, that's what the NFL is about, it's about winning close games. I can't remember a season where over half of your games, even when you're really good, weren't those type of games. That's the difference between winning and losing in this league. Even when you're really good, you're going to have close games that you have to win.
Q. How much do you have to change a game plan literally on the fly when you see conditions like you had in Pittsburgh?
Seymour Solomon
Boca Raton, FL
A. We have to change it tremendously. It was interesting because we couldn't get a real feel for the field conditions because it was covered. Once it was uncovered, we found there were areas on the field that were virtually unplayable. Then we had the delay and we had already trimmed down the game plan, but we trimmed it down every more to zero in on the game conditions. It was a significant challenge.
Q. Are you already forming a list of things you need to accomplish with this roster during the off season?
Mary Hathaway
Newport Beach, CA
A. Randy Mueller and I visit on personnel each and every day. You are talking personnel all the time. But my focus right now is this football team and trying to win games. Randy is looking ahead of us to the draft and free agency, and then I'll become more involved in the offseason.
Q. You have one quarterback taken in an early round. Even if you feel comfortable with John Beck heading into the offseason, is it such a bad idea to bring in another high draft pick at quarterback in order to assure that the most important position on your team is taken care of?
Andrew Larson
Atlanta, Ga.
A. We all know how important the quarterback position is and we're all excited about John's development. Anything we would do about the future are things we'll talk about after the season, but we are excited about who we have and how we are building that position.
Q. Coach, you played college basketball for Bobby Knight at Indiana. How much is basketball still in your blood?
Carl Larkens
Dallas, Texas
A. So basketball season has started? (Laugh). Basketball is probably the furthest thing from my mind right now, but obviously I have a great love for the game. You grow up in the state of Indiana, how could you not love basketball?
Q. Coach, it seems like Will Allen is not getting much credit for having a great season. How would you evaluate how Allen has played and is there a play you can recall that has typified his season?
Walter Curtis
Pompano Beach, FL
A. He's played extremely well, especially the last four or five weeks. We are asking more of him too. He's an extremely bright guy. He plays corner for us. He plays inside in our sub package and then he's come off the corner and puts pressure on the quarterback. I've mentioned to him several times that he's had an outstanding year. And, again, we understand that when you're not winning games it's not going to be talked about. But he's a pro and he's committed to getting this thing turned around.
Q. After watching what Ted Ginn Jr. has done this season, don't you think we need a few more players just like him?
Matt Winslow
Jacksonville, FL
A. Playmakers and guys with speed are a huge plus in this business. We're always looking for that. We are glad Ted is with us. He's only going to get better. But you're always looking for more guys with his type of skills.
Q. Coach, Jason Allen sits for most of two seasons and only gets to play because of injuries. Now he seems to be playing well. Could this be a case of a player who just isn't a practice player and haven't there been many examples of this through the years?
Walter Martinez
Miami, FL
A. No, I don't see that. I can honestly say I've never seen a guy that was a bad practice player, but a good game player. I've never been around one. The great players I've been around have been great practice players. Now with Jason, the timing was just right.
He had been a safety, had been switched to corner and then there was a need back at safety. He just decided in his mind that he was going to take advantage of that opportunity when it was presented. I think (assistant coach) Brett Maxie has done a tremendous job mentoring him. Jason is so dedicated. He's one of the first guys in the building and one of the last guy's to leave. He has embraced the opportunity has made the most of it. Jason has been a very good practice player since he's been starting.
Q. Coach: You've flown across the ocean to play a game. You have played on the worst muddy field imaginable. You lost your starting quarterback and starting running back early in the season. Your top tackler has been out with a concussion. Has this season prepared you for just about everything?
Cindy Rookings
Orlando, FL
A. How do you know? Adversity teaches us a lot. It is something you deal with. I've always looked at these type of situations as a challenge. It brings out the best in you. If you're not cut out for those circumstances, you're probably in the wrong business. Do you want it to be that way? Absolutely not. The good teams I've been around have stayed healthy. But that doesn't happen every year. Truth be known, things over time usually balance out. Things will start to come our way.
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