Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland takes a beating from the media and fans in South Florida. But it’s time to give Ireland some props for his productive rookie class. Despite various criticisms, Ireland has always relied on his solid drafting to get him off the hot seat. Ireland again is getting great contributions from his first three picks: quarterback Ryan Tannehill, right tackle Jonathan Martin and defensive end Olivier Vernon. The Dolphins could not beat the St. Louis Rams Sunday without contributions from all three rookies. Fourth-round pick Lamar Miller also contributed earlier this year and has potential. Miami is a young team. But it has good, young players and Ireland deserves a lot of credit.

Speaking of the Rams, they were the first team to do two things to Miami that I haven't seen all season. St. Louis ran the ball well against the Dolphins and stopped the run. The Rams rushed for 162 yards, which is the highest total Miami allowed all season. Miami had a lot of trouble with the zone running plays for St. Louis tailbacks Steven Jackson (52 yards) and Daryl Richardson (76 yards). The Rams also stuffed Miami on the ground. The Dolphins rushed for only 19 yards on 18 attempts. Miami has the bye week to fix what went wrong.

Watching a midweek practice, Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland is chatting with several other spectators when the subject turns to the presidential debate the previous night.
Ireland, a debate team member in high school, says he found the event engrossing but doesn't offer an evaluation of the participants. As with his own performance, he leaves the critiquing to others.
For the past several seasons, Ireland has been the No. 1 subject of disputation among Dolphins' fans, with many contending he's the primary culprit for the franchise's failings. The ongoing conversation takes place without his involvement, because he rarely speaks publicly, but a staunch defender of Ireland has come forward this season: his team.