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Shutdown Corner - NFL

Shutdown Corner

Sun Jan 01 05:57pm EST

Fans pay for airplane banner calling for firing of Dolphins GM

By Chris Chase

Fans pay for airplane banner calling for firing of Dolphins GM

An airplane banner calling for the termination of general manager Jeff Ireland circled Sun Life Stadium before Sunday's Miami Dolphins game.

A group of a fans from FinsNation.com took credit for the sign. According to Sun-Sentinel.com, the group raised $1,500 in donations last month to pay for the airplane and banner.

Was the sign successful? Shutdown Corner breaks it down with exclusive insider analysis:

Pros

• Addressing Ross with the formal "Mr." establishes a sense of civility and deference.

• Use of "our" engenders feelings of community.

• Fans and media support the cause. A column in the Miami Herald last month was headlined "Miami Dolphins' loyalty to Jeff Ireland perplexing." Comments on the FinsNation site have a decided anti-Irish slant.

• Dolphins finished the season 6-10.

Cons

• As "The Wizard of Oz" proved, skywriting is the most pure, effective form of atmospheric messaging.

• Fails to utilize the natural Fire/Ireland wordplay; ex., FIREland.

• The timing may not have been the best. Miami defeated the New York Jets, 19-17. The Fins finished the year with six victories in last nine games.

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