The 2007 season was the Miami Dolphins' 38th season in the National Football League, their 42nd overall, the third and final under general manager Randy Mueller and first and only under head coach Cam Cameron. Alt URL
The Dolphins failed to improve upon their 6–10 record in 2006, falling to 1–15. The team narrowly avoided going winless, with their only win coming on a close overtime upset over the Baltimore Ravens on December 16.The Detroit Lions became the first team to go 0–16 the following season It was the Dolphins' first and only season under head coach Cam Cameron, after former head coach Nick Saban unexpectedly resigned to become the head coach at the University of Alabama. Both Cameron and Mueller were fired after the season.
As of 2025, the 2007 record stands as the worst win-loss record in Dolphins history.
One of the few bright spots was defensive end Jason Taylor, who recorded 47 solo tackles and nine assists along with 11 sacks and forced and recovered 3 fumbles.
Notable offseason events
Resignation of Nick Saban During the 2006 season, rumors persisted of then-Dolphins head coach Nick Saban leaving for the University of Alabama at the end of the season. Saban denied these rumors throughout the season, to the point where on December 21 he told the South Florida media "I'm not going to be the Alabama coach." Whether or not he meant it at the time is unknown, but Saban's stance softened after the season, and on January 3, 2007, Saban resigned from the Dolphins to become the new head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Historic game in London On February 2, 2007, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the Dolphins and New York Giants would play a game at London, England's Wembley Stadium. The game — the second regular season NFL game to take place outside of the United States and first outside of North America — counted as a home game for the Dolphins. It took place Sunday, October 28 (Week 8) with kickoff at 1:00 pm EST (5:00 pm local time). The Dolphins lost the game to the Giants by a score of 13–10.
In the 72 hours following the announcement, over half a million ticket requests were received. On May 17, 40,000 tickets were made available to people randomly selected from the initial requests. The tickets sold in 90 minutes.
Failed trade of Dan Wilkinson On March 2, the Denver Broncos acquired defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson from the Dolphins in exchange for a sixth-round draft choice in the 2007 NFL draft. A condition of the trade was that Wilkinson report to the Broncos for a physical by Friday, March 16. He did not report for the physical, and although neither team was able to reach Wilkinson by phone the deadline for him to report was extended in hopes of eventually closing the deal.
On March 29, the deal between the Broncos and Dolphins was finally voided. The sixth-round pick reverted to the Broncos, and Wilkinson's rights were once again held by the Dolphins. After failing to attend offseason workouts with the Dolphins in the months that followed, the Dolphins finally terminated Wilkinson's contract on June 18.
Legal troubles
Joey Porter-Levi Jones altercation After five seasons as AFC North rivals, former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter (who had signed with the Dolphins earlier in the offseason) and Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Levi Jones were involved in an altercation in a Las Vegas casino on March 18.
Arrest and release of Fred Evans In the early morning of 2007-06-23, 23-year-old Dolphins defensive tackle Fred Evans was arrested in Miami Beach. According to the police report, Evans was in a dispute with a taxi driver, and refused to leave the cab at the request of the officers called to the scene. Evans reportedly engaged in a physical struggle with the officers when they tried to handcuff him, with one officer being bitten on his left wrist. The officers then used tasers to subdue Evans. He was charged with battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and trespassing. Complicating matters could be the fact that Evans is already on probation in Colorado County, Texas for possession of marijuana.
In a team-released statement, Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron said: "We are aware that Fred Evans was arrested this morning. We will not condone this type of behavior. I assure everyone it will be dealt with seriously". Cameron made good on his word a few days later, as Evans was waived by the team on June 28.
Arrest and release of Kelly Campbell Re-signed by the Dolphins in March after spending 2006 training camp with the team, wide receiver Kelly Campbell had his contract terminated on July 6. It was not until July 24, however, that it was revealed that Campbell's release stemmed from an arrest on drug charges in Atlanta, Georgia on July 3. Campbell was charged with felony possession of marijuana and Ecstasy and a misdemeanor charge of providing false information to police officers. It was Campbell's second arrest in Fulton County. In 2005, Campbell was arrested and charged with marijuana possession and theft by receiving stolen property involving a handgun. He reached a plea deal to avoid a trial.
Arrest of Chris Chambers On the morning of Saturday, July 14, Pro Bowl wide receiver Chris Chambers was arrested in Charlotte, North Carolina and charged with driving while impaired and speeding. He was arrested around 2:30 am and later released on $1,750 bond. According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Capt. Lisa Goelz, Chambers faced charges of driving while impaired, speeding and reckless driving. On August 15, it was reported that a lawyer for Chambers said he would plead not guilty to driving while impaired. Chambers was charged despite his blood-alcohol content being below the legal limit, although North Carolina law says he can still be convicted.
On September 25, it was reported that Chambers would enter a plea deal in which he would plead guilty to speeding. Under the terms of the plea deal, the charges of driving while impaired and reckless driving were dismissed. He did not have to appear in court.
Offseason personnel moves
Front office On June 26, general manager Randy Mueller signed a contract extension that is expected to keep him with the team through at least 2010. Mueller will also receive a salary adjustment, however financial details were unavailable. After Nick Saban left following the 2006 season, Mueller's role was altered to give him control of personnel.
Coaches After the departure of Nick Saban, Dolphins owner H. Wayne Huizenga went on a nationwide search for his next head coach. More than a dozen candidates were interviewed, and on January 19 Cam Cameron agreed to become the seventh head coach in franchise history. Cameron had previously served as offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers from 2002 to 2006. He received a four-year contract worth $10 million.
Upon Cameron's arrival, multiple changes were made to the coaching staff. Running backs coach Bobby Williams, wide receivers coach Charlie Baggett, defensive line coach Dan Quinn and strength and conditioning coach Bert Hill were fired. The team extended the contracts of special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong and outside linebackers coach Travis Jones (later reassigned as defensive ends coach). The Dolphins also signed a three-year, $8.1 million contract with defensive coordinator Dom Capers to retain his services. Outside additions to the staff were: Mike Dumas (Defensive Secondary Coaches Assistant) Steve Hoffman (Assistant Special Teams) Bobby Jackson (Running Backs) Marvin Marshall (Offensive Quality Control) Brett Maxie (Secondary – Safeties) Brad Ohrt (Assistant Strength and Conditioning) Diron Reynolds (Defensive Line – Tackles) Terry Robiskie (Wide Receivers) Matthew Schiotz (Strength and Conditioning) Terry Shea (Quarterbacks) Chad Walker (Defensive Quality Control)
Finally, previous offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey was retained, but was reassigned to the role of tight ends coach. Cameron stated he would call the offensive plays himself in 2007.
Players
Departures February 14 – Waived wide receiver Chris Davis. February 14 – Waived safety Jack Hunt. February 14 – Waived safety Norman LeJeune. March 1 – Terminated the contract of offensive guard Bennie Anderson. March 1 – Terminated the contract of offensive guard Seth McKinney. March 1 – Waived wide receiver Eric Kimble. March 2 – Terminated the contract of defensive end Kevin Carter. March 2 – Terminated the contract of offensive guard Jeno James. March 3 – Offensive tackle Damion McIntosh signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. March 3 – Running back Sammy Morris signed with the New England Patriots. March 5 – Defensive end Kevin Carter signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. March 5 – Terminated the contract of quarterback Joey Harrington. March 5 – Terminated the contract of tight end Randy McMichael. March 7 – Running back Travis Minor signed with the St. Louis Rams. March 8 – Fullback Darian Barnes signed with the New York Jets. March 8 – Tight end Randy McMichael signed with the St. Louis Rams. March 13 – Defensive tackle Jeff Zgonina signed with the Houston Texans. March 14 – Offensive guard Toniu Fonoti signed with the Atlanta Falcons. March 14 – Offensive guard Seth McKinney signed with the Cleveland Browns. March 19 – Cornerback Eddie Jackson signed with the New England Patriots. March 27 – Defensive end David Bowens signed with the New York Jets. April 9 – Quarterback Joey Harrington signed with the Atlanta Falcons. April 18 – Opted not to match the St. Louis Rams' offer sheet to punter Donnie Jones. May 1 – Waived linebacker Bobby Iwuchukwu. May 1 – Waived wide receiver Marcus Vick. May 1 – Waived defensive tackle Manuel Wright. June 18 – Released defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson. June 28 – Waived defensive tackle Fred Evans. July 6 – Released wide receiver Kelly Campbell. July 17 – Released quarterback Daunte Culpepper.
Re-signings February 21 – Re-signed UFA defensive tackle Vonnie Holliday to a four-year, $20 million contract. March 8 – Re-signed UFA defensive tackle Keith Traylor to a two-year contract. March 9 – Re-signed UFA defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson to a one-year contract. (He was originally slated to become an exclusive-rights free agent, but was not tendered and became an unrestricted free agent before being re-signed.) March 19 – Re-signed ERFA fullback Kyle Eckel to a one-year contract. March 19 – Re-signed UFA cornerback Michael Lehan to a one-year contract. March 22 – Re-signed ERFA long snapper John Denney to a one-year contract. April 13 – Re-signed UFA safety Travares Tillman to a one-year contract. April 25 – Re-signed UFA linebacker Donnie Spragan to a one-year contract. May 18 – Re-signed RFA safety Yeremiah Bell to a one-year, $1.3 million contract. May 29 – Re-signed RFA quarterback Cleo Lemon to a one-year, $1.3 million contract.
Signings January 2 – Signed placekicker Matt Prater. January 2 – Signed tight end Jason Rader. January 2 – Signed wide receiver P.K. Sam. January 18 – Signed defensive tackle Steve Fifita. January 25 – Signed linebacker Akbar Gbaja-Biamila. January 25 – Signed linebacker Bobby Iwuchukwu. February 6 – Signed quarterback Gibran Hamdan. February 14 – Signed tight end Aaron Halterman. February 19 – Signed punter Ryan Flinn. February 22 – Signed running back Jesse Chatman. March 5 – Signed tight end David Martin (Packers) to a three-year, $3.57 million contract with a $1.2 million signing bonus. March 7 – Signed linebacker Joey Porter (Steelers) to a five-year, $32 million contract with a $12 million signing bonus. March 8 – Signed wide receiver Kelly Campbell. March 8 – Signed placekicker Jay Feely (Giants) to a three-year, $6 million contract. March 8 – Signed safety Cameron Worrell (Bears) to a two-year, $2 million contract with a $285,000 signing bonus. March 15 – Signed fullback Cory Schlesinger (Lions) to a two-year, $2 million contract.