MERGEDx3: Ireland speaks and reveals precious little

Ireland speaks and reveals precious little
Jeff Ireland just talked for 23 minutes and there were parts that were interesting. Here they are initially:

The Dolphins have fielded calls about trading for the first pick, according to Ireland. Nothing apparently is imminent if anything were to happen at all.

"People are interested," Ireland said. "People are always interested in the first pick. I'm not going to tell you what people are asking or offering. But I would think the talks would heat up next week."

Ireland might have slipped when he was talking about what he expects from the first overall pick. "This guy is going to be the pillar of your defense," Ireland said of the first pick.

Really? Defense?

"That was a Freudian slip," he said under his breath.

Someone then asked if it was a smokescreen. "I'll let you guys decide," he answered.

I asked him about the speculation the Dolphins might pass on the first pick. He initially waved off the question, but when pressed whether he could put that rumor to rest, he said, "yes," as in that is not happening.

Finally there is clear indication that Reagan Mauia's status with the team will depend on what the team's internal investigation reveals about his recent arrest for battery at a local Ale House. Ireland said he needed all the details before making an "intelligent decision," which obviously means a decision is pending.

FYI: Ireland would not discuss what he called strategy, so there was no talk about Jake Long and negotiations and deadline in those negotiations.
http://dolphinsindepth.blogspot.com/2008/04/ireland-speaks-and-reveals-precious.html

http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/flash_content.asp

 

yeah i would think so

 

He jukes, he jives, he sidesteps -- he's Dolphins' GM

He wasn't here to talk strategy. So no questions about whether the Dolphins have entered into negotiations with any players, please.

For more than 20 minutes during a news conference Thursday, general manager Jeff Ireland did his best to skirt any touchy issues that might reveal the slightest detail about the Dolphins' hand as they inch one day closer toward next week's NFL Draft.

But sometimes, even the biggest secrets apparently have a way of slipping out. Or do they?

Asked a slightly confusing question from a reporter about whether the Dolphins would draft someone with more ''upside'' than accomplishments (we're not really sure what it meant), Ireland gave his best attempt at a reply.

''Of course I want guys who have great upside, this is the first pick in the draft,'' Ireland said. ``This guy is going to be, you hope he's a pillar of your defense for a long time. Of course you hope he's going to have upside. The economics to me ``

Ireland suddenly stopped, looking over at two reporters who were smiling inquisitively at one another about what they thought they just heard.

''Defense?'' a reporter said.

''What's that?'' Ireland responded. ``What did I say?

''Pillar of your defense?'' another reporter said.

''Pillar of your defense, your offense, your team,'' Ireland said as the room, including Ireland, began to laugh. ``That's a Freudian slip.''

It was certainly the most classic moment during a news conference this year, as Ireland clearly revealed (sarcasm intended) that Miami would be selecting either defensive end Chris Long or defensive end Vernon Gholston next Saturday.

So much for offensive tackle Jake Long, who is still the only player whose agent has been contacted by the Dolphins about contract negotiations.

LINK to rest of story
http://www.miamiherald.com/616/story/499950.html

 

DAVIE, Fla. -- Perhaps it was a slip of the tongue or subterfuge scripted by Bill Parcells.

Or maybe Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland inadvertently tipped his hand regarding the team's plan with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.

At a news conference Thursday to discuss the draft, Ireland said he wouldn't talk about the Dolphins' strategy, and he didn't discuss specific players. But one comment he made was surprisingly specific.

"Of course I want guys that have great upside," Ireland said. "This is the first pick in the draft. This guy is going to be -- you hope that he's a pillar of your defense for a long time."

Defense? That would be news. As Ireland continued, the room broke out in laughter.

"What did I say?" he asked.

"You said 'pillar of your defense,' " someone replied.

Ireland's face began to turn red.

"Pillar of your defense, or offense, or team," he said to more laughter. "That's a Freudian slip."

Or perhaps a smoke screen, someone suggested.

"I'll let you guys decide," Ireland said.

His boss, Parcells, would be the sort to devise that sort of misdirection. It counters speculation the Dolphins want to sign Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long as their top pick before the draft starts April 26. Miami began negotiations last week with Long's agent.

If the Dolphins have instead decided to pick a defensive player, the likely choice will be Virginia defensive end Chris Long, Ohio State linebacker Vernon Gholston or Louisiana State defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey.

The Dolphins' preference is difficult to guess because the top prospects are considered comparable in talent, and Miami's needs are many.

"There are certain core positions you have to have," Ireland said, listing cornerback, left tackle, a pass rusher, quarterback, a top receiver and nose tackle. "We don't have a whole lot of those core positions right now, to be honest with you. We need probably all of them."

The draft will be the first in Miami for the regime led by Parcells, Ireland and coach Tony Sparano after the Dolphins went 1-15 last year.

At the Senior Bowl, Ireland said the Dolphins were interested in trading the top pick. With so many needs, they'd rather have multiple lower selections.

Economics drive that preference, too. Last year's first choice, JaMarcus Russell, signed a $61 million deal with the Oakland Raiders.

Miami would rather avoid such a heavy financial obligation to one player. But other teams would, too, and business has been less than brisk regarding trade talks.

"Have I fielded a ton of calls? I've fielded some," Ireland said. "I think people are always interested in the first pick. Usually they do heat up a little bit next week.

"I'm actually excited about being in this position, because I think we're going to pick a good player," he said.

The Dolphins have nine picks, including four of the first 64. They're still working on their draft board and will complete it by Monday, Ireland said.

They hope to keep other teams guessing until the last minute.
link to rest of story
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/news/story?id=3351721

 

Dolphins GM hints at top pick, or does he?
Listen to this article or download audio file.Click-2-Listen
DAVIE — A slip of the tongue or a smoke screen?

It might not be either.

But General Manager Jeff Ireland will let everyone try to figure that out between now and the time the Dolphins make the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft on April 26.

Discussing the draft with the media earlier today, Ireland inadvertently might have revealed the Dolphins' hand when asked about the kind of player the team plans to select with the top pick.

"You hope he's a pillar of your defense for a long time," Ireland said.

When he realized what he had said, Ireland corrected himself, "Pillar of your defense, your offense, your team. ... That's a Freudian slip."

This comes a little more than week after the Dolphins entered into negotiations with Michigan left tackle Jake Long and agent Tom Condon.

But with an aging defense that ranked near the bottom of the NFL in 2007, the Dolphins also have been expected to look seriously at Virginia defensive end Chris Long and Ohio State defensive end and linebacker Vernon Gholston.

Ireland wouldn't say, declining to discuss specific players or draft strategy.

But having cut his teeth as an NFL executive under Bill Parcells, Ireland is well-versed in the pre-draft posturing on the horizon.

"You set some smokescreens," Ireland said. "I certainly set some. Bill set some in his career. Everybody has set some smoke screens."

Ireland said plenty could change in the coming week, including the Dolphins' position at the top of the draft.

Ireland said the team has fielded a few phone calls about trading the No. 1 pick, but he expects interest to increase.

"Usually they do heat up a little bit next week," Ireland said. "I think people are always interested in the first pick, but there's a lot of things that play into that."

The high price tag, including as much as $30 million in guaranteed money, is a major reason the Dolphins likely will have a tough decision.

link to story
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/dolphi.../17/0417fins.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=46

 

Fins: Ireland pre-draft chat
http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_seasonticket/2008/04/fins-ireland-pr.html

 

Jeff Ireland Prepares For His First Draft As GM Of The Dolphins

This may be his first draft as a general manager, but Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland looked like an old hand Thursday during his pre-draft press conference with the South Florida media.

And with just nine days left before NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell asks for the card with the name of Miami's first overall selection to be handed to him at New York City's Radio City Music Hall, the decision-making process grows more intense.

Ireland explained a little about how the hierarchy works inside the meeting rooms as it pertains to Executive Vice President of Football Operations Bill Parcells, himself and Head Coach Tony Sparano, saying that it's a collective effort with the ultimate responsibility for making the picks lying with him. The next question was a little more direct, asking for an overview of the team's draft strategy.

"We're not going to talk about strategy at this particular press conference," Ireland responded.

He did acknowledge that sending out smokescreens in order to help along your drafting is common practice throughout the NFL. Clearly with the No. 1 overall pick in Miami's possession, the 31 other teams all have a vested interest in what Ireland and the Dolphins want to do with that pick, including whether or not they are willing to trade down to acquire more picks, and he said those calls usually heat up and become more frequent over the coming week.

When he was the Vice President of College and Pro Scouting for the Dallas Cowboys, Ireland was relied upon heavily for his ability to evaluate college football players and to efficiently construct a draft board, which is one of the key reasons why Parcells hired him for his present position. On the heels of a 1-15 season, Miami is hoping to make rapid and significant improvement in 2008, and being armed with nine picks in next weekend's draft could go a long way towards making that happen.

"I think there are certain core positions that you have to have," said Ireland, making it clear he was talking in generalities, and not specifically how it might relate to the Dolphins. "One's a corner, one's a left tackle, pressure players, quarterback, number one receiver, nose tackle, I think those are all important and are all core positions. We don't have a whole lot of those core positions right now to be honest with you. We need probably all of them in every area."

link to rest of story
http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/news/top_story.asp?contentID=5741

 

Smoke screen or Freudian slip?
kept meaning to ask Jeff Ireland if he was much of a poker player, but time and team related questions wouldn't allow it.

If you read my post press conference story (CLICK HERE) with the Dolphins new General Manager you'll discover Ireland either provided a "tell" or is trying to "bluff" with a slip of the tongue.

Most teams, especially those with a top 10 selection, need to know what the Dolphins are doing with that No. 1 pick so they can set up their draft board.

For the past week the line of thinking was that Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long was the guy, filling the team's most glaring need. But on Thursday Ireland's claims that the Dolphins were seeking a pillar for the "DEFENSE" was extremely interesting. It could either throw us off the Trifecta's trail, or be his attempt to leave us a trail of crumbs that might boost the pick's trade value.

I was sitting there in the front row, and actually clued Ireland in on his slip of the tongue, after I stopped laughing. I ultimately left the press conference thinking it was totally unintentional considering how puzzled he was with our response, which was laughter.

However, there generally isn't much that isn't calculated around draft time.

Hell, Dolphins PR director, Harvey Greene, usually goes over a LARGE list of questions his coaches and GM's will likely face before they hit the podium, every time they are scheduled to speak to the media. Ireland's list for Thursday's league mandated pre-draft session had about 50 possible questions on it. If he'd prepped himself right, how could Ireland have made such a mistake?

Or did he?

Clearly, the Dolphins will go heavy on defense in this draft. Bill Parcells led teams usually do.

About 70 percent of the prospects who have been brought in for a visit are defensive guys, which includes Auburn defensive tackle Patrick Sims, who has spent the past two days talking to the Dolphins (CLICK HERE FOR THAT STORY). The Dolphins are also high on Auburn's Quentin Groves, a possible converted linebacker, and Hampton defensive end Kendall Langford, who the Jets and Browns are also hot on because his frame makes him an ideal fit as 3-4 front line guy.

The Dolphins are clearly doing their homework on defensive players. But will they also opt to use the No. 1 pick on Virginia's Chris Long, Ohio State's Vernon Gholston or LSU's Glenn Dorsey, who are viewed as the three elite defenders of the 2008 draft?

Can the Dolphins risk passing on Jake Long with the No. 1 pick and gamble on finding a starting right tackle later in the draft?

Have negotiations with Jake Long's representatives soured, and are the Dolphins firing a warning shot before they get specific on contract terms about Gholston, or begin negotiating with Chris Long or Glenn Dorsey?

Maybe the Dolphins are close to having a trade worked out with a team like the Saints (don't sleep) or Ravens, and have another defender like Florida's Derrick Harvey or USC's Keith Rivers or Sedrick Ellis in mind for the first-round pick they inherit.

I predict this week's going to get really interesting, and Dolphins fans better buckle up.

Considering we in the media, and Dolphins fans, generally pick apart every word that's said by the Trifecta I have a funny feeling we won't be hearing from anyone not named Tony Sparano for a loooong while once the draft is in the rear-view mirror.

LINK
http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2008/04/smoke-screen-or.html

 

Dolphins as a punchline is getting very old
The guys on ESPN were really yukking it up this evening when they replayed the 52 seconds during which Jeff Ireland, Miami's general manager, suffered his "Freudian Slip" moment.

You know the instance, when Ireland said he wants the first overall selection to be "a pillar of the defense," for years to come when he really meant to say "a pillar of the team."

Saying a pillar of the defense suggests Ireland and the Dolphins are going to pick a defensive player even though they are only negotiating with offensive tackle Jake Long as of this writing. Ireland was unaware he said defense and, when told, corrected himself even as his face was turning red.

He then admitted saying defense was a "Freudian slip," and tried to move on. But the error is made. And it was an error. I was there, and believe me, he didn't say "defense" to throw the rest of the NFL off a scent. He simply misspoke and the gaff is already on youtube.com.

"I'm going to watch the next Jeff Ireland press conference," ESPN analyst and former Tennessee Titans GM Floyd Reese said on national TV. "I want to see if there are any Bill Parcells finger prints around his throat."

Ha ha. Very funny, Floyd.

But here's the problem with that humor: I personally am tired of the jokes.

I really wish the Dolphins could get to a place where they no longer are a joke. Their fans, rabid and mostly knowledgeable, deserve to root for a team that isn't a punchline. But, sadly, it's been a looong time since the Dolphins weren't Dave Letterman or Jay Leno fodder.

Last year they were not only bad, but they had Dr. Strangelove as the head coach saying things like, "Today we drafted the Ted Ginn family," or proclaiming he wanted the team to "fail forward fast," or "I want to see that thumb go this direction." The Dolphins were a joke and being 1-15 was only part of the reason.

Before that, Nick Saban was a cartoon character in headsets. Before that Dave Wannstedt and Rick Spielman were dumb and dumber. Before that Jimmy Johnson and Dan Marino played out a weekly soap opera -- as the Dolphins turn -- and the game pushed both out of the NFL was a 62-7 debacle.

And now, all of three press conferences into his career as Miami's GM, Ireland has already made his youtube debut and pundits are making fun of him and the team. Again.

Sure, it's great if you aren't a Dolphins fan and can use the Dolphins as an example of how bad things can get. It is moments like this and the others I've mentioned that cause fans in New York and Buffalo and New England to laugh at Miami.

But I, for one, am kind of sick of the pratfalls and pitfalls.
LINK
http://dolphinsindepth.blogspot.com/2008/04/dolphins-as-punchline-is-getting-very.html