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In The Bag: Dolphins On Verge Of 0-16

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By IRA KAUFMAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 12, 2007

Updated: 12/12/2007 12:12 am

TAMPA - As Kevin Carter's Buccaneers close in on a division title, his thoughts occasionally drift southward toward Miami, where the Dolphins are closing in on NFL history.

The 34-year-old defensive end signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent after two years with the Dolphins.

Nine months later, Carter's move looks like the football equivalent of "Escape from Alcatraz."

"That's a bad situation right now," Carter said after the Dolphins fell to 0-13 with a 38-17 setback at Buffalo. "I can't even imagine it. I've been through a 4-12 season 1998 Rams and that was bad enough."

In becoming the first club since the 1986 Colts to start 0-13, the Dolphins are in real danger of running the table - in the wrong direction.

Miami faces reeling Baltimore at home Sunday before closing with a trip to New England and a matchup against the Bengals at Dolphin Stadium.

The Ravens have dropped seven consecutive games after a 4-2 start and Baltimore's minus-17 turnover ratio is last in the NFL, but the thought of losing to Miami is chilling.

"If we go down there and lose, it could get really ugly around here," said Ravens cornerback Corey Ivy, who played four years in Tampa. "We don't want that. We want to keep sanity around here."

First-year Dolphins coach Cam Cameron is already being linked to the vacant Michigan job, a rumor he dismissed this week amid speculation owner Wayne Huizenga will have little choice but to fire Cameron if Miami becomes the first NFL club to finish 0-16.

If the Dolphins need any additional motivation to take their coach off a big hook, they could be inspired Sunday when members of the historic 1972 team are honored at the stadium.

Club officials planned this weekend to honor the 35th anniversary of the only perfect team in league annals, starting with a golf tournament and a boat parade before culminating Sunday in a halftime ceremony that will feature players from the 17-0 team wearing their original jerseys.

The Dolphins boast the league's best overall record (353-226-2) since the 1970 merger, but that legacy hasn't stopped some Miami fans from wearing bags over their heads to express their shame with the franchise's current plight.

"We had eight fumbles?" left tackle Vernon Carey asked after the Buffalo game. "We're playing like a high school team."

An embattled Cameron finds himself waffling between Cleo Lemon and rookie John Beck at quarterback after Miami was smoked 78-30 the past two weeks.

Ironically, the Dolphins haven't won since beating the Patriots 21-0 more than a calendar year ago, handing New England its last regular-season loss.

Now the Patriots are 13-0 and threatening to finish at 19-0, eclipsing the accomplishment of the '72 Dolphins.

If something could go wrong for Cameron's club this season, it probably has.

Injuries to stalwarts like Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas have contributed to the demise of a defense which is yielding 10 additional points per game than last year.

Five of Miami's first nine losses came by three points, but Ronnie Brown's season-ending knee injury in October robbed the Dolphins of their offensive catalyst and the running game has slid to 20th.

Since veteran quarterback Trent Green was lost for the year with a concussion, Cameron has seen Lemon and Beck each struggle with turnovers, flipping field position and placing too much of a burden on a defense that can't stop the run.

And when Miami's opponents reach the red zone, they flourish. In 43 opportunities, opponents have cashed in with 28 touchdowns and 14 field goals.

"We're obviously faced with some adversity here," Cameron said, "and we are all being tested. Our message to the players is 'Don't give in.' You stay the course and you keep preparing for the next game. I don't sense our guys pressing. We know we're all in this thing together."

Not everyone.

Because so many key players have been hurt, Miami fielded only 10 opening-day starters Sunday against the Bills, who rolled up a 21-0 lead within 11 minutes.

Injuries have wiped out any semblance of continuity and at this point, Miami's Oct. 28 trip to London to face the Giants represents the crown jewel of the season.

"Those guys have to really be professional right now," Carter said of the challenge facing Miami players the rest of the way. "Be a grown man, come to work on your craft and do what you're paid to do. Uphold the obligation of putting on a uniform and providing a service to your fans. Give your heart and soul. There was a saying at the facility down in Miami when Nick Saban was there last year that read, 'Football doesn't build character, it reveals it.' What they're going through is definitely going to reveal who they are."

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833 or

ikaufman@tampatrib.com.

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