Good post and points. As of now, I believe Ireland is an average GM, who has had his hits and misses like all the others. I don't agree on his overall philosophy being flawed. You point to our problems at WR and CB, which every knows. However, Ireland did take his shots at filling those needs in Marshall and VD, who MANY thought would be the answers. They did not work out but, I cannot fault Ireland for that.
Far and away, the BIGGEST problem was finding a QB, because without a VG one every GM and HC is gonna SUCK. Everyone knows that Long was Tuna's pick, passing on Ryan was not on Ireland, although he may have agreed.
Then what? Penny was re-cycled for a VG year, we take Henne as the best available (who Tuna loved), pass on Orton, add Moore who had a VG year, pass on Flynn, among others, and now appear to have a REAL QB.
Bottom line is that any GM or HC is going to be under fire without a VG QB, and that Ireland has been average, not worthy of hate or love. JMO