It was an experience better forgotten. It was a disaster better kept under the carpet.

That is why the Dolphins' players tried hard to resist it, refusing to reveal their feelings about the privately messy divorce with former coach Cam Cameron, who will return to Dolphin Stadium on Sunday as the Baltimore Ravens' offensive coordinator.

They tried. They really did.

''I'm sure that he has a bad taste in his mouth for the Dolphins and for Miami, but he's a professional,'' said defensive end Vonnie Holliday, who along with the rest of the team was warned by the new regime to refrain from publicly criticizing Cameron.

Then a reporter from a local radio station played an audio clip for Holliday. It was a few seconds long about something Ravens coach John Harbaugh said earlier in the day while attempting to defend Cameron's ability.

''He was an effective coach down in Miami last year, even though the results weren't what people were hoping for,'' Harbaugh said on the portion of the clip played for Holliday. ``He did a great job there with what he had to work with.''

It was as if Harbaugh, perhaps unintentionally, ripped away a scab that had yet to properly heal.

''With what he had to work with? That's the key, huh?'' said Holliday, the team's defensive captain. ``What did we have to work with as players? I think you look at it, and it's clear this year we have a direction. We have a plan in place. And that's largely attributed to Coach Parcells and Coach Sparano.

''That's a big difference in leadership and who is out front,'' Holliday said of team vice president Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano.

Perhaps Harbaugh should have realized why his comments would sting like alcohol on a wound: Cameron might be gone but 25 of his players remain on the Dolphins' 53-man roster -- nine of whom Cameron was partly responsible for signing last year.

Cameron was not made available for a comment.

FIRED UP

Holliday said it fired him up to hear Harbaugh's opinion. Wide receiver Greg Camarillo said he took Harbaugh's comments ''as a personal blow.'' Even running back Ronnie Brown, who is often mild-mannered, said he will ''show them'' what he can do.

Perhaps the only person who didn't sound insulted was the player many thought would be offended the most.

''You're looking for me to get mad about that?'' said Joey Porter, after being played the same clip. ``Not going to happen.''

Porter has no need to vent publicly through the media regarding his feelings about where the blame from last year's 1-15 season should be placed.

During the climax of the season's dramatic demise, Porter made it clear to Cameron during an incident in which he dressed down Cameron during a team meeting before the season's last game.

Don't be mistaken: Players such as Porter and Holliday have moved past last season. They don't seem to hold some unforgiving grudge against Cameron for their disastrous season, if only because the situation was resolved upon his firing.

`A DIFFERENT TEAM'

''You don't want to focus on last year,'' Holliday said. ``I could get into, you know, a conversation about that. But I won't go down that road -- as tempting as it is. We're a different team this year.''

Holliday said Sparano is ''a better coach for us'' and ``is the type of coach that has a plan.''

Said Camarillo: ``I don't blame Cam for everything that went on, but we're in the business of winning, so when you're not winning, some things need to change.''

Beyond the team's dismal record, Cameron's demise in Miami ultimately became imminent when he lost the respect of his veteran players. Holliday said the issues that arose required player-only meetings between veterans such as former Dolphins Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas.

Cameron, however, sealed his fate with the players when he sent home veteran defensive tackle Keith Traylor as a result of an argument that stemmed from a fight between Traylor and two offensive players on the plane ride home from a loss to the New England Patriots on Dec. 23.

`PULSE . . . WAS GONE'

''As ugly as it got last year, it could have gotten uglier,'' Holliday said. ``I think guys tried to hang in there right up until the end. It was tough. But going into that last game, after everything that had transpired with Keith Traylor, I think that was really when the pulse of the team was gone.''

Now the pulse is clearly back with a new coaching staff and many new players.

Although Cameron's return to Dolphin Stadium isn't going to cause any more bad feelings toward him, the blame from last year's season gone wrong is still clearly a matter of debate. Not to mention a very touchy subject.

If nothing else, many Dolphins from last year's team are now poised to prove to Harbaugh they weren't entirely the cause of the problem.

''Cam's going to be a great match as a football coach for every situation,'' Harbaugh said. ``Everywhere he's been, he's been a very effective coach.''

Harbaugh now likely knows a few people might disagree.

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