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Martin v. Incognito: [update] Wells Report released

NFL.com reports that according to the Ted Wells report, Richie Incognito, John Jerry, Mike Pouncey engaged in pattern of harassment directed at not only Jonathan Martin, but also others.

I love this. After all the fluff pieces NFL.com wrote after the Smith Incognito mishap, they are having to eat their words with the real truth of what this dirt bag is really like.

I had my doubts about the character of a guy like Pouncey as well when he and his brother wore those "FREE HERNANDEZ" hats. Now it appears he too is a bully as well as a bad judge of character.

Incognito deserves to be booted from the league for all of the dirty things he has done his entire career, but this is going to be the straw that broke the camels back, and I applaud Martin for taking a stand and speaking out.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000325827/article/wells-releases-report-on-miami-dolphins
 
Wells Report: http://www.nfldolphinsreport.com/

After a thorough examination of the facts, we conclude that three starters
on the Dolphins offensive line, Richie Incognito, John Jerry and Mike Pouncey, engaged
in a pattern of harassment directed at not only Martin, but also another young Dolphins
offensive lineman, whom we refer to as Player A for confidentiality reasons, and a
member of the training staff, whom we refer to as the Assistant Trainer. We find that the
Assistant Trainer repeatedly was targeted with racial slurs and other racially derogatory
language. Player A frequently was subjected to homophobic name-calling and improper
physical touching. Martin was taunted on a persistent basis with sexually explicit
remarks about his sister and his mother and at times ridiculed with racial insults and other
offensive comments
Click to expand...

These text messages also corroborate Martin’s claims that he viewed his
teammates’ taunting as unwanted and that he was distraught over his failure to challenge
them. His parents’ worried responses show that they recognized that their son was
experiencing significant psychological turmoil.

On April 22, 2013, Martin wrote to his mother:
I figured out a major source of my anxiety. I’m a push over,
a people pleaser. I avoid confrontation whenever I can, I
always want everyone to like me. I let people talk about
me, say anything to my face, and I just take it, laugh it off,
even when I know they are intentionally trying to
disrespect me. I mostly blame the soft schools I went to,
which fostered within me a feeling that I’m a huge pu$$y,
as I never got into fights. I used to get verbally bullied
every day in middle school and high school, by kids that
are half my size. I would never fight back, just get sad &
feel like no one wanted to be my friend, when in fact I was
just being socially awkward. Most people in that situation
are witty & quick with sarcastic replies, I never have been.
I’m awkward around people a lot of the time because I
simply don’t know how to act around them . . .
Click to expand...
Shortly thereafter, Martin’s mother responded:
My first thought is that I am glad you wrote this down as a
way to start figuring it out. There are people in the world
with their own insecurities and they tend to be bullies and
confront people. Dealing with them can be a challenge. I
think when you feel really good about yourself they won’t

bother you as much because you won’t let them define you.
This fits into wanting to please and be liked. Some people
out there are not worth it. W e do live in a bubble. Financial
and
professional success is sheltering. W hich is both good and
bad. I think the NFL has a disproportionate share of people
who are obscure but masking it with aggression. Your
profession is really difficult with measurement and
evaluation every week. So we need to build up you liking
you. This is where some professional help would be good.
They can help you structure your thoughts. And that whole
brain chemistry thing is real. You may need some
additional seratonin. . . .
Click to expand...
Martin, however, seemed unconvinced that his mother’s suggested
solutions would be sufficient to alleviate his anguish. The same day, he wrote to her:
I care about my legacy as a professional athlete. But I’m
miserable currently. A therapist & medication won’t help
me gain the respect of my teammates. I really don’t know
what to do Mom
Click to expand...
On April 29, 2013, Martin sent the following message to his father, which
included a reference to the dinner in Fort Lauderdale where Martin says Incognito had
called him a “nword” and a complaint about insults concerning his sister:
People call me a nword to my face. Happened 2 days ago.
And I laughed it off. Because I am too nice of a person.
They say terrible things about my sister. I don’t do
anything. I suppose it’s white private school conditioning,
turning the other cheek
Click to expand...
Martin’s father responded:
They think nword is okay because black people use it. Tell
them you don’t use it and it is never okey and if they do it
again then they can kiss your black ass. Likewise say that
your sister is a Madonna. If they say it again they can kiss
your ass. If they do say either again then just stare at them
give them and give them your finger.

Just so you know, I punked out many times including over
nword. Also over just being black. Mot proud of it in the
least. It is just a matter of understanding your own strength.
Had 3 white boys outside of a bowling alley calling me
nword. I backed down.
Had a Harvard a$$hole talk about my suntan. I backed
down. Just stay who you are.
Also, I learned how to pop a bully in his mouth and kicked
one in his balls.
Click to expand...
On May 5, after feeling humiliated by Incognito and Pouncey during a
yacht trip, Martin sent his mother these messages:
I’m never gonna change. I got punked again today. Like a
little b!tch. And I never do anything about it.
I was sobbing in a rented yacht bathroom earlier
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter
Ted Wells in his report: "We reject the assertion by Incognito that Martin has fabricated claims of harassment after the fact."
Click to expand...

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet
Richie Incognito kept a fine book for OL kangaroo court. On 11/3, he texted players “They’re going to suspend me. Please destroy fine book”

Jonathan Martin paid Richie Incognito a $10,000.00 fine, by check, for failing to attend an OL gathering in Vegas, per Ted Wells’ report. Wow.

A Dolphins assistant trainer is of Japanese descent. Incognito, Pouncey & Jerry “called his mother a ‘rub and tug masseuse,’” per the report
Click to expand...

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet
Wells: Dolphins OL coach Jim Turner gave a player a male blowup doll as a Christmas gift. Told the investigators he didn’t remember doing it

Wells: “Dolphins OL coach Jim Turner was aware of the running “joke” that Player A was gay, and on at least 1 occasion, he participated”
Click to expand...

Matt Miller ‏@nfldraftscout
According to #Dolphins "fine book", Mike Pouncey was fined $100 for being subpoenaed by FBI [in Aaron Hernandez investigation]. (Wells Report)
Click to expand...
 
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I feel bad for Martin. There really isn't anything he could have done to make that situation any better, his best option was to leave the team. When people push you so far that you start believing it is your fault and you are flawed, forcing you into depression and suicidal thoughts, they are crossing a line.

It's extreme sad to read his text messages to his mother and father. It really shows his mental state after being put down on a daily basis for over a year.

The report states that some players felt that Incognito was a cancer that divided locker rooms. Harassing a trainer and two teammates sounds more like dividing an entire organization to me.

The Miami Dolphins is a crappy organization. Philbin should be fired. If the head coach can't be aware of such activities, he's not doing his job properly. It is not enough to claim that you are simply unaware when you are the leader of the team. Information wasn't passed along to him that two assistants knew about and even sometimes participated in such activities? That wouldn't fly with me if I were the owner.

I'd cut Pouncey and Jerry as well. They themselves, without Incognito, have been found to be complete *******s/idiots in this entire mess as well. No player is worth that baggage.
 
Richie's fine notebook:

Screen_Shot_2014-02-14_at_9.41.36_AM_medium.png


artin was one of three Dolphins employees who were regularly treated this way by Incognito, Mike Pouncey and John Jerry. The others were an unnamed offensive lineman and an assistant trainer from Japan, which was the subject of specific racial taunts from Incognito and the others.
From the report:
The Assistant Trainer was born in Japan and attended university there through 2001, before emigrating to the United States. Martin said that Incognito, Jerry and Pouncey directed racial slurs at the Assistant Trainer, calling him a "Jap," a "Chinaman" and a "chink"; referred to him as a "dirty communist" or a "North Korean"; made demands such as "give me some water you ****ing chink"; spoke to him in a phony, mocking Asian accent, including asking for "rubby rubby sucky sucky"; and called his mother a "rub and tug masseuse." Martin also informed us that Incognito and Jerry taunted the Assistant Trainer by saying that they had had sex with his girlfriend.
That behavior included this incident:
On December 7, 2012, the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Incognito, Jerry and Pouncey donned traditional Japanese headbands that featured a rising sun emblem (which the Assistant Trainer had given them) and jokingly threatened to harm the Assistant Trainer physically in retaliation for the Pearl Harbor attack. According to Martin, the Assistant Trainer confided in him that he was upset about the Pearl Harbor comments, finding them derogatory toward his heritage.

...

Offensive line coach Mike Turner participated in the bullying as well, according to the report. Turner played dumb when asked about it.
During the 2012 Christmas season, Coach Turner gave all of the offensive linemen gift bags that included a variety of stocking stuffers. In each gift bag except for Player A's, Turner included a female "blow-up" doll; Player A's bag included a male doll. Martin and another player were surprised that Turner did this; Martin further said that he was offended that Turner had endorsed the humiliating treatment of Player A by participating in it. Incognito and others agreed that this incident with Coach Turner occurred. When interviewed, Turner was asked if he gave Player A a male blow-up doll. He replied, "I can't remember." We do not believe that Turner forgot this incident, which many others recalled.

...

Martin and other witnesses informed us that Player A was repeatedly called a "******" and subjected to other homophobic invective. Incognito stated that Player A, although not actually believed to be gay, was subject to these taunts repeatedly and persistently-he got it "every day from everybody, high frequency." According to Incognito, Player A was a "good kid" and he "took it well," never asking his teammates to stop.

Incognito and others acknowledged that Player A was routinely touched by Incognito, Jerry and Pouncey in a mockingly suggestive manner, including on his rear end, while being taunted about his supposed homosexuality. Incognito specifically admitted that he would grab Player A and ask for a hug as part of this "joke."

Martin said that on one occasion, Pouncey physically restrained Player A and, in full view of other players, jokingly told Jerry to "come get some *****," and that Jerry responded by touching Player A's buttocks in a way that simulated anal penetration. Pouncey and Jerry both denied this allegation. Given the seriousness of this allegation and the conflicting recollections, we decline to make any findings about this particular alleged incident.

The evidence shows that [Offensive Line Coach Jim Turner] overheard and participated in this behavior toward Player A. During the 2012 Christmas season, Coach Turner gave all of the offensive linemen gift bags that included a variety of stocking stuffers. In each gift bag except for Player A's, Turner included a female "blow-up" doll; Player A's bag included a male doll.

...
Click to expand...

Anyone still on Richie's side?
 
I was sobbing in a rented yacht bathroom earlier
******
I feel sorry for this kid, but he may have to make a career change especially now with all of this coming out. Way too much very personal info not the least of which is Martin's correspondence with Mommy & Daddy. Fortunately for hisself he's got a Stanford education.
 
IDEXAN said:
I was sobbing in a rented yacht bathroom earlier
******
I feel sorry for this kid, but he may have to make a career change especially now with all of this coming out. Way too much very personal info not the least of which is Martin's correspondence with Mommy & Daddy. Fortunately for hisself he's got a Stanford education.
Click to expand...

This is one thing we agree on. After today I think they're both done in the league. It would be different if Martin was playing up to his potential, but he's kind of been a bust since entering the league.
 
Nitrofish said:
NFL.com reports that according to the Ted Wells report, Richie Incognito, John Jerry, Mike Pouncey engaged in pattern of harassment directed at not only Jonathan Martin, but also others.

I love this. After all the fluff pieces NFL.com wrote after the Smith Incognito mishap, they are having to eat their words with the real truth of what this dirt bag is really like.

I had my doubts about the character of a guy like Pouncey as well when he and his brother wore those "FREE HERNANDEZ" hats. Now it appears he too is a bully as well as a bad judge of character.

Incognito deserves to be booted from the league for all of the dirty things he has done his entire career, but this is going to be the straw that broke the camels back, and I applaud Martin for taking a stand and speaking out.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000325827/article/wells-releases-report-on-miami-dolphins
Click to expand...


Sunday School class/Daycare is now open.

We wouldn't want any old mean dirty players on the Texans HOF OL. Atleast you didn't call Incognito a racist as some were doing earlier before all of the facts started coming out.

I personally could care less about what goes on in an NFL lockerroom. It's entertainment. I do care about winning on the field.

Have we heard from player A?
 
Texn4life said:
This is one thing we agree on. After today I think they're both done in the league. It would be different if Martin was playing up to his potential, but he's kind of been a bust since entering the league.
Click to expand...

I'm not even sure Martin is going to want to play in the NFL again. For more reasons than his experience in this whole situation.
 
Nitrofish said:
NFL.com reports that according to the Ted Wells report, Richie Incognito, John Jerry, Mike Pouncey engaged in pattern of harassment directed at not only Jonathan Martin, but also others.

I love this. After all the fluff pieces NFL.com wrote after the Smith Incognito mishap, they are having to eat their words with the real truth of what this dirt bag is really like.

I had my doubts about the character of a guy like Pouncey as well when he and his brother wore those "FREE HERNANDEZ" hats. Now it appears he too is a bully as well as a bad judge of character.

Incognito deserves to be booted from the league for all of the dirty things he has done his entire career, but this is going to be the straw that broke the camels back, and I applaud Martin for taking a stand and speaking out.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000325827/article/wells-releases-report-on-miami-dolphins
Click to expand...

yep. I have no doubt that Roger Goodell is going to come down hard on these a-holes.

You don't mess with the integrity of the NFL shield, and these clowns just threw crap all over it with their actions.

Especially when mainstream media like CNN and Sports Illustrated post this headline:

Goodell needs to send message and eliminate culture of harassment

There are two things you need to understand about the Wells Report on Richie Incognito. One is that Incognito called teammate Jonathan Martin all sorts of racial epithets, he seems to treat women the way some people treat paper cups, and he taunted and harassed other players and an assistant trainer.

The other thing: Incognito knew most of that would be in the Wells Report, and he still thought the report would make him look good.

Why did Incognito believe that, after eight NFL seasons with three franchises? What does that say about the NFL? He thought his behavior was fine. That is the big issue here -- bigger than Incognito and Martin, and bigger than the Miami Dolphins.

Does NFL commissioner Roger Goodell want an NFL that makes Richie Incognito a team captain? Or does he want a league that welcomes Michael Sam?

-------------------------------------

It's time for the NFL to end this boys-will-be-boys nonsense. These are men. Make them act like it. A little teasing is fine, but if it's not OK in the NFL's New York offices, it should not be OK in an NFL locker room. A workplace is a workplace, whether the employees wear neckties or helmets.

Full article
Click to expand...
 
steelbtexan said:
Sunday School class/Daycare is now open.

We wouldn't want any old mean dirty players on the Texans HOF OL. Atleast you didn't call Incognito a racist as some were doing earlier before all of the facts started coming out.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a racist to me. He not only used racial slurs but in texts to a white teammate talked about how specific guns would be good for killing black people, in multiple instances. Associating with black people doesn't give you a free pass to make strange statements like that.

steelbtexan said:
I personally could care less about what goes on in an NFL lockerroom. It's entertainment. I do care about winning on the field.

Have we heard from player A?
Click to expand...

I almost fully agree with this, but I do hope that we never have a locker room situation in which this type of thing is going on.

I don't think a team with this type of culture can ever truly become a champion. People need to have some kind of bond to be a special group. Too many people don't respond well in this type of culture.
 
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TexansSeminole said:
Sounds like a racist to me. He not only used racial slurs but in texts to a white teammate talked about how specific guns would be good for killing black people, in multiple instances. Associating with black people doesn't give you a free pass to make strange statements like that.



I almost fully agree with this, but I do hope that we never have a locker room situation in which this type of thing is going on.

I don't think a team with this type of culture can ever truly become a champion. People need to have some kind of bond to be a special group. Too many people don't respond well in this type of culture.
Click to expand...

True

Micheal Irvin stabbed Everrett McKyer in the neck with a pair of scissors for taking Irvin's spot in the barbers chair and those Cowboys teams were pretty good.

The coaches got on Charles Haley in the meeting room in SF. Haley proceeded to drop trou and take a crap on the floor. Those 49ers teams were pretty good. It's about talent/brains more than anything else.
 
Everyone has met a Johnathon Martin before. He was that kid who when teased/bullied 1)took it personally and 2)was unable to respond. It's surprising that he did not have a firm enough sense of self to extract himself from that trio by choosing different team members to hang with, but I can't fault him for that.

How does no one in that lockerroom stand up for the Japanese trainer those knuckleheads were targeting??? Or the gay teammate? When will the character guys intervene and say "enough is enough"?

I have zero tolerance for bullying. Martin obviously brought his own weaknesses to this environment..... but is he required to fistfight his teammates to neutralize them? What if he breaks his hand or Richie's jaw? What if he hits him with a weight or some other weapon?

I lay the blame for this at the feet of the Dolphins organization. I have less disdain for Incognito and Pouncey -- who needed to be trained -- than I do the people who ignored this. Somebody needed to be the adult here... no one stood up. That, imo, is cowardice.
 
Playoffs said:
How does no one in that lockerroom stand up for the Japanese trainer those knuckleheads were targeting???
Click to expand...

Yep. You know, the guys all over this topic with "Martin should have just punched the guy" as a solution - what's this little trainer guy do? I'm betting he'd have a hard time whipping Incognito's ass. Maybe he should just snap and shoot him in the parking lot?

Bullies are a problem when they're allowed to be a problem. It's the problem I always had with the school system. I was the type of kid to fight back. Literally got into hundreds of fights. When those fights occurred on school grounds, I got into trouble because "fighting is wrong". Well then, have the bully stop bullying and I won't have to handle it, right?

*sigh* I hate people.
 
Texn4life said:
I'm looking at the alternative....... I don't like Incognito as a person just as much as anyone else. But from my understanding he has been graded as an above average Guard in the league for a few years now. Is he dirty? Yes. Cheap shot artist? Has been known to be at least to our team. Is he better than what we have on the team right now and probably what we can afford? Probably.

Listen, when I said that I know that its not going to happen. I also wouldn't mind having Calvin Johnson play for us.
Click to expand...

Man incognito is bad news and simply not worth the headache. Just my IMO.
 
Texn4life said:
This is one thing we agree on. After today I think they're both done in the league. It would be different if Martin was playing up to his potential, but he's kind of been a bust since entering the league.
Click to expand...

Perhaps he was not playing to his potential because he was being bullied and harassed every single day he was there. Kind of hard to focus when you are neck deep in that kind of thing.

steelbtexan said:
Sunday School class/Daycare is now open.

We wouldn't want any old mean dirty players on the Texans HOF OL. Atleast you didn't call Incognito a racist as some were doing earlier before all of the facts started coming out.

I personally could care less about what goes on in an NFL lockerroom. It's entertainment. I do care about winning on the field.

Have we heard from player A?
Click to expand...

How did I know we would be at opposite ends of this discussion? Where is your "Majority is right" attitude now? Seems like decent human beings feel like this was more than just some kidding around with a teammate, but not you. You are going to defend a dirtbag like Incognito.

You didn't think a guy was walking away from millions of dollars because of some good old fashioned ribbing did you? You had to know it was something serious, and so while I do not believe in convicting a guy in the court of public opinion before all of the evidence is, where there is smoke, there is usually fire.

Were you defending Hernandez too ? All the evidence is not in there yet either, but there is a lot of smoke in that case.

Your tough guy, no sissies allowed attitude is comical. Is that what you would tell your kid were he in this situation, even if he were a college or pro player? "Suck it up you p*ssy"

And just for the record... the phrase is "I couldn't care less" not "I could care less"

You sticking up for a guy like Incognito is sad, but I guess it's true what they say. "Birds of a feather, flock together"
 
More...

[Offensive Line Coach Jim] Turner exacerbated this situation on Nov. 2 when he sent messages to Martin, basically insisting that he lie on Incognito’s behalf. From the report:

November 2, 2013:
Turner: Richie incognito is getting hammered on national TV. This is not right. You could put an end to all the rumors with a simple statement. DO THE RIGHT THING. NOW.
Click to expand...
Martin: Coach. I want to put out a statement. Believe me I do. This thing has become such a huge story somehow. But I’ve been advised not to… And I’m not supposed to text anyone either cuz last time I responded to a teammate (Richie) I was intentionally manipulated and the conversation was immediately forwarded to a reporter.
Click to expand...
Turner: He is protecting himself. He has been beat up for 4 days. Put an end to this. You are a grown man. Do the right thing

Turner: John I want the best for you and your health but make a statement and take the heat off Richie and the lockerroom. This isn’t right.
Click to expand...
November 3, 2013:
Turner: I know you are a man of character. Where is it?
Click to expand...
November 6, 2013:
Turner: It is never to (sic) late to do the right thing!
Click to expand...
“Turner sent these text messages to Martin knowing that Martin had hospitalized himself in connection with a mental health condition, and in the face of public reports indicating that Martin’s emotional condition may have been a reaction to his teammates’ bullying and abusive behavior,” the report states.
Click to expand...

More from the report:

Martin and another player we interviewed both believed that the Assistant Trainer awkwardly laughed along with some of the racial insults, even though he was in fact offended. And both players seemed offended by the flagrant racial harassment of the Assistant Trainer.

In a text message sent on November 4, 2013, Martin told a friend: “I always felt so bad for [the Assistant Trainer] ... it was really racist.”

Martin claims that a number of Dolphins employees saw how the Assistant Trainer was humiliated but did not intervene, including his supervisor, head trainer Kevin O’Neill, who allegedly even laughed at some of the racial insults. As far as we know, none of the players, including Martin, confronted Incognito, Jerry or Pouncey about the racist comments directed at the Assistant Trainer or demanded that they cease.

When interviewed about these matters, the Assistant Trainer initially pleaded that he not be required to answer certain questions, implying that he could not be forthright because he was concerned about losing the trust of the players.

The trainer also told investigators that Incognito was a friend and that he had never offended him. But soon after Martin left the team, the trainer sent him a text message reading, "Hey I understand how [y]ou feel man... They are relentless sometime.... Some day I wanna do exactly what you did today."

As the investigators concluded, "The ceaseless racial ridicule directed at the Assistant Trainer was appalling and plainly over the line in any workplace."
Click to expand...
 
Playoffs said:
Everyone has met a Johnathon Martin before. He was that kid who when teased/bullied 1)took it personally and 2)was unable to respond. It's surprising that he did not have a firm enough sense of self to extract himself from that trio by choosing different team members to hang with, but I can't fault him for that.

How does no one in that lockerroom stand up for the Japanese trainer those knuckleheads were targeting??? Or the gay teammate? When will the character guys intervene and say "enough is enough"?

I have zero tolerance for bullying. Martin obviously brought his own weaknesses to this environment..... but is he required to fistfight his teammates to neutralize them? What if he breaks his hand or Richie's jaw? What if he hits him with a weight or some other weapon?

I lay the blame for this at the feet of the Dolphins organization. I have less disdain for Incognito and Pouncey -- who needed to be trained -- than I do the people who ignored this. Somebody needed to be the adult here... no one stood up. That, imo, is cowardice.
Click to expand...

The problem with that is that these guys are starters within his position group. These are his guys, the guys he needs to form a bond with.
 
Played football for a long time. Anyone who thinks this is normal behavior in a locker room has no clue what they are talking about. There is a difference between hazing and being a complete psychopath. I played with a RB who's now in the NFL who used to come up behind you when you were naked and pretend that he was trying to rape you. If you were offended by it he would call you gay and then leave you alone. It was a joke. Difference is that Incognito clearly isn't joking. He has deep issues that he tries to resolve by breaking down other people to make himself feel better. He pokes and pokes until he finds your true weaknesses and then relentlessly attacks them. That's not funny.

I had guys like this on my teams and they were always put in their place, and I never made it remotely close to the NFL. Where are the leaders in this locker room? This isn't a band of brothers. They don't give a **** about each other. Nothing that Richie did would make Martin a better football player. I can't believe that a guy like this even made it to the NFL. Look up Incognito's history at Nebraska and Oregon and then come back here and tell me that what he does is "normal" locker room behavior, or why he is the only player on the team who had to sign a one-strike character clause in his contract.

Ask yourself these two questions if you think this is okay. Do you think this **** flies in Peyton Manning's locker room? Why or why not?
 
bah007 said:
Played football for a long time. Anyone who thinks this is normal behavior in a locker room has no clue what they are talking about.
Click to expand...

Two of the common responses to the bullying within the Dolphins locker room have been, “That’s just how locker rooms are,” and “That’s just how offensive linemen act.” One NFL offensive lineman wants to let people know that’s not the case.

Green Bay Packers offensive lineman T.J. Lang took to Twitter after the release of the Ted Wells report to say that the information he learned about the Dolphins’ locker room does not square with what he’s seen in the Packers’ locker room, or with what he’s heard about other NFL locker rooms.

“Please don’t stereotype NFL players for what’s going on with Miami. That type of stuff is not common in other locker rooms,” Lang said.
Click to expand...

Link
 
Excellent piece by Stink...

Don't lose crucial parts of 'the code'
"Schlereth, it's your turn to read," he said.

"No thank you," I replied.

"Get up and read, now!," he barked.

"Please, please, no," I begged.

"Get up now or fail," he stated with conviction.

I arose, heart leaping from my shirt, cheeks so flushed they would make a rose wilt with jealousy. I walked to the front of the room. I stood for what seemed like an eternity but in reality was less than a minute and painfully tried to sound out words that were way above my pay grade. With each passing second and every stammered-upon syllable, the snickers from the class grew louder, until my teacher had heard enough.

"Sit down! You're stupid!" he proclaimed.

The class was bursting at the seams with laughter and a heartbroken boy slumped in his chair, tears streaming down his cheeks, puddling in pools of embarrassment on the table beneath him.

My parents lovingly passed down the lessons of their lives so that my sister, Jana, and I may also teach our children the foundational principles of a life well lived. There was something else my father passed on, quite unintentionally, I'm sure: learning disabilities. My father is dyslexic, and so am I.
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Have you ever been scared or embarrassed to the point of paralysis? Where do you turn when you feel you have nowhere to turn? In whom do you confide when it seems everyone is against you? What is the "correct" response in those situations? I had nowhere to turn and no fellow students or other teachers to support me or help me. I couldn't even turn to my parents because I felt like I had failed them. I was alone.

In a different setting, but one with many similarities, Jonathan Martin walked out. Looking back, I wish I'd had the courage to do the same. Maybe that would have brought the attention that my situation needed for things to be set straight.
Click to expand...
...
In my seventh season, I found myself on a bus in Japan as a member of the Denver Broncos. It was my first season in Denver and our first road trip of the preseason. As we sat in traffic, there was the usual joking and poking fun that accompanies those moments.

In the seats behind me sat two defensive players, and they were flipping some grief to a young player, typical stuff. At some point, the good-natured, innocuous ribbing became personal and out of bounds, so I turned and said "Enough," they responded with a few choice words for me and I made it clear in no uncertain terms that they crossed a line and I wasn't putting up with it. They mumbled a few protests under their breaths, but it was over and the bus rolled slowly to its destination, again under the din of good-natured fun that accompanies grown men who play a childhood game for a living. A few minutes later, I glanced back at the young player I had stood up for -- no words were exchanged, just a tacit nod of the head, as if to say, "Thanks. I appreciate the help." I replied in kind, and it's was never brought up again.

So there is one story, among many I have, of some self-policing, some enforcing of a code that builds teams rather than tearing them apart. Those guys didn't freak out at my intervention or suggestion that they lay off. I wasn't attacking their manhood. I was reminding them of the line you don't cross. They got a little carried away, but they knew I was right. We moved on with no trouble. Nothing lingered or simmered because it was addressed on the spot. I'm no hero and it probably would have resolved itself, but I was taught to stand up for my team. I was taught "the code" -- the championship code.
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Chris Mortensen ‏@mortreport
Dolphins make it official that O-line coach Jim Turner also has been fired, along w head trainer Kevin O'Neill, as earlier reported

Dolphins have fired longtime head athletics trainer Kevin O'Neill, per league sources. O'Neill was named in the Ted Wells report.
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How screwy is the Dolphins organization? O'Neill flew to Indianapolis with the rest of Miami's NFL Combine team... then somebody realized the mistake and he was canned in Indy. :choke:
 
Nitrofish said:
Perhaps he was not playing to his potential because he was being bullied and harassed every single day he was there. Kind of hard to focus when you are neck deep in that kind of thing.



How did I know we would be at opposite ends of this discussion? Where is your "Majority is right" attitude now? Seems like decent human beings feel like this was more than just some kidding around with a teammate, but not you. You are going to defend a dirtbag like Incognito.

You didn't think a guy was walking away from millions of dollars because of some good old fashioned ribbing did you? You had to know it was something serious, and so while I do not believe in convicting a guy in the court of public opinion before all of the evidence is, where there is smoke, there is usually fire.

Were you defending Hernandez too ? All the evidence is not in there yet either, but there is a lot of smoke in that case.

Your tough guy, no sissies allowed attitude is comical. Is that what you would tell your kid were he in this situation, even if he were a college or pro player? "Suck it up you p*ssy"

And just for the record... the phrase is "I couldn't care less" not "I could care less"

You sticking up for a guy like Incognito is sad, but I guess it's true what they say. "Birds of a feather, flock together"
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Not defending,

Just don't care what goes on in the lockeroom

I do care about winning on the field above all else though and if Incognito helped my favorite team win then count me as all in for signing him.
 
steelbtexan said:
Not defending,

Just don't care what goes on in the lockeroom

I do care about winning on the field above all else though and if Incognito helped my favorite team win then count me as all in for signing him.
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Too true. Locker rooms aren't important. Backyard pools are what's important.
 
steelbtexan said:
That and deaths
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So this is only an issue if Martin kills himself, or kills Incongnito to make it stop?

We shouldn't worry at all until it reaches that point?

If Incognito did this to Martin at a party would it matter? I'm just trying to find out where the locker room boundary ends.
 
bah007 said:
So this is only an issue if Martin kills himself, or kills Incongnito to make it stop?

We shouldn't worry at all until it reaches that point?

If Incognito did this to Martin at a party would it matter? I'm just trying to find out where the locker room boundary ends.
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It wouldn't matter if it were at a party or not. If martin feels uncomfortable a around people that will be at a party then he shouldn't go to the party.

I believe in letting the players police their own locker room as they see fit. Why is it everybody from the GM/OL coaches/Position group didn't take up for Martin?

It really comes down to $$$$. When Martin came out as a draft prospect part of the reason he fell was because he was considered not tough enough and he was somewhat of a locker room lawyer that was only playing for the $$$$.

Come to find out his parents were lawyers and he's going to get paid after walking out on his team. Exactly as some scouts predicted and the main reasons Martin fell from a 1st rd talent to a 2nd rd pick.

Example, on the Texans Winston was tough, but he was always thinking about his post media career instead of concentrating on the only reason people would care about what Eric Winston would think. (PLAYING FOOTBALL) He was also known as as clubhouse lawyer. I wouldn't want that kinda guy on my team. I want a guy where football comes 1st. Obviously Martin isn't that guy. Neither is Antonio Smith. IMHO
 
steelbtexan said:
It wouldn't matter if it were at a party or not. If martin feels uncomfortable a around people that will be at a party then he shouldn't go to the party...
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So people should not fly because terrorists make them uncomfortable? Martin should stop living because a bully might be at the party? smh
 
Dan Kadar ‏@MockingTheDraft
Philbin: There's a common decency people need to have with one another.

Now Philbin says the majority of things that happened he wasn't aware about.

When asked if he regrets not cutting Richie Incognito after the golf course incident, Philbin stepped around the answer.

Philbin said Dolphins Stephen Ross has reached out to Jonathan Martin.

Philbin: We're resolute in our dedication to getting this right and correcting any problems that exist here.

Philbin: It's been tough on a lot of people. Ownership, fan base, everyone in the locker room. It's been difficult.

Philbin said the team is in concert with the NFL about discipline. He hasn't made a decision about any player's future in Miami.

Philbin described Jonathan Martin as having a "condition" but won't get into discussions about him.

Philbin: I'm the head football coach. The performance of the team, the record falls on my shoulders. I'm going to be more vigilant, diligent

Philbin: I have to make sure we create a better atmosphere and environment.

Philbin: I have to do a better job. I'm going to look at every way we educate, communicate, talk to one another.

Philbin said the majority of things that happened he knew about.

Philbin: We're going to have a better workplace. I promise you that. I'm going to make sure that happens.

Philbin said what happened in Miami was "inappropriate and unacceptable"

Philbin: Everything I do impacts everyone I work with the Dolphins on a daily basis.

Philbin: I want everybody to know, I'm the one who is responsible for the workplace environment at the Miami Dolphins facility.
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TexansSeminole said:
Yes, Philbin, you are responsible.

The trainer that just got fired is claiming that he did record events of bullying and reported them up the chain. I think it's likely that Philbin was made aware of this.
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Philbin is mostly just unimpressive to me -- either dishonest here or incompetent. Neither desirable.
 
steelbtexan said:
It wouldn't matter if it were at a party or not. If martin feels uncomfortable a around people that will be at a party then he shouldn't go to the party.
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That's fine. What if he feels uncomfortable around people that will be at his workplace? Should he just not go to work?

steelbtexan said:
I believe in letting the players police their own locker room as they see fit. Why is it everybody from the GM/OL coaches/Position group didn't take up for Martin?
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Looks like there wasn't much policing going on at all. I prefer that players police their own but if nobody will step up and be a leader then that falls on the staff to fill the void. Looks to me like the whole organization failed to provide leadership. Hmm I wonder why they have only had two winning seasons out of the last ten..

steelbtexan said:
It really comes down to $$$$. When Martin came out as a draft prospect part of the reason he fell was because he was considered not tough enough and he was somewhat of a locker room lawyer that was only playing for the $$$$.

Come to find out his parents were lawyers and he's going to get paid after walking out on his team. Exactly as some scouts predicted and the main reasons Martin fell from a 1st rd talent to a 2nd rd pick.
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Feel free to provide any proof of those assertions. Here are links to the top scouting reports that google brought up:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1695609/jonathan-martin
He does flash some attitude on the field, but is far from a bully. Martin was named first team All-Pac-10 in 2010 and first-team All Pac-12 in 2011.....Above-average football smarts and general intelligence. Plays with a nasty streak. Solid character and work ethic.
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http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2012jmartin.php
Strengths:...Can play with a mean streak
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http://www.optimumscouting.com/rank...uting-report-jonathan-martin-ot-stanford.html
As the protector of Andrew Luck's blindside, he was prone to scrutiny had he allowed any defenders to hurt the quarterback prodigy. Martin handled this pressure incredibly well both on and off the field and scouts love his football intelligence and willingness to work hard....He is coachable and has a true desire to be the best....He is one of the leaders along a very talented offensive line and is well respected by his teammates and coaches. Coaches have talked about how much of a quality person he is in the locker room and the great attitude he brings to the team....Martin brings a work ethic that seemed to be infectious across Stanford's offensive line and has the on field attitude you like in your tackle. He also brings a special toughness and has played well through some minor injuries. His teammates say he has a true desire to be the best at his position....
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http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolp...jonathan-martin-was-a-consensus-decision.html
A scout who was most familiar with Martin was brought in and asked to go over the scouting report. And the file was clean. Martin was described as Andrew Luck's blindside protector, as smart, as a potentially good locker room guy and as a tough player.
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I think you get the point. Maybe next time actually read up on something instead of just making stuff up and hoping it sticks. The reason Martin fell in the draft was because he wasn't yet strong enough in pass protection to be a LT and didn't have the upper body strength that most coaches look for in a RT, so he was graded by most teams as an OG with the potential to move back outside to OT after getting some NFL coaching.

I also love the double standard that you have created between Martin and Jadeveon Clowney (albeit in another section of the forum). Suppose Martin was just "in it for the money" as you hypothesize. Why is that an issue but it's not an issue when Clowney tanks his final year at South Carolina to "protect himself so he can support his family"? I get lost in all of your spin so you'll have to spell it out for me when it is okay to be in it for the money and when it is not.

steelbtexan said:
Example, on the Texans Winston was tough, but he was always thinking about his post media career instead of concentrating on the only reason people would care about what Eric Winston would think. (PLAYING FOOTBALL) He was also known as as clubhouse lawyer. I wouldn't want that kinda guy on my team. I want a guy where football comes 1st. Obviously Martin isn't that guy. Neither is Antonio Smith. IMHO
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I have no problem with this statement. But none of that has anything to do with the Incognito/Martin situation.
 
steelbtexan said:
Not defending,

Just don't care what goes on in the lockeroom

I do care about winning on the field above all else though and if Incognito helped my favorite team win then count me as all in for signing him.
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You care about winning on the field above all else? Football isn't that important but it certainly explains your dislike of bob
 
Andrew Luck in favor of bringing Jonathan Martin to Indianapolis

In an interview with on NBC Sports Network's Pro Football Talk show on Wednesday, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck said he'd be in favor of bringing his former Stanford teammate to Indy.

Specifically, Luck was asked what he would tell the Colts' front office if he were asked about Martin, "I'd say I love Jon, we had a great time at Stanford together, still stay in touch with him regularly and I think he's a great man," Luck said.

Just to be clear though, the Colts quarterback was also asked if he'd be 100 percent in favor of bringing Martin to Indianapolis, "Yes," Luck said.

Luck also added that he's spoken to Martin within the past couple of days.

If Martin's looking for welcoming locker room, Indianapolis might be his best bet. The Colts are basically Stanford-east. Besides Luck, the Colts also have three more of Martin's former Stanford teammates -- Coby Fleener, Griff Whalen and Delano Howell -- plus Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton had the same job at Stanford while Martin was there.

Full article
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Indy looks like the best place for him to land. It probably depends a lot on what Miami wants for him, but all things considered, they'd be better off just settling for whatever they can get at this point.
 
Jeff Darlington ‏@JeffDarlington
On personal note, I wish the best for Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin as both men deal with very different, very difficult challenges.

Mental health is clearly not a simple, one-dimensional matter. It’s something I’ve learned more about in recent months than ever in my life.

To understand some of the mental struggles Incognito has faced in his past, I’d encourage you to read this: http://on.nfl.com/18qvQqN

During a recent talk with Incognito, he used one phrase more often than any other: “I’m a football player. I just want to play football.”

To their credit, the NFL Players Association and NFL have both been involved in the efforts to assist Richie Incognito during his struggles.

Incognito has spent the last several weeks in a variety of emotional states, which has led those closest to him to steer him toward help.

There’s oft-forgotten layer to this complicated Dolphins story: Richie Incognito also has long dealt with his own mental-health challenges.

I’ll have more details for you soon, but I wanted to pass along at least that much in the meantime.

Incognito is currently being treated at a facility in Arizona after what has been some very stressful times for him & those closest to him.

After a very long few weeks, I can report Richie Incognito has accepted professional help in wake of severe mental stress from Wells report.
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I call BS. Incognito is a POS and is a dumb animal. What's your next ploy Ritchie? You gonna find God too?

And if he's truly in need of metal health ans suffering count me as one of the people with no empathy for his situation.
 
rmartin65 said:
Sounds like a PR stunt.
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I'm cynical like that about human nature, as well. A tiger can't change his stripes and all that jazz.

However, IF Richie is sincere about seeking help and IF that help can actually make him a better man, then go for it. But that's not the kind of thing that can be confirmed a year out of treatment. It's going to take a long time before you can really see if the dude has changed his inner core self. Good luck with all that.
 
In the days before he reportedly checked himself into an Arizona psychiatric facility, Richie Incognito was calling some friends at odd hours, apparently after drinking, and leaving messages about being followed by NFL and government investigators.

He complained that his agent, California-based David Dunn, was actually a “double agent” helping the NFL end his career and adding he was going to “track Dunn down and fire him face-to-face.”

And then this from one associate who talked to Incognito before the former Dolphins offensive lineman apparently took a baseball bat to his own $295,000 Ferrari FF:

“He’s in Arizona now and all he does is work out during the day and get drunk every night. The way things have been going lately, I keep expecting to hear the worst.

“You media guys talk about where he’s going to be playing next season. I wonder if he’s going to be alive next season...”
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http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/03/02/3967366/armando-salguero-richie-incognitos.html
 
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