Someone, anyone, please defend Jeff Ireland's GM prowess by naming your favorite things he's done as GM. And I don't want "we didn't overpay for Matt Flynn". I want a list of moves he made that you think were awesome.
Jesus this board is going downhill fast. Every thread is about the petty bull**** between posters and calling each other out. Can't you all chill the **** out for one?
I'm serious with this tread. I would like a list of Ireland's great moves. I'm not even baiting the Ireland Jock Sniffers (IJS) into an argument. I just want a list. I won't even rebut the lists. I'm honestly curious as to what the IJS see in the guy.
Honest answer. It's tough. I mean, I'm trying to think of a move he's made that's led to long term success for this team. If Brandon Marshall were still on the roster, that would be my pick. I'd pick Jake Long, because I love Jake. But that's just more of an example of playing it safe, and a Parcellian philosophy. I guess I'll go with Reggie Bush. All due respect to Cam Wake and Vernon Davis, but if we're not going to blame Ireland for past mistakes when Parcells was here, I'm not going to give him credit either.
Cam Wake Randy Starks Chad Pennington Tony McDaniels Davone Bess Jake Long Anthony Fasano Mike Pouncey Jared Odrick Matt Moore Jimmy Wilson Reggie Bush Vontae Davis Charles Clay
Nor could you blame him or the team for thinking Henne was the long term answer after his initial success as QB.
Personally I think its fair to use the entire record when evaluating him. I could see why people wouldn't though.
I mean when you look at Pennington and Moore, those two acquisitions were great considering the circumstances. Obviously not long-term solutions, but the reality is that those aren't always available. In the context of free agent QBs, Moore and Pennington performed very well.
Another thing that impresses me about Ireland is that he does a good job of self-evaluation. When they sign or draft guys, and they stink, they cut ties pretty quickly. They don't keep them around and try to make them fit. Certainly you don't want to miss on any players, but the reality is you do. There are a lot of teams that will stick with their mistakes (Jets) instead of just accepting it and moving on.
You can make that argument. But tell that to the folks, some of which you've supported, who claim we cannot hold Ireland responsible for what transpired while Bill was here.
I think he took over last year so that is when I start his tenure as GM. I think the Pouncey pick will turn out to be a great pick over the long haul. Picking up M Moore has turned out to be a good move as well. Kevin Burnett was a great FA pickup as well (took him a while to get going but once he did he proved to be a good move). having said that, the best move he made was NOT trading for Orton.
Don't forget Bush or Clay...or even Thomas for that matter. His record in his lone undisputed season as GM is pretty darn good.
Yeah, I see both sides to the argument. Really for me its not a big deal, because I think its impressive whether you consider the time since Parcells left, or the entire thing.
#1. Wasn't his call remember at the time when Jake was drafted Bill called the shots along with a few others you mentioned.
Grabbing Cameron Wake out of the CFL Reggie Bush for a swap of 6th rounders Randy Starks as a no name FA Adding Karlos Dansby Drafting Vontae
Agree Just pointing it out.. In reality it's over as the fans are not going to forgive their perceived notions right or wrong that our problems begin and end with Ireland. He's the lightning rod of this team. If this translates into people not supporting the team and loss of income for ROSS than I can see something happening at the end of next year. This isn't blowing over...
Cam Wake Jake Long Pouncy R.Bush D Thomas C Clay J Wilson V Davis R Starks M Moore Pennington Fasano L. Polite Not caving for Orton, Flynn, or Smith Not Busting on a single 1st round pick Dansby Burnett Solai, and the cheap contract should I go on??
Well, in the last two seasons he has: 1. Drafted Jared Odrick who, at times, looked fantastic last season 2. Signed Karlos Dansby who finally looked like a captain and a dominant linebacker towards the end of last season 3. Signed Brandon Marshall, a threat if nothing else while he was here and a move that was never really considered bad until he was traded away 4. Drafted a future Pro Bowl centre in Mike Pouncey 5. This may be a push, but he drafted Daniel Thomas and he may well improve dramatically next season 6. Drafted Charles Clay as a receiving threat from the fullback spot 7. Gave Jimmy Wilson a shot, and was proven right with some solid, unexpected performances 8. Built what many consider to be a darn good defense 9. Signed Reggie Bush when others thought he wasn't an every-down running back... we all know how that turned out 10. Picked up Matt Moore, and at the very least you can now make a case for him to be a genuine NFL starter There's the top 10 but I'm probably missing a couple
His ability to find acorns and playmakers Hartline 1 td in the past 26 games Misi 1 sack in the last 17 games...
I have had a lot of aggravation with him lately, but as I've said before - He took over this team with nothing and has built it to where I believe it is a QB away from relevance again and he deserves kudo's for that.
Why is it that when those of us who want Ireland fired because of his overall incompetence as a GM, we are told that Ireland shouldn't be blamed for what went on when Parcells was in charge because it was Parcells who made all the player personnel decisions? Yet when the Ireland fans are asked for examples of good decisions Ireland has made since he became the teams GM, he is given credit for the drafting of Jake Long, Vontae Davis, and any other draft pick that these Ireland supporters think was a good selection while Parcells was with the team. They also give Ireland credit for signing Dansby and Wake . It appears to be that Ireland supporters only want to give him all the credit for picks and signings they liked during the Parcells era, and yet blame Parcells for all the bad draft picks and the bad free agency signings while he was with the organization. I agree that Ireland should be held responsible and given credits for every player drafted and signed in the last four years, since he has been the GM all this time. While he has had a small degree of success in the draft and in free agency, the teams overall records of 31-34 over this period clearly shows that Ireland is not up to the job. Especially when you consider that 11 of the Dolphins wins came in year one of this regime and the team has continued to decline each year after their playoff appearance in 2008. It is time for Ireland to go. He appears to have no idea how to build a successful football team. The sooner Ross realizes this, the sooner he can hopefully hire a GM who actually knows what he is doing.
And what was the teams record last year with all these players on the roster. Oh yea, 6-10. Great job Ireland.
Means nothing when you're 6-10 and don't have a QB who can help you contend for a Super Bowl. We also no longer have the defensive coordinator who helped make the defense what it is.
Lets see this is my favorite things 7-9,7-9,6-10 and I am sure this year we will be 6-10 or 7-9 again.Thanks jeff way to pick him.I love being mediocre your the best.
How about drafting a team to get us a winning record for a change.How about finding the most important postion on the field.
I tend to judge Ireland as a GM based on his tenure since September 2010, when Parcells officially left. I think bringing Jason Taylor back a second time tells you all you need to know about who had final say while Bill was here. I'm neither an Ireland defender, nor an Ireland hater. FWIW. But there needs to be a distinction made. Ireland is a very good talent evaluator, with an abrasive personality. He seems bad at the people skills element to being a good GM. Cutting YB the way he did. Cutting Crowder and Will Allen last preseason arguably made Sparano's job that much harder. Persistent rumors that Ronnie Brown's playing time was cut short in 2010 to save bonus money. These don't help coaches manage a locker room of volatile men. Depending on your POV, Ireland has stuck wisely or stubbornly to a refusal to overpay. Orton last year, Flynn this year. Time will tell which POV is correct. Despite a lockout shortened FA market, Ireland's 2011 offseason was a success. I'll let this one play out before I commit to either side of the Jeff Ireland civil war.