Coach_Rob
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http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sport...ponds-to-profootballtalk-report-directly.htmlSay what you want about Steve Ross. He’s gullible. A bit goofy. He’s overly aggressive at times. He’s a little naive when it comes to the NFL.
Dolphins owner Steve Ross DOES NOT make football decisions.
He caves to fan pressure too often (just my take), but the one thing the Miami Dolphins owner doesn’t do is meddle in football decisions.
I cover the team. I talk to the people involved. I KNOW he doesn’t interfere. He might ask questions to better understand the process, but Ross DOES NOT meddle.
Ross has repeatedly told the Sun-Sentinel he’s not qualified to make football decisions, and has no interest in becoming the next Jerry Jones or Dan Snyder.
Ross’ focus is hiring the right people (insert your Jeff Ireland cheap shot here), give them the resources they need to be successful (he’s done that), and letting them do their job.
That’s why last night’s report by ProFootballTalk.com founder Mike Florio, which claimed that Ross is pushing for, if not demanding Miami select Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill, reeked of misinformation (which is common during draft week), and more importantly, character assassination.
That’s not Ross’ style, and the post fits into the pile on approach the national media has taken toward the Miami Dolphins lately.
While Ross has requested the Dolphins find a quarterback this offseason, sources say he hasn’t put ANY demands on coach Joe Philbin or General Manager Jeff Ireland.
Ross did not respond to the Sun-Sentinel on Monday, but he did go right to the source of the initial report, emailing Florio directly.
“So there’s no confusion, Jeff Ireland will make the call who we draft, with input from Coach Philbin and the football staff,” Ross wrote Florio. “They’re the ones who have spent months reviewing tape, scouting, and gathering information from every source available to them. They have kept me fully informed about their draft analysis, and they have my full support and backing, whoever they decide to pick. I know they will select the players they think can best help this football team win.”
Ross will be in the draft room like he has in past years, but it will be as a fly on the wall.
Unlike most fans and media members, Ross knows the team’s game plan going into the draft, and he’s able to assess and evaluate the outcome that way.
If you know Ireland’s history, “getting value” is an important aspect to his draft approach. Ireland drafts based on need, but usually takes the highest rated player at a position of need. He marries need with B.P.A.
Considering Tannehill’s not viewed as a top 10 prospect in the 2012 NFL draft it is possible the Dolphins won’t select him with pick No. 8. It is also unlikely that a team will move ahead of Miami to take Tannehill. That means Tannehill could take a Brady Quinn, Aaron Rodger type slide down the first-round.
That fear might be why Florio was feed some bad information on Sunday. I’ve always warned you not to believe ANYTHING you read during draft week because NFL people lie to players, agents and media members, and media member consistently get used during this process.
I’m being told by a well placed Dolphins source it is “a very distinct possibility” that Miami will select another position in the first round, and wait till day two to find a developmental quarterback.
If that’s the case, the Dolphins would likely be picking from Arizona State’s Brock Osweiler, Michigan State’s Kirk Cousins, and Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden.
I’m also told Miami has a VERY HIGH opinion of Osweiler, and believe his athleticism and quick release could make him a good west coast quarterback if given the proper coaching, which is something he didn’t receive at Arizona State.
Is this all a smokescreen? Possible. But I’ve always said Miami would be forcing a Tannehill selection based on Ireland’s B.P.A. approach. Ireland’s too stubborn to force anything.
Last week Ireland made it clear a quarterback won’t be forced on him, and waiting till day two is a smart approach from a risk-reward standpoint considering we’re talking about a quarterback who will likely sit for most, if not all of the 2012 season.
If that’s going to be the case, and there isn’t much difference in a draft grade between Tannehill and Osweiler, why not use your first round pick to land a prospect who can make an immediate impact?
G.G.G.
i think its awsome he emailed florio to put him in his place
