4 losing seasons in a row hardly qualifies for an extension. The one thing that has always impressed me with Ireland is his eye for defensive line talent. It is by far his strongest asset and I always praised him for it, even through the "Fireland" times.
I don't quite see the "abundance of talent" though. He did draft a first round QB . . . definitely deserves props for that . . . but that QBs progression this year means more to Ireland than anything else that could be mentioned. The DBs and LBs will be interesting . . . I'm not as sold on them as many are, but I like what I've seen and heard between preseason and practice. The oline is still mehhhhh, the RBs are mediocre, the WR depth is still shaky IMO and we all hope the progression of these young TE's helps this offense improve.
Ireland has shown that he doesn't get bullied around when it comes to contracts, and has shown some foresight when it comes to must resigns (Wake/Jones . . . 2 very cap friendly deals I may add) and really set this team up solidly cap wise and draft pick wise (although when you trot out the WR group you trotted out there last year, there should be some benefit to that).
It's all wait and see at this point, Ross is sticking with him as his guy so now its up to the coaches and players to produce on the field with the talent he has brought in.