he wasnt trying to sabotage the team. why would an owner do that to his own team? what it seems like he WAS doing (vetoing contract for orton etc) was setting the table for the future. he didnt get his guy in harbaugh, and he wasnt comfortable clearing the table just yet to bring in another coach. so it seems, he decided to let it ride headed into a lockout and see if the current staff could right the ship, and henne could emerge. but what he decided was to put the franchise in a position to move on the following year, if he felt that was the right course of action.
basically, either sparano proved the franchise was headed in the right direction, or ross would go find his first coaching hire after the year. if this is the case, as it seems to be, cant say it was a poor move either. and if we happen to get lucky, maybe well end up with a franchise QB for the first time in years.