Cam Cameron isn’t likely to get the Don Shula treatment when the Ravens offensive coordinator returns to Miami at 1 p.m. Sunday for the first time since getting fired by the Dolphins in January.
Shula, who won an NFL-record 347 games as a coach, led the Dolphins to five Super Bowl appearances, two championship and in 1972 led Miami to the only undefeated season in league history. Cameron went 1-15 in his lone season at the helm, with the team’s only win coming against the Ravens.
Cameron, 47, said he doesn’t want to dwell on the past, but he also didn’t make any excuses for how things ended in Miami, either.
“I take full responsibility for what took place down there and I’ve never placed it anywhere else,” Cameron said. “I put it square on my own shoulders. With that being said, I believe everything happens for a reason and I’m thrilled to be here in Baltimore.”
Cameron took over the Dolphins with high expectations as he had spent 2002-06 as the offensive coordinator with the San Diego Chargers. There, he helped develop Pro Bowl players like running back LaDainian Tomlinson, tight end Antonio Gates and quarterback Philip Rivers.
But, things quickly unraveled with the Dolphins as they lost their first 13 games before beating the Ravens, 22-16, in overtime last Dec. 16. At the end of the season, the Dolphins hired Bill Parcells as their executive vice president of football operations. Parcells then began to clean house, which included ushering out Cameron, who had signed a four-year deal with the team.
“It’s a tough business and if you’re in this business long enough you’re going to be on more than one team whether as a coach or a player,” Cameron said. “More times, you can look in the mirror and say I could have done a better job, take accountability, take responsibility and you can continue to grow no matter what the circumstances hold.”
Cameron’s return to Miami took an interesting twist Wednesday. When asked about Cameron’s performance with the Dolphins, Ravens coach John Harbaugh during a conference call with reporters said, “He did a great job there with what he had to work with.”
Dolphins defensive tackle Vonnie Holiday took exception to that comment.
“With what we had to work with,” Holiday told reporters. “I guess that’s the key, huh? There’s not much I can say about that. It definitely was a tough season last year. What I would say is, what did we have to work with as players.”
Cameron said although there will be some extra emotions for him on Sunday, he is approaching the Dolphins like he would any other team. His biggest concern is helping the Ravens get on track offensively, as Baltimore is 25th out of 32 teams in total offense (283.8 yards per game), 29th in passing offense (150.6) and 28th in average points per game (15.6).
“This game is about this team and for me personally about this offense getting better,” Cameron said. “We could be playing this game in Nome, Alaska We could be playing any of the other 31 teams. We’ve got some things we’ve got to improve on, things we’ve got to do a better job on. That’s our focus and I’m not going to have my focus anywhere else.”
Ravens receiver Derrick Mason said Cameron has all of the intangibles necessary to help improve the team’s offense, even as it deals with injuries to the offensive line while also playing a rookie quarterback, Joe Flacco.
“I think he [brings] an upbeat tempo that’s made it fun,” Mason said. “I don’t know what he was like last year, but he always wants to do something different. He’s always nitpicking — which is good as an offensive coordinator. You always want to make sure everything is right as offensive coordinator, and he’s always on guys.”
Ravens’ injury report
Return specialist Yamon Figurs (knee), safety Ed Reed (hamstring) and right tackle Adam Terry (knee) are the most notable names on the Ravens injury report, as all three starters did not practice Thursday.
Also, left tackle Jared Gaither (neck), cornerback Fabian Washington (shoulder), wide receiver Demetrius Williams (ankle) and safety Tom Zbikowski (shoulder) were limited in practice. Dawan Landry (neck) and cornerback Samari Rolle (neck/shoulder) are out for the Ravens game at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Miami Dolphins. With William and Figurs’ status for the Dolphins’ game uncertain, the Ravens may have to rely on rookies like Marcus Smith and/or Ernie Wheelright for offensive production. Also, safety Jim Leonhard would likely handle return duties for Figurs, while Willie Anderson would start in place of Terry.
“From week to week, you don’t know who is going to play or who is going to be active,” Smith said. “It takes a lot of patience at time, because you just want to have the chance to contribute on the field.”
