GA BILLS FAN

Agree on the emails to his parents, I'm a bit surprised they didn't get more involved, to me, JM could have committed suicide and that would have been an avoidable tragedy. I still think it's easier to see JM excelling in the NFL going forward, where RI seems to have worn out his welcome on at least 4 occasions.

Too costly, not enough of a need and still some questions about his heart

I'll take NFL Network crew any day over the rest. I'm even sick of Chris Berman's schtick

For certain players it matters. But true stars it's irrelevant, guys like Jeter, Jordan, Brady, Manning etc play at 100% if they make $1 or $1Billion

Want to see Bills draft WR in 3rd round and later -- deep draft, we need OG, OT, LB and TE before WR.

Exciting day, they are weighing and measuring the guys

Definitely LG is a DIRE need. The others ILB, CB, TE and RT are in need of upgrades

He might be done for a year after that incident

I think if you are looking for an impact WR with size, your best bet is to draft a TE, Ebron -- he is can't miss and would be a Jimmy Graham type weapon

I'm not in favor of a WR at #9 -- would rather one of the top 2 OT's (Matthews, Robinson), LB (Mack, Mosley or Barr) or Ebron

Sorry, I agree with your assessment on RI texts, he seems to be oblivious to what he is doing, even his interview and tweets since this became public are all over the place. To be honest, I'm not sure if his actions are consistent with a serial bully or if he is just a meathead who doesn't know any better and thinks his behavior is normal and socially acceptable. Puzzling.

The texts in isolation clearly contradict the inference of bullying, when I first read them (before the report), I started to side with the crowd that was saying this was simply a dysfunctional, but mutual relationship. I think the report put the texts into context by explaining the psychological affect being bullied has on a person. I think what's hard for all of us (I include myself), is that we all know an NFL locker room is different than a corporate board room and we all see these incredible athletes that are physically intimidating and wonder, how could a guy like JM take it, over and over and not do anything or say anything to someone other than his parents. In the report, you read the texts he sent his parents and you realize, inside JM was no different than the short, skinny kid in high school that was being pushed around by the meathead. If you can't get there in the review of the evidence in the report, I completely understand, because it takes a leap of sorts to allow yourself to see JM as a victim, mostly emotionally and mentally, but a victim nonetheless.

I know the Dolphin players were siding with RI at outset, are you saying the players are still siding with RI since the report was released ? If so, do you have any links to articles or quotes, I searched and haven't found anything since the report was issued. I also disagree with your comment that victims don't hang out with their bullies, that is simply not true and if you do some research it is actually a very common coping mechanism for a victim of bullying to try and befriend the bully, in some cases, victims try and bully others to "fit in".

You really have to read the report. The report puts the texts into the proper context with the other evidence collected from the people involved that were interviewed as well as experts who understand the psychology of bullying.

I read them a couple weeks back BEFORE the report was published and at that point in time I was back on the fence and uncertain on whether there was an issue of bullying or not --- after the report was released, I read the Wells report in it's entirety and I am now firmly in the camp that there was bullying. Wells was able to put things into proper context including the psychological effects a bully has on a victim, including their behavior, which at times will appear to be inconsistent with being a victim. If you haven't read the Wells report, I think you'll find it a compelling argument that bullying was taking place over an extended period and the actions JM took were completely consistent with that of a person who was on the receiving end of being bullied.

I think he stays, too. It seems from the outset that Philbin (and maybe Ross/Ireland) did a masterful job at creating plausible deniability or distance between Philbin and the JM/RI issue. I think that very fact means Dolphins are not serious about this issue. The NFL, I believe is very serious. I do think Philbin is immediately on the hotseat, however. Of course the reporting on this was way over the top, but this is the NFL, the #1 sport in the U.S., I would expect nothing different. You need to separate the reporting from the core issue and I believe the core issue is very valid and I think the NFL is taking and going to take it very serious. Like I said in earlier post, I am anxious to hear from Dolphin players NOW, after they've read the report. I suspect you will see a different tone. What you see in this situation is a kid being bullied. Jonathon Martin is no different than the kid in middle or high school that is bullied. Don't get fooled by his size, athleticism or money. This is bullying 101, just read a few articles on the subject. Bullying is about taking advantage of someone mentally and/or physically to humiliate or demean him. It's about controlling that individual, remember RI's line "he's MY bi**ch".

You have to read the report, while I agree a lot of this is bulls***, this is a classic case of bullying. I know it's hard for some to understand in the context of a locker room and with 300+ lb physically gifted athletes who make a ton of money that one of them (or more) could be bullied, but it did happen and the vast majority of thos who have read the report have concluded as much. I also wouldn't put so much emphasis on what Dolphin players said in the immediate aftermath and wait to hear what they say now that the report is out and all of them know EVERYTHING that went on. A lot of players were not aware of the behind the scenes bullying that was taking place between RI/JJ/MP and JM. I think in the immediate aftermath, most teams have a circle the wagons, us vs. them mentality. As I predicted earlier, both coach and trainer have now been fired, I believe the next shoe to drop is for Pouncey to be released (or traded), this might not happen immediately due to salary cap considerations, but it will happen.

I put Hairston under the category of "why look a gift horse in the mouth". He's better than nothing, and by nothing, I mean Pears. If we can get Robinson or Matthews with the 9th pick, so be it, and he'll be a solid backup/swing tackle. If not, we run with him for a year and draft a RT later in draft to back Hairston up.

+1, as long as Hairston is decent starter, it's one less position or one less backup to worry about

The last I saw or heard of him was in August at SJF, he was walking around the track like he was an 80 year old man -- he looked like he wasn't even close to being able to play. It's an odd mystery, I've asked myself the same question especially since the Bills haven't spoken about him or his injury all season and since end of season. I think they'll cut Pears due to performance and what they can save on cap, but, it would make all of us feel better if we know Hairston was 100% healthy and able to compete with a FA or draftee for RT.

So much I don't like about this: First, Hughes does fit system, he is ideal wide-9 end, no way I trade him for anything less than Cleveland's 2nd 1st round pick, but I wouldn't trade him, we NEED good players. Second, Chandler and Moats are non-headlines, okay if they keep them for the right price, but neither are impact players. I doubt Richardson (Baylor) will b there in round 3, he is most likely high 2nd. I don't want Jarred Allen, too old, unless we get him cheap and NO WAY, NO WAY, I want Incognito and his poison anywhere near WNY ! I am warming to Watkins with our #1, however.

That's why I said, "I for one THINK", of course I don't know -- but, like I've said before, I'd rather have a JM in my locker room than RI, JJ or MP -- talent aside, I want a TEAM first mentality -- in reality, they are all flawed, but picking between the two, I'll take JM

The fraternity example is a good one and most frats have been successful at reducing or eliminating hazing on campuses for frats to remain official chapters of national organizations -- I've posted this before, but want to repeat it again, what troubles me about the mental makeup of RI, JJ and MP is that what they were doing to JM (and the other lineman and trainer) did NOT create a stronger team it created a weaker one. And, while they will argue that they had "no idea" of what they were doing, I really doubt that, as did Ted Wells in the report. Bullies know they are bullying people, the comment RI made about JM being "his B word" is a clear indication of that.

The report is clear that the psychological aspects of being bullied made it next to impossible for Martin to escalate issue or fight back. With respect to Martin, I think the issue or question is not whether or not he was bullied, HE WAS, or whether or not his weaker mental makeup made it possible, IT DID. The question is what place in the NFL is there for someone with that mental makeup. I for one, think he could thrive in the vast majority of locker rooms and that the Dolphins situation is not mainstream NFL. There is a BIG difference between laughing with someone, poking fun, horsing around and bullying. It's tough to legislate and that will be the challenge for the NFL. Tebow getting a funny haircut, carrying vets equipment, singing college fight songs are common place and NO ONE is suggesting these are forms of bullying. I think the use of appropriate language and difference between an off-color joke and bullying are more difficult to define, but I believe strongly that it's possible to articulate a set of guidelines and codes of conduct that will be clear to all players and prevent this type of things from happening again. As for RI, JJ, MP and coach/trainer involved, as I've said before, I'd be shocked if they are a part of the Dolphin organization next year.

I suspect the Dolphins will clean house and the parties named in the report won't be with the team next season. JJ and RI are easy ones since they are FA's. I think they'll release (or trade) Pouncey and get rid of Turner and the head trainer. It's a low risk, high reward strategy for the organization and the right thing to do longer term for the football team.