A BIG SCREEN PLAY
Disheartening season ends on positive note
Thais Quevedo, 6, of Miami, reacts to her image on the giant stadium screens at the Dolphins vs. Patriots game Sunday. Miami ended its season with what was considered a surprise victory over New England, 20-10.
MIAMI GARDENS — As Dolphins owner Steve Ross talked to his team in the locker room after Sunday’s 20-10 victory over the New England Patriots, an impromptu chant of “Campbell” broke out.
It was a show of support among players for Dan Campbell, the interim coach who led them to a 5-7 finish to the season.
“We all support Campbell,” said defensive end Olivier Vernon. “We all love Campbell. All we can do is see what happens. We don’t have any control over that.”
Granted, Campbell’s final act as interim Dolphins coach — defeating the Patriots — dropped the team’s position in the draft.
With the victory, the Dolphins (6-10) will have the No. 8 pick in the draft. A loss to the Patriots could of had them picking as high as No. 5.
For a few minutes Sunday, and possibly even a few hours, Dolphins fans were happy. At Club LIV, one of the bar/nightclubs at Sun Life Stadium, strobe lights flashed and patrons danced an hour after the game ended.
Miami fans cheered with 2:13 left in the game when, with the Dolphins holding a 17-10 lead and facing a second-and-goal at the Patriots’ 7-yard line, the big screen cut to Patriots fans leaving Sun Life Stadium.
For now, optimism exists. Coaching searches often have that affect.
“We’re going to be starting a [coaching] search, which will include talking to Dan Campbell, and we have some other people we’re speaking
with,” Ross said.
“I told the players I’m committed to winning Super Bowls, and that’s why I own the team. And that for those who stay, we’re going to be winning Super Bowls.”
Rookie wide receiver DeVante Parker, the first-round pick from Louisville, provided a glimpse of a bright future by recording five receptions for a career-best 106 yards and one touchdown.
The Dolphins took a 3-0 lead on a 38-yard field goal by Andrew Franks. The Patriots tied the game with a 34-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill gave the Dolphins a 10-3 halftime lead by driving the team 64 yards in eight plays, resulting in a 15-yard touchdown pass to Parker. It was his third touchdown reception of the season.
New England tied the game at 10 on a 2-yard run by running back Stephen Jackson before the Dolphins took the lead for good midway through the fourth quarter.
The Dolphins sealed the victory on a 2-yard touchdown pass from Tannehill to tight end Jordan Cameron and a 19-yard field goal from Franks.
The Patriots (12-4) threw the ball just five times in the first half compared to 21 runs. Speculation was that the Patriots wanted to keep quarterback Tom Brady (12-of-21, 134 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions, 76.3 passer rating) out of harm’s way.
Regardless, the Dolphins focus turns to the offseason.
The team decided to part ways with general manager Dennis Hickey on Saturday. So they now need a general manager and head coach, a new coaching staff and perhaps many new scouts.
Campbell will be interviewed for the fulltime coaching job.
“I got an opportunity this year and I’m thankful for that opportunity,” Campbell said. “I’ve learned a lot. And so to have the opportunity to interview for it, I feel good about that.”
The disastrous 2015 season ended on a positive note. Now it’s time to look to the future.
“Obviously, we didn’t play, I didn’t play, as well as I wanted to throughout the whole year,” Tannehill said. “But we have a bright future ahead of us.
“There’s going to be better days ahead. I have 100 percent confidence in myself, and a lot of those guys in the locker room, that we’re going to get this thing turned around no matter who comes and takes the helm. The leaders of this team will still be here, and lead this team to the playoffs and ultimately a championship.”