Phin Phanatic
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Miami Dolphins: A decade of controversy may finally come to an end

By Brian Miller

MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 13: Head coach Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins looks on prior to the game between the Washington Redskins and the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 13: Head coach Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins looks on prior to the game between the Washington Redskins and the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TN – MARCH 24: Alliance of American Football consultant Jeff Fisher is seen before the game between the Memphis Express and Birmingham Iron at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on March 24, 2019 in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis won 31-25 in overtime. (Photo by Joe Robbins/AAF/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – MARCH 24: Alliance of American Football consultant Jeff Fisher is seen before the game between the Memphis Express and Birmingham Iron at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on March 24, 2019 in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis won 31-25 in overtime. (Photo by Joe Robbins/AAF/Getty Images) /

Ross used by Jeff Fisher – January 2012

When Joe Philbin was hired in 2012, he was the first head coach that was hired directly by Stephen Ross. Tony Sparano was a holdover hire from the final year of Wayne Huizenga’s tenure. Ross needed and wanted to not be wrong. After bumbling the Jim Harbaugh situation, he got left at the altar before settling on Philbin.

No, Joe Philbin was never the first choice for Stephen Ross. Ross wanted Jeff Fisher and he wined and dined him, sent a helicopter to bring him from the airport, landing it on the 50-yard line at the Dolphins training center.

Fisher was being offered full control, even over Jeff Ireland as it was related to team personnel. Fisher wanted the job and it looked like Ross would land the big fish he coveted. That wasn’t the case.

Fisher was using Ross to get a better deal from the St. Louis Rams which was much closer to his Tennessee home. As the Dolphins closed in on a contract,  so was Fisher was St. Louis. It was an embarrassing moment for a young NFL owner and after he was left without Fisher, he turned to Philbin. The irony of it all? The Rams would move to Los Angeles three years later and Fisher would be fired a year after that.

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