Steve Ross wants “a good product,” for Dolphins, not flashy offense

[CF DolFan]

Can we all agree that Ross isn't the most "mature" football fan? I like the fact he seems to be leveling off but I bet he sticks his foot in his mouth again before we play our first game.

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2011/05/steve-ross-wants-a-good-product-not-flashy-offense.html


By Omar Kelly
Sometimes things can get lost in translation. I know this for a fact because I’m usually doing the translating.
Miami Dolphins owner Steve Ross wants to build a consistent winner, a playoff bound team.
Miami Dolphins owner Steve Ross CLEARLY has that problem. Ross isn’t use to speaking publicly, and having every word dissected. So when he does this billionaire usually speaks out of turn, says too much, or doesn’t accurately communicate his desires, vision or goals.
It happens, no matter how hard he tries, which explains why Ross struggles with foot in mouth disease.
This disease becomes dangerous when people don’t allow Ross to clarify himself, or worse, when he does they ignore the corrected statements.
Plenty has been made about Ross’ 2010 claims that the Dolphins should be headed to the Super Bowl (at least he didn’t say they were going to win it), his belief that Chad Henne would be the next Dan Marino (he’s since backed off that type of praise for his fellow Michigan Wolverine).
And most importantly, the world can’t get over Ross’ spoken desires for Tony Sparano to turn his conservative, ball control offensive style into a high-octane passing attack (need a good quarterback for that to happen).
The local and national media, and Dolphins fans can’t and won’t let that last one go. But they should considering Ross has repeatedly explained that he wants the 2011 Dolphins to field a  ”good product,” a winning one, and not necessarily a flashy one.
When asked what his expectations for 2011 were earlier this year at the NFL owners meeting Ross simply said: “To be better than we were last year.”
Ross then added on that he definitely NEEDS the Dolphins to win more home games, redeeming themselves from last year’s embarrassing 1-7 home record.
“Last year you guys quoted me. I said something [Super Bowl bound baby!!!!]. I thought we’d be there. [In 2010] I had to read it all over the papers wherever I went,” Ross said. “This year I think we have a great nucleus, We’re looking to improve that.
“People haven’t seen anything because we can’t sign free agents and the draft hasn’t occurred [it has since],” Ross said back in March. “I think you’ll have a better idea, as I will, and even Jeff [Ireland], who we’ll be able to attract, and who we end up with.”
Ross then promised that the team will add competition for Henne, whom he stopped short of endorsing.
In his three years as an NFL owner Ross said he’s learning the process of building a winning franchise is “much more sophisticated” than he assumed.
“There’s so much more that goes into it than you’d expect,” said Ross, who admitted that he’s been amazed by his backstage view, and blow-by-blow recap of the post game breakdowns.
“During the game, a fan might say, ‘Hey a guy ran a wrong route.’ But there’s a lot more to it. As a fan, I didn’t know that. I talk to [Sparano or Ireland] afterward and say, “oh really, I didn’t know that.’
Ross paid $1.1 billion for that inside view, those explanations, but that doesn’t mean he’s satisfied with the type of team the Miami Dolphins have put on the field the past two seasons. Both 7-9 seasons featured collapses in the final month of the season and that’s something Ross likely won’t tolerate again.
“The fans want to see something exciting, and they want to win. It’s that simple. And [they want to] have a lot of fun doing it. And that’s what we have to focus on doing – winning. And [the business side has to make sure] they have a lot of fun when they come to the game, and basically win at home.”
History says Ross will be aggressive when free agency starts because the Dolphins have spent more than any other franchise re-signing their own, and luring high profile, big ticket  free agents the past three offseasons.
That’s part of the motivation behind Ross giving Sparano and Ireland three-year extensions. His goal was to portray stability to the team’s desired free agent targets.
“If not you go and sign old player and all big names and hope they have one year left,” Ross said. “I think we have a very young squad. One of the youngest in the league. We’re building it from the ground up. And I think the whole idea when I first bought the team is we want to be consistent – playing in the playoffs year in and year out where people can expect a good, exciting product on the field.”
I have the occasional privilege of talking to Mr. Ross and his staff, therefore I feel it’s my duty as YOUR representative to provide clarity when it is needed. Too often we in the media take advantages of his foot in mouth missteps, and as a result the Dolphins fan base gets mislead.
My hope is that bringing you Ross’ real desires for 2011 will provide SOME clarity. His desire isn’t to build a sexy offense, or bringing the spread to the NFL. Ross simply wants to build a competitive team that features an offense which scores more touchdowns in the red zone, and wins more games than they lose, especially at home.

[tubba marxxx]

Steven Ross is an idiot

[phinphan]

agreed

[masterfins]

I wouldn't mind being a billionaire "idiot".  He wants the Dolphins to be successful and seems to be willing to do whatever is necessary.  I'd take him over many of the other franchise owners out there.

[Pappy13]

^^ Jerry Jones says a LOT of pretty stupid stuff, but the Cowboys have won 3 superbowls with him as owner. I don't think having an articulate owner is all that important.

[DZA]

^^ Yes JJ ia an ass , yes  3 super bowls under his belt . But look how long ago that was.  What has JJ done since besides bring  semi-crap to Dallas. Not like I care as i can watch the Big D fail year after year anyways.

In Steve Ross Defense, I think he is trying to do what every Billionaire owner is trying to do.  Put a decent product on the file so the Fans can shut up. He wants to win NOW but i think he is somewhat going about it the wrong way. 

Man, I still cringe when the Robbie Family decided to give the Franchise in Wayne H hands. 

[bsmooth]

^^ Yes JJ ia an ass , yes  3 super bowls under his belt . But look how long ago that was.  What has JJ done since besides bring  semi-crap to Dallas. Not like I care as i can watch the Big D fail year after year anyways.

In Steve Ross Defense, I think he is trying to do what every Billionaire owner is trying to do.  Put a decent product on the file so the Fans can shut up. He wants to win NOW but i think he is somewhat going about it the wrong way. 

Man, I still cringe when the Robbie Family decided to give the Franchise in Wayne H hands. 

Lets not forget that Dallas team of the 90's was built on the most ridiculous trade ever for Herschel Walker. If they did not get all those draft picks for him, it would have been an entirely different team.

[MikeO]

Lets not forget that Dallas team of the 90's was built on the most ridiculous trade ever for Herschel Walker. If they did not get all those draft picks for him, it would have been an entirely different team.

Very True. PLUS, no salary cap at that time. PLUS on all those draft picks they got they didn't just hit home runs they really hit GRAND SLAMS! They didn't miss on many of them if any really.

[BigDaddyFin]

What bothers me is the word they all use now.  "Product."  They don't talk about building a winning football team.  They talk about a product. 

Football teams are not products.  Football teams are competitors.  Last time I checked, the whole point of competition was to win.  Winning was the result we were after. 

In a city like Miami, you're not going to draw a crowd unless you have a winning team.  There's too much other shit people would rather do than waste a hot Sunday afternoon on a team that doesn't win.  It's not like other places where there's nothing else to do on Sunday in the fall, or like New York where they have so many people to draw from. 

Go out and win and stop worrying about branding and stadium experience and all this other silly shit that does nothing to improve this team.  Once our tradition has been restored, then go deal with the "stadium experience" and how the team is marketed and all this other bullshit.  You could stick an NFL team in a mosquito infested swamp full of alligators and serve nothing but Keystone and shitty hot dogs.  If the team was winning championships, you'd sell out every week.  Instead we got Jimmy Buffett some celebrity owners and a bunch of trendy crap, and the stadium is still half empty, and the team is still 7-9, oh shit now it can't even win at home.

End of rant.  I hope by some miracle, Mr. Ross sees this. 

[Spider-Dan]

Lets not forget that Dallas team of the 90's was built on the most ridiculous trade ever for Herschel Walker. If they did not get all those draft picks for him, it would have been an entirely different team.

Jerry Jones had a hand in that trade, so he deserves credit for its outcome.

Furthermore, you act as if it's just an obvious deal to make.  The Herschel Walker trade (giving up the star player of the Dallas Cowboys and one of the best players in the league, in his prime) took major balls.  I would compare it to Green Bay trading Aaron Rodgers tomorrow; even if the Packers got as much for Rodgers as Dallas did for Walker, they'd still be hammered in the media.

[EDGECRUSHER]

I am not an expert, but I have read a lot of articles on the Walker trade and a lot of them pretty much state that Walker was a very talented back with one very good season, that being the year before the trade. However, they didn't feel he had what it took to be an all-time great. History has proven them correct. Even in his best season, his YPC was just 4.2 which is around average. He just had a ton of attempts.

Besides, even if he was Peyton Manning in his prime, what the Vikes traded for him was retarded and essentially built a dynasty for Dallas. I can't say that Jones shouldn't be given credit, but I feel more credit is given than should be. He got back 11 players and draft picks for a running back. How can you not make that trade?

[Spider-Dan]

Besides, even if he was Peyton Manning in his prime, what the Vikes traded for him was retarded and essentially built a dynasty for Dallas. I can't say that Jones shouldn't be given credit, but I feel more credit is given than should be. He got back 11 players and draft picks for a running back. How can you not make that trade?

The Redskins got an assload of picks for Ricky Williams and they didn't do a damn thing with it.

The trade didn't build the dynasty; the players that Dallas (read: Jerry Jones) picked did.

[Phishfan]

Go out and win and stop worrying about branding and stadium experience and all this other silly shit that does nothing to improve this team.  Once our tradition has been restored, then go deal with the "stadium experience" and how the team is marketed and all this other bullshit.  You could stick an NFL team in a mosquito infested swamp full of alligators and serve nothing but Keystone and shitty hot dogs.  If the team was winning championships, you'd sell out every week.  Instead we got Jimmy Buffett some celebrity owners and a bunch of trendy crap, and the stadium is still half empty, and the team is still 7-9, oh shit now it can't even win at home.

End of rant.  I hope by some miracle, Mr. Ross sees this. 

See, this stuff doesn't really bother me. I see everyone complain, but do you really think Ross can do much himself about the team? All he can needs to worry about is how to spend money in order to generate revenue (and the stadium improvements have not shown me that he plans to skimp on salaries any). Personally, it is best he sticks with this stuff because I don't want him trying to be the GM ala Jerry Jones or Al Davis. Let him work on things he can, like the stadium, guest appearances, etc.

And I hope Mr. Ross sees this.

[Phishfan]

Furthermore, you act as if it's just an obvious deal to make.  The Herschel Walker trade (giving up the star player of the Dallas Cowboys and one of the best players in the league, in his prime) took major balls.  I would compare it to Green Bay trading Aaron Rodgers tomorrow; even if the Packers got as much for Rodgers as Dallas did for Walker, they'd still be hammered in the media.

I don't think it took that much balls. I was in high school and even recognized what fools the Vikings were. Just like we all recognized the Saints giving up an entire draft for one player was a mistake. I don't like your comparison because Rodgers is one of the premier QBs in the league. No amount of picks in return mean you can find that again. A decent to good running back for all those picks, easy trade if you ask me.

[Spider-Dan]

Phishfan,

What would have been the correct number of picks to trade for Chris Johnson at the start of the 2010 season?