Ireland Deserves A Lot More Credit (1 Viewer)

[max]

It seems to me. Once Jeff Ireland had been in place for a full season, that is when everything turned around for the Saints.
Ireland and Payton are the most important people in the Saints organization: player, coach, or executive.
The players, that some might put ahead of Ireland, were acquired by Ireland for a second round pick or peanuts.
Ireland has given us the second best defense in team history, after the Super Bowl defense that had Sharper making all those critical pick-6s. The Dome Patrol defenses were awesome, but they were all front 7; the secondary (and pedestrian offense) kept the team from even winning a playoff game.
Both lines are strong on the team. We have been known to have the best roster for a few years, since Ireland had 2-3 years to build it.

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

I don’t think there’s a poster on here who doesn’t give mad props to Ireland

 

[Loco Hornet Fan]

I don’t think there’s a poster on here who doesn’t give mad props to Ireland

Yeah, I don't think it is possible for this board to give any more credit to Ireland (much less "a lot more").

We sing his praises quite a bit and are always worried when GM jobs pop up on other teams. We absolutely don't want to lose him.

 

[los226]

He is the main reason why we’ve drafted much better. I hear a lot of praise in the media for Mickey Loomis, but this team is no where without those drafts. I hope they give Loomis another title and give Ireland the GM spot, but after all this time it seems like it won’t happen.

 

[Saint Taysom]

I was actually thinking about this earlier this morning... It wasn’t that long ago where this team was taking Kikaha over Kendricks, and/or investing in players like Stanley Jean-Baptiste

Ireland has been $$$. No diggity, no doubt

 

[SigFreudianSlip]

I was confused and thought that I’d stumbled onto the EE.

Ireland is the man. No doubt.

 

[Hedon James]

It seems to me. Once Jeff Ireland had been in place for a full season, that is when everything turned around for the Saints.
Ireland and Payton are the most important people in the Saints organization: player, coach, or executive.
The players, that some might put ahead of Ireland, were acquired by Ireland for a second round pick or peanuts.
Ireland has given us the second best defense in team history, after the Super Bowl defense that had Sharper making all those critical pick-6s. The Dome Patrol defenses were awesome, but they were all front 7; the secondary (and pedestrian offense) kept the team from even winning a playoff game.
Both lines are strong on the team. We have been known to have the best roster for a few years, since Ireland had 2-3 years to build it.

Mad props for Ireland! But respectfully disagree with your assessment of the Dome Patrol compared to our current D, versus the '09 D.

The Dome Patrol was one of the best defenses in history. You had to put up 14 points if you wanted a chance to win against the Saints. And that didn't happen very often. And they spent a LOT of time on the field because our offense back then primarily consisted of run, run, pass, punt....a lot of "3 and outs"; and even when they scored, it was often because the DP made a big play and gave 'em a short field. Even with a short field, that usually turned into 3 pts instead of 7. I remember a game (can't remember the opponent) where it seemed the offense exploded....until you saw the highlights. Defensive interception for pick 6; fumble recovery for TD. The announcer (Chris Berman?) even joked about the score....."Dome Patrol 14, Saints 9, Opponent 7"....or something similar. Thank god for the DP, because they lifted those teams to winning records, FWIW.

I'd put the '09 D second. The current D has better players, and is capable of being better, but they're so damn inconsistent. The '09 D had less overall talent, but had a killer instinct and a nose for turnovers.....finding 'em or making 'em. They were an "average" D with a penchant for takeways....a band of thieves. But they were CONSISTENT about that.

I'll put the current D 3rd in history. If they get more turnovers; or if they get more consistent, I'll put 'em at #2. They certainly have the talent, and they're certainly capable, and there's still time. But too many lapses and letdowns, IMO. The Taysom Hill and Teddy Bridgewater defenses are formidable, and nearly on par with the DP, IMO. But then Drew steps back under center and they seem to let off the gas, because they believe a 30-burger is coming with Drew driving. When the backup is in, they knuckle down. If that knuckled-down defense showed up for EVERY game, I'd put them on par with the DP.

But that's JMO...

 

[Outbackjack]

Ireland deserves a lot more credit?

I agree.

It’s one of the most economically successful European countries.
And the River Dance is stunning.
St. Patrick’s Goethic Cathedral? Absolutely beautiful.
However, Guinness beer has fans and detractors.
Me personally, it deserves a lot more credit for the no-snakes-thing alone .

Good thread.

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

Ireland has been $$$. No diggity, no doubt

i like the way he works it

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

Ireland deserves a lot more credit?

I agree.

It’s one of the most economically successful European countries.
And the River Dance is stunning.
St. Patrick’s Goethic Cathedral? Absolutely beautiful.
However, Guinness beer has fans and detractors.
Me personally, it deserves a lot more credit for the no-snakes-thing alone .

Good thread.

River Dance sucks

 

[Jellybean]

It seems to me. Once Jeff Ireland had been in place for a full season, that is when everything turned around for the Saints.
Ireland and Payton are the most important people in the Saints organization: player, coach, or executive.
The players, that some might put ahead of Ireland, were acquired by Ireland for a second round pick or peanuts.
Ireland has given us the second best defense in team history, after the Super Bowl defense that had Sharper making all those critical pick-6s. The Dome Patrol defenses were awesome, but they were all front 7; the secondary (and pedestrian offense) kept the team from even winning a playoff game.
Both lines are strong on the team. We have been known to have the best roster for a few years, since Ireland had 2-3 years to build it.

Really? Seems like people give him more credit than Loomis and Payton. He’s been absolutely integral, especially for the 17-19 drafts that have given us

Lattimore
Ram
Kamara
TreQuan
Marcus Williams
Anzalone
Hendrickson
CGJ
McCoy

and all the UDFA’s as well

 

[Madmarsha]

I was confused and thought that I’d stumbled onto the EE.

Ireland is the man. No doubt.

Yeah, I wondered what the country had to do with the Saints.

 

[SaintSeb]

Really? Seems like people give him more credit than Loomis and Payton. He’s been absolutely integral, especially for the 17-19 drafts that have given us

Lattimore
Ram
Kamara
TreQuan
Marcus Williams
Anzalone
Hendrickson
CGJ
McCoy

and all the UDFA’s as well

I'd go as far as to say Ireland is more important to the franchise than Coach SP (not a slight towards SP).

 

[Madmarsha]

Ireland deserves a lot more credit?

I agree.

It’s one of the most economically successful European countries.
And the River Dance is stunning.
St. Patrick’s Goethic Cathedral? Absolutely beautiful.
However, Guinness beer has fans and detractors.
Me personally, it deserves a lot more credit for the no-snakes-thing alone .

Good thread.

My husband is half Irish and, though I'm way less Irish than he is, I do have Irish ancestors in my direct line that I LOVE to claim. I hope to visit someday.

But, yes, Jeff Ireland is a front office MVP!

 

[JvilleJoe]

I just hope the Organization can rearrange the deck chairs and find a way to give Ireland the Title and money, while Loomis assumes a broader oversight role in the Franchise. Frankly both are so invaluable to the consistency this team has shown. I might add that it sure would be nice to keep Fontenot as he, too, has earned an opportunity for advancement. I won't be surprised if they find a way to keep both and I sure hope they do!