Hours after learning coach Jeff Fisher had chosen to join the Rams over his franchise, Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross on Friday "explained the team’s handling of negotiations, defended his faith in general manager Jeff Ireland and said he feels good about the remaining candidates, whom he did not identify," according to Jackson & Salguero of the MIAMI HERALD. Reports indicate that Fisher "turned down the Dolphins in part because they did not give him as much personnel control as he sought." Ross said, "We stressed from the beginning of our conversations with (Fisher) that we believe the team should be a collaboration of a coach and general manager. I thought (Fisher) was fine with that. I thought he was good with that." A source said that Ross ultimately "would not give Fisher veto power of Ireland's decisions." Asked if he believes he was "used by Fisher," Ross said, "I feel Jeff was sincere and genuine in conducting our negotiations, and I’m fine with that" (MIAMI HERALD, 1/14). Ross added, "It's funny, in the back of my mind, I've really believed you go with people who have something to prove and are younger. That's how I've always worked in my business. I was always fighting that idea in my mind while I was talking to (Fisher). Something told me if I get someone like him with that experience it'd be good. At the same time, I don't feel lost. I believe someone really good who has something to prove is going to be better. New ideas." He continued, "I have mixed feelings (about Fisher choosing St. Louis). But I feel very confident we'll find the best man for this organization. I feel very good about it. I'm not discouraged at all" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 1/14). In West Palm Beach, Ben Volin noted Fisher "chose St. Louis, where he will have the ability to hand-pick a GM instead of working with Ireland," and Rams Exec VP/Football Operations & COO Kevin Demoff "is the son of Fisher's agent, Marvin Demoff." Meanwhile, Ross said that he "believes in Ireland." He said, "While we didn't have the season any of us wanted, I think everyone recognizes there's a lot of talent on the Miami Dolphins, and we're not that far away at all" (PALM BEACH POST, 1/14). Ross said Friday that Fisher's decision to join the Rams "didn't come down to his desire to have final say in football affairs as has been reported." Ross said, "It wasn't about an organizational structure from the feeling I had. There was a partnership [between Fisher and Ireland] and that was fine with both of them. Having seen some things written (about Fisher wanting control), that wasn't our case" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 1/14).
GOING DOWN SWINGING: In Ft. Lauderdale, Dave Hyde reported Marvin Demoff told the Dolphins that Fisher "was off to St. Louis." Demoff "didn't call" Ross or Ireland, but instead phoned Ross' adviser Carl Peterson. Hyde: "Therein lie some uncovered answers regarding the Dolphins failed courtship of Fisher and how the next, uncertain step will be conducted. ... So the real question with the Dolphins' decision to deny Fisher the ultimate power isn't the decision itself. Few teams would have given him the business card he wanted." Ross "married himself to Ireland and nobody really knows who he is, what he's done, what he believes in, where he stands on football philosophy or -- to get to the root of it all -- why he survived this semi-regime change." This brings Peterson's role "back into play." There is "no reason to disbelieve he's there as an 'adviser,' as Ross said." The questions "as this Dolphins regime makes hires remains whether Peterson is simply sprinkling advice to be considered or setting agenda with advice to be followed" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 1/15). Also in Ft. Lauderdale, Mike Berardino wrote Ross has "now swung for the fences twice in attempts to hire a big-name coach and whiffed both time." Last year it was a "cross-country flight on Ross' private jet to woo then Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh." The losses of Harbaugh, who instead joined the 49ers, and Fisher make "two failed courtships ... for a franchise that once carried destination-job cache." For now, the "most powerful man on the football side remains" Ireland. Berardino: "Doubt his drafting ability all you like, but his survival skills are at an all-pro level" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 1/14).
TAKING A HIT: In Boston, Greg Bedard wrote the Dolphins "really only have one option at this point: Let Ireland pick the next coach." Ross has "decided he wants a strong general manager over a strong coach." Bedard: "That's fine. I think that's the best route. But for the partnership to truly work -- like Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy in Green Bay -- then Ireland needs to be completely at peace with the decision" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/15). In Miami, Greg Cote wrote, "The losses keep coming for the poor Miami Dolphins. Lost games, lost seasons, lost fans, lost image, lost stature. The latest loss: Jeff Fisher. Your football franchise has officially tumbled to a heretofore unfound nadir when it cannot even beat the woeful St. Louis Rams." No new coach "guarantees anything," and the Dolphins "might still luck into a subsequent hire that proves to work out even better than Fisher might have." But his decision to join the Rams "is a public rebuff that embarrasses the club." Fisher's decision "did not come down to money; in fact, the $8 million per year reportedly offered by [Ross] exceeded St. Louis’ offer." Hiring Fisher "would have been a large step forward, and losing him is a punch to the mouth" (MIAMI HERALD, 1/14). Also in Miami, Dan Le Batard wrote it is "hard to imagine in a region that has an expressway named after Don Shula and a hospital named after Dan Marino that the once-proud Dolphins are both the least interesting and least competent professional sports franchise in town." Le Batard: "You have to wonder how much Stephen Ross is enjoying his billion-dollar toy. He hasn’t made a single move that has been applauded. The only time he gets the TV lights is at clumsy news conferences where he is either embarrassing his current coach or being rejected by another one" (MIAMI HERALD, 1/15).
