Seeking stronger finishes
Pleased with last result, Campbell wants solid ending.
DAVIE — Dan Campbell has preached from Day 1 that he wanted the Dolphins to be more physical. He wanted them playing to the edge of what’s within the rules.
After Sunday’s 44-26 blowout of Houston, he told his players that their physical style not only imposed their will on the Texans, but that Houston started backing down.
“They had some drops,” Campbell told the team amid the postgame locker-room euphoria. “They had a lot of drops. Some people would say you’ve got to catch the ball. I will tell you, you transfer energy without physically touching them and things like that happen, guys. Things like that happen. They felt you. Their quarterback felt you, front four. You’re all over them.”
The Dolphins blitzed the Texans with a 21-point first quarter that was stunning for a team that had been outscored 37-3 in the first quarter in four games under Joe Philbin. At halftime, it was 41-0 and game over.
Still, the Texans outscored the Dolphins 26-3 in the second half, cause enough for Campbell to warn his players, “The way we finished is not the way we want to finish.”
Now, it’s on to Foxborough for a showdown Thursday night with New England. It’s the first major test of Campbell’s regime.
Campbell believes the players are ready.
“You guys have bought in,” he told the team. “You can smell it. You can taste it. You can tell you guys are still starving. That’s what you can tell. You cannot eat enough right now, and it feels good, doesn’t it? “That’s a hell of a job.” Take it easy: Despite Campbell’s emphasis on being physical, this week is an exception because of the Thursday night game.
“We’re not going to do anything physical this week,” Campbell said after Monday night’s light workout. “When you’re on a short week like this, it’s hard. What’s most important is rest, recovery and the mental work.”
Five on Gronk? Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is off to a Gronklike start with 34 receptions for 533 yards and six TDs. No surprise that Campbell, a former tight ends coach, can appreciate that.
Asked what impresses him about Gronkowski, Campbell said, “What doesn’t?”
He later revealed his strategy: “Kind of like what we did with J. J. Watt last week. We put all five linemen on him. We’ll probably just put the whole secondary on him.”
Nothing personal: One coach has won four Super Bowls. The other has been a head coach for two games.
It’s no wonder Campbell doesn’t want this to be about the two head coaches.
“Look, Bill Belichick is one of the greatest coaches that’s ever coached,” Campbell said. “That’s just the bottom line. ... So I don’t look at it as me versus him. This is the Miami Dolphins against the New England Patriots.”
Campbell said Belichick’s philosophy revolves around saying, “Hey, look, if you’re going to beat us, you’re not going to beat us with your impact players.” Campbell called that “a heck of a recipe.”
Injury update: Cornerback Brice McCain, who missed the Houston game with a knee injury, was limited in Monday night’s practice and expects to be questionable. Other limited players: cornerback Zach Bowman (shoulder), cornerback Brent Grimes (knee/ribs), quarterback Matt Moore (nose), linebacker Spencer Paysinger (groin). Those fully participating were defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (ankle) and center Mike Pouncey (hip). Linebacker/defensive end Chris McCain missed practice after becoming a father.
Significant Patriots injuries include left tackle Marcus Cannon (toe), who missed practice. Limited were running back Dion Lewis (abdomen) and guard Shaq Mason (knee).