Well there are several read between the line scenarios here:
1) Philbin and Ireland may not be as attached at the hip as you would expect should the GM get fired.
2) It doesn't sound like Ireland is going to get fired next season.
3) It sounds like Ireland is steered by Ross on some issues but free to address others at his own will (maybe a good or bad thing depending).
4) Philbin had a good idea with letting Hard Knocks in (if it was indeed him). It helped the perception of the team in a lot of ways.
Who knows, the NFL changes so much in a year this article maybe outdated in two weeks.
1) Philbin and Ireland may not be as attached at the hip as you would expect should the GM get fired.
2) It doesn't sound like Ireland is going to get fired next season.
3) It sounds like Ireland is steered by Ross on some issues but free to address others at his own will (maybe a good or bad thing depending).
4) Philbin had a good idea with letting Hard Knocks in (if it was indeed him). It helped the perception of the team in a lot of ways.
Who knows, the NFL changes so much in a year this article maybe outdated in two weeks.