Jeff Ireland is calling various media outlets today to share his viewpoint of what's going on with the Dolphins since the start of free agency and going forward.
About the idea that no one wants to come to play for the Dolphins -- a thread that has even hit national media following Miami's inability to land Jim Harbaugh, Jeff Fisher and Peyton Manning, among others:
"I absolutely think players and coaches want to be here," he said. "When we talk to people about the Dolphins, they still think highly of this franchise, its history, its direction. They have no problem coming here. And sometimes they don't. Sometimes they make other decisions. But it's a two-way street. We make our decisions also."
Ireland declined to be specific regarding the reasons Matt Flynn, Alex Smith and Peyton Manning did not come to the organization. Regarding everyone except Manning, he said, "Most of the time these decisions are about money."
As I have written previously, the Dolphins' pursuit of Flynn came with a caveat: They wanted him at their price. The contract Miami offered Flynn was not as lucrative as the one offered by Seattle. I have also learned the Dolphins stopped their chase of Smith when his price was above what they were prepared to pay.
Ireland declined to give details of any negotiation except to say he "would not be reckless" in making a move that could potentially affect the club's future. Ireland called the Dolphins a "storied franchise," and pointed to the club's commitment to return to that better past. He said owner Stephen Ross is spending over $1 million in updating the club's Davie, Florida training facility to make it more comfortable and football friendly for players.
The club is redoing the locker room among other places.
On the all-important quarterback issue, it seems clear the Dolphins are done (for now) chasing veteran options. Ireland confirmed what newly signed quarterback David Garrard said earlier: Garrard and Matt Moore will compete for the starting job in 2012.
There will be no further chase for Smith or any of the current free agent options on the market. Ireland, however, did not rule out selecting a quarterback in the coming draft.
"There's a chance of that," he said. "Let it run its course."
But in the meantime, Ireland said he is thrilled with the idea of adding Garrard.
"I've been chasing this guy since last year," Ireland said. "He's athletic, he has arm talent, he's got veteran experience, he brings great leadership. We went with a veteran at the position and we talked to Matt and he understands we need to play better at quarterback to get over the hump. So they'll compete and we'll see what happens."
As a result, Ireland seems content for the time being. But if an opportunity comes open, he would study or even chase it.
"Where we are at this juncture, I'm happy where we are at the quarterback position," he said. "You have to remember we're not even halfway through the player acquisition process. We will continue to leave no stone unturned. We have a process in place that we're following but we're also being flexible. And that means when opportunities arise, we bring players in, we talk to them, we work them out, we visit to see where they're at. And then we make decisions.
"I'm not naive to the fact we need more pieces. People think we're blind to that but we're not. We need to have another solid draft. But we're not where we're going to be in August."
One player the Dolphins will not be pursuing is Denver quarterback Tim Tebow. Ireland declined to discuss the topic other than to say, "he is a player under contract to another team so I can't talk about him."
But multiple highly placed club sources have told The Herald today there will be no pursuit of the former University of Florida star. The reasons for this is the Dolphins are unwilling to revamp their offense to suit Tebow and highlight his obvious strengths. The Dolphins intended, instead, to run a West Coast offense in 2012.
The Dolphins traded receiver Brandon Marshall the first day of free agency. Ireland was vague as to the reasons for that trade except to say, "There was not one singular event or singular incident that made us" make the trade.
Marshall was involved in an alleged bar fight in New York the night before Marshall was traded.
Ireland said the trade was made after discussions and in agreement with coach Joe Philbin, offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, and yes, owner Stephen Ross. "We all felt it was in the best interest of the team," Ireland said.
The general manager also said there is no resentment by either party on the matter. "Brandon came by camp yesterday and we sat for a while and before he left we gave each other a hug," Ireland said. "There's no hard feelings there."
The Dolphins hope Yeremiah Bell has no hard feelings because on Monday night when Ireland spoke to the strong safety to him him he was being cut, he added that if he found no suitable takers in free agency and the Dolphins had still not filled the strong safety position, the club would be open to taking Bell back. Despite this, Ireland confirmed that for salary cap reasons the Dolphins did not offer to give Bell a pay cut. The club saved the full $4.3 million in salary Bell was to count against the cap.
Ireland is aware that his cutting of Bell ran counter to every indication he gave to the media publicly and to agent Drew Rosenhaus privately. "When I spoke with Drew a couple of weeks ago, I had no intention of making this move," he said. "But things change. Sometimes the allocation of resources makes it necessary to change direction and you make decision that you previously didn't think you'd make."
Ireland called me just after I returned home from the club's training facility. Outside the facility, approximately 20-30 people were gathered across the street protesting the job Ireland has been doing and calling for his ouster.
"I've heard they're out there," Ireland said. "But I haven't seen them. I don't have a window that gives me a view of them. And we've been pretty busy around here to look anyway."
Dude, whoever you are, why are you trolling my name? It's just stupid.
I did not say anything about predicting who we'll draft.
Posted by: Timmy Couch | March 20, 2012 at 05:41 PM
I smell another 1-15 season on tap.
Posted by: TGH | March 20, 2012 at 05:41 PM
How come we have no talent AND no cap space?
Posted by: Scotty | March 20, 2012 at 05:43 PM
I cant believe there are so many whiny fans and NFL players out there. If you guys dont like the Dolphinse then go eff yourselves.
Posted by: Frank Stallone | March 20, 2012 at 05:44 PM
So unhappy! What is Ireland smoking (he's gotta go)?
We never should have let Joey Porter go.
I hate this team!
Posted by: Rosie O'Donnell | March 20, 2012 at 05:44 PM
News flash to some who keep saying Ross & Ireland . . .
Ross did not bring Parcells, Ireland, and Sparano in that was Wayne H. the guy Ross bought the team from. The only thing you can say about Ross is he didn't get rid of Ireland. Well you can say what you want but saying it doesn't make it Ross's fault.
Posted by: kyphinfan | March 20, 2012 at 05:45 PM
"another good draft"????? when did we have a good draft in the last 10-15 years??? we passed over so many good players both in the draft and free agency (Aaron Rodgers, Randy Moss, LeSean McCoy, Darrelle Revis, Ray Rice, and even the guy the Dolphins just traded..Brandon Marsall)...and let's not forget the decision to take Culpepper over Drew Brees...albeit it wasn't current ownership who made that mistake...it just feels like it..David Garrard??? my jaw hit the floor when I read that...cut from the Jaguars last year at the end of the preseason...funny...just funny
Posted by: David Ball | March 20, 2012 at 05:45 PM
applaud frank stallone
Posted by: kyphinfan | March 20, 2012 at 05:46 PM
Fire Ireland, no other discussion should be allowed.
Posted by: caphayes | March 20, 2012 at 05:46 PM
Schiano...really soulman...i'll take the packer pedigree over that guy any day. as for big splashes, check dolphin history.in 1995 don shula went for the gold with about 22 former 1st rounders on his roster and the bills(who were built thru the draft) beat the snot out of us in the playoffs which we squeeked into at 9-7.
Posted by: The Crusher | March 20, 2012 at 05:46 PM
Ross will be buying BOATLOADS of his own tickets....AGAIN! LOL
Posted by: TGH | March 20, 2012 at 05:46 PM
lol TGH do you think Ross cares he still makes money. League revenue sharing and he is worth 3 billion dollars.
Posted by: kyphinfan | March 20, 2012 at 05:47 PM
yeah maybe in 2012 TGH but in 2013 i dont think so. the philbin/packer way/wc offense will rule the afc east
Posted by: The Crusher | March 20, 2012 at 05:47 PM
Where are the WR's for this west coast offense ???
Posted by: Matt Flynn | March 20, 2012 at 05:47 PM
I feel sorry for the celebs Ross conned into buying pieces of this cespool.
Posted by: TGH | March 20, 2012 at 05:48 PM
good to see you on here again crusher
Posted by: kyphinfan | March 20, 2012 at 05:48 PM
Fake Timmy is either a child or a UM grad who puts commas where periods belong. You won't see me do that.
Posted by: Timmy Couch | March 20, 2012 at 05:37 PM
Fail.
Posted by: thavafin | March 20, 2012 at 05:48 PM
I have harry palms
Posted by: Timmy Couch | March 20, 2012 at 05:50 PM
lol TGH do you think Ross cares he still makes money. League revenue sharing and he is worth 3 billion dollars.
Posted by: kyphinfan | March 20, 2012 at 05:47 PM
You are right. Ross doesnt care. LOL
Posted by: TGH | March 20, 2012 at 05:51 PM
I cant believe there are so many whiny fans and NFL players out there. If you guys dont like the Dolphinse then go eff yourselves.
Posted by: Frank Stallone | March 20, 2012 at 05:44 PM
Win.
Posted by: thavafin | March 20, 2012 at 05:51 PM
Heck, if Ross cared he would've fired Ireland at the Dez Bryant debacle.
Posted by: Scotty | March 20, 2012 at 05:52 PM
I'm not saying David is the answer. What I am saying is David can stop the bleeding.
I'm tired of bleeding out. Garrard changes the game in the AFC East.
Posted by: JackSparrow | March 20, 2012 at 05:55 PM
hey kyphinfan,
i gotta hit the i-95 demolition derby now (pray for me). but one last thought(i hope i can resist this blog when i get home) i consider myself a die hard hard core dolphin fan.they sucked me in in 1971 and heave been killing me since the sea of hands game in 74. my question is this:
how did any real detroit lion fan remain sane for all those years of futility. it's amazing they survived and passed the loyalty to their sons and daughters.
Posted by: The Crusher | March 20, 2012 at 05:56 PM
I've never seen a pro team with such a horrible reputation.
Posted by: Ron Son | March 20, 2012 at 05:56 PM
This was your typical corporate damage control press conference. This team's reputation is at an all time low around the league. Thanks to Ireland and Ross (Dumb amd Dumber) we can look forward to another mediocre season of 7-9 or even 6-10 this year. We fans need to deliver our message at the ticket office.
Posted by: Guavaman | March 20, 2012 at 05:57 PM
20 bucks to the first person to answer this. What game plan will Belecheat use against Garrard? The same with Henne or Penny? The same with Moore?
Face facts...we have no WR threat on this team. Even with marshall we didn't have a threat because they just double downed on him.
Garrard brings a whole new level of the GAME. Belecheat has to COMMIT to that.
Posted by: JackSparrow | March 20, 2012 at 05:57 PM
Garrard will probabally beat Moore for the starting job, but we absolutely need the 1st round qb for ota's, training camp and preseason. Then if/when we are clearly not eligible for the playoffs he can get game experience and be ready to step in next year.
Posted by: kyphinfan | March 20, 2012 at 05:57 PM
ESPN AFC East blog says Dolphins one one of four teams interested in Tebow. If that happens it is the last straw for me...will start supporting the Bucs until current regime gone. http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast
Posted by: Nomorehope | March 20, 2012 at 05:57 PM
Hey idiots, If we suck so bad, how come we're not in line to get Luck or even RG3?
Really, do you clowns even deserve a good team?
Posted by: legitimatefinfan | March 20, 2012 at 05:58 PM
Crusher I was born in Tampa, and was a dolphin fan before the bucs ever were. I moved to Detroit in 2000, and here to Louisvill in 2008. People in Detroit hated Millen and expressed it much the same way they are doing to Ireland. Finally Ford woke up and fired him then bingo they go 0-16 get Matthew Stafford and look at them now
Posted by: kyphinfan | March 20, 2012 at 06:00 PM
Ross will trade his entire draft(if he has to) to get Tebow, to sell tickets. Its about the money
Posted by: Ross is a Jackass | March 20, 2012 at 06:00 PM
We don't 'suck so bad'...we are just sucking more instead of less...which seems to be the general trend for a while now if you haven't noticed.
Posted by: Nomorehope | March 20, 2012 at 06:03 PM
Good Lord you so-called "fans". Complain, complain, complain......J@sus! Ireland has be completely in charge of personnel decisions for what.....one and a quarter seasons? I keep hearing how many "bad" decisions he's made. How many has he made? NOT paying a ridiculous amount of money to a backup QB that "might" be good(any Kevin Kolb fans out there?) is a great decision. Philbin knows Flynn better than anyone. Do you think for a minute if he thought he was a franchise QB he would agree to not sign him? I don't hear anything about the Reggie Bush, Pouncey, Soliai for CHEAP, Wilson, and Moore(yes, Matt FN Moore) signings. They were all excellent pickups. Moore may not be a franchise QB, but he's not bad either. He should improve this year too. Marshall, Bell, and Langford were all addition by subtraction. Too much money for what they delivered. I liked Bell and Langford, but Langford doesn't rush the passer and Bell is past him prime. Marshall was a flake on the verge of being suspended. PERIOD!! The jury is still out on Gates, Clay, and Thomas, but they all showed signs of being very good players. The only BAD decision I've seen is Columblow. That was bad! You all want a sexy signing to feel good......Ireland wants players that are worth the money they are paid. He'll draft a QB in the first or second round.....there are NO OTHER QBs to pick. Trading your entire draft for one player not named Luck is ridiculous. Give him another season to build the roster and put a great team on the field.
Posted by: Randy S. | March 20, 2012 at 06:03 PM
I think when you talk about franchises that suffered through years of futility you have to talk to Tampa fans. They went something like 14 years with double digit losses before Tony Dungy put them on the right track
Posted by: kyphinfan | March 20, 2012 at 06:04 PM
applaud Randy S.
Posted by: kyphinfan | March 20, 2012 at 06:06 PM
Just heard that TO and Plaxico could be with the Dolphins!
Posted by: jukebox | March 20, 2012 at 06:08 PM
What players are left to aquire jeffy boy? None!
Posted by: Dolphin 77 | March 20, 2012 at 06:08 PM
I would have been protesting the franchise too but I have a job.
Posted by: Finbo | March 20, 2012 at 06:10 PM
Ireland has made some good moves. The Dez thing was a misunderstanding that was blown out of proportions.
The biggest problem with this team is the whiny fans. Period.
Ireland is the greatest GM in NFL history compared to the fans. It's not even close. Even the Jets have more loyal fans.
EVEN THE JETS!!!
Posted by: Matthew | March 20, 2012 at 06:14 PM
Ireland's press conference was as useless as himself. He didn't say anything that we know today. He's clueless about the present and future of this team. He saves money for Ross, what for damm it. He's afraid of hurting the team but that is precisely what he's done with such poor decisions.
He's vague, he lacks of guts to tell the blunt truth, he's squalid, he's just incompetent.
The more I read his statements the more I get revolted.
Gizz, what have we done to deserve this first-class moron.
And Ross..., he must be senile, he's unable to realize Ireland's lack of talent for this job. I cannot explain how a successful business man may have zero awareness for recruiting a capable GM. Even if Ross knows nothing about football he could hire the best GM and learn something. What a waste of everything.
Posted by: marchcool | March 20, 2012 at 06:15 PM
Denver is in a great position. The Dolphins and Jacksonville will pay triple what Tebow is worth in draft picks and will be bidding hot and heavy.
Posted by: Ron Son | March 20, 2012 at 06:20 PM
how did any real detroit lion fan remain sane for all those years of futility. it's amazing they survived and passed the loyalty to their sons and daughters.
Posted by: The Crusher | March 20, 2012 at 05:56 PM
_____________________________________________________
Funny....I was just going to post about this. My boss keeps me sane with all that is going on with the Dolphins. He's a life long Detroit fan in a long line of Detroit fans. He reminds me almost daily that he doesn't feel sorry for me in the least with this little dip the Phins are going through. It's a relative nano second compared to what Detroit fans have had to endure.
Posted by: wolfman13 | March 20, 2012 at 06:21 PM
Please all of you whiners and fair weathered fans just shut up and do the rest of us a favor and find another team already. Its March you morons and the only true miss is from those of you who live close enough to be able to go to games(those who can afford to) that don't and allow the national media (mostly jest fans anyway) to talk smack because there are always more people rooting for the away team. Stop the whining and support this team or please choose another
Posted by: THE M.A.N | March 20, 2012 at 06:22 PM
Reading all this Crap made me want to PUKE....Good Luck with the Tix Sales Next Yr....
Posted by: zonk-39 | March 20, 2012 at 06:22 PM
Ross is what you say he except for the fact u can't call him cheap we are having salary cap issues he can't really spend more money...
Posted by: grrreatdane | March 20, 2012 at 06:24 PM
It's just been spent wrong.... Ireland???
Posted by: grrreatdane | March 20, 2012 at 06:26 PM
Armando,
In responce to the earlier "Ireland is not the devil" and the latter "Ireland press conference" post.
First of all I don't condone all the fire Ireland and Ross posters,the petitions,protest,and certainly not changing the mans wilkipedia..for petes sakes.
Mainly because I don't take it that seriously,i can decide rather or not i want to buy the tickets.
You have got to realize though,that there are all kinds of people in the world and when you have a stretch of 0-10 at home home and you follow it up with 0-7 out the gate the following season your asking for trouble.
When fans are looking forward to free agency and the draft at the midway point of the season it doesn't say much about the product your trying to sell.
Then as soon as the offseason starts you make a big ado about adding a franchise QB and how this team is in a win now mode. Then you follow that up with an egg in the face media circus and the fan base ends up with David Garrard and more holes than we started with.
While it may not take a whole lot to rattle some peoples cage,this team has blown the doors off the cage.
Like one earlier poster said though, winning changes everything irregardless who wears the aqua blue.
And evidently we diehards will keep waiting.
Go Fins! Anytime now would be good. :)
Posted by: Dolfan Rick | March 20, 2012 at 06:27 PM
Salguero, you are the biggest as% kisser I have ever seen! First you questioning Ireland's moves! Now your saying he's not the devil! Give me a f-ing break! What did he promise you season tickets if you made him look good!!! Wipe that stain off your mouth moron! Omar Kelly at least knows what he's talking about!!
Posted by: Biggdoggxl | March 20, 2012 at 06:27 PM
Look, I don't like Jeff for a whole host of reasons. Most of which are personal to me. Jeff was raised a certain way as a child and a certain way as a football insider.
So I don't like the guy because his mind is CLOSED most of the time.
But he hit a triple with Garrard. This was not a base hit or double. This was a triple. Garrard makes this team better right now. Garrard stops the bleeding right now.
Posted by: JackSparrow | March 20, 2012 at 06:29 PM
"Ireland declined to be specific..."
"Ireland declined to comment..."
"Ireland declined to give details..."
"Ireland was vague..."
Wow. We learned a lot. Thanks for taking the time, Jeff. Now get back to ruining this team.
Posted by: dmooreiii | March 20, 2012 at 06:32 PM
AJ Feely vs Jay Fiedler
John Beck vs Chad Henne
Now Matt Moore vs Garrard
Has any team with a competition at QB ever gone to the Super Bowl?
Posted by: Mike | March 20, 2012 at 06:33 PM
Dolfans get over yourself.
All that happened this week is that our coaches/ front office/ ownership decided:-
1. It wasn't going to overpay for Flynn- remember Philbin knows the most about Flynn's true potential/ worth having watched him for everyday for 4 years since he got drafted by Green Bay.
2. Manning was too risky an investment. They decided that the risk/reward was too high- 15m p.a for a potential stud QB v one who might be a hit away from oblivion. Taking this risk would men betting the franchise for the next 3-4 hrs if it went wrong.
3. They traded a very good but diva WR who wants the ball every down' who has off the field issues to deal with-and who will always have off field issues due to his peronality- and who is not that QB friendly. Also the new West Coast offence is based on multiple weapons not 1 deva WR
Most of the long term successful organisations in the NFL build solidly through the draft and not free agency. Lots of posts clammer about the need to draft a QB and develop him internally and not overpay for other teams retreads. We blew out on our last 2 draft QB picks- White and Henne. I pray the latter doesn't come back to haunt us- the 0-7 start last year wasn't his fault. He was one of only a few players to actual perform and develop in that period.
As a fan I happen to agree with what they have done this week. The challenge is can they now fill the obvious needs our team has via the draft. If Tannehill is it for Sherman, then maybe we pick him in round 1 this year. Fill in these needs and roll the dice in 2012. If it doesn't work out, we make aggressive moves in 2013 to trade high up in the draft for the QB of the future. I believe that we will win more of the tight games that we lost this year and with a more favourable schedule I think we've a chance at a playoff spot in 2013 with
Moore/Garrard as QBs.
Keep the faith dolfans. We've a new coaching staff and must put our faith in them. Hammering them without a ball been thrown in earnest is not what a true fan does.
Go FIsh!
Posted by: Ivan O Connell | March 20, 2012 at 06:33 PM
Please listen chuckle heads. 2010 passing leaders.
1. Tom Brady
2. Philip Rivers
3. Aaron Rodgers
4. Michael Vick
5. Ben Roethlisberger
6. Josh Freeman
7. Joe Flacco
8. Matt Cassel
9. Matt Schaub
10. Peyton Manning
11. Matt Ryan
12. Drew Brees
13. David Garrard
Flynn was a top 15 QB according to Rodgers. Garrard is a top 13 according to the STATS.
Posted by: JackSparrow | March 20, 2012 at 06:38 PM
Sorry ivan. Here's the other side of that...
The problem isn't Flynn or manning. I agree with you those would be risky stupid investments. The problem is blowing RG3. We now have no chance to win next year no matter what. Aside from that, and by ANYones definition, Ireland hasn't the tiniest idea what he is doing other then destroying this team. We are a league laughing stock and will be in last place in the afc east for years to come. There simply isn't enough bad that can happen to Ireland. He's an idiot and should be fired from the dolphins and barred from any pro football position ever. The reason I say that is you almost have to consider that he's doing this on purpose. No one person could possibly be this incompetent.
Posted by: amsmith965 | March 20, 2012 at 06:38 PM
David had a 90.8 QB rating in 2010.
Posted by: JackSparrow | March 20, 2012 at 06:39 PM
What other options were there? Ireland finally did something right. He put aside his personal bias for the TEAM.
Posted by: JackSparrow | March 20, 2012 at 06:41 PM
I keep hearing people saying wait til the draft, wait til the seasont o start. But this is the thing, I have waited for the past two years it it has allways turned out to be very bad! So I think everybody is tired of waiting and dont want fireland to take this team down with him when he gets fired!
Posted by: david ruth | March 20, 2012 at 06:42 PM
Well said, Ivan.
Posted by: legitimatefinfan | March 20, 2012 at 06:43 PM
Is Ireland F'n serious. More moves to come? Where the F is he going to get these players now that free agency is done. It's not only the lack of a QB that causes all of us to be pissed, it's a total lack of a plan. The total disregard of players that we all know could help this team. No playmakers on either side of the ball for going on 5 years now. He is just so inept that it makes my head almost explode. He is truly the list 4th stooge.
Posted by: jrljr2 | March 20, 2012 at 06:44 PM
With Free Agency approaching, we needed a franchise QB, a no. 2 WR, a Free Safety and a Right Tackle.
So far we've managed to land an unemployed backup QB.
Now we need a no. 1 and 2 receiver.
We need a Free Safety AND a Strong Safety.
Finally, still no right tackle.
Ireland ain't the Devil, but the facts will tell ya, he ain't no GM either.
Posted by: odinseye | March 20, 2012 at 06:44 PM