Dolphins & NFL Yet To Weigh In With Sanctions From Wells Report
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – After a weekend to digest the entire Ted Wells report, the Miami Dolphins and the National Football League are the next two entities expected to make decisions about several of the people named in the report.
For the Dolphins, the team must determine the fate of offensive line coach Jim Turner, head trainer Kevin O'Neill, and Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey.
CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald's Armando Salguero called it a "stain on the Dolphins organization" that Turner hasn't already been fired. The report said Turner participated in some of the harassment of lineman Andrew McDonald and knew about some of the problems facing Jonathan Martin.
O'Neill, according to the Wells Report, said he heard the harassment of Jonathan Martin and even laughed at the comments sometimes and heard and laughed at comments directed towards an assistant.
The Dolphins' biggest question comes with Pouncey. The former Florida Gator is the only starting offensive lineman from last year still under contract. But he was also painted as being complicit in the harassment of Martin and could be facing a suspension.
The Dolphins could theoretically trade Pouncey, but he's a good starter at the pivot position on the offensive line. Plus, trading him would not bring back equal value to the Dolphins. According to the Herald, Pouncey could be looking at a suspension.
The NFL has to decide what kind of punishment to bring down on the Dolphins organization and the players/coaches involved in the Wells Report. Pouncey, guard John Jerry, and Richie Incognito could be looking at suspensions for the upcoming season.
Incognito served a multiple-game suspension from the Dolphins after some of the material was released last November, which could mitigate his penalty. Jerry and Pouncey have faced no disciplinary action up to this point for the harassment scandal.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also has to decide how to handle the coaches. It's likely, according to the Herald, that Turner and O'Neill could face significant suspensions if they remain in the National Football League.
When it comes to the Dolphins franchise, there's never been a precedent for a situation like this before, but in other cases, like Spygate and the Bounty scandal; the league has taken away draft picks and fined teams for their actions, or inaction.
As for head coach Joe Philbin, he was complimented and absolved in the Wells Report for not knowing about the situation involving Martin. According to the Herald, "Philbin's reputation has suffered. It is not great league-wide outside of his small circle of friends."