MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins were ready to deal veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell to the Baltimore Ravens ahead of the Nov. 5 trade deadline until Mike McDaniel stepped in.
“I may or may not have thrown an adult temper tantrum,” Miami's coach said, confirming the news first reported by NFL Network Sunday morning.
The Dolphins were 2-6 and had lost three straight at that point. They'd played four uninspired games without their starting quarterback, going 1-3 after Tua Tagovailoa went on injured reserve on Sept. 17 with a concussion.
Campbell would have had a chance to rejoin the contending Ravens, and Miami would have received a 2026 fifth-round pick in return, NFL Network reported.
McDaniel argued that Campbell was too valuable to lose.
“I was happy that they brought me into the conversations," Campbell said after Miami's 34-15 win over the New England Patriots. “They didn't have to say anything to me at all. We had a really good conversation about what we think about this team, where we are. We felt like we had a good shot to get back into the fight.”
Added McDaniel: “I think it wasn’t like it was (GM) Chris (Grier) versus me. ... That’s the tricky thing about Chris’ job is he has to look long-term and short-term at the same time, what’s the best for the organization.”
Campbell, a 17-year veteran, signed with the Dolphins after playing for Atlanta last season. Players and coaches have praised the 38-year-old's contributions on the field and in the locker room.
“There’s no one’s game I’ve come to respect more than Calais up front on the D-line,” defensive tackle Zach Sieler said, “being with him this year and just the energy, the attitude and the mindset he brings every week. It can’t be matched, and that’s the reason why he is who he is today and doing what he’s doing at 17 years.”
Campbell leads the team with four sacks. With back-to-back sacks in Weeks 10 and 11, he became the eighth player 38 or older to record sacks in consecutive games since the 1970 merger. He also has nine tackles for loss, giving him at least five tackles for loss in 15 of his 17 seasons.
He played for Baltimore from 2020-2022, totaling 11 sacks and 113 tackles.
“I think he means a great deal to not only the defensive line room, but the entire defense as well as the entire team,” McDaniel said earlier this week. “It’s rare for a guy to get here when he did, and then be voted, with such conviction, captain. I think the way that he operates to be a pro, I think has had a substantial impact on a lot of players that hadn’t been fortunate enough to be around someone with sustained success like he’s had.”
The Dolphins have won three straight games since the deadline. Miami's defense held the Patriots scoreless until the fourth quarter on Sunday.
Campbell broke down the team's pregame huddle as he has done before most games this season. He was also seen coaching up rookie linebacker Chop Robinson, who is always seeking pointers from the six-time Pro Bowler.
“My job is to speak on behalf of what’s the best thing for the 2024 Dolphins,” McDaniel said. “I’m just fortunate to work in an organization where myself and the GM can be transparent and work together.
“And he didn’t want to see any more adult temper tantrums.”
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Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel gestures during a news conference following an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Calais Campbell celebrates a sack during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — The ball bounced through KaVonte Turpin's legs and stopped at the 1-yard line. He picked it up, made a spin move and was off to the races.
Turpin's 99-yard kickoff return touchdown was the highlight of the Dallas Cowboys' 34-26 win at Washington on Sunday that ended their losing streak at five. That came with just under three minutes left, and then Juanyeh Thomas returned an onside kick for a TD to provide a little happiness in the middle of a lost season.
"Feels good to win," coach Mike McCarthy said. “It’s been a minute.”
Chauncey Golston ripping the ball out of Brian Robinson Jr.'s hands for what counted as an interception of Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and Donovan Wilson forcing a fumble of John Bates earlier in the game helped put the Cowboys in position to make it a game, as did the play of Cooper Rush.
Turpin's monster return after initially muffing the retrieval had everyone buzzing.
"He did that for timing," McCarthy said. “That was part of the plan. He’s a special young man. Obviously a huge play for us.”
Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves, the All-Pro special teams selection two seasons ago, was the first one down the field and blamed himself for not tackling Turpin when he had the chance.
“I’ve made that play 100 times,” Reaves said. “I didn’t make it today, and it cost us the game.”
Turpin's spin move will likely be replayed over and over — and not stopped by many. Receiver CeeDee Lamb called it “his escape move” because Turpin has been showing it off in practice.
“I know I can just get them going one way and then spin back the other way,” Turpin said. "That’s just one of my moves when I’m in trouble and I've got nowhere to go: something nobody ever seen before.”
In a wacky finish that McCarthy likened to a game of Yahtzee, Thomas' return was almost as unexpected. It came with 14 seconds left after Washington kicker Austin Seibert missed the extra point following Daniels' 86-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin to leave Dallas up 27-26.
“I kind of waited a second and I was like: ‘Should I try? Should I try?’” Thomas said. “I said, ‘I think I’m gonna score the ball,’ so just ran and I scored.”
The Cowboys' playoff odds are still incredibly long at 4-7, but with the New York Giants coming to town next for the traditional Thanksgiving Day game at Dallas, players are willing to dream after winning for the first time since Oct. 6.
“Lot of games left,” said Rush, who threw two TD passes. “Pretty insane. ... I think both sides of the ball and special teams picked each other up all game. I think it was a full team effort. Finally picking each other up like we’re supposed to.”
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Dallas Cowboys tight end Luke Schoonmaker (86) celebrates after scoring a 22-yard touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Luke Schoonmaker (86), center, celebrates after scoring a 22-yard touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Dallas Cowboys safety Juanyeh Thomas (30) celebrates after scoring a 43-yard touchdown off a kickoff return during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Dallas Cowboys safety Juanyeh Thomas (30) celebrates after scoring a 43-yard touchdown off a kickoff return during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver KaVontae Turpin (9) celebrates with teammates after scoring a 99-yard touchdown off a kickoff return during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
