Jeff Ireland went on the record Monday to characterize Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross as an intelligent businessman who's passionate about the workings of his team.
Ireland, a general manager consistently under fire this offseason, told PFT Live how it works down on South Beach. Ross gives ideas, even suggestions, but not demands.
Shortly after Ireland appeared on the show, Ben Volin of The Palm Beach Post reported the exact opposite:
A Fins source said today that guys in football operations are indeed concerned with Steve Ross' increasing involvement in football matters
- Ben Volin (@BenVolinPBP) April 23, 2012
Along those lines, SI's Peter King reported "Ross wants the quarterback."
The owner himself finally chimed in Monday, with the following note to ProFootballTalk.com's Mike Florio, sent on the heels of Ireland's on-air appearance:
"Jeff Ireland will make the call who we draft, with input from Coach (Joe) Philbin and the football staff," Ross wrote. "They're the ones who have spent months reviewing tape, scouting, and gathering information from every source available to them. They have kept me fully informed about their draft analysis, and they have my full support and backing whoever they decide to pick. I know they will select the players they think can best help this football team win."
Multiple reports label Ross as a meddler. Multiple reports -- not to mention Ross and Ireland -- describe a different process in Miami.Â
It's never a wonderful development when the owner is forced to respond this way. Ross has doggedly pursued high-profile coaches and quarterbacks and been rebuffed in every instance. Miami is having a rough time selling tickets, so who can blame the man for wanting to generate hope at the most important position in sports?
Ireland doesn't have to listen, but maybe he should.











