Dolphins' Ross cannot have it both ways

Folks, we cannot have things both ways.

That is the lesson to be learned today because in Friday's Miami Herald, Adam Beasley is reporting Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross "has shown no indication that he has any interest in making a coaching change."

And this report, quoting a source, may calm the waters at the team's headquarters because it gives current coach Joe Philbin cover. And it shows that Ross, who in 2011 tried to hire Harbaugh even while he had a coach still in place, isn't doing the same thing through back channels at this stage -- covering the all important no tampering shoulder shrug.

So nothing is happening at this time, according to this source. All is calm. All is bright. Round yon virgin.

All this non-activity and non-interest and non-discussions of change with anyone could mean Ross is a gangsta mastermind, who owns the greatest poker face on Earth and doesn't tell his underlings anything.

Or it could mean Ross is the most slow-reacting, out-of-touch owner in the NFL.

I pick option one.

Honestly, am I seriously supposed to believe that as the Dolphins hit another benchmark of mediocrity last week at 7-7, with a coach who is 22-24 since 2012 ... in the midst of a December that has seen the offense score three touchdowns in 33 possessions while the once-proud defense is giving up an average of 27.3 points per game, including 69 points the past two weeks ... when the Dolphins lost consecutive big games ... the owner gave not one thought to the idea of making a coaching change?

He's just sitting there, showing, as the story says, "no interest in making ... a change," from Philbin to Jim Harbaugh?

Really?

Please tell me the Dolphins are using some media to make sure Harbaugh buys the point the team doesn't want to overpay for him. Please tell me the story is missing nuance.

Because if it is totally on the mark, then the man who owns the Dolphins is currently committing ownership malpractice sitting around thinking about, well, nothing.

Talking to no one.

Just helplessly observing as his team has regressed in recent weeks.

No. I choose to believe Ross is a brilliant man. I know he thinks outside the box. He values bold ideas. I believe he understands better than most his team is not performing to potential. I believe his eyes are wide open and he sees everything every disappointed fan sees and more, because he has the benefit of insight based on inside knowledge that most do not have.

Please, somebody tell me that is the truth.

Please tell me Ross is indeed considering every possibility for fixing his team including a coaching change, that he is leaving no stone unturned including Harbaugh, that he has made it clear 7-7 is not acceptable (because in Year 3 of a coach tenure it is not), and that he's thinking about this today and around the clock every day.

Because if Ross at this time really isn't considering anything, or anyone, or anything about anyone, this franchise is in trouble. Paralyzed.

So which one is it? Because you can't have it both ways.