NFL toughness about more than muscle

The careers of Dolphins guard Richie Incognito, center left, and tackle Jonathan Martin remain on hold.(Photo: AP)

"Tough is not a physical state," former NFL defensive coordinator Greg Blache told USA TODAY Sports. "Football is such a mental game. The toughness is more mental.

UPDATE: Dolphins drama continues

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"If you're confident in your techniques, you play faster. It michael kors outlet online looks more aggressive and physical, but it's really about mental toughness."

Blache's definition is intriguing because it might run counter to first glance intuitions about the brutal, violent sport.

With injuries occurring at a record pace and the physical condition of retired players generating more awareness than ever, the toughness is more mental?

"You don't have to be a savage animal to play in the NFL," Blache said. It's a misconception."

Martin filed a complaint contending Russell Wilson Authentic Jersey that bullying from guard Richie Incognito at least some of which was captured cheap red bottom shoes on a racially charged and threatening voicemail contributed to him leaving the team last week. He has sought counseling.

Yet those actions, in the macho NFL culture, have in some arenas tued against Martin to fuel questions about his toughness.

Even Martin's high school coach wondered whether his former player, a low key Stanford grad, would fit in with more aggressive personalities in NFL locker rooms from different types of programs.

Vic Eumont, the coach at Harvard Westlake in Califoia, told The Palm Beach Post that because of Martin's academically rich background, he's the perfect target to be bullied.

"I just feel like you have to be mentally tough at some level to take jokes and stuff," Dolphins offensive tackle Bryant McKiie told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday. "It wasn't like he was getting beat up."

The Sun michael kors outlet Sentinel reported this week, citing uamed sources, that coaches asked Incognito to toughen up Martin after he missed two days of voluntary workouts last spring.

As the NFL investigation unfolds, confirming the facts related to the report which might ultimately cost jobs is essential.

One thing is certain: Incognito's tactics backfired.

Martin's camp, meanwhile, has counterattacked.

"Jonathan Martin's toughness is not at issue," attoey David Cowell, representing Martin, said in a statement released Thursday. "Jonathan has started every game with the Miami Dolphins (before his departure) since he was drafted in 2012. At Stanford, he was the anchor for Jim Harbaugh's 'smash mouth' brand of football and he protected Andrew Luck's blind side.

"The issue is Jonathan's treatment by his teammates. Jonathan endured harassment that went far beyond the traditional locker room hazing."

Although Dolphins coach Joe Philbin has maintained that he had no knowledge of issues between Martin and Incognito, it's not clear whether offensive line coach Jim Tuer or other coaches had an inkling of problems or tactics.