Miami Dolphins have CRAZIEST owner

Wow.

USA Today picked it up, the worldwide leader did a biting piece and yet, it’s still sort of flown under the radar.

Stephen Ross may be insane. The reasons why culminated in his words about the strike this week.

“We negotiate with unions all the time, and there are issues there,” Ross said in a USA Today article. “But they’re not the same types of issues. When you’re dealing with guys earning over $1 million a year — the average is, what, $1.87 million? — you’re not talking about the same kind of labor issues. Are these really labor issues? These are not labor issues. There should be no sympathy in the labor movement in America for these ballplayers. It’s a different deal.”

That’s a good one, here’s another:

“Who the hell wants to own a team and not play?” Ross said. “It’s about having a system that works. It’s not about a bunch of greedy owners. It’s a bunch of players looking to see how much they can really get.”

Are you kidding me? I mean, seriously, I hope this isn’t the view point of all the owners, but I am afraid it is.

Let’s look at a quick list of Ross’ moves since taking over the team in 2008.

Opening up a yard sale for stadium name rights, first bought by parrothead Jimmy Buffett. No seriously, LandShark Stadium was the name for a minute.

Then Sun Life bought in, so that’s the name, for now.

Ross then began shopping ownership like he did the rights to the stadium. Venus and Serena Williams, J-Lo and Gloria Estefan all bought in. Yep, that happened too.

Earlier this year Ross went shopping again, this time for a new head coach. Problem was, he already had one. No bother, he flew to California, got turned down by the other Harbaugh, and back to Miami with his tail between his legs.

All of the shopping sprees the billionare owner has gone on, this one may be his best. Shopping for sympathy for the NFL owners?

Brilliant.

Ronnie Brown wants to stay

According to the Miami Herald, RB Ronnie Brown wants to remain a Dolphin and maybe even serve as a mentor to new RB Daniel Thomas.

Brown and RB Ricky Williams could be on the way out of Miami this summer – again, if football ever starts – but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep one on them on the roster to team with Thomas.

Plus, they know the system and know the wildcat offense and could teach Thomas the ropes.

The Dolphins need to keep focus on a veteran QB, something that is coming out more and more that Henne will have competition.

Brown’s career has been a sorta let down since he was drafted with the No. 2 pick in 2005. He had some solid years, but like with many backs, injuries set in early and often.

Last year his production was again slowed – he managed 734 yards and five touchdowns – and it was Ricky Williams that again stepped up.

But along with the story, the rumor is Brown is the more likely candidate to come back.

Miami tried for Mallett

Phew, that was close.

According to The Miami Herald, the ‘Fins nearly drafted Ryan Mallett, the oft-troubled Arkansas QB that was eventually drafted by division rival New England.

Miami didn’t want him in the first – They took center Mike Pouncey.

They didn’t want him in the second – They traded back into the round to take RB Daniel Thomas.

They wanted him in the third. But they didn’t have a 3rd round pick, they gave it away to get Thomas.

The unnamed source said Miami tried to trade back into the round to pick him, but couldn’t work it out.

Again, phew.

It is said in the story the Miami brass didn’t want to take him in the 2nd, because he would be a presumed starter and the ‘Fins didn’t feel he was nearly ready for that.

I agree 100%.

Plus, Miami doesn’t have the luxury of a strong vet for Mallett to develop behind, they have Chad Henne, who may be fighting for a job should they bring a free agent in this summer.

Neat story, so glad it didn’t pan out. Let’s just hope all those late small-school picks eventually do.

Dolphins will make a splash in Free Agency

That is, if there is a free agency.

Miami will start it off by looking at quarterbacks. The rumor mill has basically pegged the Bengals’ Carson Palmer as the go-to guy for this one. I’m not totally against it, as long as he can stay healthy and develop a good relationship with Brandon Marshall.

The other name being thrown around is the Eagles’ Kevin Kolb. I am not a big fan of this for a couple of reasons.

First off, Kolb is still a relative unknown on the field. His situation is very familiar to Matt Cassel, but the former Pats QB had a good season to be seen. Kolb still hasn’t played a full one.

Palmer is a vet, and as Miami saw a couple of years ago, a vet QB is a very good thing. No more need to develop.

The other position Miami may key on is running back. The ‘Fins drafted Daniel Thomas, but there a few names out there that they could be interested in.

One is DeAngelo Williams, the Panthers RB who only played in six games last year. When healthy though, he’s been a beast, especially on the fantasy level.

The other could be Reggie Bush, who seems to be trying to tweet his way out of New Orleans.

Watch for these two positions to see a lot of change this offseason, if it ever officially begins.

Miami Dolphins draft grade

*Note: Computer viruses make me sick.

The Miami Dolphins had yet another average draft. Not making too many big splashes, drafting efficient, not flashy.

The ‘Fins went with an obvious pick right off the bat with Mike Pouncey, the Florida guard turned center. The pundits have Pouncey staying at center in Miami, but after seeing his work many a times at Florida, I hope we start him off at guard.

After passing on Mark Ingram in the first, Miami needed to make a move for a top tier running back. I attended the Oklahoma State Pro Day and had a feeling Miami was looking at RB Kendall Hunter.

Miami, however, went for a different Big 12 back in Daniel Thomas. The Dolphins gave up a good bit to get back into the second round, but they addressed their two glaring needs early on.

Thomas was a strong back, but again, Miami will need to pair him with somebody. Think bruiser, not speedster.

Miami then began looking for a diamond in the rough in the fourth round, taking a WR from a little known school in Abilene Christian. Looking at Edmond Gates, he’s under 6-feet tall and doesn’t look too much different from what Miami has now.

I also saw Miami’s sixth round pick in person, Tulsa fullback Charles Clay. I am a big fan of the bruiser Miami already has, but Clay could make the team thanks to a run-first mentality that the ‘Fins will be putting in.

Finally, Miami wrapped up the draft with two defensive players late in the seventh round. The Dolphins took DT Frank Kearse and CB Jimmy Wilson.

Kearse is from Alabama A&M and Wilson is from Montana. Either the Dolphins have a great scouting department, or D-2 players are all the rave this season.

If these little known players exceed, Miami will look like the smartest team in America. Pouncey was key though.

Grade: B