There's no way you can possibly defend this if true, and it has *nothing* to do with Orton's ability as a QB.
First of all, why in the hell would you eviscerate your FO like that? If you meddle once, you will meddle again. What happens when it's a move that could've improved the team dramatically? Now I don't know if the McKinnie situation was Ireland or Ross. Same with Carey. You're simply destroying whatever power the GM has, and it affects further negotiations down the road (I can picture agents telling Ireland "sorry we went elsewhere, but they didn't have to check with ownership first).
Second, what if it's not part of a plan? What if that's what we got: a tightwad owner? We're screwed, that's what.
Third, even if this is part of some plan, it's a crappy one. Suck for Luck? So people will flock after your crappy on purpose season? Because I wouldn't. And how would the players feel about wasting a year of their lives in your little project?or the coaches? Or your emasculated little GM?
well this is clearly true. we wont know for sure until next year. and theres the rub. so heres the thing - we are either dealing with a very good owner that excercised some constraint and wants to build a persistent winner, or an owner that is strapped financially, and doesnt have the available cash reserves that he feels comfortable spending. on paper the guy is a billionaire on paper, so even if that is the case, even with the fact much of his wealth is in s florida real estate, it should give him the ability to borrow for cash. this being the case, its most likely option number 1.
we might actually finally have a plan to build a successful franchise. lets see how it plays out