GM_Davenport
Active Roster
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2011
- Messages
- 87
- Reaction score
- 19
It should be understood that the following views are a culmination of my interactions at the Senior Bowl and elsewhere, and do not reflect the opinions of any one person in particular. If you are looking for "proof" in the form of a tweet or media report, it would probably be in your best interest to discontinue reading. You should also know that while interacting online I use an alias for obvious reasons, so citing me would likely serve no benefit.
For those that do not know, I am currently working for the NFL Scouting Combine (currently my 3rd year) and after May 1 I will be a full time employee of an AFC North team. Part of the job description of an NFL employee, or really any high-profile job, is intense media scrutiny. Thick skin is a prerequisite for survival in this league. With that said, the amount of irresponsible reporting I have witnessed over the past several weeks, specifically relative to the Dolphins, is jaw dropping. I grew up in south Florida as a Dolphins fan, and I care about the franchise despite the fact I will be directly competing against them in the coming seasons. So I am here to clear the air on several issues, in no particular order.
1) Steve Ross
I've seen several instances where Ross has been painted as a complete buffoon by the way certain interactions have been distorted by the media. I can assure you that he is an extremely intelligent man, and perhaps his greatest fault is that he is at times blinded by unending loyalty to his employees. I know for fact that he will always exhaust all options before removing someone from their position and the general consensus among Dolphins' employees is that they enjoy working for him. I think fans and media sometimes severely underestimate how much NFL employees value job security. We're often viewed as nomads without families that will move on a whim. I promise that NFL scouts, coaches, players, etc. hate moving as much as anyone else. Not only that, but losing your job in the NFL in many aspects is a career death sentence. The analogy many insiders use is that the league is a ladder in lava; you climb as high as you can go, but when you fall it's over.
Is Ross involved in other business endeavors? Yes. Do they take away from his time with the Dolphins? Maybe, but his philosophy in business has never been to be overly hands on anyway. He lets his people do their job and most respect him for it. Now, does he have learning to do about how to run an NFL organization? No question -- but that's also why he has made every effort to surround himself without people that know the industry. He routinely makes calls to retired coaches, executives, owners, etc. to analyze how he can make his organization better.
His first half decade+ of being an NFL owner has been a PR disaster. With that said, though, he's not selling the team any time soon (he has rejected several overtures to even discuss it), and to be honest I don't know how much more anyone could want out of an owner. He doesn't particularly care about making a profit, and he lets his football people make football decisions -- isn't that the ideal circumstance for Dolphins' employees and fans?
2) "No One Wants to Work for The Dolphins"
The dross I have read in the national and local media outlets in the past several weeks relative to how the Dolphins are viewed among external NFL employees is truly astounding. Let me recap my experience in the immediate hours after Ireland was let go: Almost every high ranking non-GM across the NFL was as giddy as a kid in a candy store. Not because they hated Ireland (which is one tidbit that the media reported accurately), but because a dream job for many was now vacant. It wasn't until after the media began reporting fallacies about the power structure within the Dolphins' organization that people began to question the position. On that note, let me make one thing clear that I think many outsiders forget: NFL employees read media outlets just like everyone else. There are a few events per year where most NFL employees are in one location and talk (Senior Bowl, Combine, etc.), but there isn't a secret NFL forum where everyone discusses the nuances of every organization. They read on ProFootballTalk or ESPN that an organization is dysfunctional and unless they know otherwise they'll generally take the story at face value.
So, to continue with my experience. The media began reporting dysfunction, internal leveraging, chaotic power structures, and then candidates began to hesitate -- despite the fact that the vast majority of what is being reported is inaccurate. I personally know of over a dozen high ranking scouts that requested permission from their own organizations to contact the Dolphins about the position, but I suppose that didn't quite fit the media's agenda.
On that note, let's talk about Ray Farmer. The report of Farmer removing his name as a candidate ignited the latest "sky is falling" media response, but here's what I know about the situation. Ray Farmer was not fond of the Dolphins' roster because he sees talent, but not a team built in the style of football he likes (understandable). He wanted the ability to hit the reset button and build a team the way he likes (also understandable). The Dolphins liked Farmer, and they liked his vision for a football team, but they did not believe it was necessary to blow up a talented roster for the sake of creating a new genre of football (again, not unreasonable). Farmer did not feel like the Dolphins system of checks and balances (more on that later) would allow him to build his brand of football as soon as he wanted, given that no one within the Dolphins' organization wanted a reset (especially a coaching staff that is on a 1-year lease), so he withdrew his name. Ultimately it came down to a philosophical difference, not a candidate scared by organizational incompetence, as has been suggested.
3) The Power Structure
So much has been made of the reported power structure and confusion of who reports to who within the Dolphins' organization. As I understand it, it is actually quite simple and none of the interviewed candidates have relayed any qualms about the structure to their associates. Ross oversees the Dolphins with a team of advisers. Dawn Aponte is responsible for making contracts work, and ultimately no player gets signed without going through her. Joe Philbin is responsible for relaying the type of player he wants, and likes to be involved in the selection process, but ultimately has no official responsibility over player selection. The GM position is designed to have complete autonomy over player selection. However, there is a small caveat. If the GM selects a player, and Aponte disagrees with the financials, the dispute goes to Ross and he resolves the dispute with his advisers. Likewise, if Philbin disagrees with a player being brought in (or released), the dispute goes to Ross and his advisers.
The power structure is designed as a system of checks and balances. It is intended to promote teamwork and a football operation that works cohesively. It may sound complicated at first glance, but it is not much different than what is currently in place with many upper echelon franchises. Rarely does a GM have complete autonomy over all aspects of a football operation and it is common for an owner to settle disputes between the coaching staff and personnel department.
4) Internal Dysfunction
One Dolphins' scout put it to me this way, "If there's dysfunction, it must be among the janitorial staff because I haven't seen it." Almost everyone I talk to agrees that things were uncomfortable with Jeff Ireland towards the end. He was often so frustrated with the coaching staff (understandably) that he would "pout" for days at a time and not talk to anybody (not acceptable). Concerning the "Philbin/Aponte alliance" though, I'm told it didn't really exist. It was more Ireland being an introvert and ignoring people than it was anyone ganging up on Ireland. Philbin also wanted a long term vision for the team, while Ireland preferred to build the team "day-to-day" in order to "not miss opportunities" -- which likely explains why the Dolphins were often talented but built rather haphazardly with little cohesion. It was a mutual parting that needed to happen if the Dolphins were to have any opportunity for success.
With that said, everyone internally dismisses the notion that there is currently dysfunction. In fact, Brian Gaine has been working diligently as the interim GM, communicating with not only his scouts but involving the coaches (including Philbin) in his process. No one I've spoken with is familiar with the thought process behind those involved with the GM search, but Gaine's associates do not believe him to be inferior to any of the available candidates and generally feel he deserves to be promoted. One theory behind why the GM search is taking so long is because the team has noticed how smoothly Gaine has been operating the personnel department and have been using the past several weeks as a running interview -- that is opinion, though, not fact.
For what it's worth, I've spoken to Gaine several times in past years and he has always carried himself well; I think he would be a good candidate for the job.
Why share all of this?
Take this information for what it's worth, which for many of you may be nothing. My intention is not to paint the Dolphins as a flawless organization without problems (there are plenty), but to give an accurate portrayal of what is happening based on what I have seen and heard. The "pile on" game that the media plays is unnecessary and often irresponsible, and with enough people echoing another person's speculation it distorts perception unfairly. The Dolphins may not be the model franchise in sports anymore, but they are far from the apocalypse that has been portrayed in recent weeks.
Edit: See post 105 in this thread for updated clarification on the power structure.
For those that do not know, I am currently working for the NFL Scouting Combine (currently my 3rd year) and after May 1 I will be a full time employee of an AFC North team. Part of the job description of an NFL employee, or really any high-profile job, is intense media scrutiny. Thick skin is a prerequisite for survival in this league. With that said, the amount of irresponsible reporting I have witnessed over the past several weeks, specifically relative to the Dolphins, is jaw dropping. I grew up in south Florida as a Dolphins fan, and I care about the franchise despite the fact I will be directly competing against them in the coming seasons. So I am here to clear the air on several issues, in no particular order.
1) Steve Ross
I've seen several instances where Ross has been painted as a complete buffoon by the way certain interactions have been distorted by the media. I can assure you that he is an extremely intelligent man, and perhaps his greatest fault is that he is at times blinded by unending loyalty to his employees. I know for fact that he will always exhaust all options before removing someone from their position and the general consensus among Dolphins' employees is that they enjoy working for him. I think fans and media sometimes severely underestimate how much NFL employees value job security. We're often viewed as nomads without families that will move on a whim. I promise that NFL scouts, coaches, players, etc. hate moving as much as anyone else. Not only that, but losing your job in the NFL in many aspects is a career death sentence. The analogy many insiders use is that the league is a ladder in lava; you climb as high as you can go, but when you fall it's over.
Is Ross involved in other business endeavors? Yes. Do they take away from his time with the Dolphins? Maybe, but his philosophy in business has never been to be overly hands on anyway. He lets his people do their job and most respect him for it. Now, does he have learning to do about how to run an NFL organization? No question -- but that's also why he has made every effort to surround himself without people that know the industry. He routinely makes calls to retired coaches, executives, owners, etc. to analyze how he can make his organization better.
His first half decade+ of being an NFL owner has been a PR disaster. With that said, though, he's not selling the team any time soon (he has rejected several overtures to even discuss it), and to be honest I don't know how much more anyone could want out of an owner. He doesn't particularly care about making a profit, and he lets his football people make football decisions -- isn't that the ideal circumstance for Dolphins' employees and fans?
2) "No One Wants to Work for The Dolphins"
The dross I have read in the national and local media outlets in the past several weeks relative to how the Dolphins are viewed among external NFL employees is truly astounding. Let me recap my experience in the immediate hours after Ireland was let go: Almost every high ranking non-GM across the NFL was as giddy as a kid in a candy store. Not because they hated Ireland (which is one tidbit that the media reported accurately), but because a dream job for many was now vacant. It wasn't until after the media began reporting fallacies about the power structure within the Dolphins' organization that people began to question the position. On that note, let me make one thing clear that I think many outsiders forget: NFL employees read media outlets just like everyone else. There are a few events per year where most NFL employees are in one location and talk (Senior Bowl, Combine, etc.), but there isn't a secret NFL forum where everyone discusses the nuances of every organization. They read on ProFootballTalk or ESPN that an organization is dysfunctional and unless they know otherwise they'll generally take the story at face value.
So, to continue with my experience. The media began reporting dysfunction, internal leveraging, chaotic power structures, and then candidates began to hesitate -- despite the fact that the vast majority of what is being reported is inaccurate. I personally know of over a dozen high ranking scouts that requested permission from their own organizations to contact the Dolphins about the position, but I suppose that didn't quite fit the media's agenda.
On that note, let's talk about Ray Farmer. The report of Farmer removing his name as a candidate ignited the latest "sky is falling" media response, but here's what I know about the situation. Ray Farmer was not fond of the Dolphins' roster because he sees talent, but not a team built in the style of football he likes (understandable). He wanted the ability to hit the reset button and build a team the way he likes (also understandable). The Dolphins liked Farmer, and they liked his vision for a football team, but they did not believe it was necessary to blow up a talented roster for the sake of creating a new genre of football (again, not unreasonable). Farmer did not feel like the Dolphins system of checks and balances (more on that later) would allow him to build his brand of football as soon as he wanted, given that no one within the Dolphins' organization wanted a reset (especially a coaching staff that is on a 1-year lease), so he withdrew his name. Ultimately it came down to a philosophical difference, not a candidate scared by organizational incompetence, as has been suggested.
3) The Power Structure
So much has been made of the reported power structure and confusion of who reports to who within the Dolphins' organization. As I understand it, it is actually quite simple and none of the interviewed candidates have relayed any qualms about the structure to their associates. Ross oversees the Dolphins with a team of advisers. Dawn Aponte is responsible for making contracts work, and ultimately no player gets signed without going through her. Joe Philbin is responsible for relaying the type of player he wants, and likes to be involved in the selection process, but ultimately has no official responsibility over player selection. The GM position is designed to have complete autonomy over player selection. However, there is a small caveat. If the GM selects a player, and Aponte disagrees with the financials, the dispute goes to Ross and he resolves the dispute with his advisers. Likewise, if Philbin disagrees with a player being brought in (or released), the dispute goes to Ross and his advisers.
The power structure is designed as a system of checks and balances. It is intended to promote teamwork and a football operation that works cohesively. It may sound complicated at first glance, but it is not much different than what is currently in place with many upper echelon franchises. Rarely does a GM have complete autonomy over all aspects of a football operation and it is common for an owner to settle disputes between the coaching staff and personnel department.
4) Internal Dysfunction
One Dolphins' scout put it to me this way, "If there's dysfunction, it must be among the janitorial staff because I haven't seen it." Almost everyone I talk to agrees that things were uncomfortable with Jeff Ireland towards the end. He was often so frustrated with the coaching staff (understandably) that he would "pout" for days at a time and not talk to anybody (not acceptable). Concerning the "Philbin/Aponte alliance" though, I'm told it didn't really exist. It was more Ireland being an introvert and ignoring people than it was anyone ganging up on Ireland. Philbin also wanted a long term vision for the team, while Ireland preferred to build the team "day-to-day" in order to "not miss opportunities" -- which likely explains why the Dolphins were often talented but built rather haphazardly with little cohesion. It was a mutual parting that needed to happen if the Dolphins were to have any opportunity for success.
With that said, everyone internally dismisses the notion that there is currently dysfunction. In fact, Brian Gaine has been working diligently as the interim GM, communicating with not only his scouts but involving the coaches (including Philbin) in his process. No one I've spoken with is familiar with the thought process behind those involved with the GM search, but Gaine's associates do not believe him to be inferior to any of the available candidates and generally feel he deserves to be promoted. One theory behind why the GM search is taking so long is because the team has noticed how smoothly Gaine has been operating the personnel department and have been using the past several weeks as a running interview -- that is opinion, though, not fact.
For what it's worth, I've spoken to Gaine several times in past years and he has always carried himself well; I think he would be a good candidate for the job.
Why share all of this?
Take this information for what it's worth, which for many of you may be nothing. My intention is not to paint the Dolphins as a flawless organization without problems (there are plenty), but to give an accurate portrayal of what is happening based on what I have seen and heard. The "pile on" game that the media plays is unnecessary and often irresponsible, and with enough people echoing another person's speculation it distorts perception unfairly. The Dolphins may not be the model franchise in sports anymore, but they are far from the apocalypse that has been portrayed in recent weeks.
Edit: See post 105 in this thread for updated clarification on the power structure.
Last edited by a moderator:
