I honestly want to praise Ireland as GM

[emeraldfin]

Same old same old! Ireland is great he brought us Vontea, Langford, Stark, Long, etc. But in the same time frame Merling, Henne, White, Turner, Wilson, Green, Smiley, Wilford, Grove, and many other duds are all Parcells fault! Like Wildbill said " pick a date that Ireland is responsible from that point on". Which should be preseason 2010 when.Parcells pulled the rip chord on his Golden Parachute!

I'd be willing to give him all of 2010, because Parcells was on the way out at that stage. No-way he can be given credit for anything prior to 2010, likewise can he be criticized either. So Ireland as a GM has basically had a two year apprenticeship alongside Parcells and has been responsible for two drafts/Free Agency periods.

I think he can evaluate talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Some of his choices in regards to the draft have been slightly baffling though. After working out a very good trade with the Chargers in the 2010 draft, he then selected Jared Odrick. Granted Odrick was arguably BPA at that point and I have no doubts he will be a very good player in the league, but picking a DE there was strange considering it was our strength. At that point we already had Langford, Starks, McDaniel (granted his form improved quite abit in 2010) and Soliai (who showed he could play NT after Ferguson went down in 2009) so the need for a 1st round DE really wasn't there, as last season proved.

Free Agency that year I was actually quite impressed. Dansby was an excellent pickup, as ILB was a position of huge need and getting Henne a go to receiver in Marshall for two second rounders was also good business IMO. Richie Incognito has also proved to be a solid contributor on the line and his versatility to play either G or C was badly needed in 2010. Bobby Carpenter was probably the only poor decision of the FA period.

This years draft for me was much like last seasons, in that we picked a stellar player in the 1st round, who will more than likely go on to have a very good career in the NFL. However Pouncey will now the be third linemen on the team to be drafted in the 1st round. Also considering this team is coached by a O-line guru in Tony Sparano, picking an OL in the 1st round should really have not been necessary at this stage of his tenure in Miami. Regardless, getting a Centre was a need, but I think getting one in the 1st round was not necessary. However, at 15 there really wasn't anyone else available that would have filled a need and was value at that spot. After the Pouncey pick, there was a run on OL, DL and CB positions, so the only real prospect that you could argue he should have taken was Ingram.

This Free Agency period I have not been too impressed with and it is certainly not on a par to last years. Reggie Bush can bring explosiveness to the offensive which is badly needed,but how durable is Bush? According to Sparano, he will split carries with Thomas, will more than likely be our 3rd down back and take both kick and punt returns. If he wasn't durable in NO with less playing time, then can we honestly expect him to play all 16 games this season? And if he does get injured then what? A rookie, who didn't even see team facilities until August will be expected to carry the load on a run first team. Big, big ask for a rookie in a lokcout year. I understand this is all hypothetical, but we are really ill-equipped to deal with injuries at that position, and considering one is prone to injury, that's a worry. Dont understand why Brown was not re-signed to the same deal he got in Philly.

Burnett is a good pickup and an upgrade over Crowder. Marc Colombo is a decent pickup, but again another new face on the O-Line (I would actually love to see how much money the Dolphins have invested in the OL since Sparano arrived). Matt Moore will probably win the starting QB position from Henne at some point this season, but there were certainly better veteran QB's out there who would have been an upgrade over both Henne and Moore (Hasselbeck, Orton and even Alex Smith if we intend on running a WCO). Granted none of the names mentioned are all that impressive, but if Sparano's job is on the line, Henne would not be a guy I would put my mortgage on to deliver.

For me the jury is still out on Ireland. On a whole, I think Ireland has done a good job with regards to getting good talent on the defense, allowing Nike Nolan to make a young defense blossom (I'm not sure whether to give Ireland credit for picking up Nolan or if Parcells was heavilly involved). IMO, Ireland probably deserves another year, where we are in a better position to finally take a risk on a QB, be it be a higher draft spot or better quality hitting FA. But he has to role the dice on a QB at some point.

 

[Rashar]

Whose bone headed idea was it to let go of Welker to the opponent team?

 

[Etuoo33]

Finally, voices of reason. There is some dissent, usually by the same cast of characters, but overall some good insight as to who and what is going on with this team. The biggest issue is obviously at QB. Henne has not proved himself. How much is Henne and how much is/was our antiquated offensive philosophy or lack of weaponry? There are 32 teams and no where near that many starting QB's. Jury's still out on that one, IMHO. Ask your selves this, what good would have Ryan been with the OL and weapons we had for him the last three years. He might have ended up like Carson Palmer, a career ruined by a inept franchise...it happens more than we care to admit. Parcells was long gone before Nolan signed on... How good is Ingram with last years OL? ...And anybody who thinks when BP was here, he didn't have the final say on everything, they are fools.

 

[NY8123]

Some on that list aren't anything special. Sorry, but Fassano, Merling, McDaniel, Polite....nice players but if left tomorrow could be easily replaced. They are "just guys" on an NFL team. Not special by any means. The Marshall trade looks terrible as of now. He was horrible last year and his off the field stuff hasn't stopped. And Sean Smith hasn't shown to be a quality NFL CB just yet either.

Marshal was not horrible last season, he ended up sqeaking out a 1000 yard season even with the inept offense that was Dan Hanning and Bess had the best season of his career with the luxury of Marshal and it would have shown more if Henne was a good Qb.

Fasano gets no love and yet first down after first down and catch after catch he puts together a soild NFL season year after year, he would not be easly replaced and if Brady, Manning or Brees was throwing to him he would be a pro bowl player. http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/04/05/secret-superstar-anthony-fasano-miami-dolphins/

McDainel provides a soild play at DE, he would be a loss and Miami got him for a song in 08 and re-signed a key figure in a great Defensive line.

Polite has been one of the most consitant 3rd down backs in the league

Lousaka Polite(notes), Miami Dolphins -- 24.3% DVOA (16 carries, 39 yards, 88% Success Rate)
Polite has been one of the real old-school backs over the last few years. He amassed 15 first downs on 26 carries in 2010, his first-down percentage is always among the league's highest, and he's known as perhaps the best back in the pros when it comes to that necessary final yard. 15 of Polite's carries came on third-and-1 last year, and he converted 14 of those third downs. That, friends, is the kind of guy you want on your roster.

Sean Smith

Smith, Jackson reports, was targeted only 44 times out of 661 snaps, the second lowest percentage in the NFL, only trailing Philadelphia’s Nnamdi Asomugha.

There is a reason for that.

Sorry but everyone of those players on my list contribute on a level higher then just a replacable player a replacable player is Mickey Shuler.

 

[Keeno]

I knew someone with sense would post. I didnt want to be the first.

Damn straight on the Ingram deal. No reason not to take Ingram, Mallett, and the guy I liked for cornfedness was Moffitt out of Wisconsin. Pure mauler. Fits the philosophy of these morons too. Couldve plugged him in at G and gotten a quality C through FA as there were quite a few available. Couldve gotten all 3 in a row.

Could you imagine our RBs being Ingram and Bush. Thats a solid 1-2 punch of different styles too. Throw in Ricky to give Ingram a break on occasion and still punish people. Ricky wouldve been a nice guy to fill either role of those 2 players on occasion to keep everyone fresh. And we wouldve had a QB.

C'mon man. You make it sound like it is easy to just grab players and throw them in at O Line. I think Pouncey is a great addition. He is young and could be a great anchor to our O Line for years to come. Everybody said Long was not a left tackle when we drafted him. Now, he is arguably the best in game. Give it a rest until you see Pouncey in games this season.

As to Ingram, I don't see the point of taking a RB that early unless he is elite. They have shorter careers compared to other positions and there was still concern about Ingram's knee. I believe Thomas led the Big 12 in rushing for 2 years, so it isn't like he is some scrub without any talent.

I honestly don't understand all your Ireland hate. He has helped build up a solid roster. If the whole Henne thing hadn't of turned out the way it did, we wouldn't even be having this discussion. We have a great team whether you want to admit it or not. I just hope that if you get your Cowher wish, that he has enough sense to not tinker with the roster. Plug in a franchise QB and the Phins are capable of being really great.

 

[BlueFin]

This man has had Solid Drafts ( we all know that Pat White was a Bill Parcells pick )

he brought us a top tier corner in Vontae Davis , he did his research on Cameron Wake ( yet you all want to bash the man), Last year brought a prized F.A in Karlos Dansby.

i mean what i am trying to get at he's been a good GM without old headed Parcells around him.

95 percent of this board loves to hate him but never realizes what this franchise was and what players he brought in.

IF he would've gotten a successful QB ( the question mark is still out on henne) the man would've done a AMAZING job.

I'll praise him when the job results in success, until then it means nothing. If he fails to land a QB capable of leading a team into contention he has failed.....period.

 

[Jersey DolFan]

That's not the way to build a team, when a team lacks playmakers you take them in the first round, not cornfed lineman. And you don't draft for depth in the first round that's stupid, the patriots can do it because they already have a good team, we don't.

yeah b/c all new englands "play makers" were first round draft picks - they weren't acquired in the 6th, through trades, and through FA. . . thanks draft expert!

 

[Jersey DolFan]

i like ireland - he took the worst team in the NFL and gave them a SOLID core of players, our youth is awesome and so is our financial management. if we get some egotistical guy in here like cowher who wants to "buy the groceries" im going to be pissed. How many of those former great head coaches who try manage personnel actually succeed?? IF we need a new coach next year than so be it. but i think if we let ireland stay and draft the right QB we are going to be in GREAT shape. dont blow up the team again and start from scratch - it isnt needed. Too many teams around the leage do this and thats why they win a superbowl or reach the NFC/AFC championship, then wind up at 2-14 the next year and never really recover for a number of years - while teams like the colts, pats, eagles, giants etc. stay relevant every year even if they have 1 or 2 "average or medicore" seasons. no need to blow this team up. i have not been kind to ross - but i am hoping he really wants to stick with ireland. i think he does - b/c he wasnt looking to replace him last year - just the coach. i think luck has a lot to do with being a good GM and i dont mean the QB . . i mean pure luck . . most these guys have qualified scouts around them and also have good football knowledge. let a guy build his solid team and stick with it and u'll have success eventually - keep knocking it down and rebuilding and you may have 1 run but it wont last. If Ireland has a QB - this team is a perenial playoff contender book it.

 

[GRYPHONK]

So who gets credit for bring in or signing:

Marshal
Dasby
Wake
Long
Merling
Starks
Misi
McDaniel
Davis
Smith
Polite
Fasano
Burnett
Bush
....
.....
.......

Here's the thing for me. Parcells himself already admitted he was in charge and responsible for alot. The only FACT any of us know, is that this offseason was 100% Ireland. All other offseasons is speculation and opinion. So I will pnly look at this offseason which is the ONLY fair thing to do.

So Burnett. Bush resigning Mcdaniels all Ireland. Not killing our cap, Ireland. Not wasting draft picks Ireland. Not a flashy offseason but an offseason that gives us flexibility for many years while providing depth and a few upgrades at key positions. We will have all but one pick in next years draft and plenty of cap room to sign FA'S.

 

[ChambersWI]

no matter who you are going to give credit for. For those who call these guys moron are imo being a little shirt sighted. These guys have been far from great, but they hae given us more talented youngsters in 4 years than any past regime has given us in 10

 

[Strangeworld]

If ireland does not find a QB then he has failed.

This will avail itself when he gets fired after another losing season.

 

[SkapePhin]

I too think he has done a pretty decent job in talent acquisition. At the very least, you have to give him props to not going into total desperation mode ala Rick Spielman and dishing out high draft picks for horrible players like Lamar Gordon..

 

[Phins28]

Charlie Casserly is my link!!! Heard him on NFLN the day Pat White was drafted, Sorry but I'll take Casserly word over anyone on this board who says otherwise!!! Lets remember now, he is very close friends with Parcells and is a former GM with lots of inside info .. so where is your link that say's White was Ireland's pick?

He is the GM so is his pick.

 

[MiamiNative0722]

Here's the thing for me. Parcells himself already admitted he was in charge and responsible for alot. The only FACT any of us know, is that this offseason was 100% Ireland. All other offseasons is speculation and opinion. So I will pnly look at this offseason which is the ONLY fair thing to do.

So Burnett. Bush resigning Mcdaniels all Ireland. Not killing our cap, Ireland. Not wasting draft picks Ireland. Not a flashy offseason but an offseason that gives us flexibility for many years while providing depth and a few upgrades at key positions. We will have all but one pick in next years draft and plenty of cap room to sign FA'S.

how is this the fair thing to do? your completely discrediting ireland out of his first 3 years here and simply putting it as it was ONLY parcells in the last 3 years,

i would simply take it as a whole, even with parcells influence, Ireland is our GM, and for all the failures and successes of these last 3 years it was his responsibility and i say its been a good job

 

[UHHS]

Even though Orton, IMO, is a far better QB then Henne I have to give Ireland credit for not throwing away a very high draft pick and not cracking under pressure when Orton demanded a multi year contract equivalent to what the Cardinals paid Kolb, which was seriously stupid. Orton would have just been a very expensive bandaide that would have haunted us for years due to what he was wanting in Kolb like salary. I do give Ireland credit for not folding under pressure by Denver.

While Parcels was here every player aquisition and draft was entirely Parcels decision/choice. I cannot hold Ireland repsonsible for any of them that did not work out. That credit goes to Bill Parcels. He admitted it on White and like the White decision, they all fall on the lap of Parcels, no one else.