“You are God damn right,” Ross said when asked if he was ready for the big payoff. Ross said the roster has never been this talented. Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Eight wins might not be enough in Miami.
The Dolphins posted 8-8 records in each of the last two years but owner Steven Ross said Thursday that it’s time for the franchise to deliver in January after it spent heavily to upgrade the roster — and SunLife Stadium — in the offseason.
“You are God damn right,” Ross said when asked if he was ready for the big payoff. Ross said the roster has never been this talented.
Philbin, 23-25 in four seasons with the Dolphins, said he’s not in coaching for multi-year contracts, but to win championships. Ross certainly agrees. Ross is backing the Sun Life Stadium $400 million overhaul with an eye on competing to host a Super Bowl.
He signed off on big deals for defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to a $114 million contract. He gave quarterback Ryan Tannehill a $96 million contract extension and center Mike Pouncey a $52 million extension.
Ross also gave Philbin an extension through the 2016 season. And he named Mike Tannenbaum senior vice president for football operations — aka, the guy in charge of major decisions.
“It’s a lot bigger than just one person,” Philbin said. “This is about the Miami Dolphins in 2015 competing for a championship, which is why I came here, which is why the players are here, which is why Steve (Ross) owns the team. It’s not about just one person.”
Philbin, whose team finished 11th in total offense and 12th in total defense a year ago, is tasked with getting the Dolphins over the hump.
“He is expecting to make it and I’m expecting to make it,” Ross said.
