Clabo probably starting Thursday, (edited) Martin has gone AWOL

[Stinger24]

Ingognito has been suspended indefinitely by the Dolphins. Per Jeff Darlington.

[Sunstroke]

^^^ Probably a good thing...Miami was way too overloaded with serviceable offensive linemen.

[MikeO]

Regardless, this scenario isn't even close to extortion in my humble opinion and basically just someone getting their feelings hurt.

Correct. Not even close to extortion.

[Dolphin-UK]

Correct. Not even close to extortion.

But it is bullying. I am aware that this is part and parcel of life as an NFL player to get hazed by teammates and play pranks, fine. But just because for the most part this is taken on the chin by players and they don't make a fuss doesn't make it right or acceptable.

Threatening a player with either physical or mental abuse to provide money is no different to the schoolyard bully after lunch money, or a protection racket and has no place in the workplace.

Ideally this should have been dealth with internally between the players involved but for whatever reason Martin felt he couldn't do that. The Phins need to look at their organisation to work out how this went on for so long undetected (or worse ignored).

Suspect Martin has played his last game for the Dolphins but Incognito is clearly a problem in the locker room and had to go too. Hopefully the remainder of the players will rally around eachother and focus on football.

[CF DolFan]

But it is bullying. I am aware that this is part and parcel of life as an NFL player to get hazed by teammates and play pranks, fine. But just because for the most part this is taken on the chin by players and they don't make a fuss doesn't make it right or acceptable.

Threatening a player with either physical or mental abuse to provide money is no different to the schoolyard bully after lunch money, or a protection racket and has no place in the workplace.

Ideally this should have been dealth with internally between the players involved but for whatever reason Martin felt he couldn't do that. The Phins need to look at their organisation to work out how this went on for so long undetected (or worse ignored).

Suspect Martin has played his last game for the Dolphins but Incognito is clearly a problem in the locker room and had to go too. Hopefully the remainder of the players will rally around eachother and focus on football.

How could this have been dealt with internally when everyone was involved? Coaches know it. The NFL knows it. Reporters know it. None of this is new to anyone but fans. This is a part of the NFL. If he can't handle it he needs to move on with his Stanford degree. After this debacle this Martin's life will get worse rather than better ... regardless of where he thinks he can go.

[CF DolFan]

^^^ Probably a good thing...Miami was way too overloaded with serviceable offensive linemen!

If it gets any worse maybe you Fau and I have an chance!! The rookie minimum is $405,000 so after hazing it's about $275,000 to play! 

[Dolphin-UK]

How could this have been dealt with internally when everyone was involved? Coaches know it. The NFL knows it. Reporters know it. None of this is new to anyone but fans. This is a part of the NFL. If he can't handle it he needs to move on with his Stanford degree. After this debacle this Martin's life will get worse rather than better ... regardless of where he thinks he can go.

You'll have to appreciate that this story isn't as easy to follow for me so I've only read articles on ESPN rather than listening to radio shows etc but I hadn't seen anything to suggest the coaches were aware of the depth of the issues. If that was the case then he probably had little choice but to walk when it became too much. Not being familiar with how this would work in the US, if the same were to happen in the UK the organisation would be facing some issues for failing to deal with it.

I'm not sure I agree with the "This is part of the NFL" argument, some years ago "It's just part of the job" was used to allow all sorts of behaviour in the workplace which is considered inappropriate now.

[MikeO]

But it is bullying.

fine....but those rooting for criminal charges against Ross and Ireland have no idea what they are talking about

[CF DolFan]

You'll have to appreciate that this story isn't as easy to follow for me so I've only read articles on ESPN rather than listening to radio shows etc but I hadn't seen anything to suggest the coaches were aware of the depth of the issues. If that was the case then he probably had little choice but to walk when it became too much. Not being familiar with how this would work in the US, if the same were to happen in the UK the organisation would be facing some issues for failing to deal with it.

I'm not sure I agree with the "This is part of the NFL" argument, some years ago "It's just part of the job" was used to allow all sorts of behaviour in the workplace which is considered inappropriate now.

It is. It has happened under every single NFL coach in the history of the NFL so if they were going to stop it they'd have to discipline every single current team. Technically shaving their heads or making them sing before they eat is bullying. Where do you draw the lines?

Martin had another bad game and was stressed out. He flipped out and is now blaming others for his issues. He went public so the Dolphins and NFL are being forced to do something.

[Fau Teixeira]

i couldn't join the oline with you CF .. i don't respond well to bullying .. i'd end up cutting some asshole's car in half with a chainsaw as my answer to a bully

[Landshark]

fine....but those rooting for criminal charges against Ross and Ireland have no idea what they are talking about

I'm not rooting for anything.  I'm just saying if the justice department or Congress gets involved in this, they could decide to bring criminal charges against all the senior executives.  One seen it happen before in the business world.

[MikeO]

I'm not rooting for anything.  I'm just saying if the justice department or Congress gets involved in this, they could decide to bring criminal charges against all the senior executives.  One seen it happen before in the business world.

Congress is going to get involved in this......LMFAO!!!!! Funniest Comment of The Year!!!! LOL LOL

[Phishfan]

It has happened under every single NFL coach in the history of the NFL so if they were going to stop it they'd have to discipline every single current team. 

I think this depends on which version of the story you are believing. Apparently there are some saved voice mails so we will know some more about this eventually. Threats of physical violence to coerce payments for trips you said you do not plan to attend really are not acceptable at all. In the report I read it mentioned the threats were racial as we as threatening. I expect this story has much more to it than the pranking that goes on with every team.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I don't think what was going on is at all unique to the Dolphins, although it may be worse in Miami than on some other teams. 

The good that may come out of this maybe that it stops everywhere (not just in Miami). 

[Dolphin-UK]

I'm kind of confused. I can see that some level of razzing and pranking goes on in team sports, and yes if the PC brigade really wanted to get involved you could argue it's bullying/harassment but normally the worst outcome is a loss of face and it's widely recognized as part and parcel of building team spirit. I don't have an issue with this side of it.

What is alleged to have happened goes way beyond rookie wind ups, and yet people seem to want to say they are the same thing?

I wonder how much of the reaction to Martin and the apparent "man up" attitude is a result of the performance of the OL and Martin in particular. If this had been Cam Wake for instance I suspect the opinions on who is at fault would be reversed.