Is Jeff Ireland’s job safe with the Dolphins?
But we digress. Armando Salguero, who seems to be the most ‘in tune’ beat reporter the Dolphins have, tweeted the following regarding Ireland’s job security:
Despite national reports, it remains a possibility. RT @FireTheStaff: Chances Ireland is gone? #Fireland
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) January 7, 2014
He is not safe. Could go either way. RT @matsashley: so u think Ireland is going?
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) January 7, 2014
So despite what Chris Mortensen and Mike Silver are saying, Mando says there have been no definitive decisions on Ireland yet. Could it be that they are waiting to see what’s in Ted Wells’ report? That report, by the way, isn’t expected to be released until AFTER the Super Bowl, in early February.
There are complex, multi-level consequences for both hiring or firing Ireland. First, if you are going to retain him, you need to make sure that he and Philbin get on the same page regarding players being acquired this offseason. You also have to make sure that he knows that his job is on the line this season. There has to be an ultimatum given…there should’ve been one given last season. The problem here is what type of offensive coordinator, assistant, or player will want to come to Miami knowing that it’s a make or break season for Ireland and Philbin?
Firing Ireland is where things get more complicated. My opinion is that the Dolphins should fire Philbin and Ireland together. It clearly doesn’t look like that is going to happen. If you fire Ireland and keep Philbin, you will have a new GM entering the equation that will eventually want to bring in ‘his coach’…even if that GM is promoted from within the Dolphins organization (i.e. Brian Gaine). Second, if you want to hire an outside GM, who is going to want to come to the Dolphins and be forced to take on a coach that is potentially a lame duck? Probably not one of the big names you’re hoping for. Finally, no one would know for sure if the philosophies of this new GM and Joe Philbin would mesh? Doesn’t look like it did with Ireland, so how do we know they would have a good working relationship? We don’t, which is why I think they should both be let go at the same time.
Since no one really knows what Stephen Ross is thinking, all we can do is wait to see what the next report says. It is possible that we will not know for sure who the Dolphins GM will be until sometime in February….just in time for the Scouting Combine….whoo hoo!!!