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We have seen this before...Steve Ross going "big game hunting" for the "face of the franchise" head coach or the "hot" GM candidate. However, I am unsettled as we head into the coming weeks of where this is going to lead. Ross no doubt cares about this franchise, but he has shown no ability to deliver when it is time to deliver. After thinking about some the issues and reading some articles from the local media and the "heads up" posters on this site, I am concerned about a few things.
* IF, Ross does make a run for Jim Harbaugh or a Tom Gamble and whiffs, how bad does that make the organization look..again? You cannot get a hit without swinging...I get that. However, Ross has never been able to get it done and if he fails again the Dolphins will have egg on their face once again. How long does the stain of failing again stay with the franchise?
* For Ross to land Harbaugh, it will take a major commitment. I do not care about the money because it is not mine and he deserves a big salary. I do not care at this point how much power he is willing to give a HC...it might be a good thing based on how Ross has currentlydivvied up power. However, what would Ross be willing in terms of picks to get Harbaugh to simply just to "land him"? Hopefully, Harbaugh understands he is setting his new team (whoever that is) up for failure if a ship load of picks go to the Niners. However, does Ross know that or more vitally care? I think Ross is willing to give away the store just to say he has a "face" leading the team. That is not going to lead to success either if the picks are early rounds and over a few year period.
* The compensation piece will be interesting. I have seen many packages floated about some I could live such as http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/12/17/harbaugh-to-raiders-makes-plenty-of-sense/.
However, if the Raiders, Jets and Dolphins and for that matter a surprise team like the Giants or Bears get involved it will only up the price for the coach. This venture could end up being more than we bargained for.
* If Ross swings and misses on a Harbaugh or Tom Gamble, what is the fallback option? There are some nice candidates, but I am worried Ross is going to stumble around trying to find the "home run" candidates and be left with finding midrange options. There is nothing wrong with these guys and maybe they will end up better than the most talked about ones. However, Ross seems to be setting the media and fans up for a huge move. If he fails with the big time move and ends up with middle of the road candidate, what will that do for the perception of the franchise? If Ross misses on a Harbaugh or Brian Kelly like type hire, but have no head coaching experience. Does a Dan Quinn "move the needle"? Does a retread coach like a Gary Kubiak do much? Maybe, but maybe not. Again, Ross is about to enter into the unknown and when in this universe has consistently failed.
* Is Ross going to make an organization that has the proper structure? Is Ross willing to put an FO and coaching staff together that has the same vision going into coming years or will he insist on cobbling together individuals that were part of past regimes.
* Finally, I have been the biggest critic of Joe Philbin for years. I have clearly stated he is not going to get this team to the next level and have been proven right. However, I have also said that a 9-7 would demonstrate progress. For argument's sake, what happens if the team plays hard and fundamentally sound for the next two weeks and win their next two games. Does Steve Ross really fire Philbin with a winning record? Does he make a move that ultimately puts Ryan Tannehill in another offensive system...his third in four years? Does firing a coach at 9-7 make the job less attractive because possible candidates will think the bar is too high. It is an easy decision to terminate Philbin if the team splits its games or gets swept. If the team "runs for the bus" or is sloppy...easy call, but what if the team steps up for their coach in the coming weeks? Not so sure...
That is where I get "queasy" about this...this is quite a roll of the dice between what it will cost to get the coach and if you don't the embarrassment of failing again. Ross means well, but he has consistently failed when entering the fray for a big time coach or GM. Here is hoping the team ends up in a positive direction in the end.
* IF, Ross does make a run for Jim Harbaugh or a Tom Gamble and whiffs, how bad does that make the organization look..again? You cannot get a hit without swinging...I get that. However, Ross has never been able to get it done and if he fails again the Dolphins will have egg on their face once again. How long does the stain of failing again stay with the franchise?
* For Ross to land Harbaugh, it will take a major commitment. I do not care about the money because it is not mine and he deserves a big salary. I do not care at this point how much power he is willing to give a HC...it might be a good thing based on how Ross has currentlydivvied up power. However, what would Ross be willing in terms of picks to get Harbaugh to simply just to "land him"? Hopefully, Harbaugh understands he is setting his new team (whoever that is) up for failure if a ship load of picks go to the Niners. However, does Ross know that or more vitally care? I think Ross is willing to give away the store just to say he has a "face" leading the team. That is not going to lead to success either if the picks are early rounds and over a few year period.
* The compensation piece will be interesting. I have seen many packages floated about some I could live such as http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/12/17/harbaugh-to-raiders-makes-plenty-of-sense/.
However, if the Raiders, Jets and Dolphins and for that matter a surprise team like the Giants or Bears get involved it will only up the price for the coach. This venture could end up being more than we bargained for.
* If Ross swings and misses on a Harbaugh or Tom Gamble, what is the fallback option? There are some nice candidates, but I am worried Ross is going to stumble around trying to find the "home run" candidates and be left with finding midrange options. There is nothing wrong with these guys and maybe they will end up better than the most talked about ones. However, Ross seems to be setting the media and fans up for a huge move. If he fails with the big time move and ends up with middle of the road candidate, what will that do for the perception of the franchise? If Ross misses on a Harbaugh or Brian Kelly like type hire, but have no head coaching experience. Does a Dan Quinn "move the needle"? Does a retread coach like a Gary Kubiak do much? Maybe, but maybe not. Again, Ross is about to enter into the unknown and when in this universe has consistently failed.
* Is Ross going to make an organization that has the proper structure? Is Ross willing to put an FO and coaching staff together that has the same vision going into coming years or will he insist on cobbling together individuals that were part of past regimes.
* Finally, I have been the biggest critic of Joe Philbin for years. I have clearly stated he is not going to get this team to the next level and have been proven right. However, I have also said that a 9-7 would demonstrate progress. For argument's sake, what happens if the team plays hard and fundamentally sound for the next two weeks and win their next two games. Does Steve Ross really fire Philbin with a winning record? Does he make a move that ultimately puts Ryan Tannehill in another offensive system...his third in four years? Does firing a coach at 9-7 make the job less attractive because possible candidates will think the bar is too high. It is an easy decision to terminate Philbin if the team splits its games or gets swept. If the team "runs for the bus" or is sloppy...easy call, but what if the team steps up for their coach in the coming weeks? Not so sure...
That is where I get "queasy" about this...this is quite a roll of the dice between what it will cost to get the coach and if you don't the embarrassment of failing again. Ross means well, but he has consistently failed when entering the fray for a big time coach or GM. Here is hoping the team ends up in a positive direction in the end.
