Stephen Ross just met with the media for about 25 minutes. The gathering was meant to have the team owner give you his opinion on the state of the Dolphins.
"I feel we're on the right track," Ross said. "We're moving in the right direction. I feel good about it, really, more so today than I have in the past."
Chief among the people Ross is most pleased with is rookie coach Joe Philbin.
"I was really impressed with coach Philbin," he said. "I think we can safely say, I heard it from so many people, and more importantly I feel it, we have a really solid head coach here -- a guy that I think will be here a long time and a guy I hope will bring us those victories everyone wants."
Ross has obviously bought in on Philbin. He said later, "we have our coach," but on the subject of quarterback Ryan Tannehill he's more discerning. He said in the same breath, "I think we have our quarterback."
"The good outweighed a lot of the bad here," he said. "We have a coach that will be here and we have the makings of a quarterback that will be here a long time that has a lot of great potential. When you look at it from that standpoint, there's a lot to be positive. Certainly, I look at it from that standpoint today."
I asked Ross if he could tell fans, you, that after four losing seasons the Dolphins will do everything they can to win in 2013, starting with an aggressive offseason.
"First of all when I bought the team and I told everybody, all the resources we have, that I have, I want to build a winning team. That goes first," Ross said. "I think Jeff and the whole organization knows that. This isn't one of those organizations that just slaps it together to keep it together just for the sake of doing that. I'm willing to spend whatever it takes to build it. I think sometimes people look at spending as a way of winning. In business, it isn't money that solves problems, it's brains that solve problems. But certainly all my resources are there. If the right players are there, I don't care what it costs, we'll go after them."
I like that. But later Ross said he believes in building through the draft and then kind of dumped on free agency.
"As the coach stated, you want to build through the draft. You certainly want to see what's out there in free agency and you want to get the right player that will fit in the locker room and will bring the right kind of ingredients and is still hungry and isn't signing for the big contract. Free agency certainly isn't the answer. We've all seen that. You can talk more about the failures of free agency more than you can about the successes. And everybody gets all excited when you sign a player, my God we're going to win, but I can't think of a player you can say that really happened with. You know your players better than anybody else. And you know who you want to sign and keep as part of that. And often times there's a reason a guy is out there as a free agent."
Hmm. I can think of free agents that have helped. Drew Brees in New Orleans, Peyton Manning in Denver, Michael Turner in Atlanta, Reggie White and Charles Woodson in Green Bay, Plaxico Burress with the Giants, Wes Welker with New England. Jonathan Joseph in Houston.
Just off the top of my head.
Look, I believe in building through the draft. But I also think the Dolphins have been terrible at using free agency the past two offseasons. They've gotten basically no help. And that's not good.
General manager Jeff Ireland attended the gathering and frankly, several reporters seemed to not want to ask the question you want asked: Why is Ireland the GM? So there was this question about how certain Ross feels about those atop his organization?
"How in life are you ever certain?" he answered. "You take it one day, you look at it, and you deal with the people. Our people are pretty level, consistent people.That's one thing you can say about our organizaton. I believe they have the talent to deliver day in and day out. But this is a business that's measured like no other business in the world. It's measured in wins and losses. But you want to see the direction we're going and how it's moving. And it's important to have not a volatile situation. And I think the type of people we have are not volatile type people."
Well, enough beating around the bush. I asked Ross to explain to fans why Jeff Ireland is the GM. Ross knew the question was coming. Ireland knew it was coming. Nothing personal.
"I think his football intelligence, his knowlege, his hard work," Ross said. "I think he has the respect of his peers. He's one of the youngest general managers around. I like dealing with youth and enthusiasm. I think he has the knowlege, the desire and is smart and he's committed. And he laid out a plan. We do have a young team. And if we're right on plan, we're going to be there a long time."
Ross confirmed the Dolphins will have a new logo for the 2013 season. He also confirmed what I reported Saturday, which is the logo will be unveiled in April. More news: The new logo is not the one that was leaked a few weeks ago. That is an early-generation version that has since evolved.
"We're looking at it, finalizing it," Ross said. "It's time for an update."
I asked Ross what the plan is for 2013?
"Win."
Great, but I asked how that is different from last year or the year before. I mean, wasn't winning the plan last year?
"This is really the first time I've really gotten involved. I was handed a situation that, one, I was kind of painted to the wall. If Parcells left that was my fault. If Miami loss that was my fault. And I have a lot of respect for Bill. But I didn't put together that organization. I also felt I should learn a little bit before making any moves. Sometimes making a move for the sake of making a move is sometimes the worst move you can make. So want to sit back and really assess the situation, which I was able to do. So it was good from that standpoint."
I don't know what that means.
After THAT tackle, it's clear...........T'eo will fit right in w/Fins.
Posted by: Irish Don't Belong | January 07, 2013 at 09:51 PM
Thats it, after Teo last missed tackle Im dropping him down to undrafted rookie free agent. Happy trolls? LOL....
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 07, 2013 at 09:51 PM
TE'0
One half gone - zero plays made. He is not a #12 pick. Wait and see.
Posted by: Toto | January 07, 2013 at 09:51 PM
YG is 100% complete Teo is def dropping after this game. Miss tackle after miss tackle.
Posted by: Clue | January 07, 2013 at 09:52 PM
ALOCO,
TEO THE UNDRAFTED ROOKIE FREE AGENT. DO YOU AGREE? LOL...
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 07, 2013 at 09:54 PM
Honestly with our second rounder I think we should take Yeldon or Lacy. I prefer Yeldon since he's a little faster.
Posted by: Clue | January 07, 2013 at 09:54 PM
ALOCO,
WHERE IS DASHI? HE WROTE MORE LOVE LETTERS TO TEO THAN EVEN ME. LOL...
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 07, 2013 at 09:55 PM
RG3 HAS A LARGE TEARS OF ACL,LCL............OUT FOR GOOD NEXT YEAR,HEADING FOR MORE TESTS...
Posted by: ALoco | January 07, 2013 at 09:56 PM
Where's Teo???
YG, you about ready to drop your vote for taking Teo at 12?
Please tell us who your next sure pick will be now.
Posted by: Toto | January 07, 2013 at 09:56 PM
Orlando D,
So far the Irish look like a team happy to have actually made it to the Title game while the Tide is playing like a team that expects to be there and win. In my estimation the guy whose stock is dropping hard in terms of the NFL is H.C. Brian Kelly because the entire Notre Dame team seems ill prepared for this game. At this point I'de bet Irish fans wish the only problem on the field was Te'o but it seems like the entire team is completely out of whack.
On O they can't execute although Eiffert is showing he belongs and at 6'6" can really get up after a pass. I know his 4.74/40 has turned some off but he has great hands and can play. The comparison to Fasano that some make to me is just stupid. Then the Irish D which was the teams real strength have seemingly forgotten to tackle. Looking at the overall performance out of the team the H.C. is falling off alot of NFL radars. There goes another TD by Bama at this pace this game will end 56-0 and you think the NFL will lay it on Te'o's feet?
Posted by: fin4life | January 07, 2013 at 09:57 PM
S H I T! THIS IS UNFAIR, SABAN COULD HAVE STILL WON HANDIDLY TONIGHT STARTING THE B-TEAM. LOL...
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 07, 2013 at 09:57 PM
Teo is a got damn joke! He isn't even trying to motivate his defense or wing a leader. He's already going up.
Posted by: Clue | January 07, 2013 at 10:00 PM
YG........
DASHI IS NOT YOU,HE DISAPPEAR AT FIRST HINT OF FEELING HE MADE A MISTAKE ,
AS YOU KNOW HE WROTE LOVE LETTERS TO TEO THAN TEO'S MOM ....
DASHI IS VERY VERY SELF CENTERED BLOGGER,NOT YO YG .....
RG3,,,,IS OUT NEXT YEAR..
Posted by: ALoco | January 07, 2013 at 10:00 PM
TOTO,
MY NEXT SURE PICK WILL BE EXLAX 2DAY'OLE COLLARD. THATS A GUY THAT ALWAYS PERFORMS! LOL...
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 07, 2013 at 10:00 PM
*being *giving
Posted by: Clue | January 07, 2013 at 10:01 PM
I'm pretty sure Bama would destroy the Fins.
Posted by: Gregg in Hollywood | January 07, 2013 at 10:01 PM
ALOCO,
I KNOW YOU WILL LET DASHI HAVE IT NEXT TIME HE APPEARS IN THE BLOG. LOL...
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 07, 2013 at 10:02 PM
Teo stinks bad. Out of the 1st rd after this poor showing.
Posted by: Gregg in Hollywood | January 07, 2013 at 10:03 PM
I know that this will never happen but this would be a good draft for the fins:
1. Chance Warmack G
2A. CJ Mosley LB
2B. Eddie Lacey RB
3A. Jesse Williams DT
3B. Robert Lester S
4. Williams TE
I know no receiver but that would probably be a pretty good draft. I know it won't happen but talk about a big time draft. A lot of can't miss players if you take Bama kids.
Posted by: Orlando Dolphan | January 07, 2013 at 10:03 PM
TEO KEEPS THIS UP AND HE'LL BE AN UNDRAFTED ROOKIE FA BY GAME'S END. THAT IM SERIOUS ABOUT!
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 07, 2013 at 10:04 PM
You can all say what you will but so far the guy whose NFL stock just took a dive is H.C. Brian Kelly because that was one of the worst 1st half's I've ever seen in a BCS Nat'l Champ game. It's down right embarrassing how unprepared the Irish look on all fazes and alot of it is Coaching on the flip side Saban went into a Title game a few Yrs. ago Vs. a superior Texas team and shocked the lone star States team out of the Stadium.
Posted by: fin4life | January 07, 2013 at 10:05 PM
Orlando,
Calm down with the all Bama draft bs. These are pros playing against college players. In the nfl they'll play against other pro players too.
The KC Chiefs would be Bama at least 8 out of 10 times. Get a hold of yourself man. LOL...
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 07, 2013 at 10:06 PM
I don't think that Bama can beat the fins but I think they can beat some NFL teams. The Chiefs would not move the football against Bama, that is for sure.
Posted by: Orlando Dolphan | January 07, 2013 at 10:06 PM
YG wanted to sell the farm for RG3. A QB who gives you one season and then goes on injured reserve.
Is that smart?
Washington is looking really stupid for paying that price for a guy built like a high school badminton player.
Posted by: Toto | January 07, 2013 at 10:06 PM
RG3 HEADING FOR EXPLORATORY SURGERY .......
LIFE
IS
SHORT.............
THAT MEANS, NEXT YEAR NO RG3,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Posted by: ALoco | January 07, 2013 at 10:09 PM
Good point fin4life. The stock for the ND coach has gone down.
Posted by: Orlando Dolphan | January 07, 2013 at 10:09 PM
The Dolphins would beat Bama 8 out of 10 times. Devon Bess would look like a top 5 pick if he were sent back to college right now.
Dont let the green grass fool you Orlando.
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 07, 2013 at 10:09 PM
YG is a moron. Didnt he want Teo also? haha
Posted by: Jeff | January 07, 2013 at 10:09 PM
Guess what? I got a fever! And the only prescription.. is more Jeff Ireland!
Posted by: Ireland's Republican Army | January 07, 2013 at 10:10 PM
TOTO,
YOU R GOING TOO FAR,RG3 IS ONE OF THE BEST.......
Posted by: ALoco | January 07, 2013 at 10:10 PM
Can Johnny Football make a cameo in 2d half, please, for The Frightened Irish. This game is an utter drag.
Posted by: Irish Don't Belong | January 07, 2013 at 10:10 PM
Greeg no college team can beat a pro teams lets be serious.. Some of you lose all credibility when you say a college team can beat a pro team. No way no how!
Posted by: Clue | January 07, 2013 at 10:11 PM
I know that I am exagerating about Bama beating NFL teams but they can probably play with some of the lowly teams like the Chiefs and maybe the Jaguars. They have a lot of ready NFL players in Bama. Warmack, Barret Jones, Flucker, Jesse Williams, Lacey, and Milliner can start right now in the NFL.
Posted by: Orlando Dolphan | January 07, 2013 at 10:12 PM
IF TEO WOULD JUST TOUCH THE FOOTBALL ONCE TONIGHT,DASHI WOULD RUN NACKED IN THE STREET.
FIN4LIFE........ THE DOLPHINS MADE A PROFIT THIS YEAR AROUND 60 MILLION ,,,,
Posted by: ALoco | January 07, 2013 at 10:14 PM
Can Fins compete with "lowly teams" (e.g. Titans, Bills)???
That's my concern, not some juvenile college v pros argument.
EVERY coach, college & pro & w/o dissent, says No.1 college beating Pro Team is a silly notion.
Posted by: Irish Don't Belong | January 07, 2013 at 10:14 PM
Ross praised the teams direction?? LMAO! HOW PATHETIC IS THAT? YIKES! The worst owner in sports?
Posted by: Ross is Clueless | January 07, 2013 at 10:14 PM
Posted by: Toto | January 07, 2013 at 10:06 PM
ALOCO,
READ THIS:
An MRI on the Washington Redskins' rookie quarterback revealed he has partial tears to the anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments in his right knee, team sources told NFL.com's Jeff Darlington on Monday. However, it is not known if the damage seen in the results is old or new, the sources said.
Griffin's test results remain open for interpretation, and Andrews should provide a final answer Tuesday. It's too early to jump to conclusions.
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 07, 2013 at 10:15 PM
The guy who must really feel like a moron is Urban Meyer who predicted the Irish would win a close one to which Desmond Howard nearly fell out of his chair laughing. I thought Bama would win but felt Notre Dame would play better than this. I'd bet my bottom $ that Lurie and the Eagles are cancelling the hell out of that flight to interview the Irish H.C. what a joke that guy what were he and his staff doing all month hanging out on South Beach getting drunk or something.
Posted by: fin4life | January 07, 2013 at 10:15 PM
Orlando stop with the foolishness. Alabama can't beat any team in the NFL. The OL and DL of the NFL team would punish Bama. You must be a young fella. I do agree we should take Yeldon or a Lacy in the 2nd round. Dump Thomas he sucks. I prefer Yeldon he seems a lil more explosive.
Posted by: Clue | January 07, 2013 at 10:17 PM
4 consecutive losing seasons and Ross is happy?? WTF?? Fins are in such deep dodo! YIKES!
Posted by: Ross is Clueless | January 07, 2013 at 10:17 PM
YG........
THE SAME REPORT SAID ALSO,,, THEY HAD MRI 4 WEEKS AGO AND DIDN'T SHOW A THING..SO THAT WAS NEW INJURY ........
NO RG3 NEXT YEAR...................
LIKE BRADY,TAKE A YEAR OFF AND COME BACK BETTER....
Posted by: ALoco | January 07, 2013 at 10:18 PM
Wow Yeldon is only a freshman and he's 6 1 212. Where does Saban find these man child from??
Posted by: Clue | January 07, 2013 at 10:18 PM
Irish have Bama just where they want 'em...........Knute Rockne speeches are BK's forte.......Fired Up & Ready To Roll!!
First Irish play from scrimmage, per my sources.........."The Eiffert Tower," T'eo eligible as TE, razzle-dazzle flee flicker Golson [lateral]>Eiffert>Golson[from Eiffert via StAtute liberty move, hence the name]>[pass to] T'eo.
Posted by: Ron Powlus | January 07, 2013 at 10:19 PM
I think Bama would beat the Fins. They have more talent and a better coach.
Posted by: Gregg in Hollywood | January 07, 2013 at 10:19 PM
Luck loves To Throw while Getting Pulled Down!! Because He Throws Soft!!
Posted by: Dashi | January 06, 2013 at 09:09 PM
Posted by: Evidence of a clueless person | January 07, 2013 at 10:19 PM
Ross basically is doing everything he can to protect himself from having to promise anything from stupidy nominations of "Henne the Hero" to "Tannehill in the HOF" when talking about the outlook of 2013 and what he expects from this team....Ross has looked foolish too many times when he tries to state anything involved in any direction this team is going...him talking out of his @ss and hardly making any sense of what to expect in the offseason shouldnt amount to much surprise from most fans who have watched him as an owner over the last few years.....Just Sayin!!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | January 07, 2013 at 10:20 PM
YG,
Tell us again how Sparano would be the hottest coach in demand after leaving the fins?
Posted by: Toto | January 07, 2013 at 10:20 PM
Clue,
1 huge problem. Yeldon is a freshman. Even if a sophmore he aint coming out this year. The NFL wont allow it. Lacy's coming out, not Yeldon.
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 07, 2013 at 10:21 PM
I hope that Ireland is watching this game. If he would be reading this blog, I would say:
1. No T'eo please! He is over rated.
2. Keep an eye on the best player in this year's draft Chance Warmack. If he is available in the 1st round pull the trigger.
3. Eifert ND TE does not look too good in this game. I would not touch him with a 1st round pick.
4. If Lacey is available with the first pick in the 3rd round take him.
4. Lester, Milliner, Barret Jones, and Flucker all players to keep an eye on.
Posted by: Orlando Dolphan | January 07, 2013 at 10:21 PM
I'm starting to realize that Ross may be more pathetic then Ireland. WOW!
Posted by: Ross is Clueless | January 07, 2013 at 10:23 PM
think Bama would beat the Fins. They have more talent and a better coach.
Posted by: Gregg in Hollywood | January 07, 2013 at 10:19 PM
The same coward coach who bailed when things got tough for him in the NFL where he stated that he was here to stay and not leave for alabama???
Is that the same coach your talking about??
Its one thing to be a great coach in college, and as Nick Saban even stated before, a totally different animal coming to the NFL. Thanks, But no Thanks!!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | January 07, 2013 at 10:27 PM
FIN4LIFE........ THE DOLPHINS MADE A PROFIT THIS YEAR AROUND 60 MILLION ,,,,
ALoco | January 07, 2013 at 10:14 PM
Were did you read those figures? That is a real turn around from the 2 straight yrs. we lost an average of around 7 Million per and regardless unless Ross makes some bold moves how many Season tickets you think they will sell next Yr? 90% of your TV revenue by the CBA has to be invested in your CAP so turning a profit on ticket sales and merchandising is a must and in a City were your beginning to see alot more Heat Jerseys, caps ect.. It use to be unthinkable that another Pro team could knock King Dolphins off in merchandising ect.. in Miami but now it's happening.
Posted by: fin4life | January 07, 2013 at 10:27 PM
YG,,,
LET'S GIVE TOTO HIS DUES ...HE'S TELLING US A FEW MISSES BY YOU WITHOUT RESORTING TO USING INSULTS OR DISRESPECT ........
SPARANO ?????
Posted by: ALoco | January 07, 2013 at 10:28 PM
If Irescum were reading the blog I'd ask him if his momma's a hooka.
Posted by: Jeff | January 07, 2013 at 10:28 PM
FIN4LIFE...THAT'S IN THEIR TAXES FOR 2012 ...
Posted by: ALoco | January 07, 2013 at 10:30 PM
Lacy a beast
Posted by: Clue | January 07, 2013 at 10:30 PM
The value of the Dolphin franchise went down by 200 million.
Posted by: mike | January 07, 2013 at 10:31 PM
Lacey just solidified himself in the second round of the draft. He looks great.
I don't know that I have ever seen a better O-line in college football. How does Saban find these guys?
Posted by: Orlando Dolphan | January 07, 2013 at 10:31 PM
Ross IS more pathetic & clueless than Jeffy.............but you can't fire an owner, AND the owner CAN fire a GM if you have a pair.
Posted by: The Seer | January 07, 2013 at 10:31 PM
Posted by: ALoco | January 07, 2013 at 10:28 PM
ALOCO,
IT WAS A VERY EMOTIONAL MOMENT WHEN I MADE THAT POST. I PISSED IRELAND DIDNT GET FIRED TOO. I WAS WRITING LOVE LETTERS TO SPARANO HOPING HE WOULD SHOVE IT UP ROSS AND IRELAND'S A S S E S!
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 07, 2013 at 10:32 PM