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

[Pappy13]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/03/espn-martin-fears-retribution-from-incognito/

"Schefter detailed a situation in which Martin was intimidated by Incognito to contribute $15,000 toward a trip to Las Vegas by the team’s offensive lineman.  Martin, according to Schefter, didn’t want to go and ultimately didn’t go — but he surrendered the money anyway."

So, to make the analogy accurate, you and some of your coworkers decide to go to Vegas.  One of your coworkers says he doesn't want to go.  He is pressured by his coworkers into contributing $1500 to the fund anyway.  He still does not go.

This would be OK in your book?

No, it would not be, but we don't know what happened. If that's what happened then it was taken too far, but if Martin said nothing about the 15K because he was intimidated then I gotta tell you that's on him. He HAS to speak up and say something for himself. If he felt intimidated then he should have gone to the NFL, the NFLPA or to Philbin and said something needed to be done. If that happened and nothing was done by anyone then absolutely I feel for the guy, but I'm not buying that. I don't think Martin said anything to anyone before the blowup. After he left the team and people started asking him WTF was going on then he starts talking. I'm not saying that's wrong, but I'm saying it didn't have to get to that point. He needed to do something before leaving the team if this really was the issue that he's now claiming that it was.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

For those who say "some hazing is okay"....

Keep this in mind. 

In no place I have ever worked is it acceptable to demand the new employee to buy everyone dinner or lunch. 

In no place I have ever worked is it acceptable to pick a coworker up and throw them in a cold tub.

In no place I have ever worked is it acceptable to have another players hair.

In no place I have ever worked is it acceptable to give my coworkers demeaning or racist nicknames. 

And in every place I have ever worked if an employee tried any of that crap, he/she would be fired immediately and if not the employer would be liable for a lawsuit of a hostile work environment. 

While I haven't researched Florida law, I am willing to bet dollars to donuts much of what some of you consider an acceptable level of hazing is a clear violation of Florida law. 

I do know know without question that all hazing is illegal at Florida colleges and high schools and if this happened there the participating players along with the coaches could be facing felony charges.   

I am not talking about the worst of what is being alleged.  I am talking about the "small amount of hazing" some consider to be okay. 

[Pappy13]

In no place I have ever worked is it acceptable to demand the new employee to buy everyone dinner or lunch. 

In no place I have ever worked is it acceptable to pick a coworker up and throw them in a cold tub.

In no place I have ever worked is it acceptable to have another players hair.

In no place I have ever worked is it acceptable to give my coworkers demeaning or racist nicknames. 

As long as you keep in mind that you have never worked as a player for the NFL. I'm not saying it's right, I'm saying it's the way it is.

[Spider-Dan]

Hoodie, I understand what you're saying, and in a vacuum, you are completely correct.

That being said, I'm not going to blame Philbin for not coming in and completely undoing the NFL system.  If rookies have to carry vets' shoulder pads in training camp, get up and sing, or are asked to dye/shave their hair, that is within the bounds of reason.  This is stuff that the NFL is happy to show on camera as examples of comradery (or what have you).  Fine.

But what you won't see on Hard Knocks is a player referring to another player as a "half n----r" or intimidating him into pay $15k for a trip he isn't going on.  If the team wouldn't want you to see it, that's a big indicator that they probably shouldn't allow it to happen.

[Dave Gray]

^ I completely agree with Spider.  You're not going to un-do the history of the NFL overnight, so I don't fault Philbin for that.  But this escalation is far above a simple "rookie dinner".

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Hoodie, I understand what you're saying, and in a vacuum, you are completely correct.

That being said, I'm not going to blame Philbin for not coming in and completely undoing the NFL system. 

Me neither.  see my post in the other thread on this topic.

 If rookies have to carry vets' shoulder pads in training camp, get up and sing, or are asked to dye/shave their hair, that is within the bounds of reason.  This is stuff that the NFL is happy to show on camera as examples of comradery (or what have you).  Fine.

I think some of what is on hard knocks crosses the line into behavior that violates most states' laws against a hostile workplace.

As I said I don't think this is a "Dolphin problem" but an NFL problem.

In unrelated news, the Saints weren't the only team encouraging players to injure opposing teams players --- they were the most obvious about it.  And the NEP weren't the only team stealing opposing teams defensive signals -- they were the ones the Jets set up to get caught at it. 

[MikeO]

In the "YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS UP" category.....from Thursday's program  for the Cincy-Miami game. They asked a bunch of players, including Richie, "who is the easiest teammate to scare".....take 1 guess who his answer was

http://www.bobsblitz.com/2013/11/richie-incognitos-sad-pick-for-easiest.html

[Spider-Dan]

"I immediately regret this decision"

[EDGECRUSHER]

Milk was a bad choice.

[Landshark]

You are lost on this issue and clueless.

1) How it would effect Jeff Ireland? Please explain cause he is only the GM. He cashes a paycheck signed by Mr. Ross just like Martin does.
2) Ross would have had to have known such action was taking place. How you want to bring "criminal action" against him is laughable.
3) Martin now has brought this to everyone's attention, so until just now nobody knew about this.
4) If Martin didn't want to fork over $15,000 he could have said NO. Gone to his Union Rep and complained. He could have gone to the Dolphins staff and spoke up. He did nothing....until recently!
5) Guys going out to eat "OFF COMPANY TIME" and an incident taking place cannot bring charges against Ross or the Dolphins!!

So criminal charges against the Dolphins might be going too far, but here's your answer on the possibility of a civil lawsuit

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/11/06/3733796/lawsuit-possible-in-miami-dolphins.html

[MikeO]

So criminal charges against the Dolphins might be going too far, but here's your answer on the possibility of a civil lawsuit

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/11/06/3733796/lawsuit-possible-in-miami-dolphins.html

I was responding to "CRIMINAL" charges which was your original post. Foolish to think anyone will serve jail time over this.

[Landshark]

I was responding to "CRIMINAL" charges which was your original post. Foolish to think anyone will serve jail time over this.

Incognito might if the authorities get a bug up their ass and charge him with a hate crime.

[MikeO]

Incognito might if the authorities get a bug up their ass and charge him with a hate crime.

He isn't going to jail. This is where people get absurd with this stuff. What is the "crime"....being a racist? Yelling mean and racist things at someone? Threats? While he may never play in the NFL again and could lose money in a civil suit...he isn't gonna get sent to jail for that.

[Landshark]

He isn't going to jail. This is where people get absurd with this stuff. What is the "crime"....being a racist? Yelling mean and racist things at someone? Threats? While he may never play in the NFL again and could lose money in a civil suit...he isn't gonna get sent to jail for that.

Making death threats to someone, threatening their family, and using racial slurs in it is a hate crime.  Hate crimes carry stiff criminal penalties.  If Incognito were an average Joe, he'd be looking at a lengthy jail sentence.

[MikeO]

Making death threats to someone, threatening their family, and using racial slurs in it is a hate crime.  Hate crimes carry stiff criminal penalties.  If Incognito were an average Joe, he'd be looking at a lengthy jail sentence.

He isn't going to jail. It's foolish to think that will happen