Miami Dolphins interim head coach Dan Campbell is proving himself as great coach and motivator, as the Dolphins have won two straight headed into a matchup with the undefeated New England Patriots Thursday night. Since Campbell took over the team, the Dolphins have outscored opponents, 82-36, but many are still questioning if this team has really turned it around.
The knock on the Dolphins is that they have only beaten the Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans. Prior to Campbell taking over Miami had lost three straight to the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the New York Jets, and only one of those teams has a winning record. However, the Dolphins seem to have more physicality since Campbell took over, and that may be because Campbell implemented the Oklahoma drill in his first practice as head coach.
"To me, the best teams that I've been a part of are the ones that, during the week, they go after each other," said Campbell, via NFL. "Whether it's practice squad versus the defense. They're giving the look of practice squad versus offense, but it gets heated. And it's intense, and it's people that are fighting to win."
Campbell and the Dolphins have their toughest challenge of their season Thursday, as they head into Foxborough to face the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots.
"When you're going into play New England on a Thursday night, you don't have to be worried about being grounded," said Campbell, reported the Miami Herald. "We know we've got our hands full. We know it's not going to be easy and overconfident is the last thing we are going to be doing when we walk in Thursday."
Since Campbell took over, the Dolphins defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 10 times in two games. That is incredible, especially when realizing the Dolphins only have 11 sacks on the season. With players like Ndamukong Suh, Cameron Wake, and Brent Grimes, many expected this defense to be at the top of the AFC defensively. Under new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, the Dolphins have simplified the defense and now let their talented pass rushers go after opposing quarterbacks, as opposed to reading the offense and reacting, according to NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks.
While the defense looks to be the central part of Miami's turnaround, quarterback Ryan Tannehill has played much better in the new offensive system. Last week against the Houston Texans, Tannehill threw for 282 yards and a season-high four touchdown passes. He finished the day 18 for 19 and had a completion percentage of 94.7. While that is very unlikely to happen against the Patriots Thursday night, he's has clearly shown improvement under Campbell.
Tannehill is preparing himself for a short week before the Patriots, and said it "is going to be a firestorm, to say the least," via Sports Illustrated. "But we've got to find a way. It's brutal getting ready to play them, physically and mentally. But at least we've done it, and we're familiar with them."
Campbell has proven himself to be a great interim head coach after two games, but his real test comes Thursday night in New England. The Dolphins will need to pressure Patriots quarterback Tom Brady if they want a chance Thursday night, but Campbell seems to have this team pointed in the right direction.
