MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) - The Miami Dolphins’ disappointing season had owner Stephen Ross cursing Sunday.
“I hate losing,” said Ross, who included an expletive in the sentence and quickly apologized for his language. Despite his frustration, he said coach Adam Gase and the team’s top two personnel executives will be retained.
Gase will be back for a third season in 2018. Executive vice president of football operations Mike Tannenbaum and general manager Chris Grier will also return, but Ross said he’s eager to turn the page following a 6-10 season.
“It’s a new year. We need it,” Ross said after Miami closed out the season with a 22-16 loss to Buffalo. “I’m terribly disappointed. … You put as much as I put into a team and trying to do all the right things to win, how can you not be disappointed?”
Ross said quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s season-ending knee injury in August was too much to overcome.
“The season didn’t start out right with the injuries. You can’t replace a good quarterback. I’m looking forward to next season.”
The Dolphins haven’t won a playoff game since Ross bought an ownership stake in 2008, but he still thinks he has found the right coach in Gase.
“I have a lot of confidence in Adam … the way Adam, Chris and Mike work together,” Ross said. “Adam is really I think a good football guy. I believe in him. He’s as disappointed as I am. I think he recognizes we have to make adjustments, and I think we will.”
Ross’ expression of support for the trio wasn’t a surprise. Last year they helped Miami win 10 games and end an eight-year playoff drought.
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