As the day for free agent negotiations with other team's players approaches maybe we should look back on what the Miami Dolphins modus operandi (MO) has been in the past. Free agent signings of players from other teams begins March 12.
Starting back two years ago when Parcells was out of the picture Ireland's best moves have been the ones that he didn't make. He didn't go after Kyle Orton, which turned out to be a brilliant move. He didn't try very hard to bring Matt Flynn here last year, and since Flynn couldn't beat out a rookie third rounder it seems like another great move on his part.
He has had his failures. That is for sure. And I will stay away from them for the most part. Those failures since Parcells departure have been more along the lines of not bringing in a wide receiver because of the departure of "Brandumb" Marshall, when (in my opinion) he had plenty of time and opportunity to do so. Legedu Naanee? Really? Come on Jeff. Some would say not making much of an effort to get Peyton Manning would be another failure.
Ireland bringing Matt Moore here was a great move, and if we give him credit for Cameron Wake then he has made a few really good decisions that have worked out well for the Dolphins. Just for the record, I think Cameron Wake is the best Defensive End in the NFL, and yes that means better than JJ Watt.
Let's get back to free agency and the Dolphins. The "MO" of Jeff Ireland is to not bring in any big names and/or the large contracts that come with them. He has tried to bring in players with upside that don't require spending huge amounts of money that cause problems with salary cap. It hasn't always worked out.
For that reason I don't think he will go after Mike Wallace, Dwayne Bowe, or Greg Jennings. I would like to see him bring in both Wallace and Jennings, but I know that will never happen.
If he does go after anyone, don't look for him to get into a bidding war with any other team. When the Steelers defensive back Ryan Clark tried to use Ireland to gain leverage with the Steelers Ireland backed off. When Matt Flynn began to shop himself around the league last offseason Ireland backed off. He isn't going to get backed into a corner, and he isn't going to let the player's agents manipulate him. As a former businessman myself I admire that about him.
So for those of you that are like I am and want the Dolphins to bring in one player that could really help the team like Wallace or Jennings, don't get your hopes up. I don't think it is going to happen.
