Spesh
#freespesh
Well, it has been made clear that Ross is placing the blame of the problems between 2008 and 2010 on Parcells. Ireland pretty much got a clean slate by the owner starting with the 2011 offseason. That means in the eye of the owner, Mike Pouncey was Ireland's first draft pick not Jake Long. Obviously there are fans that don't agree with that and will say "well what did Ireland do those first 3 years?" Good question, but in the eyes of the owner he was being held back and over ruled by Parcells.
So technically this could be considered Ireland's third offseason and if you don't produce a winner within three years you will be shown the door. Ross even made a point in his post season press conference that winning is the ultimate plan in 2013 and Ireland needs to deliver. Another big factor indicating this is a make or break offseason for Ireland is that his contract expires after this season. If the Dolphins have a losing record again in 2013 there is no way Ross will give Ireland a contract extension.
I really hate when fans say that "Ross doesn't care about winning" or that he "loves mediocrity" that is such a dumb argument. Ross spent more money than any owner between 2009 and 2010 on free agents. This article even states that Ross is expecting to use a lot of money this offseason. Ross wants to win, and don't for one minute think he is "happy" with losing.
Why is Ross' opinion a source of validation for you? I like him because he has been willing to spend money and step back, but i have yet to see how he's some shrewd football mind. He did resign Tony Sparano after all. He is paying Carl Peterson for...well, heck, i have no idea what Peterson is doing(which im fine with as long as he isnt GM, but still raises the question of why he receives a paycheck). And didnt he put out a feeler for Eric Mangini in an advisor role? Those names arent exactly Bill Walsh, Ron Wolf, and Tony Dungy.
And i guess Ireland "technically" never cashed a paycheck. Anyone else miss the days of Don Shula and accountability? There was no question about who did what. And when something didnt go right Shula stepped forward and took the blame. Then again that didnt happen often because Shula actually won games. At one point in time not going to the Superbowl was considered a failure of a season. Now our fans fawn over 7 wins.
Can you please show evidence that states Ireland will be fired if we dont win next year. Ive seen nothing to indicate he will be gone. Heck, i listened to this all last offseason("he has no more excuses, he has a good coach now and you can win with a rookie qb!") and that turned out about as expected. Our owner publically stated he expected a playoff run and would consider making changes if we had another losing season...and is apparently satisfied with our sub-.500 year. I have run across no evidence showing Ross will feel differently next year.
Also, Ross has stated he is only responsible for this past year. Before that he couldnt really be called owner, because he didnt have his own people in place. So "technically" he doesnt get credit for spending that money. After all, he didnt have final say, right?