Miami Dolphins Bullying Scandal: Joe Philbin, Jeff Ireland 'Not Expected to Survive' Richie Incognito, Jonathan Martin Controversy
It looks like Richie Incognito isn't the only member of the Miami Dolphins who will be left without a job following the accusations of bullying of offensive lineman Jonathan Martin. NFL.com's Michael Silver is reporting both head coach Joe Phiblin and GM Jeff Ireland "are not expected to survive this." The Dolphins, who play a winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers team on "Monday Night Football" this week, must somehow manage to put aside this controversy that has made nationwide headlines crossing over from the sports arena to a mainstream audience.
While it seems the media and a majority of the nation have come to the defense of Martin, a number of Dolphins players and NFL players, present and former, have come to the defense of Incognito. The players defending Incognito, who is being accused of bullying and harassing Martin, say Martin should have handled the issue in-house. Currently Incognito and Martin are away from the team as the NFL investigates this incident that gets uglier by the day.
NFL.com's report that Philbin and Ireland may eventually lose their job as a result of this shouldn't come as a complete surprise. Ireland was already considered to be on thin ice with the Dolphins shaky performance on the field under his watch. Ireland also came under fire when he once asked current Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant if his mother was ever a prostitute. According to ProFootballTalk.com, Ireland also allegedly suggested to Martin's agent that Martin "punch" Incognito when the bullying issue was brought up.
I would expect not much to happen until the NFL's investigation ends. However, once the investigation concludes it's likely Incognito, Philbin, and Ireland will all be gone from the Dolphins. Owner Stephen Ross, who ProFootballTalk.com reported is "apoplectic" over this situation, may be forced to clean house. However, if the Dolphins end up making the playoffs and somehow managed to block out this controversy on the field, their firings may not be as likely.