Twenty-four hours ago, the Dolphins were 6-4, and one game out of the wild card race. A 20-point loss and some Sweet Valley High action later, Miami is 6-5, wondering where it all went wrong, and have a lot of work to do to keep (the playoff) hope alive for January.
Making things tougher: the team will be without its leading receiver, Greg Camarillo, who's done for the year after suffering a knee injury in the fourth quarter. Head coach Tony Sparano was very matter-of-fact about the whole thing: "It's hard. You don't want to lose a player like him. Somebody has to pick up the slack.''
Not sure who that somebody will be; Ted Ginn is the obvious choice, but who becomes the No. 2 option, Ernest Wilford? That was a joke. Of course he doesn't. Rookie Davone Bess has been a pleasant surprise, hauling in 24 passes in spot duty.
And the Dolphins could always rely on the tight ends and running backs, too, particularly with all the Wildcattery going on, not to mention Chad Pennington's inability to consistently throw the ball more than 20 yards down the field.
Camarillo came out of nowhere last December to lead the Dolphins to their first and only win of 2007. He then parlayed that into a three-year, $6 million contract extension, which he signed last week. And while his contract is well deserved, it's a shame that Camarillo won't be able to help the team for another nine months.
