Ross’ Impatience Not Always A Bad Thing

The NFL fined and suspended Miami Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross today. Ross’ suspension and $1.5 million fine came because of his tampering with the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New England Patriots. Bruce Beal, the teams Vice Chairman, was fined $500,000 as well. Both are banned from any NFL committee until March of next year. Brian Flores, Miami’s former Head COach, accused Ross of telling him to lose games, and the leagues findings sent a mixed message on that issue. If Ross’ impatience led to his suspension and fine today then how could it ever be considered a good thing?

The only way for Ross to sin his actions is for him to say that he want to win. Trying to hire a respected coach like Sean Payton shows. Going after Tom Brady on more than one occasion is another example. Ross willingness to spend shows in these moves as well. In some ways Ross represents the fans frustration as well. The Dolphins last Super Bowl appearance was nearly 40 years ago, Super Bowl XVIII. They last made the AFC Championship Game in 1992. What fan doesn’t want to see an owner open up its checkbook and push for the team to win now, given how long its been since the team made a deep playoff run?

Who Ross’ Is Led To Suspension

Ross’ impatience to find a quarterback for his team led to the tampering to try to get Tom Brady to come to the Dolphins. Since 1999 the Dolphins have started 25 different players at quarterback. Trying to get a quarterback as good as Brady makes sense, but Ross tried to lure Brady to Miami while he was still under contract with New England. He did the same thing while Brady was in Tampa Bay. Ross wanted Brady to be either a managing partner at one point as well.

Ross broke the rules more than once trying to pursue then Saints Head Coach Sean Payton. Miami has had seven coaches since Ross became owner in 2008. The Dolphins had seven coaches in 42 years before him. No coach has lasted more than 4 seasons with Ross as owner.

Hiring Payton would have been great for Miami if Ross or Vice Chairman Bruce Beal ever had permission to do so. The Dolphins did not on either occasion they tried to contact him, which was part of the reason they will lose a first round draft pick in 2023 and third round pick in 2024.

What To Make Of Tanking Allegations Against Ross?

Brian Flores, coach of the Dolphins for three seasons, claimed Ross told him to try and lose games in 2019. Ross felt the team benefitted more from gaining a higher draft pick than winning games. Flores and the Dolphins players kept trying to win games and Miami wound up with fifth pick in the 2020 draft. Miami took Tua Tagovailoa with the pick.

Flores fight with Ross and the NFL is not over. Flores has sued the league over how its mimority hiring practices. His statement issued today expressed disappointment with the NFL’s punishment of Ross. With another controversy looming over him, which may not be settled when Ross comes back,\ on October 18, does the NFL make some moves behind the scenes? It is hard to imagine Ross suriving if a court finds in favor of Flores. The NFL may run out of patience with him.

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