Ross now wants players to stand for anthem
MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins owner Steve Ross, who had three players — wide receiver Kenny Stills, safety Michael Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas — kneel during the national anthem prior to last week’s game said Sunday he wished they would stand for the anthem. The trio ended up standing in the tunnel during the anthem and running onto the field afterward.
Coach Adam Gase implemented a policy Sunday requiring players to stand for the national anthem. Those who don’t wish to stand must stay in the locker room or in the tunnel.
Ross, who spoke about 90 minutes before the Dolphins’ 16-10 victory over Tennessee and the national anthem, said President Donald Trump has changed the focus of anthem conversation from social injustice issues to patriotism, so it’s better now for the players to stand.
“He’s changed that whole paradigm of what protest is,” Ross during his CommUnity Tailgate gathering at Hard Rock Stadium before Sunday’s home opener against Tennessee.
“And I think it’s incumbent upon the players today, because of how the public is looking at it, to really stand and really salute the flag.”
Ross said “whenever you’re dealing with the flag you’re dealing with something different” but he remains supportive of what Dolphins players did last season when Stills, Michael Thomas, former running back Arian Foster and former linebacker Jelani Jenkins chose to kneel during the national anthem.
Ross said he sees sports as a way of uniting and spreading a message of togetherness, especially with the youth.
“Right now [with] these kids you want understanding, that we really have to get out into the white community and have them accept the fact this isn’t about all black kids and the protest they have,” Ross said.
Rookies step forward
Miami had four defensive rookies — tackles Davon Godchaux and Vincent Taylor, end Charles Harris and cornerback Cordrea Tankersley — on the field quite often Sunday. Harris, the first-round pick from Missouri, had his first career sack in the fourth quarter. …
Miami’s defensive ends Andre Branch (2.0 sacks) and Cameron Wake (.5 sacks, four QB hits, four tackles) dominated Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan and right tackle Jack Conklin. Branch faced Lewan, a Pro Bowl selection, while Wake, a Pro Bowl selection, faced Conklin, an All-Pro. …
Safety Reshad Jones almost had a safety in the third quarter when he teamed with Wake for a sack of Titans quarterback Matt Cassel. Jones, linebackers Kiko Alonso and Lawrence Timmons tied for the team lead with seven tackles apiece. Middle line backer Rey Maualuga had five tackles in his debut.
Tight end Anthony Fasano started ahead of Julius Thomas .…
Wildcat re-surfaces
The Dolphins employed the Wildcat formation for the second consecutive week. This time tight end MarQueis Gray, a college quarterback, threw an incomplete pass to wide receiver Jarvis Landry. Through four games Miami has had four players attempt passes — Jay Cutler, Landry, Gray and punter Matt Haack .…
Wide receiver Jakeem Grant took most of the snaps after DeVante Parker (ankle) was sidelined. …
Defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, cornerbacks Byron Maxwell and Torry McTyer, safety Maurice Smith, offensive tackle Sam Young, linebacker Stephone Anthony and guard Isaac Asiata were inactive. …
Left guard Anthony Steen played the entire game. Steen and Jesse Davis had been on a platoon system. Curiously, Davis surfaced as a defensive tackle on a goal line play but the Titans were called for a false start before the snap. …
Landry (five receptions, 44 yards, one touchdown) was targeted a game-high 10 times. No other Miami receiver was targeted more than four times. …