Investigator meets with Dolphins GM, linemen
The NFL's examination of the Dolphins' locker room culture hit a key moment Wednesday when league investigator Ted Wells reportedly interviewed Miami general manager Jeff Ireland.
According to NFL.com, Wells sat down with Ireland for more than two hours.
At the Dolphins' request, the league is looking into the issues that led up to offensive tackle Jonathan Martin walking away from the team Oct. 28, citing bullying from Miami guard Richie Incognito and other teammates.
Incognito was subsequently suspended indefinitely by the team, but he still has friends in the locker room. Center Mike Pouncey, who was out sick last week, said he watched Sunday's game at home accompanied by Incognito.
"He's doing really good," Pouncey said. "He's in good spirits. He wants to get back on this football team and wants to get back and play football. Richie Incognito, the football player, so that's the only thing he knows. He's missing it to death. He'll be all right."
Pouncey and Dolphins tackle Tyson Clabo both said they met with Wells.
"Everything went very well, so we will see how it goes," Pouncey said, according to ESPN.com. "We were in there for a while. They asked a bunch of questions. ... It seemed like a long time but it probably wasn't. They got all the questions they wanted to get out of us and we gave them all the trustful answers."
Two other Dolphins offensive linemen defended offensive line coach Jim Turner, who was identified as a "person of interest" by ESPN in the NFL investigation.
"He's somebody that to me has a great sense of humor," left tackle Bryant McKinnie said. "He kind of made it fun, kind of made me feel like back in college while sitting in his meeting rooms because he told a lot of jokes and things like that.
"I never took it as he's this commander and trying to force people to do stuff. I didn't get that at all. I didn't understand why his name came up."
Center/guard Nate Garner said he never witnessed out-of-line antics by Turner.
"Not by any means," Garner said. "I've had a lot more abrasive O-line coaches."
Incognito's grievance regarding his suspension is due to be heard Thursday. According to NFL.com, the hearing, to be held in South Florida, could last several days.
