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Cameron makes coaching debut as Dolphins meet Redskins

Sep 9, 2007 - 10:27 AM Miami (6-10) at Washington (5-11) Sunday 1:00 pm EDT

LANDOVER, Maryland (Ticker) - Cam Cameron makes his coaching debut Sunday when the Miami Dolphins visit the Washington Redskins in the season opener for both teams.

After Nick Saban bolted South Beach for the Alabama job, the Dolphins interviewed at least 13 candidates before finally settling on Cameron.

Other candidates for what long has been considered one of the NFL's better coaching jobs included Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey, Dolphins defensive coordinator Dom Capers, former Atlanta Falcons coach Jim Mora Jr. and former Alabama coach Mike Shula, the son of ex-Dolphins coach Don Shula.

Cameron had served as offensive coordinator of the San Diego Chargers the last five seasons, helping build one of the league's better offenses.

San Diego led the league in scoring this last season, averaging 30.8 points en route to a franchise-best 14-2 record.

But in Miami, Cameron takes over a team that was one of the NFL's biggest disappointments last season. Miami finished in last place in the AFC East with a 6-10 mark.

Cameron also will be hard-pressed to duplicate the offensive success he had in San Diego with Miami, which was 29th in scoring last season, averaging 16.3 points.

After releasing Daunte Culpepper in the offseason, the Dolphins acquired veteran Trent Green from Kansas City to be their new starting quarterback.

The 37-year-old Green, who suffered a severe concussion in the season opener last season, wound up playing in eight games last campaign, throwing for seven touchdowns and nine interceptions.

One building block offensively for Cameron will be running back Ronnie Brown, who rushed for 1,008 yards and five touchdowns last season.

On the other side of the ball, the Dolphins are led by Jason Taylor, who was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year last season. The defensive end registered 13 1/2 sacks, collected two interceptions that he returned for touchdowns and forced nine fumbles last season.

A season after making the playoffs, the Redskins finished in last place in the NFC East with a disappointing 5-11 record.

Since coming out of retirement, Redskins Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs has gone 21-27 in three seasons.

Gibbs will be relying on third-year quarterback Jason Campbell as his starter. The 2005 first-round pick played in seven games last season, throwing for 10 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Gibbs also will be looking for a return to health for running back Clinton Portis, who was limited to eight games last season by hand and shoulder injuries. He rushed for 523 yards and seven TDs before going down last season.

The biggest problem for Gibbs last season was a defense that produced just 12 takeaways - the fewest in NFL history in a 16-game season. The Redskins, who ranked 31st overall, also registered a franchise-low 19 sacks.