Tannenbaum: Dolphins Will Play With Passion Under New Coach
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — Anticipation is high for Sunday's Miami Dolphins game as the team prepares to play its first game under interim head coach Dan Campbell. It's a game many hope will turn the season around.
Miami Dolphins executive Mike Tannenbaum predicts the impact of the recent coaching change will quickly become apparent.
"You'll see a team that's passionate in all three phases and running to the ball with boundless energy," Tannenbaum said Friday. "If we do that, I think we're going to be fun to watch, and we're going to win our fair share of games."
The Dolphins (1-3) play Sunday at Tennessee, seeking to break the three-game losing streak that led to Joe Philbin's firing.
Tannenbaum, in his first season as executive vice president of football operations, said the team has practiced well for Campbell. A former NFL tight end and the league's youngest head coach, Campbell brings a zeal to the job that many felt Philbin lacked.
"Dan has a lot of energy and optimism and likes to make things fun," Tannenbaum said. "All the attributes you look for in a leader, we think Dan has those."
No team making a midseason coaching change has gone on to the playoffs since 1961. But Tannenbaum and owner Stephen Ross believe a Dolphins turnaround is possible, in part because so much of the season remains.
For that reason, Philbin was fired four games into his fourth year as coach.
"We can still accomplish a lot this year," Tannenbaum said. "We wanted to see if this could give us a shot in the arm. We didn't look at the history of the interim coaches. We just felt like for us, the 2015 Dolphins, that was the best way to go. We can't concern ourselves with history as much as trying to play as well as we can each week. That starts Sunday."
The Dolphins began the season with high hopes of ending a seven-year playoff drought. But they rank 28th in the NFL on offense, 29th on defense, next to last in rushing, and last in points, sacks and run defense.
Even so, Tannenbaum said he still likes the talent on the roster he assembled.
"We're a handful of plays from the season being dramatically different," he said. "You win a couple of games, and all of a sudden things can look different."
With a bye last Sunday, Campbell has had two weeks to prepare, and said his players are ready. What's his biggest concern going into his head coaching debut?
"Not throwing up on my shoes," Campbell said. "I'm very excited. I don't know if I've been this excited since I was a player, you know? Over the last 48 hours I'm getting those goosebumps. I'm getting that feeling in my stomach, and it's a good feeling."
So who may not make the field on Sunday?
Left tackle Branden Albert is questionable because of a left hamstring injury that forced him to miss the past two games.
Cornerback Brent Grimes is also questionable with a knee injury. Both were limited in practice for a third day in a row Friday.
Tight end Dion Sims is probable to return from a concussion that has sidelined him since the season opener.
Be sure to check out our FinsOn4 Live Dolphins Blog where we will be posting season-long coverage, updates, photos, video, commentary and more throughout the entire 2015 season.
Watch Miami take on the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, October 18th at 1:00 p.m. on CBS4, your official Dolphins station!
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
