Jeff Ireland Reportedly Suggested Jonathan Martin Should "Punch" Richie Incognito

The situation inside the Miami Dolphins locker room continues to deteriorate. The latest twist in the ongoing Jonathan Martin/Richie Incognito saga revolves around Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported late Wednesday night a conversation between Martin’s agent, Rick Smith, and Ireland prior to the second-year lineman leaving the team last week.

"Ireland, according to the sources, suggested to Smith that Martin physically confront Incognito. Ireland specifically mentioned that Martin should “punch” Incognito."

In light of how this story has played out in the media the last week, a comment like that doesn’t sound very good coming from a person in a position of authority.

Ireland is no stranger to controversy himself, infamously asking Dez Bryant whether his “mother was a prostitute” prior to the 2010 NFL Draft. He also had some run-ins with Dolphins fans, calling them “assholes.”

The issues aren’t all related, but if one former Dolphin is to be believed, Ireland doesn’t seem to be the most beloved guy of all time.

With so many stories floating around on both sides of the Martin/Incognito relationship in the last couple days the question now is what exactly is the endgame? Incognito has likely played his last game in Miami, despite teammates leaping to his defense. Martin’s status as an NFL player remains uncertain. How much of the Dolphins front office and coaching staff follows them out the door is in the hands of owner Stephen Ross.

Until the facts from the NFL investigation are revealed expect stories like this to to continue to float around in the media ether.

Related: Richie Incognito: Dolphins Considered Him An “Honorary Black Man”
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Related: Miami Dolphins Online Team Shop Not Selling Richie Incognito Jerseys
Related: Richie Incognito Said Jonathan Martin Was the “Easiest Teammate to Scare” in Dolphins Program
Related: Richie Incognito Will Never Play for Miami Again, According to Report
Related: Richie Incognito Sent Jonathan Martin Texts Calling Him a “Half-N*****” and Talked About Defecating in His Mouth
Related: Richie Incognito, Who Bullied Teammate Jonathan Martin, Was Bullied in Elementary School For Being Fat
Related: Richie Incognito Has Been Suspended Indefinitely While Team Investigates Bullying Allegations
Related: Richie Incognito Blasts ESPN for Linking Him to Jonathan Martin’s Departure from the Dolphins [UPDATE]
Related: The Miami Dolphins Bullied Lineman Jonathan Martin, So He Left the Team