The Miami Dolphins agreed to part ways with former general manager Jeff Ireland on Tuesday. It was a move that some believed was long overdue after Miami completed its fifth consecutive non-winning season.

However, the seat Ireland vacates is a good one. Here are several reasons Miami has a quality opening at general manager:

1. Plenty of cap space


Analysis: The Dolphins have 20 unrestricted and restricted free agents on their roster, many with starting experience. That means the new general manager has plenty of decisions to make. But that also means there's plenty of salary-cap space available to make decisions. Oftentimes, new general managers enter a situation where they have to purge overpaid rosters of losing teams, which usually takes a year. But that’s not the case in Miami. The new boss will have the ability to shape a good portion of the roster to his liking right away in Year 1.

2. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill

Analysis: The toughest job for a lot of new general managers is finding the right quarterback. Miami already has a young, talented quarterback in Tannehill, who will get a least another year or two to prove his worth. Tannehill showed potential under tough circumstances the past two seasons. In 2013, he had an inconsistent running game and an awful offensive line that set a franchise record for sacks allowed with 58. Still, Tannehill put up career highs in yards (3,717), touchdowns (24) and passer rating (81.7). It remains to be seen if Tannehill is Miami’s quarterback for the next seven to 10 years. He will not have the full trust of the new boss. But he’s definitely showed enough promise to prevent the new general manager from drafting a first-round quarterback in Year 1. That’s one less issue to worry about.

3. In-house talent

Analysis: The cupboard is not bare in Miami. The Dolphins have talent on their roster. Some would argue Miami had enough quality players to be a playoff team this past season and underachieved with an 8-8 finish. The Dolphins had four Pro Bowl players: center Mike Pouncey, defensive end Cameron Wake, cornerback Brent Grimes and punter Brandon Fields. Ireland also spent more than $200 million of owner Stephen Ross’ money last year in free agency before being kicked out the door. That included re-signing players such as Mike Wallace, Dannell Ellerbe and Brian Hartline to long-term contracts.

Browns assistant GM Ray Farmer and Titans vice president of player personnel Lake Dawson are candidates for the Dolphins' general manager opening.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Packers executive Alonzo Highsmith is also on the Dolphins' "radar." Giants executive Marc Ross was reported as a candidate on Wednesday. The Dolphins are casting a wide net in their search to replace Jeff Ireland. League sources tell the Miami Herald's Adam Beasley that Farmer is the "best of the bunch."

The Browns and Titans are not winning football teams. Why not try and lure someone from a winning organization?

Former longtime NFL team executive Scott Pioli describes Farmer as a general manager in-waiting.

I am sure whoever Mr. Ross & Ms. Aponte choose will lead us back to glory. I have the utmost confidence in this franchise & the great people who run it. What an exciting time to be a Dolphin fan , all other fans of other teams should be envious.

I have faith. Too many contradicting articles out. I'll just stick with the faith. I believe Ross wants a winning football team. I believe Philbin does too. First and foremost. They'll get it right.

The optimism is commendable, but I don't understand how anyone can rationalize having "faith" in what is going on. When did the franchise go about earning that kind of thing .... especially since it's been under the ownership of Ross.