Very Telling

[FINishedPerfect]

Ireland has had 4 years to build his 6-10 team so obviously his draft approach had not been that great

Ireland came here after we won one game, he had absolutely nothing to work with except maybe a running back (Ronnie Brown)

He draft a pro bowl left tackle Jake Long, Stud CB in Vontae Davis, quality with potential to be all pro in Pouncey, signed a upcoming stud from CFL in Cam Wake and added numerous role player like Hartline, Bess, S. Smith, Misi, Odrick, R. Jones. We have three players on offense that should be able to contribute in Gates, Clay, D. Thomas. Where we need to make an improvement in our draft is the playmaker position hence QB, WR, TE, DB. Ireland has had some misses nobody in going to be perfect and when you have a franchise QB like Brady it will cover numerous holes on your team.

 

[NYinBostonFin]

They got good strictly through the draft with the exception of Drew Brees. Philbin said it himself, in eight years with the Packers not a single free agent that they singed started for them on offense.

I think you should check the Saints SB team again, they had more FAs on than Drew.

Can you name another team NOT GB that was able to do this?

 

[NYinBostonFin]

I'm glad you brought up New England. They actually sign bargain free agents. None of their big name free agents have ever panned out. Adalius Thomas was a complete flop for them. Now they still need a pass rusher as much as any team in the league but they didn't sign the biggest free agent of all at that position, Mario Williams. As a matter of fact, they let one of their best pass rushers, Mark Anderson, leave because he wanted too much money.

NE has brought more than Adalius and have done well. Just picking one FA that didn't pan out really works well for your arguement.

They couldn't afford Mario...Buffalo emptied their wallet to make him the franchise. They weren't going to pay Mark Anderson because he was older and really not worth it in their eyes. He was decent last year...one of the best pass rushers? For their poor defense maybe. Doesn't mean they wouldn't get another pass rusher from FA if one came along.

 

[NYinBostonFin]

Logic no longer exist on this site. The are putting the last 30 yrs on a very young and upcoming GM. History is the only thing that can prove Ireland to be right or wrong. I just hope hi sticks to his guns and do what perennial power houses have done. If it works out great and if it doesn't he at least tried to do it the right way.

You can't change people minds. It's only one way, since we have been so bad since 2008, common sense threads such as this is completely going to be disregard.

You just love every and any move made by this FO, and anyone who has any question is wrong, illogical and not a true fan... no substance just rah rah nonsense.

 

[Dmarino110]

this may be the case which is why we need a mouth piece for the front office...take everything ross wants to say and ignore it...take all the questions jeff wants to ask recruits and ignore them...and then tell the fans what is going on so they dont riot...

 

[Zounds]

While I agree that the draft is the way to go and that free agency is overrated, we do need to make some bold moves - like drafting a QB or a playmaker. I think Ireland has a good eye for talent and I generally like his drafts, but he completely overlooks our real long term need in a QB and thats what will eventually cost him his job. I'm not upset that we didnt sign any starters this offseason, but I am going to be upset if we dont get a QB in the draft.

 

[Miamibyrd]

A lot of folks are pointing the finger at the Gm but also the HC, plays a role in the player selection for this team also. I say let it play out even though every step may seem touchy.

 

[iwastherein72]

I think Philbin is being hamstrung in player acquisition at this point. He will have to coach up the garbage ireland provides him.

 

[fishbanger]

Philbin comes from a winning organization and hopefully that winning philosophy will get transfered here. Tha includes draft and execution during the season.

 

[FINishedPerfect]

I think you should check the Saints SB team again, they had more FAs on than Drew.

Can you name another team NOT GB that was able to do this?

Steelers

 

[rickd13]

New england was fairly busy in free agency....i bet they win the division. Any takers!? You have to draft well, and supplement with free agency. But the bottom line you need good football players, playmakers who will contribute. Pats sign brandon lloyd we trade marshall...we sign artis hicks, pats sign tobert gallery.... we dont have the luxury of being in the nfc west where 9 or 10the wins, will get you a division title. We need better football players and 11-13 wins or were fighting for a wildcard... depth players and role players with an average qb isnt improvment enough to.compete in the afc east.

You think New England will win the division? Wow, that's really going out on a limb. Do you think it is because they signed Gallery and Loyd or because they have Tom freaking Brady? When the other three starting QB's in the division are Mark Sanchez, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Matt Moore you think the difference in the race to a division title is going to be the free agents New England signs?

 

[rickd13]

I think you should check the Saints SB team again, they had more FAs on than Drew.

Can you name another team NOT GB that was able to do this?

Pittsburgh. New York Giants. The Colts never were players in free agency the whole time Peyton Manning was there.

 

[PHINSfan]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/nfl/03/13/nfl.2012.free.agent.tracker.afc/index.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/nfl/03/13/nfl.2012.free.agent.tracker.nfc/index.html

These two links I have posted are very telling of how winning organizations build a team. Haven't you learned from the past mistakes like Redskins and more recently "The Dream Team" Eagles last year that free agency isn't where you create a team it's where you tweak adding parts here and there. If we look at the elite teams in the NFL: Steelers, Giants, Ravens, Texans, Green Bay, Saints they have added a total of
4
new free agents combined. I didn't included their own players they re-signed, just new additions. All I hear is Fireland, protest, don't buy season tickets, that we are the laughing stock, and nobody wants to play for us nonsense. Do you listen or just here when Philbin says he wants to build his team through the draft. Philbin formed his philosophy on team-building with the Green Bay Packers in recent years and the Green Bay way is to build almost exclusively through the draft. The Packers have not signed a free agent in two offseasons and Philbin believes, at least in part, that's the right way to do it. Remember how far Aaron Rodgers slipped in the draft and that Alex Smith was the number one pick that year. Yes we haven't been lucky recently and sometimes that's all you need in the NFL to turn things around quickly. So step away from the ledge, take the knife away from your wrist, and put the gun what till the draft to see what our team looks before your so quick to judge.

great post!!!