Cameron's offense to capitalize on planned unknown - 07/29/2007 - MiamiHerald.com
excerpt:
Dolphins quarterback Trent Green, like several teammates, raved about Cam Cameron's offense last week, noting its ''long track record of success'' and his comfort in a system that ''I've been in my whole career.'' So what should fans expect from an offense that has been used, with variations, by Don Coryell, Norv Turner, Mike Martz and others? Here's a sneak peek (with the big caveat that Cameron obviously had more offensive talent in San Diego):
• Cameron's greatest strength as a play-caller? ''He knows how to counter any defense,'' Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson said. ''He made our offense so explosive by creating match-up problems. He forces people to play the way they don't want to play, forces you to put a linebacker on a receiver. Miami's offense is definitely going to be better.'' (Cameron will call the plays this season.)
• Chargers radio analyst Hank Bauer, a former player and assistant coach, said ''the beautiful thing about'' Cameron's offense ``is its flexibility -- its multiple personnel groupings and formations. It's as much shifting and movement as any team, and great coaches do that. That creates confusion. Defenses are calling signals and often that communication breaks down and you've got guys running free.''
• Look for Cameron to experiment with creative sets, Bauer said. In San Diego, Bauer said he used five receivers at times and surprised people by passing out of one set featuring three tight ends, a running back and a fullback. Chris Chambers is pleased he'll line up in the slot at times, unlike last year. ''Expect the unexpected -- reverse passes, halfback passes, throwbacks to the quarterback,'' Bauer said. 'You'll see something and say, `I can't believe he did that.' It makes defenses tentative.''
• Chambers complained one year about not being able to adjust his route during a play. Cameron's system allows that at times, Green said. ''If you're running a 12-yard comeback, that will be run three or four ways depending on how the defensive back is playing,'' Bauer said. ``It's impossible to stop.''
• Bauer said when the Chargers ''didn't think we could run against a great defense, we ran a hot swing pass'' to the running back. The question, though, is will that play be anywhere near as successful with Ronnie Brown or Lorenzo Booker as it was with Tomlinson?
• Brown expects to catch more passes, like Tomlinson did.