Not everyone is as blunt about it as Ryan Clark, but there’s been a widespread perception in the NFL this offseason that the Dolphins have whiffed in free agency.
Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland, unsurprisingly, says that perception is incorrect.
“It’s a perception that I think is wrong, that I’m losing out on guys,” Ireland told NFL.com.
Ireland said Matt Flynn is the only player the Dolphins have actually offered a contract who didn’t sign, and he hinted that the Dolphins weren’t all that big on Flynn anyway. He doesn’t think it’s fair to criticize him for missing on Peyton Manning.
“I haven’t missed out on too many players I’ve gone after. Peyton Manning? I’m a small piece of that situation. Matt Flynn? That was half his decision, and it was half our decision,” Ireland said.
All the talking in the world won’t change the perceptions about the Dolphins, however. The only thing that can change perception is to change the reality of the Dolphins’ record. And if that doesn’t change this year, owner Stephen Ross might decide it’s time to change general managers.