Report: Seahawks hire ex-GM Ireland as consultant

Jeff Ireland is headed to Seattle to do some pre-draft consulting. (USATSI)

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Seahawks general manager John Schneider lost his top aide on Wednesday when senior personnel executive Scot McCloughan unexpectedly resigned to tend to a family matter.

Since 2010, McCloughan had helped the Seahawks general manager identify key draft talent like quarterback Russell Wilson and cornerback Richard Sherman. Schneider won't have McCloughan around for the 2014 NFL Draft, but he will have someone else to shoot ideas off of: Former Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland.

The Seahawks have hired Ireland as a draft consultant, according to FoxSports.com. Schneider and Ireland have a history together that dates back to 1997 when both worked for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Ireland was Miami's general manager from 2008 until this past January when the two sides agreed to mutually part ways. Since Ireland's being hired as a draft consultant, it's probably worth noting that of the 14 players Miami picked in the first or second round under Ireland, only seven of them are still with the team.

Although Ireland's job in Seattle is a temporary one, FoxSports.com notes that it could turn into a full-time role after the draft.

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Bills looking to surround QB E.J. Manuel with talent through draft



Bills general manager Doug Whaley said Friday that the team doesn't have a pressing need they must fill in next month's draft. That may be true, but there are plenty of reasons why they should look heavily into adding offensive skill players. Stevie Johnson and Mike Williams are not dominant, No. 1 wide receiver types, so bringing in a wideout who could develop into such a player might be the call at No. 9. Slow-footed, low-ceiling tight end Scott Chandler is no great shakes; an athletic, pass-catching tight end could add an interesting dynamic to this offense.Regardless, Whaley said it is a priority to surround quarterback E.J. Manuel with as much talent as possible."It's a quarterback-driven league, so we're going to" look at "every avenue and every piece of the puzzle to surround E.J. and make him as successful as possible," Whaley said via the Buffalo News. "What we did this offseason affords us the opportunity to go any way and every way in this draft. Our main focus is making sure E.J. progresses."



Of course, in an effort to keep absolutely everyone guessing and not tip his hand, Whaley said in the same press conference that he still has confidence in Manuel and that the Bills "may" select a quarterback in the first round. But we should believe what he says about adding pieces to help his quarterback. It's just the smart thing to do. Sammy Watkins should be long gone by the time the Bills are on the clock, but Texas Aamp;M wide receiver Mike Evans and North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron could certainly be in play. If the Bills decide to go after another position in the first round, they should be fine; this is a deep WR draft.