NFL insider’s latest update on Miami’s plans might force Dolphins fans to do the only thing they can at this point
Stephen Ross remains stubbornly loyal to his franchise’s leaders.
The Miami Dolphins hit a low point that didn’t seem possible coming into a season with plenty of concerns ahead of it, falling to the Cleveland Browns 31-6 on Sunday to drop to 1-6 on the year.
Tua Tagovailoa, who came under fire last week for his controversial airing of absences and tardiness in players-only meetings, threw three interceptions. With Dillon Gabriel under center and the crux of the Cleveland offense clearly on the shoulders of RB Quinshon Judkins and the running game, the rookie ballcarrier ran through the Dolphins’ defense for three touchdowns. Mike McDaniel hinted after the game – for whatever it’s worth – that changes in playing time could be coming. It was a rock-bottom point in a low season for a Miami team that has far too many questions about those in the locker room and those in the front office suites.
And for Dolphins fans looking for any shred of hope, the news isn’t any better on Monday morning. Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, no changes are expected to be made by owner Stephen Ross at present.
Miami will not make any changes at this point with GM Chris Grier or head coach Mike McDaniel
I’ve been covering the NFL going back almost two decades. I’ve watched football for well before than that. I’ve seen more regimes than I can count come and go over the years. I cannot remember many instances where a general manager has been given more leeway despite doing less than what Chris Grier has gotten from Ross.
A general manager has to be able to draft well. He also has to make shrewd free agency and contract decisions to be able to keep his team competitive in the short and long terms. Instead, Miami has had year after year of draft pick flameouts, with a particular inability to build a cohesive and competitive offensive line. Grier made his bed with the decision to pick Tagovailoa over Justin Herbert in 2020 and then extend him with a $212.4 million deal last year. Those decisions cannot be looked at anything but catastrophic at this point. The Dolphins are also the team with the smallest available cap space per OverTheCap.com.
If Ross won’t act, Miami fans have their own form of power they can exercise
At this point, it’s becoming clear that Ross’ words from January that that the status quo won’t be tolerated aren’t true. There is no accountability from the franchise’s owner. So, it’s up to the fans to do what they can do to exhibit their only power – choose not to spend their time and money on a product that hasn’t merited them.
Apathy is the ultimate driver of decisions in the business world, particularly when it comes to professional sports. And fans are the ones that can start to potentially drive Ross’ hand a little bit further in that regard.
At least I’d like to think so. But then again, I would have thought that most owners would have already done by now what should be done: give this franchise a new leader who has at least a chance to take the franchise to a place that Dolphins fans are long overdue to enjoy.
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Dolphins’ brass picks up a silver lining in pathetic loss to Browns that they shouldn’t be allowed to enjoy
The path for Stephen Ross is crystal clear after Sunday, if it wasn’t before.
