Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross told reporters Monday that the team will make changes in the aftermath of the Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito scandal that has rocked the organization.
Ross called the circumstances surrounding Martin and the suspended Incognito "appalling" and said he will fly to meet Martin for a meeting at an undisclosed location Wednesday.
"We believe in being very proactive in this, but the most important thing is we care about Jonathan Martin," he said.
Ross praised coach Joe Philbin for his caring and organized nature and explained he's been in "constant communication" with him. Curiously, Ross didn't offer any praise for Jeff Ireland, or invoke the general manager's name in discussing how the team plans to move forward.
Ross said that the Dolphins will make changes to their operation and install a "code of conduct that suits the 21st century." The team will do that with the help of a new five-man committee for internal evaluation, a group that will consist of Tony Dungy, Don Shula, Dan Marino, Jason Taylor and Curtis Martin.
"I just talked to Steve Ross briefly, but he really wants to look at this seriously," Dungy told NFL Media's Jeff Darlington before the Dolphins' 22-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "He wants some recommendations about what he can do to make things better, not necessarily look back and see what happened, but how can we improve going on and I'm excited to do what I can to help out."
A second internal committee will be formed to review the team's current policies.
"You know the world today is changing, and we all have to adapt to change," Ross said.
Ross added he will "probably" meet with Incognito and said he wants to "hear all the facts" before making any decisions on the veteran guard's future.
"I'm sure that when we're done with this, that our organization will get better because I really care about this organization," Ross said. "It's important to me, and what's gone on is really something that couldn't be a worse nightmare."
Click here to read the complete transcript of Monday's news conference.
