Jeff Ireland is on the hot seat following Dolphins 30-10 blowout Sunday

Sep. 10 News and Notes 20 comments ---Bill

The Miami Dolphins were almost 2 touchdown underdogs against the Texans on Sunday.  Judging by the final score, the Dolphins should’ve been 3 touchdown underdogs.  The Dolphins stuck with the Texans for 28 minutes, but then the wheels came off….and fast.  Ryan Tannehill looked impressive for the first quarter and a half of the game.  After that, he looked like a rookie quarterback who had only started 19 games in college.  Tannehill finished the day going 20 for 36 for 219 yards, 0 TD, 3 INTs.  His QBR (3.1), according to ESPN, was the lowest of any other QB, except Brandon Weeden.

The Dolphins started out playing well, specifically on defense.  The defense held the Texans to just 3 points until all hell broke loose in the final 2 minutes of the 1st half.  Tannehill threw all 3 of his interceptions in the second quarter and put the defense in terrible position each time.  2 of Tannehill’s passes were tipped at the line and then picked off.  The other interception was thrown to a receiver that was covered.  In all, Tannehill had 4 passes batted at the line by defensive lineman, something we saw too frequently in the preseason.  This problem needs to get fixed and it’s up to Tannehill, the offensive line, and the Dolphins coaching staff to fix it.

As I mentioned, the defense looked good early.  But, when you lose the turnover battle 4-0, you aren’t going to win many football games.  Eventually, the Texans got Arien Foster running, Andre Johnson beasting, and event got Owen Daniels 87 receiving yards.  Again, the Dolphins showed that their secondary has plenty of room for improvement, specifically when facing opposing tight ends and top notch wide receivers.

Although this game was surprisingly close in the first half, once the turnovers started, it was over.  The Dolphins trailed 24-3 at the half and were never able to mount any sort of a comeback in the second half.  The offense needs work, considering they scored only 3 points against the Texans defense.  The Dolphins only touchdown came on a punt return.  This is going to be a long week of practice for the players, but they need it.  They just aren’t playing good enough right now.

The players can play better, without question.  However, the big question is whether or not the Dolphins have enough talent on the roster to make the playoffs.  Making the playoffs is apparently something that the Dolphins owner expects this season.  If they don’t, the Dolphins could be in the market for a new general manager.  The Miami Herald is reporting that Jeff Ireland could be on the hot seat if the Dolphins do not have a winning record this season.  Jeff Ireland has had 2 offseasons on his own and right now, the Dolphins lack talent.  Look no further than the wide receiving corps that honestly has 2 receivers that are worth anything (Bess, Hartline).  If you fail to give a rookie QB weapons, you are setting him and the team up to fail.  If the Dolphins don’t turn things around, Jeff Ireland may be the one that has to face the music for that failure.

With all the problems the Dolphins had on Sunday, keep in mind that they faced a very good Texans team (one of the best in the AFC).  The Texans had the second ranked defense in 2011, so Tannehill’s first start was not against a pushover.  The fact that the Dolphins stuck around for the first quarter and a half was surprising.  In reality, no one expected the Dolphins to win this game.  Heck, when the season came out in April, most of us penciled in a loss for this game.  The key for the Dolphins will be how they learn from this game.  This season is not about winning a Super Bowl (if you’re being honest with yourself), it’s about improving for the future.  Tannehill will get better….without question.  The next test for the 0-1 Dolphins are the Oakland Raiders.  The Raiders will be playing on a short week (they play tonight), will be flying cross-country, and will have to deal with the South Florida mid-day heat.  As bad as things look right now, there is a chance that things could look a little better next Monday at this time.

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  • chris

    Ireland may well be on the “Hot Seat” and may not see the end of the season. I’m sure a ton of “fans” will be celebrating this if it comes to pass, but I ask why? Sure Irelands scouting may not be the best, but the positions of need that the Phins have had, HAVE been addressed in the last 2 drafts. Perhaps you dont like the players specifically but you cant argue that he’s ignored the needs of the team. Besides, the Phins WILL NOT hire an upgrade a that position, because no GM worth his salt is going to work for Stephen Ross………Period! The man is the worst owner, not just in the NFL, but in sports period. Seems like a theme in So Fla (think marlins)

    • NJFinFan428

      Chris, I’m not sure I understand your logic…Have the following needs been addressed:

      Offensive Line? We started a guy yesterday who was in serious danger of getting cut 3 weeks ago and came to camp 30 lbs. over weight. Our RT is young, but did not have a good day yesterday.
      WR? We entered the offseason with a Pro Bowler…we now have Bess Hartline and nothing else. One of the 3rd round picks we got for Marshall was Michael Egnew, who was inactive yesterday and has looked terrible thus far.
      Safety? Still can’t cover tight ends. Secondary as a hole looks weak and yet they traded Vontae Davis

      I’m fine with missing on picks, but if you miss on HIGH picks (1-4th rounders), your franchise can’t improve. Chad Henne, Pat White, Philip Merling, Koa Misi, Clyde Gates, Patrick Turner, Shawn Murphy, Michael Egnew…this list goes on and on and on with wasted picks

      • chirs

        First off, listing players who have been busts that were drafted by PARCELLS doesn’t advance your point at all. 2 yrs ago we needed a C desperately, thus Pouncey was drafted. last draft we needed a RT badly, and Ireland went and got Martin. Now, to your WR complaint, we needed WR help and he drafted 2 WR’s. I wasn’t a fan of the places they were drafted but that’s not the point. To reiterate, the point is Ireland HAS drafted the needs of the team. As, for some of the Brandon Marshall comments, the guy was traded because he’s a headcase and Ireland didn’t want to strap a new HC w/ a guy like that. Hence the reason Chad Johnson was cut and Vontae Davis was traded as well.

  • Henry

    I can imagine what the Phins would have played like if Tannehill had Brandon Marshall to pass to. We got two 3rd round picks for him, but highly unlikely we can draft someone like him in the 3rd round. Who ever pulled the trigger on this trade should not be involved in Football. Maybe Tannehill can play receiver and have Matt Moore throw him the freaking ball.

  • WARD

    if u replace ireland at the end of the season then we get a new coaching staff to cause the new gm well want his man so then we have to start all over again i say let it play out the next few season with 5 pk in the top 100 and 60mil under the cap next yr we well get better we have a young team did anyone ever teach u all patiances.

    • Cglenn

      Give a few years? Really? We have been giving a few years since Dan Marino left. Ireland is a joke he has done nothing and I mean nothing to improve this team from how it was 2 years ago. Any good moves he has made have been negated by bad moves. My patience is gone!

      • kingkupa

        what else are we to do but be patient. quit frankly i’m tired of waiting too, i’m willing to give one more chance to this new coach..what i don’t want to do is give up on hoping for a good season. but something has to change with how we do operations…a couple of years ago the jets were as bad as we were, but they have been very active in the off season to bring in players. i was watching the tv show “hard knox”, and the way the whole operation is going and the attitude with the organization is very professional but slow reacting in what we can get. they are weaving out all the bad players in key postions but where does that leave us. dallas problem child reciever deskins has been a distraction for the cowboys, and yet instead of kicking them to the curve..they put the whole team as his personal body guards, but we go ahead and throw out key position players like brandon marshal, braylon edwards, and chad johnson(i’m glad we threw him out, i don’t like him, because he’s a hasbeen)..half of the nfl players have issues..we should ralley around what keep players.

  • michael mcbride

    If the Dolphins ever get smart and depart way with Jeff Fire Him Ireland they should see if Bill Cower want the Job.

    • bob frazier

      agree and agree also get dan marino as qb coach. we need someone who knows how to do it as gm and a qb super person let’s get dan and bill fire jeff now

  • George

    Hopefully Ireland is out. Now really sure why he trades players for draft picks when history shows most of the draft picks under him have been wasted. Time to get the rest of the Bill Parcells disaster out the door.

  • FZB

    wow, most of you guys are clueless, Ireland is not the problem, Parcells was the problem –he made all personnel decisions up until two years ago, signed a bunch of high priced free agents and drafted a bunch of players that didn’t pan out…Ireland was GM in title only (he was parcells assistant)..you don’t pay a man 5 mil to sit around and not make any decisions.

    Ireland is doing a very good job, he is rebuilding the Team trough the draft (Green Bay style), it will take time but is the right approach..

    • Tim

      Look at Jeff Ireland here on the blog defending himself! The fins are the laughing stock of the NFL… WHY? because we have NO TALENT! We have gone backwatds for the passed 5 years, under the big Tuna and even more so under your watch Mr. Ireland!

  • Dennis

    I looked back at the drafts of the past 12 years. Give me one draft where it has been a success. Every year the caoching staff and GM have brought players who really did not want to come here at all. Retreads, old out of shape, bloated contracts, and players who were on weed. This team needs to totally let’s say it hear REBUILD. We need top first round picks, players who are the best at their position. I think Tannehill is a beginning.
    Ireland does have to go, no doubt. Look at the busts he has drafted. I do not know who the replacement is but I do not think Cowher is the answer. He is another Jimmy Johnson who will bring another Dave Wanstedt and here go again.

  • Vanessa

    I agree!!! Jeff Ireland has to go. The Dolphins have been making bad choices as far as picks go and keeping Jeff Ireland is a waste of time!!! He is the worst GM ever. The Dolphins are the laughing stock of the NFL and i’m tired of it! I’m almost embarased to call myself a Dolphins fan because I get laughed at. Jeff has to GO!!!!!!!!!!

  • Tom

    Yes, Ireland blows, we all know that — BUT, the real (and bigger) problem is with Ross … He is clueless about football and what the sport is all about. He is too much in to the celebrity/business side of things and just does not have the gridiron mentality it takes to build a long term “franchise”. I’m afraid that until he SELLS THE TEAM, we will be stuck under his ignorance.

  • Brewbear

    Sorry guys Ireland won’t go any where until Ross looks at his p&l statement.Money is the only thing that will come between those two.

  • michael mcbride

    Sorry Ireland is the problem. We should have players like Jason Paul, RG3 etc. You can’t keep drafting o-linemen who ain’t getting the job done anyway.

  • michael mcbride

    Well, Jeff does kind of look like Russ Limbo. I just hope he doesn’t think like him.

  • Leen

    The GM of the RAVENS is Ozie Newsom he was excellent TE, why the DOLPHINS don’t name Dan Marino as President, Jason Taylor General Manager, Sam Madison DB Coach, Zac Thomas LB. Coach, Chad Pennigton QB Coach.

  • John Kwiatkowski

    Let’s get out of the kindecare business. Put Pat Devlin where he belongs on top. I know there’s warehouse full of Tannehill Nikes to sell. Are we running a team or Sale. Let’s get Pat Devlin on top with Oaklands the same time Flacco is working on the Eagles. Sunday at 1 PM. Take Deprisco and th press out behind the barn and kick you know what.