YardRat
11-10-2007, 12:56 PM
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/dolphins/home.htm?csp=34
As the Dolphins' unprecedented winless season has progressed, many observers pointed to this week's home game against the Bills as Miami's best shot at winning their first game.
Not so fast.
The Bills, who started the season with three consecutive losses, have won three in a row and four of their last five to reach .500. Despite being led by two quarterbacks — J.P. Losman and rookie Trent Edwards — the offense has steadily improved, with last week's 33-21 victory over the Bengals their season high in points.
"They could have beat Dallas. Denver, early in the year, they should have won that game," said Dolphins DE Jason Taylor. "They're playing very well. If you put the tape on you see guys flying around, playing with a lot of energy."
Perhaps that's why Cameron is sticking with Cleo Lemon as his starting quarterback, and not rookie John Beck. He's not following the example set by Buffalo, who has had success with their own rookie quarterback, Edwards — who actually supplanted Losman as the starter before injuring his wrist two games ago.
Cameron realizes that Bills kick and punt returners, Terrence McGee and Roscoe Parrish, respectively, could play a big role in this game and he called out his special-teams coach, Keith Armstrong, Wednesday.
"The returners in this division are lights out," said Cameron, perhaps recalling the Jets' Leon Washington and Patriots' Willie Andrews touchdown returns against Miami this season. "It's a work in progress. We're doing everything we can to get it solved. Continuity has again been a factor. But I told Keith I'm not real interested in the fact that we've got new guys in there. Let's go down and get the job done. Do whatever it takes to get the job done and quit giving up this field position."
Parrish is ranked third in the NFL with 11.4 yards per punt return average, while McGee is ranked fifth with his 28.5 yards kickoff return average. McGee notched his fifth touchdown return of his career against the Cowboys Oct. 8.
As the Dolphins' unprecedented winless season has progressed, many observers pointed to this week's home game against the Bills as Miami's best shot at winning their first game.
Not so fast.
The Bills, who started the season with three consecutive losses, have won three in a row and four of their last five to reach .500. Despite being led by two quarterbacks — J.P. Losman and rookie Trent Edwards — the offense has steadily improved, with last week's 33-21 victory over the Bengals their season high in points.
"They could have beat Dallas. Denver, early in the year, they should have won that game," said Dolphins DE Jason Taylor. "They're playing very well. If you put the tape on you see guys flying around, playing with a lot of energy."
Perhaps that's why Cameron is sticking with Cleo Lemon as his starting quarterback, and not rookie John Beck. He's not following the example set by Buffalo, who has had success with their own rookie quarterback, Edwards — who actually supplanted Losman as the starter before injuring his wrist two games ago.
Cameron realizes that Bills kick and punt returners, Terrence McGee and Roscoe Parrish, respectively, could play a big role in this game and he called out his special-teams coach, Keith Armstrong, Wednesday.
"The returners in this division are lights out," said Cameron, perhaps recalling the Jets' Leon Washington and Patriots' Willie Andrews touchdown returns against Miami this season. "It's a work in progress. We're doing everything we can to get it solved. Continuity has again been a factor. But I told Keith I'm not real interested in the fact that we've got new guys in there. Let's go down and get the job done. Do whatever it takes to get the job done and quit giving up this field position."
Parrish is ranked third in the NFL with 11.4 yards per punt return average, while McGee is ranked fifth with his 28.5 yards kickoff return average. McGee notched his fifth touchdown return of his career against the Cowboys Oct. 8.