ORLANDO, Fla. -- Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and general manager Dennis Hickey offered strong endorsements for embattled center Mike Pouncey on Tuesday during the NFL's owners meetings.
Pouncey will be forced by the NFL to undergo treatment for being one of three players cited for bullying former teammate Jonathan Martin. But two key members in the Dolphins' organization backed Pouncey and indicated he remains a core member of the team.
"I think everybody can look back and reflect, and we all get caught up in certain things and you go with it," Ross explained. "But I think he's an outstanding young man. He's certainly an excellent football player, and I think he will turn out to be one of the leaders on this team."
Hickey echoed Ross' sentiment on Pouncey, who on the field made his first Pro Bowl last season.
"I believe in Mike Pouncey," Hickey said. "Mike Pouncey is a good player. I believe he's a good teammate and we will go forward."
Pouncey faces the possibility of starting the 2014 season on the NFL's suspension list due to his role in Miami's bullying scandal. Hickey said the Dolphins will have a contingency plan ready if that is the case.
The Miami Dolphins made several changes following the release of the 144-page Ted Wells report. The team didn't re-sign guards Richie Incognito and John Jerry.
Miami also fired offensive line coach Jim Turner and former trainer Kevin O'Neill.