Tag: Jeff Ireland

How have the Saints improved at drafting with Jeff Ireland on board?

It feels like it’s only a matter of time before Jeff Ireland leaves the Saints for a GM job. How the team has improved on draft day, and what they risk in losing him:

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Jeff Ireland has held the title of assistant general manager for the New Orleans Saints for a couple years now, but his biggest contributions have come as their college scouting director. So when the Chicago Bears requested and were granted an interview with him for their vacant general manager job (a post he’s held before, with the Miami Dolphins) debate immediately launched among fans as to how big a loss Ireland could be.

It’s not an easy answer to come up with. Let’s start by discussing what defines a good pick. Is the player an annual All-Pro? A Pro Bowler? Do they get a second contract (either with the team that drafted them or somewhere else)? Are they just better than their peers from the same draft class, or those picked in the same round? Do the same standards apply to a first round choice and a seventh round flyer? Everyone has their own opinion on what the expectations should be.

But a quick and easy barometer is just looking at how often players are, well, playing. The average NFL career lasts only 3.3 years, or about 53 games, so we’ll use that as our standard for this exercise. Let’s run through the list of draft picks the Saints have made since hiring Ireland back in 2015, distinguishing between an overall hit rate and the success of players drafted in the top 100 (where there’s typically a talent cliff between the rest of the class), and see how many of those selections have passed the test:

Bears complete interviews with Brian Flores, Jeff Ireland

The Bears conducted interviews with HC candidate Brian Flores and GM candidate Jeff Ireland on Friday.

The Chicago Bears are int he middle of their searches for a new general manager and head coach following the firings of Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy earlier this week.

Chairman George McCaskey, President/CEO Ted Phillips, Hall of Fame executive Bill Polian, VP of Player Engagement Lamar ‘Soup’ Campbell and Senior VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Tanesha Wade will be conducting the GM search for the Bears, where they’ve already started lining up interviews.

They completed a couple of more interviews for their vacant GM job with Bears Assistant Director of Player Personnel Champ Kelly and Browns VP of Football Operations Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on Thursday.

Flores is a product of Bill Belichick, as he got his start with the New England Patriots. Flores started as a scouting assistant (2004) and eventually progressed to defense, where he served as safeties (2012-15) and linebackers (2016-18) coach. The Dolphins hired him as their head coach in 2019.

Ireland has worked in the Saints’ personnel department since 2017. The Saints are an organization that Chicago would certainly like to replicate, and Ireland has been part of New Orleans’ success. Ireland has also served as the Dolphins GM from 2008-13 after seven seasons with the Cowboys, which included a stint as VP of college and pro scouting.

The Bears have cast a wide net of candidates for both GM and head coach. Here’s a look at the complete list of head coach and GM candidates Chicago has requested to interview or has interviewed:

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Jeff Ireland schedules interview for Bears general manager opening

Jeff Ireland schedules interview for Bears general manager opening

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Here we go: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that the Chicago Bears will interview Jeff Ireland on Friday for their open general manager job. Ireland, the New Orleans Saints assistant general manager and college scouting director, has been a huge part of the team’s success in recent years.

But this wouldn’t happen if the Saints weren’t comfortable letting Ireland go. They could have reorganized their front office to give Ireland the G.M. title he wants, boosting Mickey Loomis to a higher executive status, but the team obviously envisions a future without Ireland guiding their draft process.

So who could they have in mind to replace him? Maybe Ryan Pace, the fired Bears general manager Ireland could be replacing, who got his start in New Orleans. Pace worked as a pro-level scout before being promoted to director of player personnel, making him Ireland’s predecessor in some respects. But that would be a step back given how well the Saints have been drafting lately, and how poorly Pace’s Bears run turned out.

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Bears interviewing Jeff Ireland for GM job on Friday

Saints assistant GM Jeff Ireland will interview with the Bears for their GM job on Friday.

The Chicago Bears are in the middle of their search for their next head coach and general manager after firing Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace earlier this week. And there’s been quite a diverse group of candidates that they’ve requested to interview.

The expectation, according to Dan Pompei, is that the Bears cast a wide net of candidates for a first round of video interviews. For those candidates who stand out, they’ll be invited back for an in-person interview.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Bears will interview Saints VP and assistant GM Jeff Ireland on Friday.

Ireland has ties to the Bears organization, as he served as a ball boy for the team at 12 years old when his grandfather Jim Parmer was a Bears scout. But as far as experience, Ireland has worked in the Saints’ personnel department since 2017. The Saints are an organization that Chicago would certainly like to replicate, and Ireland has been part of New Orleans’ success. Ireland has also served as the Dolphins GM from 2008-13 after seven seasons with the Cowboys, which included a stint as VP of college and pro scouting.

Here’s a look at the complete list of head coach and GM candidates the Bears have requested to interview:

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Bears request interview with Saints assistant GM Jeff Ireland

Bears request interview with Saints assistant general manager Jeff Ireland:

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So it begins. ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported Tuesday that the Chicago Bears requested an interview with Jeff Ireland for their open general manager job, which was confirmed by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Pro Football Focus’ Doug Kyed, and NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill. Ireland has been a huge part of the New Orleans Saints’ resurgence since his hire in 2015, climbing the organizational ladder to earn a promotion as assistant general manager/director of college scouting.

So losing him would be a big deal. But it was inevitable that other teams would come sniffing around; Ireland’s been the architect of some outstanding draft classes for New Orleans, particularly the 2017 haul that brought Marshon Lattimore, Ryan Ramczyk, Marcus Williams, and Alvin Kamara to New Orleans.

All three of the other picks from that class are starting for other teams across the NFL (Alex Anzalone with the Detroit Lions, Trey Hendrickson with the Cincinnati Bengals, and Al-Quadin Muhammad with the Indianapolis Colts).

Even if his stint as Miami Dolphins general manager ended terribly, Ireland remains a respected evaluator around the league. Last year he interviewed for general manager openings with the Lions and Carolina Panthers, but was passed over. Now he may get another shot. Stay tuned as the situation develops.

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Dennis Allen headlines potential Saints losses to 2022 hiring cycle

Which Saints coaches and execs could depart in the 2022 hiring cycle? Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has to top the list, ass does assistant GM Jeff Ireland:

Few coaching staffs were hit harder last year than the New Orleans Saints, who lost a number of key position coaches to other teams around the league — including their former tight ends coach Dan Campbell, who took secondary coach Aaron Glenn with him to go rebuild the Detroit Lions. Longtime quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi and defensive assistant Michael Wilhoite both joined Brandon Staley’s first-year Los Angeles Chargers regime.

Now the cycle is beginning again, and the Saints could experience more upheaval. So which of their coaches and executives could be on the move as jobs open up across the NFL? Whether they’re considered for a head coach position or a bigger role as a coordinator or assistant, the Saints have some attractive candidates on their roster. Let’s dig in, starting with the most obvious possible departure:

GM candidates the Giants could consider if they fire Dave Gettleman

With the New York Giants likely to part ways with general manager Dave Gettleman, here are several potential options to replace him.

The New York Giants are likely to move on from general manager Dave Gettleman following the season. Whether he’s fired or retires remains to be seen but either way, Big Blue will be thrust into another GM search.

If the Giants are firm in their commitment to head coach Joe Judge, that may thin out their pool of options. It may also strengthen the likelihood of landing a new GM that has previous ties to Judge.

Is that good or bad? We’ll let you decide.

With a GM swap all but a certainty, here’s a look at several potential options who could replace Gettleman in 2022 and beyond.

After scouting Ohio State-Minnesota, Saints take broad approach to CFB’s Week 1

The New Orleans Saints were one of many teams at Ohio State-Minnesota, but their scouts then traveled to West Florida, Maryland, and Iowa State:

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The New Orleans Saints saw a lot to like from the Ohio State Buckeyes receivers earlier this week. They were one of many NFL teams credentialed for the Buckeyes’ season-opening road win over the Minnesota Gophers, with projected first-round wide receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson each rattling off deep touchdown passes — Olave reeled in scores of 38 and 61 yards, while Wilson caught a 56 yarder. Olave totaled 4 receptions for 117 yards and Wilson grabbed 5 receptions for 80 yards.

Either player would be a welcome addition to New Orleans in the 2022 NFL draft. But the Saints’ college scouting department will be busy evaluating all of their options in the months ahead. While we don’t know exactly where the dozen-or-so members of Jeff Ireland’s staff are assigned each week, some of them have been reported locally across the college football landscape.

Blue Gold News reports that the Saints are one of three NFL teams in attendance for West Virginia’s game with the Maryland Terps. Mountaineers draft prospects to watch include All-Big 12 safety Alonzo Addae and quarterback Jarret Doege, a potential late-round draft choice. But many eyes will be on Maryland passer Taulia Tagovailoa in his second year in the system.

But the Saints are part of a much larger crowd in the Iowa State-Northern Iowa matchup, with KQWC FM’s Quinn Douglas listing New Orleans among ten teams in town to scout the Cyclones. Iowa State’s top prospects include running back Breece Hall, athletic edge rusher Will McDonald IV, and safety Isheem Young. Cyclones quarterback Brock Purdy also shouldn’t be overlooked. Northern Iowa left tackle Trevor Penning has all the traits teams value and could be one of the highest-picked small school prospects with a strong season.

The Saints also checked in on West Florida ahead of their season opener with McNeese State. The Argos are looking to defend their Division 2 national championship, which was built by underrated pickups like JUCO-transfer safety D’Anthony Bell. When they aren’t up in the press box catching games live, NFL scouts are busy hitting the road to visit campuses and pad out scouting reports.

But we shouldn’t look too deeply into any of this — or feel concerned about the Saints missing out on higher-profile matchups like Alabama vs. Miami or Georgia vs. Clemson, or Wisconsin vs. Penn State. Scouts or executives could very well be in attendance without being credentialed for a seat in the press box, and all of this game tape will be available to review later on anyway. It’s just one small part of the process that leads into the draft.

Still, it’s always interesting to see where the black and gold pop up on Saturdays in the fall. And it’s fun to speculate about how things could develop as the draft cycle speeds up. Maybe the big gains those Buckeyes receivers made against Minnesota left a strong impression.

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Saints assistant G.M. Jeff Ireland scouting Notre Dame pro day

New Orleans Saints assistant general manager and college scouting director Jeff Ireland was spotted scouting at Notre Dame’s 2021 pro day.

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Notre Dame is hosting its pro day for 2021 NFL draft prospects on Wednesday, where NFL Network’s Clayton Holloway reported that one key member of the New Orleans Saints is observing: assistant general manager Jeff Ireland, the team’s college scouting director. Ireland has been hitting the pro day circuit this year, also attending South Carolina’s pro day for standout corner Jaycee Horn.

But there are plenty of impressive prospects working out in South Bend, Ind., too. Prospects on defense like linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (a potential first-round option) and mid-round defensive end Adetokunbo Ogundeji (who has previously met with the Saints) will go through athletic testing drills, as will versatile tight end Tommy Tremble and offensive linemen Liam Eichenberg and Aaron Banks.

Ireland’s presence at pro days might be more noteworthy than where Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis are spotted scouting. He puts the team’s draft board together and advises Payton which moves to make on draft day, often cautioning the team’s head coach to trust their evaluations and pick the best players available. If he likes what he sees at Notre Dame, maybe one of those prospects ends up staying in a gold helmet.

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Saints assistant GM Jeff Ireland on hand for Jaycee Horn’s impressive pro day

South Carolina draft prospect Jaycee Horn impressed at his 2021 pro day, with Saints assistant general manager Jeff Ireland in attendance.

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The New Orleans Saints need help at cornerback. After releasing Janoris Jenkins as a salary cap casualty, they’re staring at a training camp competition between career backups Patrick Robinson and P.J. Williams to fill in opposite Marshon Lattimore. So it makes sense the Saints to take a hard look at this year’s rookie draft class.

And, wouldn’t you know it, one of best cornerbacks happens to be a son of former Saints great Joe Horn. Jaycee Horn starred for South Carolina last season and lit up the crowd at his pro day; Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy reported that Saints assistant general manager/vice president of college personnel Jeff Ireland was among the attendees.

Horn nailed the athletic testing, measuring among the best cornerbacks to ever try the broad jump (11-foot-1, 96th percentile) and vertical jump (41.5 inches, 96th percentile) at a prototype 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds with 33-inch arms. NFL Draft Scout’s Matt Miller reports that some observers clocked Horn with a 4.39-second time in the 40 yard dash.

So all of that does a lot to validate his great college game tape, and probably pushes Horn out of New Orleans’ range (their first draft pick isn’t until No. 28 overall). Still, it’s good to see Ireland paying attention and at least performing his due diligence. Who knows what could happen on draft day?

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