It's time for the Dolphins to make a bold move, and for owner Stephen Ross to shift his focus from real estate to his team. Ross, the real estate tycoon, has been making headlines with his latest acquisition, inching closer to a deal to purchase the Ben Hotel and Clark Lake office building in West Palm Beach, adding to his impressive portfolio of 3.8 million square feet of office, retail, and residential space.
In contrast, the Dolphins' owner, Stephen Ross, has had a negligent week, failing to address the team's 16 years of incompetence under his leadership. The recent 31-6 loss to Cleveland has further exacerbated the team's struggles, dropping Miami to a 1-6 record and extending their playoff drought to 25 years. The blame lies with Chris Grier's draft picks, foolish penalties, undisciplined play, and missed tackles, as well as Mike McDaniel's inability to maximize a flawed roster.
The crux of the issue is clear: unless Ross prioritizes his team as he does his real estate, nothing will change. While selling the team is a drastic measure, Ross, at 85, is facing pressure to make a decision. As a team owner, he holds a public trust and is responsible for the franchise's legacy.
Ross's shortcomings include overlooking mistakes by his general manager and coach, making poor hires, and being embroiled in a lawsuit alleging game-fixing. His ownership group's tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton has also resulted in the loss of draft inventory. While he deserves credit for spending on facilities, it's a superficial compliment.
Dolphins fans are left with one option: stop supporting the team. By not renewing season tickets and avoiding games, they can make their dissatisfaction known. Ross must decide soon, as his fan base may start showing up with pitchforks.
The options are clear: sell the team to Ken Griffin, who has previously pursued the Dolphins, or hand over control to his daughters, Jennifer and Kim, and their husband, Daniel Sillman, experienced sports entrepreneurs, as part of his succession plan. Alternatively, Ross can acknowledge his failure and make the tough decisions, starting with removing Chris Grier and overhauling the front office.
The current situation demands a new director of football operations to lead the search for a head coach, with the preference being for someone to pick the coach. If McDaniel is let go, it would be justified after Sunday's lifeless performance, littered with penalties and mistakes. McDaniel's inability to inspire and create a sense of fear among players is a concern.
Ultimately, the Dolphins' struggles stem from poor personnel input, Grier's mistakes, injuries, and an inability to maximize talent. McDaniel's lack of leadership and the team's ongoing issues, such as pre-snap penalties and poor tackling, have contributed to the team's poor performance. Simply firing McDaniel isn't enough; Ross must dismiss the front office for long-term success.
The quarterback decision is also crucial. Tagovailoa's performance on Sunday was unacceptable for a $53 million quarterback, and it's clear he needs elite players around him to lead a playoff team. Ross must focus on fixing the franchise and making the necessary changes to turn things around.
