It's obvious to me Ross is an old school manager. He believes in learning from lessons and continuity breeding success. These are not the types to continue rehashing a problem year in and year out. Once their efforts are exercised on a decision, they work within the decision. They do not go back and continually focus resources on it.
Ross gave Ireland a new contract quietly after the draft and Free Agency. In his eyes, Jeff and the FO were given tasks and allowed to work within those tasks to meet the goals set forth by the rest of the organization. Apparently Jeff hit on all or most of his required milestones set forth by the organization. Thus he was rewarded.
If you follow this thinking, the problem, in Ross' eyes, is not with Jeff Ireland. And regardless of past failures or opinions, fans need to get right with Ross' viewpoint. Otherwise, we will just continue getting angrier and angrier about a situation we do not know enough about. And continuing to base our judgments on criteria not shared by the owner.
Ross was happy at 8 - 6. Giving the staff reassurances about next year. Then we flounder to 8 - 8 against 2 inferior DIVISION opponents and missed the playoffs. What could Jeff Ireland have done during those 2 games to change the outcome? Nothing. Thus in Ross' eyes the blame is on coaching and players.
How does a person who believes in long term continuity deal with unexpected failure after only a short term? Firing people? No.
Ross is conferring because he needs advise on how few tweaks he HAS to make in order to maintain continuity while manufacturing the most productivity and results from his current collection of people.
I think it's obvious the OL Coach is gone. And there may be some other sacrificial lambs. But Ross loves Philbin. Sherman is highly respected. And people such as Dan Marino will advise Ross that getting rid of Sherman would hurt Tannehill's development. And what is really needed is to fix the obvious problems: 1) Offensive Line, 2) Running Game and 3) Blocking TEs and FBs.
Then it will be suggested that Sherman change his play calling to be more balanced and less predictable.
It has been proven that longevity is the key to sustained success in the NFL. The fans want immediate success, starting next year. Most say they are patient to wait 3 years until we have sustained success. Well here we are; entering year 3. 7-9 to 8-8 is progress. And it's one game from the playoffs. And if success is not reached by any regime until Year 3, then we do not have the luxury of choosing which reasons we fail. Every regime will fail for different reasons. The difference is how they respond to challenges.
It's obvious the OLine and offense were challenged this year. But we still grew in certain areas, shed ourselves of a scandal and still almost made the playoffs. The problems are identified. Ross will give this collection of minds 1 more year to solve their problems. Even if they fail again, I do not expect a regime change. I expect OC and DC changes. But for the Ireland haters, until Ross believes Ireland is the reason for failure on the field he will have a job.
Remember, he got a raise after players had been acquired for the year. It's obvious to me that Ireland acquired the players Philbin and Staff wanted. It's on them if they couldn't manufacture wins from the players they wanted.
And I think Coyle has a lot of explaining to do for the lack of Jordan being on the field. I would imagine that topic has him firmly in the cross hairs. But not enough to lose his job in one year.
Ross doesn't knee jerk guys. A few sacrificial lambs is all in this year's slaughter.
