Holding high expectations heading into the 2013-2014 NFL season, the Miami Dolphins hoped the acquisitions of multiple high-profile free agents would help them keep pace with AFC East rival New England. Posting an even 4-4 record through the first eight games of the season, the Dolphins find themselves in the thick of the AFC playoff race thanks to the help of offseason signings including receiver Mike Wallace (36 rec, 480 yards, TD) and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (55 total tackles, 2nd on team) and even though all the focus should be on the team's upcoming trip to winless Tampa Bay, the scandal involving former offensive lineman Richie Incognito's bullying of Jonathan Martin remains the lead story around Sun Life Stadium.
Incognito was released by the Dolphins organization last week amid allegations that the 2012 Pro Bowler bullied fellow lineman and second-year pro Jonathan Martin. With the attention around this story escalating on a daily basis, the main goal of all parties is to now find out exactly what happened since Incognito continues to say his remarks and gestures were all in good fun while those in Martin's camp remain glued to the idea that the former Stanford Cardinal standout was singled out in the NFL locker room. Despite the escalating story, Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill says the team needs to remain focused on earning a win over Tampa Bay.
"Right now we're focused on sticking together as a team, having each other's backs as a team, and getting ready to play a football game," Tannehill said. "At the end of the day, we're playing a Tampa Bay team on the road on Monday. So we have to deal with this, yes, but we also have to get ready to play a football game."
Entering the game against 0-8 Tampa, the Dolphins (4-4) find themselves percentage points behind the New York Jets for the final AFC Wild Card playoff spot. With a win certainly capable of propelling the team forward while temporarily ridding them of all the negative publicity that has come the their way in recent days, Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin reminds all that his team is capable of walking away with its fifth win of the season since the locker room is full of professionals who care about their jobs.
"We have a football game in 48 hours, as you might be aware," Philbin said Saturday to reporters. "I think our guys want to play football. They want to get back. They are professionals. That's why the Miami Dolphins exist. We are a football team."
Dolphins vs. Buccaneers: DATE, TIME & TV INFO
DATE: Monday, November 11
TIME: 8:30pm, ET
TV COVERAGE: ESPN
LIVE STREAM: CLICK HERE
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