Like him or not, one of Jeff Ireland's talents is that he excels at the Game of Thrones. He knows how to hold onto power while those around him fall. He's our own 'Tyrion Lannister'.
Thinking about the rumor of Vontae Davis being traded to the Colts for a high-pick, it could seriously help Jeff Ireland.
Consider these two scenarios:
1) Ireland and Philbin go all in on drafting Tannehill. He performs well in camp. He has most of the supporting cast around him excpet, it could be argued, a top-=tier WR corps. The Dolphins offense and defense struggle through the year and we win only 4 games. A year after fans were openly campaigning to "Fire Ireland", the voices grow and perhaps Jeff ireland's job is at risk again. Ross asks for an explanation, and Ireland argues it will take time for Tannehill to develop. "But what about the defense's poor performance?" Ireland may or may not have an adequate answer. he must convince Ross there is hope for the future if they stay with the plan.... does Ross buy that?
2) It is preseason and the decision is made to go all in on Tannehill. Vontae Davis and a 3rd are traded to the Colts for their 1st round pick in next year's draft. The year goes badly and we win only four games. The "Fire Ireland" chants start and Ross calls Jeff into his office. Ireland explains that Tannehill needs time to develop and help at receiver... but wait! They plan on using a 1st round pick to give that to Ryan this offseason so next year will be better! "What about the defensive struggles Jeff?" "Well, as you know it was the players' first year in this system, plus we need more pass rush so QBs can't pick us apart and I can solve that in THIS YEAR'S DRAFT! With the ADDITIONAL 1st round pick we got from the Davis trade! Our two last holes will be filled this draft, Mr. Ross." I could see Ross buying that. There is ALWAYS more hope with two first round picks in the hopper. I also think it's easier for Jeff to say we "knew" it was a rebuild year so we let Vontae go and expected the defense to dip a bit, so don't judge us by that. Let us get this new pass rusher in.
It's pure speculation, but if this is a rebuild year and the outcome is doubtful a trade like this gives Ireland more wiggle room and more 'future hope' to dangle in front of Ross to keep his job.
Thoughts?
Page 1 of 2
-
-
They wouldn't do that trade. The best I see us getting for Vontae is possibly a 2nd and that's doubtful.
While Vontae has been up and down, we should keep him until his contract runs out (possibly longer). He has all the talent in the world and if he puts it together watch out. -
I think the idea of trading Vontae Davis has a whole lot more to do with Vontae Davis than with Jeff Ireland's job.
If Vontae Davis was playing like he should be, there wouldn't be any talk about trading him.JimToss, PhinsRock, Disgustipate and 1 other person like this. -
-
Making sure this regime gets to Year Two isn't a bad thing to consider, imo. I actually respect that sort of proactive planning, so long as it ALSO benefits the team long term.ToddPhin likes this. -
Going along with the scenarios, if we're hypothetically a 4 win team, then we probably wouldn't be more than a 5 win team with Vontae, give or take a win.... so in that regard we'd still pretty much be in the same boat with or without Vontae, I'd think.
The 2012 draft featured a lot of talented/upside guys who need some developing, so that alone will likely buy Ireland a pass through 2013. But it's my opinion that Ireland is the type of man who puts his team before himself and wouldn't pull something just to buy himself time.
Trading Vontae for a high pick would allow us an opportunity to build the offense up as a strength around Tannehill. What would ultimately prove beneficial is how that draft pick pans out. Plus we have enough FA money next year to add another corner, meanwhile we'd have a high pick to hopefully use on WR or DE or package with our 2nd to move up for one. It would cost us in the short term, but it could benefit us over the long term.Bpk likes this. -
Jeff would end up trading out of the first rd, lol...
-
That said, based on Vontae's experience over the past few seasons, and even as recently as the Carolina game, I think he was the best CB Miami had on the field compared to Sean Smith and Richard Marshall. -
-
Before we throw out a potential top-tier CB in the league, I say we give Philbin/Coyle and the rest of the staff an opportunity to help Vontae become what we all hoped he would. I missed the Carolina game (dang DVR!) but one poster seems to think Vontae was our best CB on the field, lets see where he goes from here before sending him off.
smahtaz likes this. -
Bpk likes this.
-
On the trade front, if we trade Vonte we really dont have anybody to play the nickle CB. IMO in this new league the slot WR really is one of the most important guys to be able to cover. If Vonte can lock down the slot WR or a TE from New England I dont think its worth what we could get for him. -
I'm still curious as to whether or not the best combination might almost be having Richard Marshall playing FS and keeping Davis and Smith at the CB spots. You could move Marshall into the slot and bring in Chris Clemons or Jimmy Wilson to play S in those situations. Frankly, the trio of Reshad Jones, Chris Clemons, and Jimmy Wilson...well, that scares me a bit (okay, a lot). I'll reserve judgment given what Kevin Coyle was able to to with Reggie Nelson, Chris Crocker, and Taylor Mays last year though in Cincinnati.
And for the life of me, I can't find anywhere with either Tony Sparano last year or Joe Philbin/Kevin Coyle why they ever flipped Vontae from LCB to RCB in base sets. Granted, last year Davis seemed to move wherever the #1 WR was most of the time, but it'd seem to me to be a better fit to have Vontae on the left side (the offense's right) as he's better against the run. IMO, most teams are still primarily right-handed when it comes to running the ball. -
-
-
ToddPhin likes this.
-
I'll say it again, I know CK had a thread on it earlier in the offseason, but I still wonder if you don't try and move Richard Marshall to FS, where he played some last year for the Cardinals, and get him plus Smith and Davis all on the field at the same time. I think that mitigates some of the negative plays from Chris Clemons, Reshad Jones, or Jimmy Wilson. -
We'd have to see what we get for Vontae before making a conclusion, but a 1st, even if we throw in a 3rd is rather unrealistic. Vontae by himself would land us a 4th at best. Based on that scenario, I see no way it benefits Ireland.
-
Jeff Ireland is not Tyrion Lannister. Jeff Ireland is Joffrey Baratheon.
Clipse, Bpk and ckparrothead like this. -
I found Parcells to be cool and charming, if not a little exotic. That is, until he birthed the shadow baby that is Jeff Ireland
Bpk and HardKoreXXX like this. -
You know nothing, Steve Ross.
-
-
-
-
I think I'll call Ireland Demon-Monkey or Half-Man from now on.
-
When Ireland gets canned, Steve Ross says, "Channing Crowder sends his regards."
-
Fans: "Ireland, you didn't carrry out your job with honor."
Ireland: (Points to Sparano's empty chair) "He did."ckparrothead and HardKoreXXX like this. -
-
-
Ireland & Parcells definitely knew there was some risk involved with Vontae but, IIRC, Ron Zook endorsed Vontae [regarding Davis not being a problem kid].
Vontae represented too much value at our pick, and considering we were in need of 2 starting corners, we were basically forced to take him. At times I think a GM has to have faith that his coaching staff can develop the player and keep him motivated.
Personally, at the time I had wished we used our spare $6.0 million in cap space on a vet corner [like Leigh Bodden or Bryant McFadden] to free up our 1st round pick for Hakeem Nicks, and it really bothered me knowing we were heading into a draft with the pressure of having to come away with 2 starting corners. Initially I blamed Ireland for it, but I later withdrew the blame b/c I had no way of knowing exactly whose decision it was to put us in that position considering Parcells had the most power and BP said that he could step in and did step in when he saw his young, inexperienced GM about to step in poop. -
But I will say, considering we had to come away with a starting corner with our 2009 1st rounder (b/c Parcells had #44 pre-reserved for for his pet-cat pick, Pat White), I'm thankful Ireland or Parcells drafted Vontae instead of Alphonso Smith or Darius Butler.
Bpk likes this.
Page 1 of 2