Jeff Ireland should be and most likely will be retained along with Joe Philbin.
Here is why:
Philbin and Ireland have had 2 years together
Lets look at that. The first year, Philbin got what he got in terms of players that were here and implementing new schemes and systems. After last year's dismal performance of 7-9 Philbin and Ireland made adjustments that included, Jettisoning Long, Dansby, Burnette, Vonte and Bush. Attempts were made to replace Dansby and Burnette. Not a fair assessment for 2 guys who just got here. Give them time to adjust like any other player and lets reevaluate them. It is obvious that Dansby and Burnette made our D line and 2ndary better then the current set of linebackers. Water under the bridge at this point but not the end of the world. They will be better next year.
Offensive line. Philbin's strong point. In fact he does nothing better and he has been a career offensive line coach. Obviously Philbin felt Martin was going to step it up and if you believe some of what we have heard Incognito was tasked with making that happen. Philbin must have also had input into Long leaving. In fact I know he did because Incognito's Dad posted on another board multiple posts saying Philbin was all involved. In fact, Mommabilly, as he was known has quite a bit of dislike for both Ireland and Philbin and felt they were stringing his son along for less Money. It is obvious Long felt unwanted and unappreciated so he signed with the Rams. Long had direct conversations with Philbin. For whatever reason they were trying to get Long on the cheap and felt confident enough that if Long walked they could replace him with what we had.
No one could have seen the Incognito blow up coming. It is alleged that Martin has had a gun to his head 3 different times and the phins new about it. Again alleged. Not sure what could have been done in the middle of the season like that except to try and patch the holes. Not sure why Martin was even being considered except that, maybe the coaches just thought he needed to toughen up. Remember he was supposed to be good.
We did not make the playoffs because when the line imploded, so did everything else.
Had the line made it thru the season we would be talking playoffs. Where I have the problem is I question the way we lost. Losing I can handle, but not punching both the Bills and Jets in the mouth on the way to losing is unacceptable. If Sparano was here I can assure you we would have punched and at least knocked out a tooth.........
