Miami's Martin leaves team after 'emotional breakdown'

[Mr. Laz]

Jonathan Martin leaves Dolphins after 'breakdown'

By Dan Hanzus
Around the League Writer
Published: Oct. 30, 2013 at 06:39 p.m. Updated: Oct. 30, 2013 at 07:00 p.m.
An unusual situation is unfolding in Miami, where Dolphins right tackle Jonathan Martin has left the team after suffering an "emotional breakdown" this week.

NFL Media's Jeff Darlington reported Wednesday that Martin is currently seeking help with his family after an incident at the team's cafeteria, according to team sources.

Martin is listed on the team's injury report with an illness, and is doubtful to play Thursday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Fox NFL insider Jay Glazer reported that Martin was the victim of a prank at the cafeteria, becoming enraged enough to "smash his food tray on the ground."

The second-year pro has not been with the team since that time. Darlington reports that Martin immediately sought treatment at a local hospital. He has since left the hospital and is now spending time with his family, according to team sources.

Martin opened the season as the Dolphins' replacement for Jake Long at left tackle. He was moved to right tackle when the team acquired Bryant McKinnie via trade last week. Tyson Clabo is expected to start in Martin's place on Thursday.

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[whoman69]

Listening to the reporting there is a denial going on within the NFL community. The reporting on this case is going all over the place. The ex-NFL talking heads are making this out to be like no big deal, just trying to make him tougher. This went way past the line IMO.

[MIAdragon]

Originally Posted by patteeu

I wonder if that Lydon Murtha story gives any of the people who wanted to rush to judgment any pause.

I'm good friends with Lydon. He's as honest as they come.

[KC native]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

That would be the best prank ever, right up there behind Tupac's "Bet you thought I got shot" deal that he'll eventually reveal.

FYP

[KC native]

Originally Posted by nychief

What? Can't hear you over the blaring Rush Limbaugh.

Yea, if only there were a sub-forum for politics.

[nychief]

I think Richie Incognito should call...
http://nsfw.tastefullyoffensive.com/...e#.UnvM-Shjl8s

[Cephalic Trauma]

Originally Posted by Otter

They're called sheep and I agree 100%.

Always looking to be outraged about something and too scared to think for themselves despite a lifetime of experience of how the game works.

DC turning point.

(Lylas Blaise)

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I think there may be a gay lover jilted issue going on here. Incognito dumped Martin for another OL and Martin is now jealous and angry.

It fits the scenario perfect. We should probably get Clay's take on this since he would be the expert on this subject matter.

NTTIAWWT.

That would make for an outstanding story, but I think it's probably a longshot.

[Iowanian]

http://mmqb.si.com/2013/11/07/richie...1_a0&eref=sihp

By Lydon Murtha

I don’t have a dog in this fight.

I want that to be very clear. I played offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins from 2009 until the 2012 preseason, when I was released after tearing ligaments in my foot and injuring my back, both requiring surgery. I have since retired, and I’m happily working in the auto industry and living outside of Miami. I went to college at Nebraska with Richie Incognito, and I consider myself friends with him and Jonathan Martin, but I don’t speak with them regularly and I’m not taking sides. I’m only interested in the truth, which is what I’m going to share, from my own experiences and from conversations with friends still on the team.

Before I correct some of the misconceptions and outright lies being reported in the course of this story, let’s first establish who Martin and Incognito are as human beings and their relationship with one another.

From the beginning, when he was drafted in April 2012, Martin did not seem to want to be one of the group. He came off as standoffish and shy to the rest of the offensive linemen. He couldn’t look anyone in the eye, which was puzzling for a football player at this level on a team full of grown-ass men. We all asked the same question: Why won’t he be open with us? What’s with the wall being put up? I never really figured it out. He did something I’d never seen before by balking at the idea of paying for a rookie dinner, which is a meal for a position group paid for by rookies. (For example, I paid $9,600 for one my rookie year.) I don’t know if Martin ever ended up paying for one, as I was cut before seeing the outcome.


Martin was expected to play left tackle beside Incognito at guard from the start, so Incognito took him under his wing. They were close friends by all apperances. Martin had a tendency to tank when things would get difficult in practice, and Incognito would lift him up. He’d say, there’s always tomorrow. Richie has been more kind to Martin than any other player.

Read more on link.....

In other situations, when Martin wasn’t showing effort, Richie would give him a lot of crap. He was a leader on the team, and he would get in your face if you were unprepared or playing poorly. The crap he would give Martin was no more than he gave anyone else, including me. Other players said the same things Incognito said to Martin, so you’d need to suspend the whole team if you suspend Incognito.

Which brings me to my first point: I don’t believe Richie Incognito bullied Jonathan Martin. I never saw Martin singled out, excluded from anything, or treated any differently than the rest of us. We’d have dinners and the occasional night out, and everyone was invited. He was never told he can’t be a part of this. It was the exact opposite. But when he came out, he was very standoffish. That’s why the coaches told the leaders, bring him out of his shell. Figure him out a little bit.

That voicemail he sent came from a place of humor, but where he really screwed up was using the N-word. That, I cannot condone, and it’s probably the biggest reason he’s not with the team right now. Odd thing is, I’ve heard Incognito call Martin the same thing to his face in meetings and all Martin did was laugh. Many more worse things were said about others in the room from all different parties. It’s an Animal House

ery year, as tradition, the offensive line goes on a big Vegas trip. Everything is paid for in advance, from hotels to a private jet to show tickets. Martin originally verbally committed to the trip, then later backed out after everything was booked. Now, if you can’t go because of an emergency then it’s okay, but to say you’re going and then decide you don’t want to spend the money later? Everything was paid for, and then when it was time to pay up he didn’t want to go anymore. You don’t do that to your brothers. The veterans who paid for it, including Incognito and others, asked for Martin’s share, and he gave it to them. End of story.

[whoman69]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

That maybe SOP in the locker room but you can't have your boss telling an employee to physically hit another employee. That is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

at one time bounties were SOP, some things have to change

[patteeu]

He's a bi-racial man with dark skin. He had the benefit of an education at one of the best university's in the country. He rose quickly through the ranks of his profession to the top tier. He sucked at his job. And pretty much everyone knows he's soft. Deja Vu.

[nychief]

Originally Posted by patteeu

He's a bi-racial man with dark skin. He had the benefit of an education at one of the best university's in the country. He rose quickly through the ranks of his profession to the top tier. He sucked at his job. And pretty much everyone knows he's soft. Deja Vu.

you are just a race baiting idiot. honestly.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by nychief

you are just a race baiting idiot. honestly.

That post has nothing to do with race baiting. I plead guilty to being an idiot though. If I weren't, I'd have you on ignore.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by Iowanian

http://mmqb.si.com/2013/11/07/richie...1_a0&eref=sihp

By Lydon Murtha

I don’t have a dog in this fight.

I want that to be very clear. I played offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins from 2009 until the 2012 preseason, when I was released after tearing ligaments in my foot and injuring my back, both requiring surgery. I have since retired, and I’m happily working in the auto industry and living outside of Miami. I went to college at Nebraska with Richie Incognito, and I consider myself friends with him and Jonathan Martin, but I don’t speak with them regularly and I’m not taking sides. I’m only interested in the truth, which is what I’m going to share, from my own experiences and from conversations with friends still on the team.

Before I correct some of the misconceptions and outright lies being reported in the course of this story, let’s first establish who Martin and Incognito are as human beings and their relationship with one another.

From the beginning, when he was drafted in April 2012, Martin did not seem to want to be one of the group. He came off as standoffish and shy to the rest of the offensive linemen. He couldn’t look anyone in the eye, which was puzzling for a football player at this level on a team full of grown-ass men. We all asked the same question: Why won’t he be open with us? What’s with the wall being put up? I never really figured it out. He did something I’d never seen before by balking at the idea of paying for a rookie dinner, which is a meal for a position group paid for by rookies. (For example, I paid $9,600 for one my rookie year.) I don’t know if Martin ever ended up paying for one, as I was cut before seeing the outcome.


Martin was expected to play left tackle beside Incognito at guard from the start, so Incognito took him under his wing. They were close friends by all apperances. Martin had a tendency to tank when things would get difficult in practice, and Incognito would lift him up. He’d say, there’s always tomorrow. Richie has been more kind to Martin than any other player.

Read more on link.....

In other situations, when Martin wasn’t showing effort, Richie would give him a lot of crap. He was a leader on the team, and he would get in your face if you were unprepared or playing poorly. The crap he would give Martin was no more than he gave anyone else, including me. Other players said the same things Incognito said to Martin, so you’d need to suspend the whole team if you suspend Incognito.

Which brings me to my first point: I don’t believe Richie Incognito bullied Jonathan Martin. I never saw Martin singled out, excluded from anything, or treated any differently than the rest of us. We’d have dinners and the occasional night out, and everyone was invited. He was never told he can’t be a part of this. It was the exact opposite. But when he came out, he was very standoffish. That’s why the coaches told the leaders, bring him out of his shell. Figure him out a little bit.

That voicemail he sent came from a place of humor, but where he really screwed up was using the N-word. That, I cannot condone, and it’s probably the biggest reason he’s not with the team right now. Odd thing is, I’ve heard Incognito call Martin the same thing to his face in meetings and all Martin did was laugh. Many more worse things were said about others in the room from all different parties. It’s an Animal House

ery year, as tradition, the offensive line goes on a big Vegas trip. Everything is paid for in advance, from hotels to a private jet to show tickets. Martin originally verbally committed to the trip, then later backed out after everything was booked. Now, if you can’t go because of an emergency then it’s okay, but to say you’re going and then decide you don’t want to spend the money later? Everything was paid for, and then when it was time to pay up he didn’t want to go anymore. You don’t do that to your brothers. The veterans who paid for it, including Incognito and others, asked for Martin’s share, and he gave it to them. End of story.

This confirms Martin is a big pussy.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by patteeu

It, along with the other testimonials from the players in that lockerroom, change mine a little bit. Incognito is surely still a prick (for his dirty play, if for nothing else), but it doesn't sound like he was a mean-spirited, out-of-control bully anymore. The texts and voicemail don't sound as damning anymore either.

I think incognito was out of line, but yeah, incognito is starting to look more like Dawson carrying out a code red. And there's enough to question some validity in the stories the media has reported.

I don't at all buy that Martin is just purely overreacting even if I think he's acting like a bitch. I think recent stories vindicate incognito but the strange reaction by the dolphins leads me to believe there is much more going on that we are not being told.

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

Anyone find it funny Martin left team a week after Miami got Bryant McKinnie to play LT?