I know the perception of Ireland in Miami isn’t good… but the facts state otherwise.

There are TWENTY guys from the last four Ireland run/participation drafts, that are still on the team and contributing:

Jake Long
Phillip Merling
Chad Henne
Kendall Langford
Lex Hilliard

Vontae Davis
Sean Smith
Brian Hartline
Chris Clemons

Jared Odrick
Koa Misi
John Jerry
Nolan Carroll
Reshad Jones
Austin Spitler

Mike Pouncey
Daniel Thomas
Edmond Gates
Charles Clay
Jimmy Wilson

Beyond that there are 7 more guys Ireland drafted, who while no longer with the team – are playing elsewhere in the league (and by playing I mean playing in actual games):

Frank Kearse – Panthers
A.J. Edds – Colts
Patrick Turner – Jets
Andrew Gardner – Texans
Jalen Parmele – Ravens
Donald Thomas – Patriots
Lionel Dotson – Bills

To me… that’s amazing… 27 draft picks still in the league, and contributing over a four year period. There’s literally nothing in Dolphins history which compares, unless it would be a period of 67 through 71… when the draft was 17 rounds long BTW.

He’s executed two major trades in those four years…

Brandon Marshall
Reggie Bush

both of which were 1000 yard + contributors this year.

The free agency acquisitions haven’t been as good (with alot of misses)… but there have been success’s there as well:

Randy Starks
Cameron Wake
Matt Moore
Dan Carpenter
Kevin Burnett
Jason Trusnik
Davone Bess

Within his four years, Ireland has transformed the Dolphins into a young team with a lot of talent.

His biggest failure of course is the failure to add a franchise QB. That failure got Tony Sparano fired, and has helped Ireland earn an unfavorable perception among Dolphins fans.

But IMHO, KUDOS to Ross for not allowing the ego of a 17 year career .500 coach – to rob him of a guy whose been an amazingly effective GM.

Hire a football coach Steve, and tell Ireland to keep doing what he’s been doing – except he HAS to find a QB.

There is really no other explanation of how he can keep his job while others around him get the ax.

He’s been the GM of a consistently erratic and underachieving team and has to shoulder part of the blame.

The only answer to the mediocrity that has been the Dolphins is to start over from scratch and can anyone who has any connection to the incompetent staff that was there……from the GM down.

Moore was brought in and never given a chance to compete with Henne. They had to run that experiment in to the ground and Moore only played because Henne got hurt. Moore playing well was an accident. Moore begins the season as the starter and who knows where Miami ends up.

Same with Bush. No problem giving up a low pick to acquire Bush, BUT, 1). why not just sign Sproles as FA or 2), if Ireland knew Bush was the every down back, he would not have traded up to get Thomas in the second round. Bush proved his value out of necessity because Thomas was always hurt (and sucks) and an awful second round pick by Ireland.

Moore and Bush did well, but it was a fluke.

If he had went to Miami, they are expected to win now, but not the lowly Rams, they are at least a 3-4 year project.

This is what I expected from this dweeb.

Although I can’t stand the fact that Ross would pass up any experienced coach merely based on wanting Ireland to maintain full personnel powers…..

Ireland basically had 2011 as his first ‘non-Parcells’ draft. I would say that both Edmond Gates (speed), and Charles Clay are both promising picks, not to mention Mike Pouncy at centre (although seemingly an obvious 1st round pick).

And what about the season (at least 2nd half) that Reggie Bush had? Sure there are plenty of haters and Bush needs to be good all year long in 2012, but he did set some personal bests and was a huge part of Miami going 6-3 in their last 9 games. Ireland made that deal to bring Bush to Miami and I wouldn’t say that was a mistake at all.

Matt Moore is another Ireland decision…again I would say that Moore has a whole lot more to prove and may not last as a starting QB…unless he continues to play like he did through the 2nd half. Moore has built a good tandem with Brandon Marshall.

Now I’m not big on Ireland and he’s got a lot to prove yet, but let’s keep in mind that he’s only had 2011 to have full personnel decision powers and he has made some positive additions, so let’s see what else he can stir up before putting so much heat on him. It seems to me the bulk of our issues in Miami start with Ross. Less hollywood, less free helicopter tours…. more football and a winning mind set.

Why does this guy (Ireland) ask everyone if their mom is a prostitute?

There’s no question about Ross. He’s one of those “image is everything” guys and thinks the celebrities he brings to the stadium every week will put people in the seats. He’s wrong, of course, but you can’t tell him that. He’s probably still telling people Gator Day was a success but if you were there {as I was — season tickets} you know they were cheering for Tebow as he was beating the home team in overtime. Even the Dolphins players hated it.

Ireland is a different story. I thought all along he had to go but when I look at his 2011 draft, the first one he did without Parcells, six of the seven players drafted finished the year on the team. And the 7th player was signed off the practice squad by Carolina and he played most of the 2nd half of the season. The 2012 draft will really let us know what kind of GM Ireland is, especially if he manages to uncover a QB.

I have no problem with Ross choosing Ireland over Fisher. There are other coaches out there. I don’t think a coach will increase attendance but Rob Chudzinski and Winston Moss both played for the University of Miami and that can’t hurt. I just wish Ross would keep his mouth shut and let the football people do the football stuff.

And no more disasters like Gator Day. Another one like that and I’m kissing my season tickets goodbye.

Quote:
Hearing the mystery interview on Saturday is Dave Toub for a second interview, which IMO makes him the front runner for the Miami HC job.

I’ll throw a few random facts out here:
1. This was Ireland’s first year truly in control. In fact, I believe that the NFL should have been looking into his hiring as GM. He was GM of the Cowboys and was allowed to switch laterally in 2008 because he would have “final say”. This is false as Parcells was running the show and everyone who has paid attention knows this.
2. The team started out 0-7. Sparano changes everything about preparation at this point, the team finishes 6-10. I view this as proof of the team underperforming due to coaching. In other words talent is there (Ireland).

I think that the owner is smart enough to see that Ireland is not at fault for the last 2 seasons. Let’s see if he’s smart enough to get a young OC that’s ready for the next level.