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No longer unsung, Camarillo still way underpaid

By Edgar Thompson | Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 02:06 PM

Looking for a good buy in these tough economic times?

As bargain-basement deals go, the Dolphins have set the bar pretty high with wide receiver Greg Camarillo, who earns the league minimum base salary for a third-year pro ($445,000).

But that soon could change as Camarillo continues to make a strong case for nice, new, long-term contract.

Camarillo leads the Dolphins and is 10th in the AFC with 47 catches for 504 yards. With 24 first downs, he also is third on the team, behind Ronnie Brown (39) and Ricky Williams (26), who had seven this past Sunday to pass Camarillo.

Despite his numbers, Camarillo doesn’t fit the mold of a No. 1 receiver, if even a No. 2, because of his lack of burst and modest size (6-1, 190). With one touchdown catch, he also could find the end zone more, but so could the rest of the Dolphins wideouts, who have combined for just three TDs all seasons.

But Camarillo is the classic possession guy who can run the timing routes, get open and always make the catch.

Few things are more valuable than that.

The Dolphins proved that with the off-season acquisition of Ernest Wilford.

Essentially a No. 3 wide receiver for the Jags, Wilford signed a four-year deal for $13 million. Wilford set a career high last season with 45 catches, two below Camarillo’s total in nine games.

While Camarillo thrives, Wilford, who is making $7 million this season, has made one catch for 15 yards and was inactive for his sixth game this past weekend.

Camarillo’s contract seems to be a priority for the Dolphins, who are in discussions with him about a new deal.

He’s certainly not the biggest name looking for one. The contracts are up for tackle Vernon Carey, linebacker Channing Crowder and safety Yeremiah Bell.

The contract also expires for cornerback Andre Goodman, who has elevated his play of late and plays a position where reliable players are hard to find.

(As a sidenote, the team renegotiated the contract for nosetackle Jason Ferguson, signing him to a two-year, $17 million deal late last month, an NFL source said. Ferguson would earn $8.5 million if he hits some easily attained incentives).

Bell, who signed a 1-year, $1.45 million deal in March, is the team’s leading tackler, as well as the best safety and open-field playmaker (3 forced fumbles, 7 passes defensed). He’s 30 and has an injury history, but it’d be hard to believe he’s going anywhere.

If Crowder continues to play like he did Sunday, where he flattened players right and left, The Tuna - a linebackers guru - might be more inclined to finalize a deal there.

Carey, who make $3.07 million, is going to be a tough deal to make. He has started 69 straight games and lined up at both tackle spots, giving him the leverage to command well more than $5 million a year.

It might not be Carey’s fault, but the Dolphins’ run game has been highly inconsistent considering the cash Jake Long (NFL’s highest-paid lineman), Justin Smiley (team-high $10 million) and Carey make.

Camarillo’s deal arguably is as important as any of them, especially after seeing how badly WIlford flopped. The Dolphins’ offense will have a tough time replacing someone as dependable as Camarillo.

The Dolphins can’t afford to lose him.

Way to go Camarillo!!!  Take your millions and enjoy!!!   You've earned it!!!!!

Anything above $5M a year would be ridiculous. I'd be happy with around $2 million a year with a signing bonus of no more than $5 millon. So a $15M, 5 year contract + incentives.

Exactly what I was thinking.  A couple mil a year with a chance to increase that with incentives.