This is the first and last time I'm going to address this, so be sure to take note of that. That's how absurd this situation has gotten. It's gotten to the point that even Rotoworld picked up the story. Listen closely: RONNIE BROWN IS THIS TEAM'S STARTING RUNNING BACK! Period!
Ok, I'm glad we got that out of the way. Seriously, people all need to calm down. And Armando Salguero needs to stop shooting his mouth off about how he was the first to report on this growing situation. There is no running back competition despite what Cam Camerson says. And he's said a lot. Here are some of it:
"If I'm sitting where you're sitting, I'm thinking, `Here's my opportunity to at least make him think I'm reading between the lines.' Don't read anything between the lines, I can tell you that right now. But I will tell you this - our best running back will play. That hasn't changed, and that's consistent with what I've always said. Our best running back is going to play. You just keep practicing and playing the games. I don't see anything you don't see for the most part, and our best running back is going to be the guy. The running back that gives us the best chance to win is going to play, and I can already read what's going to be written tomorrow. We have a group of running backs, and I'll tell you what - has anybody seen Patrick Cobbs? You can say all you want - it's the end of the game and all that stuff - but speed and quickness and north and south and smarts and toughness and hanging onto the football is what that position is all about. I'm not saying anything to you that I haven't said to our team. Competition brings out the best in everybody. If you don't rise to the level of the competition, it speaks volumes about you, and that's okay. We have competition at tailback, and we have competition at fullback. All of you know that, you just wanted me to say it. They know that, and you can write it. Feel free to write it because we've said that from day one."
There's some more and if you want to read it, go over to Armando's blog. But speaking of Armando, it's sickening how he's tooting his own horn here with this situation. Does he not get it? Does he not see what is going on here? Do some Dolphin fans not get it, either? Allow me to explain.
Ronnie Brown averaged 4.4 yards per carry his rookie year. He averaged 4.2 yards per carry last year. And that is behind a bad offensive line. That's pretty damn good. Jesse Chatman, on the other hand, hasn't seen any action over that same time span.
OK, fine. But then you got people that point to Chatman's big game against Jacksonville. But you need to realize two things. First, his big run was against the 2nd team defense rather than that outstanding starting front 4 that the Jags have. Second, he had 5 more carries that game and only picked up 14 yards. And did anyone see the second preseason game? Ronnie averaged 4.38 yards per carry against KC. Meanwhile, Chatman, who saw most of his action after KC's starters were pulled, ran 8 times for 19 yards. Impressive, huh?
But instead of looking at facts, some members of the media, as well as some fans, have been reading and hearing what Cameron has been saying and taking it literally. Don't. It isn't meant to be taken literally. Of course the head coach is going to say there's a competition. And I love the fact that Cam has said his evaluation of Ronnie is ongoing. Because, honestly, it should be. That's exactly what Ronnie should be told. He needs to feel the pressure of being in a competition. He needs to make sure he doesn't become complacent. If he's ever going to live up to the hype of being a #2 overall pick, he needs to realize that he has to continue to work hard and improve in every aspect of the game. And you know what...Cam's method of motivating Ronnie is going to work beautifully, especially with the media's continual questioning of the situation. Ronnie's going to get the point. And he's going to have a breakout season.
So let's all stop the insanity and see Cam's words for what they really are...motivation.