New look tough Phins?

The media portion of practice has just wound down and everybody is abuzz over the most intense workout we’ve seen in ages.
Safe to assume the Dan Campbell factor is already in effect, complete with a brief skirmish (which he predicted) and one-on-one Oklahoma drills as the entire team gathered ’round to egg on the combatants.
As soon as the media entered the bubble, it was obvious Campbell no longer is concerned with just coaching the tight ends. He began in the middle of the field, observing everybody, but quickly zipped over to eyeball the offensive linemen, then receivers, then defensive linemen, etc.

Campbell was named interim coach, replacing Joe Philbin, on Monday.
For the record, Kevin Coyle was handling the defensive players, apparently still in the role of defensive coordinator.
Soon enough, Jarvis Landry caught a ball and was pushed one too many times for his liking by defensive back Ced Thompson, who is on the practice squad. Landry shoved Thompson back, then Thompson shoved, as a brief skirmish ensued.
Campbell must have loved it.
Later, everybody gathered in a circle near midfield as players began banging into one another in one-on-one drills. Jordan Phillips vs. Branden Albert, Mike Pouncey vs. Sam Brenner, etc., etc., with hoots and hollers at each turn.
Many veterans either are not here today or not working, including Reshad Jones, Cam Wake, Earl Mitchell, Brent Grimes and Ndamukong Suh, who at one point was distributing Gatorade bottles to players.
Dion Sims was dressed.
Later this morning, the locker room will open and players will get their first chance en masse to discuss the coaching change.

Wednesday marked the first day on the practice field for Dolphins interim coach Dan Campbell, and those watching have reported that Campbell started practice by dividing the offense and defense and holding Oklahoma drills.

So, Campbell probably has his team’s attention. And maybe the NFL Players Association’s attention, too.

The Oklahoma drill — named for longtime Oklahoma University coach Bud Wilkinson — is a full-contact, full-speed drill that includes players either blocking or tackling (or both) in a confined area.

With the emphasis on concussion prevention and player safety, most NFL teams no longer do the Oklahoma drill in training camp — and it’s hard to imagine any team doing it during an in-season practice, even during a bye week like the Dolphins have this week. The Bengals used to open training camp with it, but Bengals coach Marvin Lewis has canceled it the last two seasons.

Campbell, who played 10 NFL seasons as a tight end, obviously thinks his 1-3 team needed a wakeup call and a firm sign that things will be different going forward. It will be interesting to hear what his players think about his methods.

finskev wrote:Some People of course are going crazy about the drill they ran at the beginning of Practice, Teams are allowed one practice in Pads each week during the first 11 weeks, than only 3 for the rest of year from week 12-17.

I think he did it to make a point and might do it a couple more times as needed. People need to just relax.

Degarmo wrote:I love the unpolished non-coachspeak.  It's refreshing.  I'm exhausted of corporate bullshit responses and tow-the-line company answers.

Degarmo wrote:Fuckin NFL and the NFLPA will be asking him to stop soon as their masquerade of caring continues.

JMP wrote:It was definitely all for show - no question.  There's no way you can practice like that every day, even if the league did allow it.

Degarmo wrote:I'm all for the Oklahoma drills and more accountability and fire.  I'm just saying the NFL frowns upon actual football anymore.

HalCHorn wrote:If Campbell shows the "it" factor over the rest of this season, he might be worth keeping after the season.

Hiring a guy a year or two before he was "ready" didn't hurt Philadelphia in the long run when they took a chance on Andy Reid.  Certainly wouldn't have hurt us if we'd done with same with Todd Bowles after the '11 season either.

DolFan 316 wrote:Back in the day I get the feeling players *did* practice like that every day. It's only in the past 20 years that the idea of guys getting worn down by going too hard has taken root. Men of yesteryear were just plain tougher, mentally and physically. Maybe because they literally had more testosterone inside them and didn't have to resort to ED drugs to screw at age 50.