The Miami Dolphins today announced that General Manager Jeff Ireland has signed a multi-year contract extension.
Since joining the Dolphins following the conclusion of the 2007 season, Ireland oversaw a complete overhaul of the team’s roster. Utilizing the draft, free agency and trades, he has added talent to a team that won one game before his arrival to a point that in his three subsequent years, the Dolphins went a combined 25-24 since then with an AFC East title.
In his three drafts, Ireland added ten starters to the team, including Jake Long, Phillip Merling, Chad Henne, Kendall Langford (2008), Vontae Davis, Sean Smith, Brian Hartline, Chris Clemons (2009), Koa Misi and John Jerry (2010). Long went on to make the AFC Pro Bowl team each of the last three years while many of the others earned All-Rookie and other accolades.
Ireland also added talent via trades such as Anthony Fasano (2008) and Brandon Marshall (2010) along with Karlos Dansby and Richie Incognito through unrestricted free agency. Following his own mantra of “leaving no stone unturned,” Ireland also unearthed “street” free agent gems such as Davone Bess and Pro Bowlers Cameron Wake and Dan Carpenter.
“The decision to extend Jeff’s contract as our General Manager was an easy one,” said Dolphins owner Steve Ross. “The young talent that Jeff has assembled during his three years with the Dolphins has made a profound impact on our franchise’s recovery from the 1-15 season of 2007. Jeff has my full support moving forward as we pursue our goals to build the best and brightest front office in the National Football League and ultimately to win a Super Bowl Championship for all of South Florida and Dolphin fans around the world.”
“I appreciate the support of the entire Dolphin organization, from Steve Ross all the way down, and I’m going to continue to work as hard as I can with Steve, Tony Sparano, and the rest of the team to bring the Dolphins back to their long-time position as one of the elite teams in the NFL,” said Ireland. “We have a young and talented nucleus to build on, and as we continue to add quality players through all the means available to us, we will give our fans the type of team they deserve.”