Why Ireland won't Survive this, and it'll take Philbin with him.

After listening to an entire day of coverage regarding this topic I am stunned by the reactions of Dolphins fans that do not see this as anything other than a huge black eye on the franchise brought upon itself entirely from within.

As Dolphins apologists scramble to blame Jonathan Martin for not being tough enough or trying to claim that this entire thing was brought on because this is some sort of media witch hunt they forget to acknowledge that this is a problem that has come from a clear lack of leadership in this entire program.

Let's start with the famed Miami Dolphins Leadership Council. Not even the upcoming mid term elections in which Republicans seem to be swimming so strongly upstream is there going to be anywhere near the turnover the Dolphins forced upon its leadership council. The entire council from last year was replaced. That almost inherently signals that level of leadership isn't what you'd hope for. Now consider that a player who has certainly led a very controversial life in the NFL is one of the players elected to that leadership council. I'll admit that even I have found Richie to be very likable while with the Dolphins but he is by no means someone that has ever emanated the integrity level that you'd want leading your team and representing your franchise.

Jeff Ireland, who already brought the negative spotlight onto the franchise in the Dez Bryant interview fiasco, has had a very bad run of drafts. People all over the Fins fanscape are eager to proclaim that Martin was way too soft for the job, that he was mentally weak, that perhaps he didn't even have the desire to be an NFL football player. Well, the man who drafted him is Jeff Ireland. For all the in depth probing he was willing to do on Dez he seems to have missed the armchair psychiatrist diagnosis on Martin. Now there is a very good chance that besides presiding over one of the more embarrassing moments in Dolphins history with this situation he may have also lost last year's second round pick to the bust pile.

Embarrassment coupled with failed job decision after failed job decision is a recipe for termination. Philbin, while seemingly a good guy, has yet to do much in terms of improving the performance of this team in any meaningful way. If Ireland loses his job whatever new GM comes in here isn't going to be compelled to keep Philbin based on his production thus far and whether it is fair or not, he was the captain of this ship. It's his responsibility to have an open communication and pick up the vibes from his position coaches about what is happening at every level of his team and address it. He, along with the entire organization, became a reactionary in this entire circumstance.

The lack of leadership through the roster, coaching staff and front office has brought the Dolphins to this place. It's a damn shame and an embarrassment. And for that people should rightly be held accountable.

As for the undertones of homophobia and racism that have sprinkled throughout this forum over the past two days, those of you who know you are, you should be ashamed. It's an utter disgrace that people can't have conversations on a forum like this without that seeping through.

 

Sorry, I'm new here.. How is this a soapbox? Isn't this completely topical? Who moves something here?