Report: Joe Philbin wanted to cut Richie Incognito

Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin wanted to release offensive guard Richie Incognito after he was accused of harassing a female volunteer at the team's charity golf tournament in May 2012, ESPN reported Sunday.

Philbin's request was revealed during recent interviews by independent investigator Ted Wells, who is examining the Dolphins' locker room culture stemming from the team's bullying scandal. Offensive tackle Jonathan Martin left the team Oct. 28, claiming he was harassed by Incognito and other teammates.

Philbin, who was hired in January 2012, told others in the organization after the golf outing that he wanted Incognito off the team, sources told ESPN. However, Philbin was overruled by the team's front office.

Incognito was suspended Nov. 3 for conduct detrimental to the team related to Martin's bullying allegations. Incognito's four-game suspension was to end Monday under terms of the collective bargaining agreement, but it was extended with pay and could last up to a maximum six weeks in a deal reached with the Dolphins on Nov. 21.

Martin was placed on the non-football illness list Saturday and will not return to the team this season.

Former Miami Dolphin Mark Duper tests positive for signs of CTE

Former NFL All-Pro receiver Mark Duper said he was diagnosed with a brain disease likely caused by blows to the head he received during his playing days.

Duper, who was a star with the Miami Dolphins for 11 seasons in the 1980s, told ESPN he was feeling the effects of cognitive dysfunction and had been diagnosed just this week with chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

"It was shocking," Duper told ESPN's "Outside the Lines" Friday. "I hoped nothing was wrong."

But something was wrong, ESPN.com said.

Duper admitted to bouts of depression and forgetfulness, and damage to his brain was confirmed by advanced medial scans.

"I have had memory things where I would go to the store and forget what I went for," he said. "And I have emotional swings and panic attacks."

Duper is the ninth living NFL veteran to be diagnosed with CTE, ESPN.com said. In addition, autopsies on more than 50 former players found buildups of a protein that causes CTE in their brains.

Duper said he was holding his own, and hoped his diagnosis would build further momentum for large-scale testing of NFL players.

"I think this test will show the damage we are doing to our bodies and how to prevent it," he said. "People have to speak up about CTE. I hope me speaking out will show that people should be tested."

Former NFL star Irving Fryar convicted on conspiracy charges

Former NFL Pro Bowl wide receiver and Philadelphia Eagle Irving Fryar was indicted today on charges that he, along with his mother, conspired to steal more than $690,000.

Acting New Jersey Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced that Fryar, 51, and his mother Allene McGhee, 72, were indicted by a state grand jury on second-degree charges of conspiracy and theft by deception.

Fryar -- who played for the Patriots, Dolphins, Eagles and Redskins from 1984-2000 -- was more than solid with New England, making between 54 and 88 catches every season from 1990-97. His 851 career receptions ranks 18th on the all-time list, and his 12,785 career receiving yards ranks 15th.

Fryar also was the coach of the Robbinsville High (New Jersey) football team

According to the Attorney General’s office, Fryar and McGhee conspired to steal more than $690,000 by having McGhee fraudulently obtain five home equity loans on her home within a six-day period.

“This is not a case in which Mr. Fryar and his mother simply omitted or misstated information on loan applications,” acting attorney general John Hoffman said in a statement. “This indictment alleges that they engaged in an elaborate criminal scheme that was designed to defraud these banks of hundreds of thousands of dollars. It is disappointing that someone with an illustrious career in professional sports who now is a minister and coach in the community is charged with this crime, but he must face justice like anyone else.”

This is a hard fall for someone who seemingly put his past behind him and gave his life to the lord.

Dolphins' Jared Odrick victimized by investment advisor

You've heard the story before. Pro athlete with a lot of money puts his trust in someone that he really doesn't know but figures what's the worse that can happen. All of a sudden, the athlete gets taken for a lot of money before he catches on.

This story involving Miami Dolphins defensive end Jared Odrick is just a bit different than the rest. Odrick was ripped off by an investment advisor. Here comes the twist. The advisor was cleared by the NFLPA. Yes, the union that is supposed to protect people like Odrick from such predators green lighted the guy that ripped him off for a substantial amount of money.

Odrick has filed a lawsuit with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, claims he was one of more than 50 people swindled by Success Trade, the investment firm referred to Odrick.


“They cleared this guy,” said Jeffrey Erez, who along with his partner, Jeffrey Sonn, and Aaron Resnick is representing Odrick in the suit.

“That’s what the horrible part is. Jared’s a good kid. He did exactly what he was supposed to do.”

The “guy” to which Erez referred is Jinesh “Hodge” Brahmbhatt, a suburban Washington-based investment advisor who until recently was a registered stock broker at Success Trade Securities, Inc. — the subject of several fraud-related investigations.

And the “they” to which Erez referred is the NFL Players’ Association, which Erez claims gave Brahmbhatt “the stamp of approval” when Odrick inquired about him before investing.


An email requesting a comment from George Atallah, an NFLPA spokesman, was not immediately returned Saturday.

I feel bad for him and all people who get screwed like that. The answer is to have much more severe penalties for white collar crimes. On the other hand before giving someone the reins to your money you have must do your due diligence. Hopefully everything works out for Odrick and he learns something from this.

Brother of Vernon and Vontae Davis declared incompetent in murder case

The younger brother of San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis and Miami Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis has been declared incompetent to stand trial in a murder case. 19 year old Michael Davis is charged with first-degree murder in the April death of 66-year-old Gary Dederichs.


Police say Dederichs was walking alone in a residential neighborhood when he was struck on the head with a hammer or similar weapon.


Davis has also been charged in two nonfatal attacks and is suspected in two additional assaults. All occurred over three days less than a mile from his home.


D.C. Superior Court Judge Robert Morin declared Davis incompetent to stand trial Friday based on a psychiatrist's recommendation. Davis will be treated at a psychiatric hospital in hopes of restoring his competency.

Pennington To Recharge Himself

After his latest injury, a self inflicted injury playing pickup basketball, NFL quarterback Chad Pennington will be taking time off to work for Fox Sports.  Pennington will work with Fox's Sam Rosen as an NFL analyst, provided the the players and owners can come to an agreement to save the season.

Pennington last played for the Miami Dolphins and was rehabbing a shoulder injury that cost him last season. While he should've been taking time off and dedicating it to rehab, Pennington tore his ACL playing pickup basketball. I'm not calling the guy brittle but he's only played two full season's since coming into the league, 2006 and 2008. So this is a good decision to take the time off and re-evaluate himself.

"I'm actually going to take this year off, get healthy and do some work for Fox Sports," said Pennington, the NFL's only two-time Comeback Player of the Year.

"I'm going to evaluate things and see where I am physically."

No one knows if Pennington will attempt a comeback, but if he does I think he'll make a good mentor to a young quarterback.

Dolphins' Davone Bess Spending Time Digging Ditches

Out of all the things that some NFL players have done to kill time during the lockout, Miami Dolphins receiver Davone Bess may have picked the most physically grueling assignment although it is for a cause.

Bess has spent the last two weeks in Costa Rica chopping trees with a machete, digging 200 yards of drainage ditches, and laying tile for the people of Canitas as part of a Global Volunteers crusade.

Bess and others have been helping prepare the town of Canitas for the rainy season.

"I had an epiphany one night. With all I've been through on and off the field God has put me in a position to be a difference maker and to change lives," said Bess, who signed a three-year, $9 million contract extension midway through last season.



"If I can help someone make a difference and impact someone's life I want to do that to the best of my ability."

Davone Bess in Costa Rica

From what I've read, Bess does a lot of charity work so it really comes as no surprise. Just when you hear of someone going to Costa Rica you don't think of them going to dig ditches or knock down some trees.

"We've all been doing an incredible amount of physical labor, and Davone and the guys have been leading the way," said Cathy Cunningham, a Arizona native who befriended Bess on the missionary trip. "They've been chopping down trees, digging the drainage ditches and all kinds of stuff. Davone hasn't been a celebrity. He's not on vacation. He's been one of the hardest workers."

Bess also brought down soccer and football supplies for the children of Canitas through his sponsorship with Adidas.

Kudos to Bess and hopefully he can have more success on the football field.
 
  

Dolphins Add Bryan Cox To The Coaching Staff

Bryan Cox was once known as one of the toughest, angriest guys in the NFL. Now he gets to come back to where his career started. Cox was hired as the pass rush coach for the Miami Dolphins. Cox, a former linebacker, spent his first five years in Miami.

He's been the defensive line coach for the Cleveland Browns the past two years and held the same post for the New York Jets from 2006 to 2008.

I'm not part of the NFL fraternity so I never knew that a pass rush coach ever existed. I mean, is there a kick block coach, or a punt return coach, or even a handoff coach. Don't get me wrong because I'm not trying to make fun of Cox. I just never knew the there was such a thing as a pass rush coach.

The Lions Might Have Finally Learned To Win

With the first three game win streak in what seems like a millenium, I must say that no matter what happens next week, the Detroit lions might have finally learned to win. Ok hte last three game streak was in 2007. I'm just saying.

By my own personal account, the Lions did not play their best game today. Yes, it was a back and forth affair, but they had their fair share of stalled drives and extended drives on defense. They fell behind by 10 in the fourth quarter and found a way to make some plays to win their second straight road game over the Miami Dolphins, 34-27. It was the first win over the Dolphins since 1991 and the first win in five tries in Miami.

Down 27-17 with 4:37 left in the fourth running back Jahvid Best took a short pass and turned it into a 53 yard touchdown. Best showed the burst and speed that had been missing since early in the season. He didn't show any effects of the turf toes that have plagued him for a good portion of the season. Nathan Vasher and DeAndre Levy came up with key interceptions and levy provided the winning margin, returning his for a touchdown. This was done without their best player, Calvin Johnson, sitting out the fourth after aggravating an ankle injury.

They are finally not self destructing. Gone are the pre-snap penalties and self inflicted wounds that were so visible in their losses.They found a way to win and come up with some big plays. They're winning the turnover battle and making key stops. This is what good teams do to win games. I'm not saying they're on the road to the playoffs next year, but they've made some strides. Bigger strides than what we're used to seeing in this city. There might finally be some hope for the Lions after all. Let's just hope they can use these positive moments to lay the groundwork for something bigger.