As the Buffalo Bills prepare to take on the Dolphins, Richie Incognito wonders what type of reception he will receive in Miami
As we’ve already discussed, the Buffalo Bills upcoming clash with the Miami Dolphins is an important game for both teams. Whoever loses, will drop to 1-2 and potentially be two games back in the AFC East, after just three weeks of the regular season.
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On a more individual level, you would be hard-pressed to find a Bills player who this game means more to, than Richie Incognito. This will be the first time he has returned to Miami, since 2013.
Everyone is aware of the bullying scandal, where the former Dolphins guard was found to have played a prominent role in the harassment of teammate Jonathan Martin. The incident resulted in a three-month suspension for Incognito, and ultimately led to the end of his tenure in Southern Florida.
The Englewood, New Jersey native sat out the entire 2014 season, with speculation that his NFL career might be over. However, that all changed in February of this year, when the Bills took a chance and signed him to a one-year, $2.25 million contract.
Incognito realizes the bullying scandal will likely never go away, as he told Mike Rodak of ESPN: “I would hope that we can move past all this.
Sep 13, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills center Richie Incognito (64) against the Indianapolis Colts at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Colts 27 to 14. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
“(However), I definitely understand that it’s still going to be prevalent probably through the end of this year, and probably the Monday Night Football guys will probably be bringing it up for five years from now.”
As you’d imagine, the 32-year old is ready and raring to go: “This one just has a little more meaning. There’s obviously bigger things at play here.”
Incognito went on to compare facing his old team to going up against a sibling: “I think it’s one of those things in professional sports where you cross paths with one of your old teams, and you want to give it to them.
“It’s like brotherly love. You want to kick your brother’s butt in anything you do.”
So far, the 2005 third round draft pick has been a model citizen in Buffalo. Rex Ryan has previously remarked about how impressed he is by Incognito’s conditioning and work rate.
Heading into the Dolphins game, there have been rumors the Bills head coach will make the 2012 Pro Bowler one of his team captains, something he does regularly with players going up against former teams. However, this has yet to be confirmed.
Incognito admits he has no idea what kind of reception to expect from the Miami fans, but he did have a message for them: “I’ve always had a lot of love from their fans. I’ve got a lot of respect for them.”
Overall, while his return adds a interesting subplot, it shouldn’t have much of an impact – if any – on the game. Once the action begins, all that will matter to both teams, is getting a win against a divisional opponent.
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