Where does this idea that its best to clean house or bust come from? Where is the evidence to back that claim up? Because Hayden Fox said it over and over? Because you're hoping that Ross would somehow include himself in the housecleaning? Because it failed the last time we didn't completely clean house? Talk about an overreaction...
Jeff Ireland was a terrible GM. Period. Jeff Ireland was an idiot. Joe Philbin and Jeff Ireland were often at odds. If Joe Philbin wasn't at odds with an idiot then that would be a red flag.
It should not be that difficult a task to judge a GM and coach independently and on their own merits.
I don't even think Jeff Ireland's seat was that hot in retrospect. Hell, he wasn't even technically fired. Like Marcus Thigpen, who I think might have played himself off the roster in the fourth preseason game, Jeff Ireland may have general managed himself right off the team. I believe Joe Philbin was pounding the table for certain roster moves, Jeff Ireland was adamant that he was right, and Stephen Ross was cc'ed on all of those communications.
If a year ago the communications went like:
Philbin: Martin is not good enough and without a competent LT we can't execute the offense the way we need to to be competitive.
Ireland: I have faith Martin is good enough. We can't afford to put any more resources into the o-line right now without jeopardizing my long term plan.
So if that is how it went down and knowing now how it all played out now who would YOU fire?
