So Now What?

With the Miami Dolphins slipping to an abysmal 0-4 the questions begin to turn from what can they do to turn it around, to “so now what?”

The Phins have dug a hole that to my knowledge no other team has ever dug out of to make the post season. The Dolphins are so far from looking like a team that has that kind of talent.

So, lets ask that question. Now what?

For starters, nothing. Cam Cameron spoke to a group of Dolphin web sites this weekend and spoke of the players, himself, and the coaches staying the course to turn this franchise around. What he did not say was that this team was heading in the right direction, he did not say that this team was where he expects them to be, he did not speak of success this season or anything else that would make you believe that his plans are not for the now, but for the future. A vision that should be in place.

Consider that under Jimmy Johnson the Dolphins were built to win then, under him, to get Jimmy Johnson and not the Miami Dolphins a Super Bowl ring. Under the regime of Dave Wannstedt we did not hear reference to the future, we heard about the “now”. Dave Wannstedt drafted the same way. His vision of the future was only as far as the next game as long as he was coaching it. Saban was not here long enough to make an impact either way.

Cam Cameron appears to be different. His moves point to the future. His decisions point to the future. Sure, there are some changes that have been made with the “now” in mind. Trent Green is the first one that comes to mind. Beyond that, there is youth. There is change. Change does not happen overnight.

The Dolphins and Cameron especially can not and will not go out on the field on a Sunday and alter the team to appease a group of fans. Beck will not start in place of Green and neither will Lemon. Fundamentals is the key to the Dolphins success and having pieces in place that will at least give some continuity will help in the long run. Miami has a long way to go. Miami is one of the top 3 worst teams in the NFL. But then again, despite our record in 04, we have been that team for 4 years. That is not the doing of one man. Nor is it the doing of the guy who is our current HC.

Nothing sits well with me when the Dolphins lose, even when this team loses. I sat behind the bench, on the field in Sundays game against Oakland, I left the stadium for a 5 hour drive back to Orlando and then an early 6 AM drive back to NC Monday morning. The blood still boiling from yet another loss. I hate losing. I despise the lack of effort even more.

The Dolphins face a tough schedule and the year is so young that thought of another 3 months makes you feel ill.

It is hard to believe that this team is anything but utter disappointment. For the most part they are. Listening to Cameron talk you felt a vision, a clear line of sight from what is on that field now, to what he expects to be on the field later. He spoke of Schottenheimer, commitment, and absolute unwavering dedication by himself and his staff to change this franchise around. He spoke that to us. In the back of the auditorium sat Wayne Huizenga. Silent. Listening.

Marty Schottenheimer took the Browns from nothing to perennial contenders. The Browns basically went to hell when he left. Marty left and took his game to KC where he took a franchise in ruins and built them into a perennial contender. Marty then took a dilapidated SD franchise and made them into what they are now.

Cam Cameron is not Marty Schottenheimer. What he is, is a student of Martys’. Will his time under Marty ball translate into success for the future of this franchise? Hard to say. What we do know is that Cameron is here to stay for awhile and some of what Marty brought to the NFL has to have rubbed off. They are very close to each other in the way the approach the game. If Cameron can get even part of that, there is hope.

The Dolphins are 0-4 and likely headed nowhere. The future is cloudy and dark but at least now, the Dolphins have a coach who looks at the future with more clarity than the hopes of winning now at the sake of the future. Miami has sacrificed its future for over 10 years and now one man is paying the price for that disappointment…and carries the task of recovery. It will be a long season. It will be a longer road to change. Cam Cameron, like him or not, is at least thinking ahead…and that is the answer to “So now what?”