Ex-Miami Dolphins receiver Chris Chambers finds his comfort zone
Chris Chambers enjoys the consistency of playing in San Diego after being with a string of quarterbacks in Miami.
BY JEFF DARLINGTON
jdarlington@MiamiHerald.com
He could try to name them all, if you really have the time. He could go down the list of quarterbacks and offensive coordinators and coaches, if you really care to challenge him.
''I'll be sitting up here all day,'' Chargers wide receiver Chris Chambers said. ``I can pretty much come close.''
When the former Dolphins standout started rattling off some of his favorite passers from his seven-year stay in Miami, a reporter jokingly cut him off during a teleconference Wednesday to try to save everyone some time.
After all, the final tally during his tenure is already well recorded. For those wondering, Chambers caught passes from 10 quarterbacks in Dolphin Stadium. He played under six offensive coordinators and four head coaches.
On Sunday, in the same venue where he became the fifth-leading receiver in Miami's history, he'll have the chance to add one more quarterback to the list. This time, it just won't be anyone wearing a Dolphins uniform.
Chambers, who was traded to the Chargers last October, is returning to his old home with his new team.
''I've got to try to keep it as normal as possible and approach it the same way,'' Chambers said. ``I'm sure it will be a little emotional for a second until we actually get going in a game. I can't wait to play in front of the fans I had when I was there.''
BIG-PLAY POTENTIAL
That's not to say the fans he had want to see Chambers have the type of game he's hoping for. He has caught just eight passes in four games this season -- but half of them have been for touchdowns.
He's also averaging 24.5 yards per catch, and he has caught two passes for 48 yards. Combine his big-play potential with his expectations that a breakout game is coming soon, and the Dolphins could be facing a tough -- but familiar -- threat.
''We've got a lot of guys that can make plays on offense, but if someone told me Chris wouldn't have more catches, I would have been surprised,'' Chargers coach Norv Turner said. ``I see him as a five-, six-, seven-catch-per-game kind of guy.
``I think as the season unfolds, that's what he'll be.''
Chambers hasn't been at all disappointed with his lack of catches, mostly because any frustrations can be soothed by two other reasons: He's playing for a perennial contender, and he's sharing the load with other solid weapons.
''I'd like to get more balls thrown in my direction, but you can't be selfish,'' Chambers said. ``I'm going to let the game come to me. I'm going to keep playing the way I am, and I'll have a breakout game sooner or later.''
That level of patience is something Chambers often struggled to maintain in Miami, even though he rarely vented publicly. During his final seasons with the Dolphins, he often kept quiet because he was dealing with a case of the drops, as well.
QB CONSISTENCY
The biggest reason for Chambers' current happiness can be attributed to the very aspect that often frustrated him in South Florida: his quarterback. Chambers said he is growing more comfortable with Philip Rivers, with whom he has played for 14 games.
''It really helped me a lot just to get a whole offseason with the same guy under center,'' Chambers said. ``Not only that, but there's a lot of the same players around me, a lot of familiarity. It really helps me out a lot, and I believe it's going to maximize my game to the fullest.''
On three of Chambers' four touchdowns, Philips audibled at the line of scrimmage, something that Chambers said illustrates the chemistry they've developed in their short time together.
DOLPHINS CONNECTION
Even though Chambers believes he has found happiness in San Diego, he keeps the Dolphins in his thoughts. He was happy to see Miami defeat the Patriots last week, and he said he still keeps in touch with former teammates, including wide receiver Derek Hagan.
The split between Chambers and the Dolphins was never hostile or ugly. And considering Miami was able to draft quarterback Chad Henne with the second-round selection it got for Chambers, Dolphins fans might not mind seeing the wide receiver be successful with another team.
''I believe I left on really good terms,'' Chambers said. ``We had a lot of fan support, so I think the reception will be very well for me.''
Just as long as his success doesn't surface Sunday, of course.
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