Should Incognito Be Reinstated?

[Pappy13]

It surprises me that a player can be suspended so easily by the team.  If the league suspends you for behavior, drugs or rules violations, the players union can usually keep the player on the field until appeals are heard. 

Given this system in the NFL, the current suspension seems unfair to Incognito.  Is there a difference between the team suspending you and the league suspending you?  Where is the NFLPA on this?

They had to suspend him pending an investigation just to appear non biased. If the investigation shows that a suspension wasn't warranted he can be reinstated and probably wouldn't lose any pay. When I saw Incognito right after the suspension he didn't appear to be that angry about it. My guess is that he was told that this was a formality at this point and that if he was exonerated, he would be reinstated with full pay. Incognito is handling this terrifically. I'd reinstate him without thinking twice. As more of this comes out, I think Miami would take more of a beating if they don't reinstate him then if they do. He's still a damn fine offensive lineman and we all know that Miami is in need of those.

[Jim Gray]

They had to suspend him pending an investigation just to appear non biased. If the investigation shows that a suspension wasn't warranted he can be reinstated and probably wouldn't lose any pay. When I saw Incognito right after the suspension he didn't appear to be that angry about it. My guess is that he was told that this was a formality at this point and that if he was exonerated, he would be reinstated with full pay. Incognito is handling this terrifically. I'd reinstate him without thinking twice. As more of this comes out, I think Miami would take more of a beating if they don't reinstate him then if they do. He's still a damn fine offensive lineman and we all know that Miami is in need of those.

I agree with you Pappy, but it doesn't answer my question about HOW the team is able to suspend him without an appeals process. 

Well, maybe it does.  If you are saying that Incognito didn't challenge the suspension because he knows he will get paid anyway.  I have a hard time believing that.  I think he was upset and embarrassed by the suspension and would rather be playing for his money and reputation. 

I'm curious if teams have the power to suspend players for "conduct detrimental to the team" without an appeals process.   

[EKnight]

@Pappy, so you really think they'll take a beating for not reinstating him given the sexual assault that came out during this, the meetings in strip clubs, and his past history? Honest question. -EK

[pondwater]

@Pappy, so you really think they'll take a beating for not reinstating him given the sexual assault that came out during this, the meetings in strip clubs, and his past history? Honest question. -EK

None of that mattered before this. Why should it matter now? He'll probably be the fall guy even though Martin participated in the events leading up to this. In my opinion, he was chosen and accused of being the bully due to his history. Not necessarily because he was doing anything that countless others on the team weren't doing at the same time, including Martin.

[EKnight]

It absolutely mattered, which is why it was fairly well covered up until now. Fans, management, and the media don't particularly care for below average players who sexually assault women. -EK

[MikeO]

It absolutely mattered, which is why it was fairly well covered up until now. Fans, management, and the media don't particularly care for below average players who sexually assault women. -EK

The incident with the girl at the golf course was NOT covered up. The league and the Dolphins organization knew about it. The girl involved just wanted an apology and didn't press charges. The police marked the incident as "CLEAR".....while his actions were gross and not professional, the matter was known by all the necessary parties and the "victim" didn't feel the need to press charges. Therefore, issue over!

The strip club meetings, once again....if nobody involved objected who the hell cares? And if someone objected but didn't speak up, once again that's on them.  Rich, young, NFL players go to strip clubs, not exactly breaking news.

[Pappy13]

@Pappy, so you really think they'll take a beating for not reinstating him given the sexual assault that came out during this, the meetings in strip clubs, and his past history? Honest question. -EK

Once it's all said and done? Yeah I think that and a lot of that thought process has to do with Incognito being a pro-bowler...and Martin isn't. Richie has already admitted to doing a lot of bad things and a lot of people have already made up their minds about him even before any of this happened. You're not gonna change the minds of those people, they'll always dislike him, but if he plays well for the Dolphins, well he's just another bad dude playing a violent game. Got tons of those in the NFL. People have accepted back Michael Vick. Why? Because he paid his dues and he can play. Sure the voice of reason comes out every time some bad boy gets caught doing something bad, but 3 months later the fans forget when he's helping their team win. Yes, I am that cynical because I've found it to be the truth.

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

The strip club meetings, once again....if nobody involved objected who the hell cares? And if someone objected but didn't speak up, once again that's on them.  Rich, young, NFL players go to strip clubs, not exactly breaking news.

Watching the mouthpieces trying to make a big deal of this last night was laughable.....I mean holy shit dudes with money went to a strip club, Stop the press!!!!!! 

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

The strip club meetings, once again....if nobody involved objected who the hell cares? And if someone objected but didn't speak up, once again that's on them. 

Disagree with that.  In an NFL culture that demands that players "go along" or are labeled a "pussy", "not a good team mate", "weak" etc.  You can't put the onus on rookies to stand up to the team captain if they don't want to go. 

Philban on the other hand had an obligation to demand that meeting be held in the meeting room.

If a bunch of players want to go a strip club...that is fine.  But calling it a meeting an have an expectation of attendance is not.

Although I see this more as a sign of lack of leadership from Ireland/Philban/the rest of the coaching staff, than Richie.

If my boss held a meeting at a strip club, it would the last thing he did before being fired.   

[EKnight]

Disagree with that.  In an NFL culture that demands that players "go along" or are labeled a "pussy", "not a good team mate", "weak" etc.  You can't put the onus on rookies to stand up to the team captain if they don't want to go. 

Philban on the other hand had an obligation to demand that meeting be held in the meeting room.

If a bunch of players want to go a strip club...that is fine.  But calling it a meeting an have an expectation of attendance is not.

Although I see this more as a sign of lack of leadership from Ireland/Philban/the rest of the coaching staff, than Richie.

If my boss held a meeting at a strip club, it would the last thing he did before being fired.   

This is exactly my point. It wasn't a gathering or off-time friendly round of beers. An official meeting of the Oline should be held at the facility somewhere. There's 20+ other hours in the day after the meeting to go to a strip club. Holding a team function there is inappropriate. -EK

[Phishfan]

Since when did one Olineman calling a "meeting" at a strip club become official? Everyone knows that those things equated to little more than a meeting of the Volunteer Fire Dept. in Bedrock.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Since when did one Olineman calling a "meeting" at a strip club become official? Everyone knows that those things equated to little more than a meeting of the Volunteer Fire Dept. in Bedrock.

If Martin (or anything other player) was made to feel that he was obligated to attend the strip club then this is bullying/hazing. 

[Dave Gray]

This isn't about Incognito.  It's about a lack of leadership in the clubhouse.  Your leaders are meatheads.  I'm not going to make a big deal about the strip club thing, because I don't really care.  ...but do you think that Peyton Manning is calling a team meeting at the strip club?  Tom Brady?  It's just a dumb thing and shows you're not serious about the job you're doing.  These guys are treating it like it's a joke and a playground for grown children.  It's no wonder that we suck so bad for so long.  We don't have guys that take their job seriously and we have a locker-room full of dolts, meatheads, divas, and criminals.

Get rid of these losers, build up a team of people who are serious about working hard, team support, discipline, etc.

[MikeO]

Since when did one Olineman calling a "meeting" at a strip club become official? Everyone knows that those things equated to little more than a meeting of the Volunteer Fire Dept. in Bedrock.

exactly!! I don't think Jim Turner is calling o-line meetings at strip clubs. If the guys get together on their own its not an official "meeting"

[Phishfan]

If Martin (or anything other player) was made to feel that he was obligated to attend the strip club then this is bullying/hazing. 

Peer pressure is more like I expect. You guys are talking about bosses having meetings, it needed to be at the facility, I'm saying it was a "meeting" and you guys seem to think it was a meeting.