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The Wells Report was published earlier this morning, and we've got a 49ers reference. For those that don't know about the Wells Report, it includes the findings of Ted Wells as to the Jonathan Martin-Richie Incognito situation. You can read the 144 page report here (PDF).
The report is fairly all-encompassing, and as part of the investigation, Ted Wells spoke with Jim Harbaugh about Martin and his time at Stanford. Harbaugh's responses are on page 27, 58
Jim Harbaugh, Martin’s former head coach at Stanford and the current head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, told us that he had never doubted Martin’s tenacity, work ethic and dedication to the game, and that he had never seen Martin exhibit problems with social adjustment. Coach Harbaugh told us he believed that Martin likely could continue to have a successful career in the NFL.
Several former Stanford football players, as well as coaches Harbaugh and Shaw, concurred that Martin was a talented athlete and a great teammate, with an admirable work ethic. Both Coach Harbaugh and Coach Shaw emphasized that Martin was a well-adjusted and popular player while at Stanford.
Coach Harbaugh emphasized that he never doubted Martin’s physical or mental toughness, and he believes that Martin can continue to have a successful career in the NFL. Coach Harbaugh also said that the atmosphere in the Stanford locker room, in his view, was not materially different from that of the San Francisco 49ers’ locker room.
Shortly after the report came out, this tweet came across my timeline from a friend of the site:
Soooooooo Martin watch in San Francisco?
— Oscar (@BetterRivals) February 14, 2014
I think Oscar was providing a little tongue in cheek commentary on the situation, but it's still something that likely will pop up in the rumor mill given Jim Harbaugh's college connection to Martin. Jonathan Martin is currently under contract to the Miami Dolphins through 2015. Given that it's a rookie deal, it's fairly reasonable, so moving him out of town would not be the most difficult of processes.
Given the workplace issues at this point with multiple people involved in the harassment, it seems like somebody is going to be leaving this team. Well, somebody aside from Richie Incognito. Does Mike Pouncey get tossed for his behavior in all this? Who knows. There is a lot to sort through, particularly with Roger Goodell announcing he will hold off commenting until after he's read the report.
I would not be at all surprised to see some Martin-49ers rumors thrown around in the coming weeks. I don't think they'll be particularly credible, but as we know, that doesn't stop rumors from flying. The 49ers are set at their starting tackle positions, but will need to figure out a long-term solution at swing tackle. I have to think they'd rather develop Luke Marquardt or Carter Bykowski for the role. Martin would actually be roughly the same 2014 cap hit as Adam Snyder, so I suppose it's possible they could still make a run at him. I just don't expect it.
