In March, Dolphins V.P. of football operations Bill Parcells told offensive lineman Justin Smiley not to show up for offseason workouts. Though the 2006 grievance filed by the late Steve McNair gives Smiley every right to show up and participate, Smiley has complied.
As Ethan Skolnick of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports, Smiley is still waiting for the team to make a move.
“We will see down the road here,” coach Tony Sparano said on Friday regarding Smiley. “I am not sure where that whole thing is right now, and I am not really skirting [the issue]. I really am not. At this particular time right now we are not sure and he is a member of my football team right now.”
Sure, he’s a member of the football team who the guy running the team doesn’t want to come around.
Per Skolnick, other players are getting frustrated by the situation, believing that Smiley is being “held hostage”. The Colts and Seahawks reportedly have expressed interest in Smiley, but the Dolphins reportedly wanted more than either team offered.
Skolnick speculates that the Dolphins fear that Smiley will be the next guy to sign with the Jets, if/when he’s cut.
The Dolphins can’t have it both ways. Still, they’ve somehow persuaded Smiley not to exercise his right to show up for work.
Why do we have a feeling based on recent events that he has been bullied into staying away?
