It started with drafting Jake Long #1 overall 5 years ago. Then we drafted Jerry, followed by Pouncey, and finally Jonathan Martin this year. What gives?
They get worse by the year.

Armando Salguero put it like this:
“How is it that an offensive line with a first-round pick at left tackle, a first-round pick at center, a second-round pick at right tackle, a third-round pick at right guard and a guy who was signed as a free agent solution a couple of years ago at right guard get beat physically every week?” – Salguero

I have a feeling this might be Irelands final year in Miami.
Ross may decide not to let Ireland pull the trigger on this glut of picks we have this year.
This next draft is going to determine how good we will be the next few years.

I like a lot of the moves Ireland has made over the last few years, but perhaps a change is in order? While I'd like to see Ireland get a shot to redeem himself in this next draft, perhaps we're better off going with someone who might possibly understand what Philbin, Sherman, and Coyle are trying to do? Maybe a guy who has worked at building similar style teams in the past?

The current team that is out there is very thin at the skill positions, that says something about Ireland. The fact that he has failed to build adequate depth at the cornerback and widereceiver positions is alarming. Also, the fact that our offensive line is mediocre at best, yet we had a "offensive line guru" as a head coach for four years is also puzzling. I like Ireland, but if we get the right guy to replace him I won't be overly mad to see him go.

The problem is Ireland has only had one draft to get guys for a Philbin offense and Coyle defense. He was given the green light to get rid of bad seeds and accumulate picks while not spending in FA. They basically said lets accept a bad season but maybe have some surprise wins with inferior talent. Garrard and Johnson didn't work out to meet that option.

I think Ireland and Philbin are given 2 more years to show forward progress.

Regarding the line, I have no answers for that.

Don't forget Philbin also spent many years coaching O-Line.

_________________

Yeah I have a hard time seeing Ireland fired unless the team REALLY collapses in the last month of the season.

I don't think Ireland trades Vontae and Marshall, spends the amount of money he did in Free Agency a year ago and do it thinking, "I have to win this year."

He'll be back.

this line is just cursed. Someone on NFL network said Schiano is starting 4 undrafted linemen in Tampa and that line is performing well. That is upsetting with all the picks and money spent on our piss poor line.

Unless I am reading things incorrectly, I think the FIreland talk can die ... at least for this year if there isn't a total collapse. Ross seems to like Ireland and Philben/Ireland have both said that Philben's offense requires smaller and faster linemen. That means that the line was previously built on the larger and slower linemen, and seeing Jake Long struggling this year could be a sign of that. Who knows, but I think Ireland is ok for another year. Of course, I don't have a fly on Ross's wall to give me the scoop.

_________________
PHINFEVER FACEBOOK - JOIN US!

But is Ireland the right guy to build that kind of football team is the real question here. Seeing his lack of ability to bring in skill position players via the draft, can he change his mentality and way of drafting so quickly? Can an old school, big linemen guy, who has always drafted safe, suddenly become an air it out skill position specialist? That's the question for Ross and the people he trusts to figure out.

It's not like Ireland is the only guy out there capable of shopping for the players Philbin needs.

If we continue a slide into the end of the season, someone will have to answer to it. In this case it'll be Ireland.

_________________

I think you're right. If we do continue to slide the easiest target to attack would be Ireland, since he already has the angst of about half of the fans. His track record is questionable at this point. Has he had some big hits, yes. But he's also had some big misses to go along with them. I'm personally hoping Ross takes a serious look at Ireland's record, and he weighs his options. We've got a lot riding on the future of this franchise, Ross had better be sure Ireland is the right guy for the job going forward. This team has the opportunity to take a big step forward, or a huge step back depending on what we do this next offseason.

i remember in the offseason Ross telling the media that the GM position will be evaluated on a year-by-year basis

I agree. It's a fair assessment.

letting this team enter this season with an absolute pedestrian receiver core is a black mark for Ireland that sticks with me. I was on his side until that point. That coupled with this failing line every year could be enough to get him fired.

Get rid of the the guy who brought in a QB who is breaking Marino's record?

_________________
GASE IS ON THE CASE!!! 2017 , 2018 , 2019 SB CHAMPIONS.

Oh no .... now we get someone else perpetrating the myth of this huge untouchable record

_________________

Would it really shock anyone here if Pouncey and Martin were the only two starters to return next year...hence a 6th year of rebuilding.

To be fair on this breaking Marino's rookie record thing. Marino only started 9 games his rookie yr. Played in 11.

Not at all. Incognito is good as gone and I think they'll try to replace Jerry. Jake Long is a flip of the coin, honestly. I wouldn't be surprised if they tag him, and give him one more shot while continuing to develop Yeatman.

They'll have the cap room to tag him so its possible. Question then becomes do they draft his replacement ala the Pats with Matt Light and Nate Solder...well I doubt a first round pick but you get the idea.

Heck, even Martin is going to have to fight for a starting job next year. To be fair though, I think even Vernon Carey struggled at first and a lot of highly touted rookie linemen take a few years before being consistent. Lets just hope he's not consistently awful.

lol I thought the sarcasm would be obvious. I was obviously wrong. : )

At least Finesse got it.

My bad hahah ....

I have to work on picking up on your sarcasm better. I think this is like the second time I missed it.

_________________

I think Long will return unless we can sort out some kind of sign and trade deal with another team. Otherwise, I think we'll franchise tag him for the season. But you might see guys like Jerry and Incognito be replaced, especially Jerry.