The Blame Game: Assigning Culpability To The 3-Headed Monster

[Fins_of_Fury]

I feel as if we should start referring to Philbin, aponte, and Ireland as the "trifecta" Its a good original nickname......

 

[fishfanmiami]

I understand what you are saying, but by all accounts the players seem to want him back in the locker room and on the field. If the Dolphins plan to fight allegations of bullying and racism in the organization, basically defend Cogs, though a trial, which seems inevitable right now, I see no reason why they couldn't let him play again. Especially when his teammates want him back.

i hear ya but you know they'll drag his name through the muds and bring up all the past incidents. I'm afraid perception is reality in this case.
He's already been tried in the court of public opinion and his pops has certainly not helped matters with the racial crap.

I think the players would certainly take him back but the organization probably will not. They had no tolerance for Chad Ocho or Marshall and I believe this is no different in their view.

 

[ohall]

Every day, with each breaking "disclosure," and my head spinning, my opinion keeps vacillating. However, as usual for me after a good night's sleep, I've awakened with a new perspective I suspect won't change too much short of very specific new information.

IMO, there are no innocent parties in this cluster-fork.. and possibly each of the following 3 parties have contributed equal culpability.

Incognito has become the voracious media's whipping boy, labeled a racist and worse on the basis of an intentionally and timely leaked publicity agenda. Whether he is or isn't IMO is less relevant than the media feeding frenzy exploding. Is he a bully and *******? Did he bring this on himself? Definitely! Is he a racist? Maybe. Is he out of control? Definitely.

However his unacceptable behavior just might be "Richie being Richie," an inappropriate plan to toughen up a soft player, and based on the comments of teammates and players, maybe a little more extreme version of what transpires in most every locker room in the NFL. Maybe Richie is a racist, but then why has this not been reported before? And why did he ask Pouncey to be the Best Man at his upcoming nuptials? What's typical is that the media is indicting him with a broadbrush and little evidence while happy to report Richie Sr's FH posting in the overall narrative but mostly not reporting his assertion that Martin is suicidal and a drug abuser. Why is that? Cause despite the scarcity of evidence all around, Incog is a convenient inviting target, but allegations are potentially "libelous" now that Martin has been painted as a "victim."

(as a sidenote, if he isn't a racist, after watching hypocritical former junkies like Cris Carter and "Me First" at the expense of his teammates Keyshawn Johnson bloviating about what a POS and racist he is, essentially running with an isolated voice mail or two leaping from point A to point C without the validating point B, I hope he gets his "proof" to the otherwise if true, lined up and sues all individual and network azzes for slander and libel for all he can get as there's a good chance that his playing days are prematurely over.) And don’t kid yourself, there are already clever ambulance chasers also queuing up at his door because of ESPN’s deep pockets!

Martin has been depicted as a "victim" in all of this. I beg to differ and hold him and his handlers largely responsible - and intentionally so, for the circus that's ensuing and argue that his histrionics of being pranked the same way he pranked a teammate in the cafeteria 2 weeks before , not to mention participating in worse pranks like stealing teammate’s autos, was planned and theatrically executed for maximum newsworthy effect!

IMO he is knowingly participating in a scorched earth well-orchestrated collusion to extort what they could before opening up a floral shop or whatever abetted by glorified ambulance chasers with $$signs to the amount of 30-40% of the settlement flashing in their eyes from the deep pockets of Mr Ross and the NFL, once he decided trench warfare wasn't for someone like him For a lawyer, the Martin case if handled properly is winning the lottery! It's got all the slam dunk PC ingredients: Bullying, Racism and Willful Ignorance of Abuse.

The Fins Organization may or may not have known about the inexcusable abuse Martin was experiencing, but certainly that squad’s kindergarten teacher, OL coach Jim Turner had to be aware, spending full days with these guys -that's of course unless he was the 2nd coming of Helen Keller unable to pick up on cues and signals.

Further, if Martin , as insider Incog Sr alleges, was truly fearful of Incog, resentful of having his "pleas" unheeded, full of pent-up rage and maybe revenge - fueled by the alleged drug abuse, having a disregard for his life, and possibly others if reports of 3 suicide attempts are accurate, coupled with alleged gun-to-his head posturing, possession of a lethal weapon, then if true and that the organization was well aware of his mental illness, their willfully ignoring a potentially explosive violent workplace environment essentially exposed Martin's co-workers (including Incog) to a potentially dangerous work environment. To that end they were derelict in their duties by not adequately addressing Martin’s cry for help regarding Richie and need for intervention regarding putting all his co-workers in jeopardy of someone with mental issues, a weapon, rage, feelings of futility from an inability to exact physical revenge, all fueled by drug abuse then they significantly contributed to a potential flashpoint of someone with his stresses and excesses resolving his issues by “Going Postal.”

So right now, I’m saying, screw them all; they’ve all likely brought this on themselves. No one should go through the harassment (still seemingly all verbal) Incog subjected Martin to, but if this wasn’t a grab for the gold, I’m sure given the identity of some of his “advisers,” this would have been handled discretely in house as likely many other combustible situations likely have been over time across the league - so truthfully, if there’s neutralizing damaging evidence to the contrary, I wouldn’t mind seeing the NFL and Fins play that card against Martin and let the chips fall where they may.

I agree with a lot of it, but not with some of it.

Nice post however.

 

[finfanaz]

The blame of this falls to two parties. Incog for being an ass and going way to far with his bullying. And Martin for not using any channel within the team to get his problem resolved.

All we've heard since this came out is the players nor the coaches knew it was like this. And it is on Martin to make these parties aware of the situation.

Blaming the coaches for this is lazy. Blaming the GM is just plain stupid.

 

[LandShark13]

Couldn't of said it much better myself. Its one of the reasons I'm pleading with people to let this play out. I know folks just want it over but its not going to just go away no matter how much we wish it. Rushing to judgment or rushing to prosecute isn't going to do anyone any good.

 

[flynryan15]

How is it an even bigger of a problem to Phiblin if Martin didn't tell anyone? Hell, Martin's own teammates said they had no idea he felt this way. There is not one person in the Fins locker room or organization that has backed Martin's story that Cog's bullied him in all of this, yet many of them have backed Cogs. Why, if Martin made a complaint to the right people in the locker room is no one talking about it? Why is there not an official report to the players rep about Martin/Cogs as that is something that would need to be kept on record? My guess is Martin didn't tell anyone, he flipped out last week after being demoted to RT, and now is looking for a reason to save face no matter who he takes down with him. His football career is already over, why does he care if he ruins anybody else's.

Now this doesn't make what Cogs did right, but there are much further connotations, that as of now we have no idea about.

Like I said in another post once this story has passed we will basically confirm what we already know, Cogs is a meat head will horrible people skills and Martin is an overly sensitive ***** who can't handle a little hazing. Hazing which needs to be pointed out Martin inflicted on other players as well.

Or maybe Martin did talk to someone and that person has been instructed to only speak to investigators and follow confidentiality policies and laws.

 

[roy_miami]

Bottom line, as I see it:

1. Jon Martin has a nervous breakdown, quits, checks into rehab.
2. Dolphins decide they don't want to pay him (paging Dawn Aponte) and say they're going to put him on the NFI list.
3. Martin's agent and representation release a ****storm on Miami.


In fact, the more I think about this - follow the money - the more I'm convinced this is exactly what happened. And you know what, it would explain Richie's dad's reaction, too. Dawn Aponte and Jeff Ireland need to be fired immediately.

I think this theory is most likely. Its possible Martin is too unstable for the NFL and his parents/agent are advising him that he can stay out of the NFL and still get PAID by the NFL. I think we'll know we're right if Martin never plays another down.

 

[dlockz]

I think this theory is most likely. Its possible Martin is too unstable for the NFL and his parents/agent are advising him that he can stay out of the NFL and still get PAID by the NFL. I think we'll know we're right if Martin never plays another down.

In this scenario a wouldnt the team release a statement instead of suspending an innocent man that theory makes no sense

 

[roy_miami]

In this scenario a wouldnt the team release a statement instead of suspending an innocent man that theory makes no sense

They have him on tape using the N-word, their hands are tied on that decision.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

In this scenario a wouldnt the team release a statement instead of suspending an innocent man that theory makes no sense

First, I think Joe Philbin probably heard that voice mail and was pretty disgusted with it. I don't think Richie is viewed as innocent here.

Second, I think the team is just tired of having to deal with "Richie" situations.

Third, are you kidding me? If the team didn't take immediate action this would be even worse for the organization right now.

 

[dlockz]

They have him on tape using the N-word, their hands are tied on that decision.

So how is Cognito being set up, he obviously said what has been speculated. Context to you and me doesnt matter in fact context is a poor defense in any EO case and one that will lose.
There is no proper context for statements like this.

---------- Post added at 06:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:10 PM ----------

First, I think Joe Philbin probably heard that voice mail and was pretty disgusted with it. I don't think Richie is viewed as innocent here.

Second, I think the team is just tired of having to deal with "Richie" situations.

Third, are you kidding me? If the team didn't take immediate action this would be even worse for the organization right now.

My point of the dolphins thought this was just some stuff made out of nothing they would not be suspending Cognito

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

So how is Cognito being set up, he obviously said what has been speculated. Context to you and me doesnt matter in fact context is a poor defense in any EO case and one that will lose.
There is no proper context for statements like this.

Richie isn't being set up. Unlike some people who feel Martin premeditated all of this, I don't think he had a plan. I think he really did have a nervous breakdown and checked into rehab as was originally reported, and once the team made the move to put him on NFI, he decided to fight back to try to protect his finances.

Richie set himself up. By being Richie.

 

[roy_miami]

So how is Cognito being set up, he obviously said what has been speculated. Context to you and me doesnt matter in fact context is a poor defense in any EO case and one that will lose.
There is no proper context for statements like this.

Lol, context is everything, I've said much worse than Incognito to some of my friends, if we both know its a joke that we're both comfortable with then its no problem.

 

[PhinSoldia]

I think this theory is most likely. Its possible Martin is too unstable for the NFL and his parents/agent are advising him that he can stay out of the NFL and still get PAID by the NFL. I think we'll know we're right if Martin never plays another down.

I doubt he plays another down, no locker room would have him, he is a worse form of cancer ....alll rolled into one. he is the kind of b**** and no body would want this media circus of a poor tackle on their roster.

 

[finfan54]

Right now, I bet Joe Philbin and the NFL know a hell of a lot more about Martin's state of mind and why he left and what he may do in the future than anyone.

I wouldnt put too much into the legal theory because of the way he left without any so-called documented problems with Incogs. Remember also Martin tweeted to Incog days ago.

A Scenario:

Martin comes back, apologizes to the team about how he dealt with the problem, maybe shares more than he has with anyone else, and then gets back to work and then what happens from there on would be very very interesting in how the players treat him.

The bottom line for me is Incognito has a sadistic side to him and knows now how to cover up misgivings or make people keep it hush when he does his thing.

Pictures dont prove anything and we know from text's that that is some pretty scary ass stuff, I dont care what anyone says. Incog has a past. He took the hazing thing too far into bullying into Martins second year. I can tell you right now fighting would have only made this whole thing worse. Martin looks sweet to the rest of the world in this and so any team division is on each individual.

Everyone deserves to be respected no matter what you personality is and saying Martin is weak and mentally challenged here is simply making the rest of the world just shake their collective heads.

Rookie hazings are one thing...but to carry it on to second year and to behave in such a threatening manner using racial slurs is absolutely unacceptable!