Jeff Ireland: The interview, the Wilson flap

I got the opportunity to speak with Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland one-on-one Saturday night after his work was mostly done with the draft and the adding of priority free agents.

That conversation gave me a better understanding of exactly how it is the Dolphins attack the draft when Ireland and Bill Parcells are sitting in the war room together. I wrote about that as part of my column that appears in Monday's Miami Herald.

Another part of the column, by the way, tells you how Ireland seemed to be getting more comfortable even as this draft was proceeding. He actually made jokes when he was in front of the media. The guy was cool.

But we're not 100 percent there yet.

This interview gave me the opportunity to ask about a topic that's been bothering me for a while now:

I wanted to know why it was Ireland seemingly misled at the Indianapolis Combine on the subject of Gibril Wilson. As you know, everyone assumed Wilson was a goner after a season in which he played poorly and cost Miami chances to win at least two games -- Indianapolis and New Orleans.

But Ireland went to the Combine and in speaking with the media -- to his credit, against the wishes of Parcells -- defended Wilson so vehemently that it seemed like Wilson was coming back.

"We have our evaluation of Gibril Wilson," Ireland said at the time. "We know what kind of player he's capable of being. I think he's going to be a very good player for the future. He was disappointed in his play last year. He will tell you that. I think he can play better. We'll just have to see. I think he will."

Of course, everyone assumed Ireland meant Wilson would play better for the Dolphins. Bad assumption. The Dolphins cut Wilson when the new league year opened in March.

"I didn't say anything that was wrong," Ireland told me during our interview. "I didn't say anything that was false. If you read the transcript, I said he's going to be a good player in the future. I knew what I was saying. You know, he's a player on my team. And I'm going to defend a player on my team. I'm not going to say anything else bad out there. I do believe he's going to be a good player in the future. I like the kid. It was probably not the right position for him. That's obvious now. But I did believe what I was telling you. I was telling the truth.

"I just wasn't giving you every thought in my head."

Fair enough. It wasn't Ireland's fault that folks like me made an assumption. As Ireland told me in another part of the interview, every draft mistake his makes is a lesson he learns.

Count this a lesson learned for yours truly.

Comments

[allen]

i like atogwe but i heard he is demanding antrelle rolle money

[Dolfangeo]

New blog is up

[NJ PHIN FAN]

LOL @ allen . JPP and derrick morgan are DE's !!!!! They are 6-4 and 6-5 respectfully so there arm lengths are naturally longer, they play on the line of scrimmage and are reguired to have longer arms to take on OL and bat down passes at the LOS. you're comparing apples to oranges. give it up

[mr1313]

Some people have different evaluations on Jones.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1114935

[Bootang25]

Allen,

I understand arm length is key for linemen, and for pass rushers. It is not the endall factor though. Much more goes into it. Arm length is nowhere near as important a factor in say, week 13, 4th quarter of a dogfight of a game. What sets the great teams apart from the average teams is the guys who want it more. The most talented team doesn't always win. It helps. In those physically tough, grinder type games, you want guys who will never quit, who are passionate, who play for their teammates. Guys who fight FOR each other, not AGAINST each other. Almost to a tee, we drafted team captains, with high motors and great work ethics, who loved football, and were scheme versatile. So that half inch that Koa Misi may lack in arm length, is far outweighed by all the stuff you can't measure that he brings to the table. One thing you won't find in ANY of his videos is a halfhearted effort. That is why I like what we are building here in Miami. I think that is something we should all want, and after the last decade of misery, we should be grateful for.

[Tikkanen]

@odinseye: I take it you are a UGA fan. I'll take your word on Jones, but just wanted to post what the NFL's own scouting department said about him. I watched all of Kentucky's and Florida's games this year, and I don't remember him, so maybe that's a good thing. :) I do remember the Kentucky vs. UGA game was extra special this year ;)

[allen]

wats a DE and olb in a 3-4 job---NJJ

keep lol, lmaof all day ur like a 17 year old girl on a labtop

its a pass rusher whos job is to take on a NFL LT or RT---4-3 ends and 3-4 olbs have the same main objective---

[odinseye]

comfortablynumb,

I totally agree. I wouldn't mind having a proven veteran lending talent and stability to a position as important as FS. Especially after suffering through the year of the Gerbil.
Ultimately I'm hoping any combination of Bell, Clemons and Jones kicks some a$#.

Since the NFL has become a passing league we got to have a great secondary and I think were just about there.

[Dolphin Dean]

Good Lord...will you guys chill on the 1" friggin diffence in arm length already??? Kindle has a bum knee, and is a true one trick pony...he rushes the passer, and gets tied up trying to break off in coverage...PERIOD!!! I saw that guy when he was named CAMERON WAKE!!!) NFL Network just reported that our ENTIRE DRAFT was predicated on us getting Misi in the 2nd somewhere...to the point of settling for ANY DT in the first (we just happened to get so lucky that the BEST DL at the #5 position just HAPPENED to drop into our laps!!!)

Why was Misi to the Dolphins so important....because Tuna sees him as being able to not only put his hand on the ground and get after the QB from the edge...but also able to SEAL the edge...and...if called upon, to break off into coverage!!! That's what Misi HAS DONE and WILL DO for the Fins>

I heard a TOOL on the Sentinel blog say we gave up too much to move from 126 to 119!!!!

Dude…we got RESHAD JONES in the 5th….moved up for him too!!!

TWO GREAT TRADE UPS!!!

Mark my words!! Edds had 5 picks last year….they actually used him to cover slot WR’s!!! And he did it!!!

Who do we have on our LB corps that can clain 5 picks?? Who covered Indy’s TE…Clark…last year….guess….NOBODY!!!

This draft was a solid “A”…at EVERY ROUND!!!

And finally….NOBODY is talking about McCoy….just heard NFL Network say he could be one of the biggest sleepers of the draft…..they called him a pass rushing “PHENOM”!!!!!!

That was Charles Davis. They all LOVED our draft. To all the idiots on this and the Miami Herald’s blogs that don’t know Odrick, Misi, Jerry, Edds, and Reshad Jones from Jim Jones….and haven’t really looked at all of their tapes…I BEG YOU…to go watch tape on these guys…leaders, non-stop motor guys….beasts…

Misi was the key to this draft…..he is simply Troy Palomaulo as a LB!! Nothing less…..

[allen]

im out fin fans---waitn on that adalius newssssssss---have a gud 1 alll

[NJ PHIN FAN]

bootang , that's right, besides misi good combine numbers , nobody has a better motor or heart than misi. he loooooves the game !!

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Cmon allen . The de in the 4-3 play on the LOS with his hands down. the 3-4 olb is off the los with his hand up in a 2 point stance, please get a clue before you embaress yourself anymore, LMFAO !!!!

[NJ PHIN FAN]

allen , everytime your losing a debate you come up with that lame excuse of my ( LOL's) to change the subject, that computer talk to expresss your emotion that can can't see through a computer, grow the F up or don't debate people .

[allen]

so demarcus ware and julias peppers or osi umenyoira arent graded by the same objective---get after the passer and you are lined uo with a right or left tackle-----answer yessss orrr noooo---

of course one is tanding up and the other has thier hand down---of course buddyyy

nevr mind just continue rambling with some lmaof lol---

[allen]

43- ends and 3-4 oln---ARE BOTH PAYED THE SAME B/C THIER PRIMARY RESPONSIBILTY IS TO RUSH THE PASSER----WHICH MEANS THEY BOTH MAKE THIER MONEY VERSE OT---

ur just a piker from NJ who likes to start arguments----dont respond im out---go fins

[NJ PHIN FAN]

allen , go grow my river somewhere else. i destroyed you in this debate and you and everybody else knows it . now you to bed son.

[allen]

u never anwer anything---stay in jersey kid---ur not AT THIS CALIBER

[NJ PHIN FAN]

that's cry me a river. by the way a 4-3 de is completly different than 3-4 olb , . go get football for dummies 101.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

allen , you can't carry my jockstrap , while you excelled at madden footbal i was excelling on the college football fields , SON !!

[allen]

THIER TECHNIQUE IS DIFFERENT THIER ESPONSBILTY IS THE SAME--IF YOU CANT MAKE THAT LOGICAL CONCLUSION that they are all pass rushers---

then the debate is over---nite all

[NJ PHIN FAN]

The debate was over a long time ago when everybody from boontang to odinseye agreed with me and not you. now go back to reading walter football and mike mayock to learn about football. :)

[comfortablynumb]

NJ,

I think everyone who reads this blog knows that you have alot knowledge about football..

I also think that the reason alot of people think you try to bully your point is because you tend to attack the person you are talking with phrases such as' LOL @ Allen'...

If you were in a college english course, or debate class, this would be highly frowned upon as it is a logical fallacy (Think it is called argumentum ad hominem to be exact)...

I am in no way trying to tell you how to debate, I just think alot of people would be much more apt to listen to your points if they didn't feel attacked. In my experience people tend to stop listening when they feel like they are being ridiculed.

Just trying to give some constructive critism...

Phin up.....

[NJ PHIN FAN]

that's right the technique are different and that a huge difference in football terms, thanks for proving my point !!

[allen]

keep avoiding questions----"pikker from NJ" is ur name--and ur football knowledge is off---if you think a 3-4 olb and a 4-3 end main responsibilty isnt the sameee---

Thats just shows the caliber knowledge u possess--

Not impressed

[comfortablynumb]

criticism

[NJ PHIN FAN]

numb , i got your point but i started out with a civil debate and then allen got angry with his childish remark of hsi little girl comment about my LOl's . what did that have to do with football ?? thanks for caring,

[allen]

technique is different but the main goal is the rush the passr and take on offensive tackles---so arm length plays a crucial part to the match up vs. left tackles---

doesnt matter if we are talkn peppers or demarcus ware----

you will avoid this clear logical answer---like u always do

[NJ PHIN FAN]

allen , you still here son. i'll call you clueless in florida or whereever your from. you just stated that their techniques are different . you answered your own question.

[Matthew]

It's weird to me that people think we should have taken Huges over Odrick. ESPN, Pro Football Weekly, DraftScout...everyone had Odrick graded higher than Hughes. Odrick is bigger, and his production versus the run is phenomenal (in the 40+ run plays his direction, opponents were held to negative yardage and just four first down).

Suggesting Hughes was a better pick that Odrick is just insane.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

the olb in the 3-4 has alot more responsibiliteis than just rushing the passt numbnuts. if you don't know that by know than i'm wasting my time .

[allen]

techniques and responsibilty is different point---ur just wont admit ur wrong even when your starn at it----your in the deep end of the pool and you 4got to wear lifevest---

Explain to me how demarcus ware and Julias peppers have a different role for thier team--they play diferent positions---

But thier responsbilty is to dominate LT and provide pressure----

ur getting full court pressed and havnt said anyhting logical in a while----

[NJ PHIN FAN]

passer *** . good night cluless in florida.

[allen]

we got into this armument b/c i compared Derrick morgan length to misi

u said the length doesnt matter b/c they play different position--

Postion doesnt matter when comparing a 4-3 end to a 3-4 olb---they make thier money rushing the passer and you know that you just wont admit it----

NITE NJ Piker

[NJ PHIN FAN]

i just told you that if you don't know by know that OLB in the 3-4 has alot more responsibiliteis that jus rushing the passer , than you are cluless and i'm wasting my time, that goes for the difference between peppers and ware, MY GOD !! you think peppers can OLB ?? . i like how you changed the embarrasing debate away from misi where you got destroyed !!!!

[comfortablynumb]

NJ,

NO problem.. Was just my humble opionin, but I guess it is always a two way street. Missed that comment from allen...

Anyways,

Good night Phin fans...

We shall soon be a force to be reckond with...

Phin up.....

[NJ PHIN FAN]

You GOT DESTROYED !!!! and you can't admit it .

[odinseye]

Allen,

I don't want to argue, but the responsibilities and technique are similar but not the same.
Down and distance also dictates futher differences as does DE's vs ROLB vs LOLB.
In Nolan's 3-4 the diference is even more pronounced.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

nite numb and thanks for the compliment about my football knowledge which allen clearly lacks. and yes read the entire comments next time.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Thank you odinseye !!! i'm having fun with allen. this is tooooo easy !!!

[allen]

did we draft misi so he can cover and stop the run----What is the main objective of a star 3-4 olb or star 4-3 end---thier abilty to dominate LT in pass rushing--

Is demarcus great b/c of his coverage skills or run stoppinnnn---nooooooooo

He gets paid that big time money b/c thier main responsbilty is to rush the passer---your not in a pro bowl as a 3-4 olb or 4-3 end unless you have 10 or more sacks and you are relentless with applying pressure---

Ur missn the boat if you think misi and morgan were drafted 4 different reasons

If you think misi is a 3-4 SOLB--(which i never said no ---i said my gut feels like he is a combo guy that will be moved around)

then mrogan and misi main objective is PASSSS RUSHHING

and arm length is crucial part to both of thier games---

Step to the plate when ur ready

[fredontario]

I have to say that I loved this draft and the other offseason additions, Dansby, Marshall, Incognito. Odrick will be one of two tackles, I see us going to a more basic 4 3 defense. You have to look at your personnel and go from there. AJ Edds could be the steal of the draft, I saw film of this guy at Iowa, at 244lbs. they had this guy covering WRs and covering them like a blanket, even picked one off while doing so. Should see him a lot in 3rd down passing situations. Goodbye Mr. Crowder. Personally I would like to see V. Davis moved to FS, let W. Allen resume his spot opposite S. Smith. Long and Jerry on the left side, wow, Henne has his back side covered. Oline will be mean and deep. Marshall will command double teams, and I think he will have a big influence with P. Turner, teach him how to Play "BIG", look for Hartline to improve dramatically, bright future for this kid. I would like to see more of Camarillo in the slot as our 3rd WR he is clutch. I would trade D. Bess, way too many fumbles and cannot make yards after catch.
I hope Ronnie comes back strong, Ricky will give us all he has and I think Lex will play a lot this year.
Looking forward to the start of the season, in Buffalo of all places, better Sept. than Dec.
Go Phins.....

[allen]

odinseye

i dont argue u like with any1 other than piker for NJ because he has no class and thinks he knows evrything

i know thier responsibilties arent exactly the same----but would you agree that the main responsibilty for a domainate 3-4 old and 4-3 end is to rush the passer and dominate OT---if your answer is yes

then arm length is crucial for both---thats the only point of been tryn to make

thanks for the calm imput

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Yes we did draft misi because he can cover and play the run . he's very good at both . he can set the edge vs the run extremely well, that the SOLB job !!! wow yiur embarrassing yourself and digging yourself deeper and deeper, give it a rest will ya ??

[NJ PHIN FAN]

By the way , ware is a weakside LB the same position that wake plays and their job is to rush the passer . Misi is a SOLB like anthony spencer and their jobs are setting the edge vs run and rushing the passer, i stepped up to the plate and knocked you out. haven't you ermabarresed yourself enough or do you want more ??

[allen]

ok NJ i give credit where it is due that post at 1:01 am is the first logical answer you have had all nite

If your sayn that misi isnt a an elite pass rusher but in ur mind a 3-4 olb on the strongside main responsibilty is to cover and play the run then ur right---arm length isnt an issue---i thought u had a higher cieling of him as a pass rusher----

i guess in ur mind the ROLB is the pass rusher---and the strong side can be enept in that area---thats understandble then

[carlito from golfito]

please stop allen... misi's ability to cover and stop the run is big reason why he was draft... come on man... thats what solb does.... wolb pass rush

[odinseye]

IF we are talking SOLB in a 3-4, they usually get matched up with TE's and RB's more often, negating the Arm length concern.

Of course this all depends on down, distance and the Defense that's been called.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

allen , also read the 1:07 post. ware is OLB where Misi will be a SOLB ! thank you for the credit. i had some fun and your alright, have a good night

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Thank you carlito and odinseye, allen is just stubborn and wroooong of course ( as usual ). but it's alright , somebody had to teach him a little about football. good night guys

[allen]

anthony spencer is an elite pass rusher----

If you want to compare misi role to a paul kruger thatn ur right

[allen]

a good 3-4 has guys on the strongside that can pass rush----woodley spencer pass rush----

If you view misi as a paul kruger then you guys are right and i am worried

you take a guy int the 2nd rouns who isnt a pass rusherrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[odinseye]

NJ,

Following your argument/debate with Allen has given me a eureka moment.
As I was thinking about Wake on the right side pinning his ears back and going a thought occured to me.
You could be right and I could've, maybe......possibly.......arrrrgggg......been wrong.
With Wake having his ears pinned back, Edd's skillset would be just about perfect for RILB.

[allen]

Nj

I was wrong about how you viewed misi---you dont think he is a pass rusher if you think his role is just to stop the run and cover like kruger---(which i see where your comn from)

im worried b/c a 2nd rounder on a guy u dont think can pass rush is a reach and kiper is right with his assessment----

woodley and spencer get after the passer----but the ravens play kruger and he is bad at rushn the QB---so i can see how u invision misi----

I hope he has more upside than that

[NJ PHIN FAN]

MY GOD !! anthony spencer is an elite pass rusher ???? He had 6 freaking sacks last year and has 10 career sacks. he 's SOLB for the cowboys while ware is the WOLB, spencer is 6-3 255 just like misi . Misi will get 6 sacks easily. dude , please give it up. your cluless !!

[odinseye]

Allen,

I think you're missing the point with Misi. He has the skillset to be a ROLB in ADDITION to having pass rush skills.
He reminds alot of another short armed guy I wanted us to draft. Brandon Marshall.

[odinseye]

DUH, I meant Brandon Graham.

[allen]

Anthony spencer is top 10 pass rusher in nfl last year in hurriess and number 1 pass rusher in QB hits---he is a complete olb because he can pass rush from the strongside

Sacks are misleading---a good pass rusher should be judged on hurries, hits, and sacks

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Odinseye ...... BINGO On EDDS !! Halleluja !!! edds will be a VERY GOOD ILB. next year he'll start out as coming in on passing situation , work on his strength and pay a little ILB, then crowder will be bye bye, how's mis- - dansby - edds -wake work fot ya ??

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Allen , exactly !! that's what misi will be . a spencer type , complete SOLB who can rush the passer, , i'm better off talking to a wall, . i know what i'm talking about.

[allen]

odinsye

im not missing NJ point----if you are ayn that a 3--4 olb main assignment isnt pass rushing i can buy that statement

If your telln me u invision him as strictly a 34 limited SOLB---that isnt a pass rushn threat-----i can but that--EX paul kruger

but if you are telln me that he can play the right side olb spot pass rushing is the key and arm length is an issue when you are takn on LEFT tackles--if you think misi can develop into the dolphins answer at olb