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Mid-Week Nuggets: Lemon update and Parcells news

And so it's back to work following Christmas.  First of all, I hope everyone had a good holiday.  Also, I wanted to quickly talk about the site.  For the next 2 weeks or so, my postings will not be quite as scheduled as in the past.  This is simply because this time of year is hectic for me.  But fear not; there will still be daily updates and everything you've come to expect from this site.  It just won't be much like clockwork as it has been for a week or two.

I also want to announce that there will be some major changes to this site in early 2008 (likely around March, but that's not set in stone).  And these changes will definitely be for the better, as a new site design will be rolling out.  I'm very excited for this upgrade and I think you will all be very, very happy with the new look and new features.  Now onto the Dolphin news:

CLEO TO START ON SUNDAY
As "MattRothisthefuture98" pointed out in a diary, Cam Cameron has decided on Cleo Lemon as the starter for Sunday's season finale against the Bengals.  Here's what Cam said on Monday:

"I think our approach is going to be the same. We're going to play the guy that gives us the best chance to win the game and right now it's Cleo. Obviously, going back a week ago (to the overtime win over Baltimore), he did a lot of good things and collectively on offense, we had opportunities to make plays (against the Patriots). He made a lot of good throws and we probably didn't catch the ball as well as we would have liked. We've got to continue to do a better job of protecting the quarterback, and you can see where his mobility is a plus, especially in a game like that."

Despite the public opinion that John Beck should start on Sunday, I'm not the least bit surprised that Cleo will get the nod over Beck.  I am a bit surprised, though, that Cam already announced his decision to the media.  And like many of you, I don't at all see the point to starting Cleo.  Even if he does "give us the best chance to win," what's the point?  Is 2-14 really that much better than 1-15?  I don't see how it is.  And how does letting Cleo play and allowing him to potentially increase his value for his upcoming free agency (if he plays well) help improve this franchise's future?  Wouldn't starting Beck and letting him gain more experience (and letting Bill Parcells get a first hand look at the rookie QB) be a wiser decision for this organization?  Yes, it would.  But Cam isn't really looking to do what's best for the organization.  Instead, he's doing what's best for him and his job.  I can't say I blame him or anything, but enough is enough.  Beck should be the guy who is starting on Sunday against Cincinnati's quesionable secondary.  And this game could have potentially been a big confidence booster for John as we move towards 2008.  But what can we do?  It's just another bad decision in a season that's been filled with bad decisions.  Ugh!

PARCELLS TO DUMP CAMERON?
And now we come to Cam's future in Miami.  Right now, it's anyone's guess as to what Bill Parcells is thinking in terms of the future of Cameron as well as GM Randy Mueller.  But ProFootballTalk does offer up this tidbit of information regarding this situation:

Though it remains to be seen what new Dolphins poobah Bill Parcells will do with the guys who were running the show before his arrival, the talk in league circles is that first-year coach Cam Cameron will get tossed by the Tuna.

However, some league insiders think that Parcells might throw G.M. Randy Mueller a bone.  Whether that means he'll remain as the General Manager or be offered another position in the organization remains to be seen.

As to potential head-coaching candidates, keep an eye on Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley.  The first-year Arizona assistant was the receivers coach under Parcells last season in Dallas.  (Haley also had a run-in with receiver Terrell Owens in 2006, which would only make him more attractive to Parcells.)

The reality is that whoever gets the job will have to accept having a head coach emeritus peering constantly over his shoulder, and possibly offering micromanagement that might be viewed as unwanted.

Also, and as Adam Schefter of NFL Network previously reported, league insiders expect that Parcells will take aim at multiple Cowboys who become available in the free-agent market.

First of all, let me say this.  I do not think that Parcells will be "micromanaging" and "peering constantly" over the head coach's shoulder.  I'm pretty confident that Bill doesn't want to be involved with the day-to-day coaching decisions of the football team.  And he's made that pretty clear on various occasions.  I do think, however, that if the coach seeks Bill's advice, Parcells would definitely oblige him.  But to think that Bill will mettle in the head coach's business is a pretty unfair accusation, in my opinion.

As for the futures of Cam and Randy, one can only imagine what Bill is thinking.  It is known that Parcells plans on flying to Miami on Thursday and hopes to meet with both Cam and Randy.  And how I'd love to be a fly on the wall for this gathering!!  I can't say, though, that I'm surprised that there's talk amongst league insiders that Cam is going to get canned.  Even if Bill wasn't hired, I'd bet this same talk would be ongoing right now anyway.  However, this PFT article reports that one name being thrown around to potentially replace Cam is Todd Haley, who only has 1 year of coordinator experience on his coaching resume.  Honestly, I don't get that.  We just went through a year with a rookie head coach.  And Cam had many years of coordinator experience.  Do we really want to go through another season with a newbie for a head coach?  Honestly, there were only 2 guys who lack head coaching experience that I'd really be interested in as a potential replacement for Cam and those are Jason Garrett and Brian Schottenheimer.  Though I'll admit I don't know much about Haley, I honestly don't see how he'd be a big step up from Cameron.  But I guess the argument for Haley would be the fact that Parcells wants to bring in his own guys.  And I suppose I could put my trust in Bill and live with his decision.  I will, however, be very quick to "jump all over" a guy like Haley if/when he makes those rookie head coach blunders that we've had to deal with in 2007.

As far as Mueller goes, I'll be very interested to see what happens here.  I could see Bill retaining Randy if he meets him and it's clear that those 2 are on the same page.  However, I keep hearing more and more that Jeff Ireland (VP of Scouting for the Cowboys) is very much a potential replacement for Randy if he does get the pink slip.  

Your thoughts on all this?

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I want Parcells to ask Cam 2 questions
to seal his fate.
  1. Why are you starting Beck? A: "It gives us the best chance to win."
  2. Was that your game decision to spike the ball with 1:11 to go in the half on 1st and goal? A: ''Absolutely, we were in great shape there.''
Result: Your Fired!

And this all happened in just 2 days of Cam's reign as HC, he is clueless. I would't mind Bill keeping Randy on in some way, shape, or form though.

Screw the Preseason, Regular seasons, and Post season. Bring on the Mel Kiper Season!

by Neo on Dec 26, 2007 8:56 AM EST reply actions  

Oops..Why are you starting Lemon?**
I'm gonna make a New Year's resolution to proof read my posts.-) Sorry peeps I had Beck on the brain.

by Neo on Dec 26, 2007 8:58 AM EST up reply actions  

The announcers were all over Cam
Maybe some of the lesser known announcing teams don't have the stones to criticize coaching moves, but Simms was pretty much calling Cameron an idiot and I loved it.  It was actually comical to watch up let the clock run down and then call timeout after spiking the ball on first down.  99% of NFL HC's run a play in that situation, no doubt about it.

by MarkDuper85 on Dec 26, 2007 9:53 AM EST reply actions  

I think that got even BB laughing inside
That call, even the game was laughable to the Pats.

by Neo on Dec 26, 2007 9:57 AM EST up reply actions  

I live in NE
and the consensus is that the Pats really let up on us once they built the big lead.

Sad, sad times when teams actually feel bad for you and let it show on the field.

by MarkDuper85 on Dec 26, 2007 10:45 AM EST reply actions  

not felt bad for
... trying to make Cam look good (cough, cough)

even if Cam wasnt, BB was trying to get Cam another season.

by W NY Fins Fan on Dec 26, 2007 10:50 AM EST up reply actions  

mueller is safe
for now. At least that would be my guess.

The season for Scouting/player personel people runs May through April, and teams do not let their front office people leave once the draft season starts. So it would be very difficult to replace RM before May.

So I would expect the big tuna phish to oversee RM running the draft with a very close eye on what is going on, and then make major front office chances in May.

BTW: I do hope the big tuna phish does a complete overhaul of the front off too. Everyone is talking about what a good job RM has done starting 6 rookies and all, but does anyone see any of the rookies becoming a pro bowler?

who/what was the last draft the phins selected a player that turned into a probowler? surtain? anyone since then that i'm missing? The scouting department really is inept. even this year - ginn over two future probowlers okoye/willis ... things don't look good.

by W NY Fins Fan on Dec 26, 2007 10:49 AM EST reply actions  

I think RM does good scouting
and I think he has not had carte blanche to actually make the picks.  I am sure of it with Lil Nicky at the helm... not so sure what happened with Cam and Ginn (unless randy was really inpressed with the ginn family).

I think Parcells lets Randy put the draft board together, and then changes it where he thinks it needs tweaking.

Plus, i would LOVE to see Cam get canned and have Bill represent the Fins at the Sr. Bowl.  What a great scouting opp!

by LeftCoastFinFan on Dec 26, 2007 1:46 PM EST up reply actions  

I've also heard
rumblings that he might tap Tony Sparano, the Cowboy's assistant HC, for our HC position. He'll be another rookie though, if we did take another rookie HC, I too would rather have Jason or Brian. But, I would rather get another rookie HC with promise than a proven loser HC with previous experience. I trust Bill to bring in a coach in that is capable, wouldn't be too proud to ask his advice, and not too damn hard-headed to think that maybe "his-way" is the wrong way.

~I honestly don't see how he'd be a big step up from Cameron.~

Come on Matty I, we're just fans (and not only us) and we complain about his decision making game after game, well 70% do. My Grandmother, who is well into her 70s and knows nothing about football, would be a "big step up" from Cameron.

Its not only that he continues to make questionable decisions game after game, he mostly thinks they are the right decisions days after he has time to go back and look them over. Rarely does the thought he could've made a mistake enters his mind.

by Neo on Dec 26, 2007 1:17 PM EST reply actions  

up until just a few weeks ago
i was still agreeing with Matty that Cam probably be the best bet with Parcells watching over things, rather than start a whole new rookie HC.

I now believe that a rookie, who has worked with and can take direction from Bill, and can actually learn from his mistakes and improves along the way, is the best choice.

I don't see Cam making better decisions.  He has had a whole season, and I have watched every game, and that is my opinion.  He doesn't make good planning or game time decisions, and I suspect he would not be able to adapt to Bill P's program.

I am tired of restarting every year, and I know the players would benefit from consistency in the playbooks, but at this point I think it needs to happen one more time and we just pray that we get it right this time.  At least we should improve over this year, even with a whole new restart.  Then the following year, maybe we can contend.

by LeftCoastFinFan on Dec 26, 2007 2:07 PM EST up reply actions  

Usually
I don't like change, especially in head positions in the frequency that has been for the Dolphins over the last few years (or in any business). And I've usually got the patience of an oyster for situations similar to these. But, I was actually able to see a couple of games out here in the Rocky Mountains, and coupled with what I've been reading --- well, even I am now seeing and understanding the concerns over & about Cam Cameron. And looking back at my feelings, I truly felt that any coach could come in and maintain a decent win column --- even with injuries.
Now, sadly, I too must concede to the "what was he thinking?" concerns and direction this head coach is taking. My feeling is that Cam has a 95% chance of being fired. Randy is slightly better with a 50-50 chance --- because I agree that it's too late to start over with the draft immenent.
Of the three coaches mentioned for the HC position, I am thoroughly impressed with Jason Garrett. I believe he has the "it." Plus, he's worked with Parcells, and has the same mind set. Other coaching positions will also see a turn over for the Dolphins. The O-line coach (Hudson) would have a 98% of staying; if Garret comes, the QB coach would go (Garrett could handle these two easily enough; besides, he's better at QB's). All others I do not know enough about, but I'm not overly impressed with anyway. Scouting will also be shaken, but maybe after the draft.
The other names mentioned, well, I'm with those opinions that they are too rookie like, or, already had their chance and can't make it to the big show.
I wish it were different, but even a low-on-the-pole, working stiff can see that the boss ain't getting it done, and that higher-ups are gonna make a change. Too bad, so sad. But when you get up there to such a position, you should know better. It's not like you didn't see how others before you did it.
The decision could come as early as next Monday morning. After the last game is lost, probably due to another, uh, tentative decision.

Now let's go and show Chad Johnson what a TD celebration REALLY looks like. At two or three times. Ay!

by Alpha6 on Dec 26, 2007 2:05 PM EST reply actions  

I wish we could get Garrett
but i think if he is offered both HC positions, he takes Dallas.  I think that is probably where he really wants to be, given his history there.  Besides, he would not have to hassle with the rebuilding again.

The question is "does Jerry Jones pull the trigger on the switch from Wade this year after such a good season?"  If not, maybe we can get Garrett.

by LeftCoastFinFan on Dec 26, 2007 2:12 PM EST reply actions  

If Parcells retains Cameron...
after the Pats game, the only explanation I can imagine is the ulterior one some here have already suggested -- that Bill expects one more truly dismal season before things start to show improvement, and he's looking for a patsy to take the blame for that year.

My understanding is that Mueller is all but guaranteed a job through the '08 draft.  What happens after that is anybody's guess.  It seems like this Ireland guy from Dallas must have some idea what he's doing, and Bill does seem to like having people he knows around him.

by urbino on Dec 26, 2007 2:58 PM EST reply actions  

My opinion on starting Lemon...
is already on record over in "mattrothisthefuture's diary.  I'll just repeat here that I can't fathom how Cameron would think this promotes his future with the team, even if we win the game.  It just makes no sense -- on any level.

by urbino on Dec 26, 2007 3:02 PM EST reply actions  

As For Cleo, ...
I'll just add that Cameron seems to have taken Al Davis's axiom, "Just win, baby," a bit too literally.

by urbino on Dec 26, 2007 8:10 PM EST up reply actions  

i know one thing for sure
I will not be watching the game unless Parcells comes in on Thursday and forces Cam to start Beck.

by YatilGinnJr on Dec 26, 2007 4:33 PM EST reply actions  

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