Stephen Ross doesn't like the negative publicity (probably vitriolic stuff coming from Armando, Florio, Cole, Beasley, et al because their lifeline of information, has just left the building) but the immediate task is to find someone good who can work well with his leaders. Note that Ross is the 2nd wealthiest owner in the NFL (behind Bill Gates' Microsoft partner, Paul Allen at Seattle). Ross is the biggest real estate developer in New York City and it may surprise many on here, but he is used to getting what he wants. He paid $1.1 Billion for the team and is progressively learning how to be a good owner. But make no mistake, this is first and foremost a business and he is used to business success and he wants to achieve the on-field improvement badly in Miami.
My read is that he has a high level of trust in Dawn Aponte and he genuinely believes that Joe Philbin made some progress this season, (until the wheels fell off for the two final games), but Joe has deserved at least the opportunity for another year, particularly after the great way he handled the J-Mart/Incognito implosion and kept the team focused. Stephen Ross seems comfortable that Aponte control the negotiations with agents and she appears to excel in this capacity. Make no mistake, Aponte is a major player. She was recruited to Miami by Bill Parcells and has degrees in law, finance and accounting. She is a CPA and has a juris doctorate degree and is a member of the Bar in New York and don't be confused because she's female. To dismiss her as just the bean counter is wrong. She is a major player and she is tough. She also works well with Philbin.
The major thing missing is an improvement in the player evaluation component of the equation. Ireland was better than some previous GMs but still had the inclination to blow huge money on big busts (Philip Wheeler, $26M - $13M guaranteed, cough) and yet for all of the Offensive line players bought, poor results on the field continued. In contrast, frugal teams like Cincinatti have steadily improved their roster without a litany of 2nd round draft busts and big $ investments by being better player evaluators.
OK a list of the best GM prospects has been prepared and they will be interviewed. All we need is for a good candidate to emerge who can work effectively with Philbin and Aponte. Where some GMs have control of the purse strings, Miami has Aponte and she excels in this capacity. Basically all of the candidates named to date, are seeking a promotion. Their expertise is in player evaluation. Effectively, they are seeking the opportunity to take a step up the ladder, and that's all we need. Let's just find the best who can work well with Joe and Dawn.
As for the hammering in the media, I doubt that this is foremost in Ross' mind. He just wants to get the right person in the GM role and strengthen the player evaluation part of the equation. I see three possible organization structure scenarios.
(a) Aponte, Philbin and GM at same level reporting directly to Ross
(b) Appointment of a Dolphin Football Czar, with GM, Aponte and Philbin reporting to the Czar, who reports to Ross. Because so much of Ross' time is spent doing business in New York he wants somebody based in Miami who understands football to be his eyes and ears in the Davie building.
(c) Dawn Aponte becomes effectively the Czarina and maintains control of the purse strings and is Ross' eyes and ears, with Philbin and the GM reporting to her.
