Following the Dolphins' 38-10 win over the Tennessee Titans, the first words out of owner Stephen Ross' mouth when giving the interim head coach the game ball was: "shows you a little intensity and emotion..."
The question entering Sunday's contest was whether Campbell's attitude change could work with his players.
Based on the sampling of quotes after the win, it's worked for at least one week.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to knock anybody, but coach Campbell gets you fired up," receiver Rishard Matthews said, via the Miami Herald. "When he speaks, he gets in your blood and gets your hairs up. You just want to go out there and battle for him."
"Coach has a different mentality," Cam Wake added. "Having fun. Enjoying playing the game. And guys bringing that energy to the playing field. That's what we did."
The Dolphins flipped from a passive personality at the helm to one that froths fervor.
"I've changed the system and the model of what we've been doing, and (the players) were willing to hope," Campbell said. "They felt it was a change in the right direction and they bought in for the week.
"They practiced hard. Now when you come out and play the way they played today, it reinforces that. And now they know moving forward it works. And now they're going to trust me a little bit more. Pretty soon, whatever you say, they believe in."
Credit Campbell for spinning the culture in Miami and installing a staff that will put players in the best position to make plays -- especially on defense.
It's easy to praise a new coach after a win. We'll see if Campbell's character can help keep the ship afloat when adversity eventually strikes.
