Former NFL quarterback Sage Rosenfels went on a lengthy Twitter rant on Thursday morning, blasting Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland for being horrible at his job. Rosenfels spent more than three seasons with the Dolphins from 2002-2005. Ireland, as you know, has found himself at the center of a bullying scandal involving Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin. Rosenfels began with a personal story.
“I only spent two weeks on the Dolphins when Ireland was the GM,” he wrote. “In that short time he won the award for worst GM in my career. My reasons for my disdain for Ireland are a long story. It took about an hour to find out what everyone in that locker room thought of him.
“Two months after being put on Non Football Injury list with mono, I had gotten healthy and wanted to play. He wouldn’t let me off NFI because the Dolphins played the Raiders that week and he didn’t want them to sign me as I knew the Phins offense. Makes sense except the Raiders were the only NFL team that had 4 QBs on their roster. He waited until late Friday to release me figuring nobody would sign me that late in the week. Luckily, the Vikings cut McNabb and signed me that night. There is more but that is the basics of it.”
Rosenfels claimed Ireland was only making life difficult for him because he had the power to do so.
“I understand GMs always put their teams first,” Rosenfels continued. “I respect that. But he was being a jerk just because he could. That’s why he won the award. … Some people just look for ways to use their power. Others just do the right thing for everyone involved. Players know he is the former.
“On the flip side, the Giants paid me for 5 weeks when I came down with a bad blood infection even tho I was only sick for 4 weeks. I have no reason to help out either side. I hope (the bullying scandal) ends sooner than later. Just giving my two cents. The whole situation is a tragedy. ”
Rosenfels ended the rant by insisting Ireland is the only general manager he played under that he ever had an issue with.
“I played for 5 teams and 9 GMs and Ireland is the only 1 I had a problem with,” he said. “I was also traded 3 times and cut twice. Yes, I was average. Everyone gets screwed over at some point in their career. It’s the business. But there is story after story that has the same ring to it.”
On Wednesday, a report surfaced that indicated Ireland told Martin to punch Incognito when Martin informed the GM that he was being harassed. Ireland also once asked Dez Bryant if his mother is a prostitute when he was interviewing the former Oklahoma State star before the draft.
Between all the reports we have heard about Ireland and the stuff his former players say about him, it’s shocking he has kept his job. If the league determines that he did advise Martin to punch Incognito, expect that to change.
