NEW ORLEANS – Even though Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano both signed multi-year contract extensions to keep them under contract with the Dolphins through at least the 2013 season, the perception around the NFL is that one, if not both, are playing for their jobs in 2011 after two straight disappointing 7-9 seasons.
Owner Stephen Ross (left) is confident that Jeff Ireland will make the best long-term decisions for the Dolphins / AP
ESPN Draft analyst Mel Kiper said two weeks ago that the Dolphins don’t have the luxury to draft a quarterback with the idea of developing him into a starter over multiple years. And in conversations with agents, scouts and league executives at the Senior Bowl, Scouting Combine and owners’ meetings, I have yet to find a person outside of the Dolphins’ organization who believes Ireland and Sparano are off the hot seat for 2011.
But Ireland vows that he won’t take a short-term approach to building this year’s team that could help the Dolphins win now but leave them hamstrung for the future. He said not only is it his obligation to keep the best interests of the team in mind, but that he doesn’t feel he’s even on the hot seat in 2011.
“I’ve never felt that way, that I didn’t have time to make decisions,” Ireland said Monday at the Roosevelt Hotel, site of the owners’ meetings. “And I know my role here. My role is to make decisions for this franchise. The Miami Dolphins are bigger than Jeff Ireland. I’ve got to make decisions whether I’m on a one-year contract, a three-week contract or a four-year contract. I’ve got to make the decisions for the Miami Dolphins long-term.”
Stephen Ross echoed the same sentiment. The last thing he wants is his general manager mortgaging draft picks and signing players that might not be in the team’s best long-term interests (like the team has done in the past with Daunte Culpepper, A.J. Feeley, Lamar Gordon and others).
“We talk about it all the time,” Ross said. “Look, if not, you go and sign old players and all big names and hope they have one year left. I think we have a very young squad. One of the youngest in the league. We’re building it from the ground up.”
Ross said he has been very pleased with the work Ireland and Sparano have put in since the season ended.
“The staff, Jeff, is working tirelessly,” Ross said. “I don’t think there’s a guy in this hotel that’s putting more effort in it than Jeff. I think we’re right up there in working on it.”
As for Sparano, Ross said the lockout did not play a part in his decision to retain him. Had Ross hired a new coach, the lockout – which prevents the players from having any contact with their coaches until the impasse is settled – could have been a major detriment to preparing for the 2011 season. Instead, the Dolphins have continuity at the top, though several offensive coaches are new and the team is installing a new playbook.
“That wasn’t the reason why we kept Tony,” Ross said. “This is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to understand continuity is an important part to this game. You can’t keep changing parts and expecting a different result. In talking to people I learned a lot. I thought Tony was the best person for that job and I still think that.”