National Football League

Philbin talks Incognito suspension

Published Nov. 4, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

Ross Jones

Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin spoke Monday on the Richie Incognito drama, one day after suspending the offensive lineman indefinitely following reports of alleged bullying against teammate Jonathan Martin.

Incognito reportedly sent Martin, a second-year offensive tackle, threatening and racist text messages, which eventually prompted a chain of events that included Martin leaving the team facility and entering a treatment facility to receive help with his emotional issues. Philbin defended his decision at a news conference on Monday.

"Since April 10, 2012, when the players first came here and I was the head coach, every decision I've made, everything we've done in this facility has been done with one thing in mind," Philbin told a pool of reporters. "That's to help our players and our organization reach their full potential.

"Any type of conduct, behavior that detracts from that objective is not acceptable and is not tolerated."

The league and team are investigating the accusations. Philbin also noted that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross asked commissioner Roger Goodell for assistance with the probing.

The second-year head coach said that he wouldn’t get into customary locker-room behavior because of the ongoing investigation.

"If the review shows that this is not a safe atmosphere, I will take whatever measures are necessary to ensure that it is," Philbin said. "I have that obligation to the players that I coach on a daily basis and I will do that."