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Jeff Ireland probably hoped more had changed since the last time he spoke to reporters at the Senior Bowl.
Last year, Ireland spoke on the heels of owner Stephen Ross' pledge to get a more aggressive and creative offense. More points were wanted in South Florida. Ireland talked about QB Chad Henne and increasing team speed, among other things.
A 6-10 season, a head coach fired and a new one hired later, and the Dolphins' GM is still looking for that spark on offense.
"We need a quarterback that can get us over the hump, there's no doubt about that," Ireland said Tuesday after the North team's practice. He spent around 20 minutes with reporters, speaking in a candid manner — for Ireland — about the changes coming for a franchise desperate for the success it had under Don Shula and for the quarterback it had in Dan Marino.
"We just have to find them," Ireland said about getting a quarterback.
It was hardly a vote of confidence for Matt Moore, who was 6-6 as a starter, throwing 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
"Matt did a great job," Ireland said. "It took him a little while to get going. Once he got a grasp of the offense and what we were trying to get him to do, I thought he led the team (well), I thought he was tough."
Ireland wouldn't make any guarantees about Moore or Henne, who is a free agent, but it was clear that an upgrade at quarterback is coming.
"I'm keeping my eye on all the quarterbacks that are out there. This is a quarterback league. We've got to do our best to make the position better," he said.
It's not just quarterback. Ireland said he is still not satisfied with team speed; something the Dolphins addressed last offseason by signing RB Reggie Bush and drafting WR Clyde Gates.
Ireland did discuss improvements needed on the defense and the possibility of the team moving to a 4-3 with new head coach Joe Philbin. Ireland discussed the importance of having more pass rushers.
"Pressure players are a core to every defense. You can't have enough of those guys," he said. "We have a few, certainly not enough and we'd like to have some more."
But it's no secret that Philbin has had plenty of success with his offensive knowledge in Green Bay, and Ross would love to have that in Miami. The Dolphins were 22nd in the league in total offense last year. And in a division with the high-powered Patriots and the spread offense of the Bills, the Dolphins need to keep up. They gave up 22.8 points a game in divison games last season. With Philbin in the building, it's time for the team to pick up the tempo.
"(Philbin) believes in tempo and an aggressive-style offense. I think that's what we're going to accomplish for sure," Ireland said.
With Philbin starting to put his staff together, the two can get to work on improving the Dolphins franchise. Ireland made it clear that the team is not rebuilding and that he has confidence in its nucleus, but changes are coming. The changes will begin during free agency and then in the draft.
Last April was Ireland's first draft in Miami without Bill Parcells in the room with him. The Dolphins' draft had good early returns, led by C Mike Pouncey and TE Charles Clay. RB Daniel Thomas had some struggles, and he is key to the future of improving the offense.
"Daniel did a nice job," Ireland said. "I believe in him. He's tough, he's strong and he learned the pass protections really quick."
This draft, Ireland goes at it again without Parcells and with a new head coach in Philbin, as well as a new coaching staff. Ireland said Parcells was a good mentor but that he does not feel "out of place" in the draft room without Parcells.
"I've been in every draft in one way or the other the last 15, 16 years. It's just what I do. I love it," said Ireland, who last week at Philbin's press conference noted, "I am a scout at heart. I am going to find players for the head coach."
Ireland and Ross have received their fair share of flak from Dolphin fans and their credibility around the league certainly has room for improvement. Ireland said he doesn't worry about it, but acknowledges the team needs to get better.
"We've got to continue to build a roster to be better than good, because good is just not good enough. We've got to be great," he said. "We've got to work on getting the pieces together to make a much bolder statement in South Florida. We want championships. We want wins. That's what we're trying to do."
