The post Joe Philbin era is set to begin in Miami as the Dolphins move forward with Dan Campbell as their head coach. After a bye week that was clouded by coaching firing and drama with Ryan Tannehill, the team is now setting their focus on a very winnable game against the Tennessee Titans. The Dolphins are hopeful an improved defense, strong run game and more targets to DeVante Parker pick things back up in South Beach.
The Dolphins need something to give the team a boost and that might come with Parker getting more attention. The rookie wide receiver has had a quiet start to the season since suffering the training camp injury to foot. He has been battling Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills, Greg Jennings and Rishard Matthews for time on the field and the rookie is making it clear that he would love more playing time and targets from Tannehill. Through four games, the receiver has just 49 yards in four games. Could that change with Campbell?
"I'm not sure what my playing time will be; I'm just still going with the flow," Parker said, via ESPN.com. "When it's time to go, I just go. I'm really ready to go. Whenever I get the chance, I just got to make the plays."
While Parker is hoping Campbell features him more in the offense, the new head coach is actually looking to the run game to make the bigger impact. So far in the season, the Dolphins' run game has been a huge disappointment. The team is averaging just 69.3 rushing yards per game. The offensive line is certainly not helping, but Lamar Miller and Jonas Gray are not doing enough to help out and Campbell wants that to change quickly.
"I do believe when you're talking about the fronts, O-line and D-line, it starts with an attitude and the culture, it's always been that way," Campbell said, via ESPN.com. "I've been a part of some offensive lines that do not have the athletic ability anywhere near what we have on this team. You can argue, 'Well, you guys whatever we are upfront,' but my point those guys had attitude and they were scrappy and they finished every play and we had a better run game because of it."
The Dolphins are hopeful that a leader emerges in the pack as they enter a critical stretch of the season. Tannehill has been facing plenty of criticism over his leadership this past week and has to prove he really is the franchise quarterback Miami thought they were giving the contract extension to. Tannehill has a team-friendly deal to his name which puts him at risk of getting released if he cannot step up.