Cameron has everything a Tight End needs — except the production.
A quality Tight End is a crucial component to the support of a QB.
The NFL has evolved into a game that accentuates and protects the Quarterback position more than any position. In this passing league, the Tight End position has also evolved into a much bigger component to the passing game than it has ever been. Players like Rob Gronkowski, TonyGonzalez andAntonio Gates have become the prototype TE’s in the current game. They are a QB’s safety net and present serious mismatches for defenses: faster than linebackers and stronger that corners and safeties.
Every team around the league is looking for the next young “Gronk” who can open up the seams in an opponent’s defense.
Heck, teams are even looking to have two dominant TE’s.
The Miami Dolphins spent big in free agency in 2015 and signed Jordan Cameron, instead of resigning Charles Clay. Neither TE has played up to their potential with Cameron catching 35 passes for 386 yards and 3 touchdowns, and Clay catching 51 passes for 528 yards and 3 touchdowns. With Cameron entering his second year with the Dolphins, the early indications are that he still seems out of place in this offense.
It’s not a lack of talent…it seems to be a “confidence thing”.
But, the bottom line is the same — very limited production.
Cameron has still not been able to build a consistent chemistry with Tannehill, and he has dropped a few passes in preseason with 2 of them being “easy touchdowns”.
Considering that Coach Adam Gase has a history of relying heavily on his Tight Ends, Cameron’s recent play is very concerning. It is hard to say exactly what he must do in order to be more efficient in this offense, but I’d say catching the ball when it hits him in the hands is likely at the top of the list. Unfortunately, most of the pay per head sportsbook sites in the world are not betting on Cameron to have that great of a season — although he might if Gase can somehow coach him up.
But, if Cameron cannot perform up to his ability, then someone else is going to need to step up.
There’s a second Tight End on the roster who might step-up his game, if Cameron won’t.
That someone else could very well be Dion Sims.
I’m not saying he is going All-Pro, but he’s actually a fairly good blocking Tight End that also has decent hands as well. So does Gase plan on giving Sims more opportunities in the passing game due to Cameron’s failure to make the most of his chances? Sims does look very fluid when he runs his routes, and more times than not, he makes the catch. Is it time to start opening up the play book for Sims, because every team in the NFL needs to have a dynamic pass catching Tight End, and at this moment Miami doesn’t.
Miami could also be scrounging threw yesterday’s cuts to find, at the very least, a 3rd TE to replace MarQueis Gray on the roster.
This will be one more area to watch and see how Gase handles it. Will he scheme it to success, coach it up to success, bring in a new talent, or will it simply end up pedestrian?
What is the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans thoughts about our lackluster Tight End Situation?
