PFW's take on Chambers
Dolphins WR Chambers slow to regain rousing rookie form
PFW: What is keeping Chambers from regaining his rookie form?
Reynolds: The greatest factor is the lack of balance that bogged the offense down last season. RB Ricky Williams gained 1,853 rushing yards, and the offense rarely threatened down the field. Part of that was Jay Fiedler’s injury  the Dolphins didn’t trust backup Ray Lucas to make deep throws, especially on post patterns or routes that brought the safety positions into play. And part of it was Chambers not having a reliable No. 2 receiver opposite him. Oronde Gadsden was banged up, and James McKnight and Dedric Ward are bit players who can have big games on occasion, but neither makes the “must stop†list on opponents’ defensive game plans. Chambers had an up-and-down season in 2002, but it wasn’t a typical sophomore slump. What many scouts argue is Chambers is less effective these days because of the vicious hit he took from Broncos S Kenoy Kennedy at Denver in Week Six, a helmet-to-helmet blast on a slant pattern that earned Kennedy a fine. From that point on, Chambers displayed unsure hands over the middle and always felt the safety coming toward him after short catches. What that did, in turn, was make Chambers a one-dimensional threat as a receiver. “All he wanted to do was run the vertical stuff,†said one AFC East pro scout. “He didn’t do much against us because we made him cut everything off short.†Chambers has not looked great in the preseason and is working as the team’s No. 2 receiver to Derrius Thompson. But Thompson can stretch the field and will draw the safety in zone coverage at times, allowing Chambers to again find his comfort zone. Thompson is the talk of Dolphins camp, and Miami believes he will be a gem worth polishing in Norv Turner’s play-action passing game. Chambers’ role changes, reverting more to what he was asked to do as a rookie  use his size and speed to get open deep. Once he establishes himself down the field again, the hope is, Chambers will round into the complete receiver the Dolphins envision.
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Commentary/Spins/2003/spins082703.htm
Dolphins WR Chambers slow to regain rousing rookie form
PFW: What is keeping Chambers from regaining his rookie form?
Reynolds: The greatest factor is the lack of balance that bogged the offense down last season. RB Ricky Williams gained 1,853 rushing yards, and the offense rarely threatened down the field. Part of that was Jay Fiedler’s injury  the Dolphins didn’t trust backup Ray Lucas to make deep throws, especially on post patterns or routes that brought the safety positions into play. And part of it was Chambers not having a reliable No. 2 receiver opposite him. Oronde Gadsden was banged up, and James McKnight and Dedric Ward are bit players who can have big games on occasion, but neither makes the “must stop†list on opponents’ defensive game plans. Chambers had an up-and-down season in 2002, but it wasn’t a typical sophomore slump. What many scouts argue is Chambers is less effective these days because of the vicious hit he took from Broncos S Kenoy Kennedy at Denver in Week Six, a helmet-to-helmet blast on a slant pattern that earned Kennedy a fine. From that point on, Chambers displayed unsure hands over the middle and always felt the safety coming toward him after short catches. What that did, in turn, was make Chambers a one-dimensional threat as a receiver. “All he wanted to do was run the vertical stuff,†said one AFC East pro scout. “He didn’t do much against us because we made him cut everything off short.†Chambers has not looked great in the preseason and is working as the team’s No. 2 receiver to Derrius Thompson. But Thompson can stretch the field and will draw the safety in zone coverage at times, allowing Chambers to again find his comfort zone. Thompson is the talk of Dolphins camp, and Miami believes he will be a gem worth polishing in Norv Turner’s play-action passing game. Chambers’ role changes, reverting more to what he was asked to do as a rookie  use his size and speed to get open deep. Once he establishes himself down the field again, the hope is, Chambers will round into the complete receiver the Dolphins envision.
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Commentary/Spins/2003/spins082703.htm
