Raiders: After ‘dark days,’ Incognito is looking for fresh start with Mayock, Gruden
Richie Incognito didn’t look or sound unhinged. He was forthright, direct and sounded greatly appreciative of a last chance afforded by general manager Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden.
“I think for so many years I’ve just done this thing where I grit my teeth and work hard, just kind of grind through this,” Incognito said Saturday following the Raiders’ first training camp practice. “You’ve obviously seen I’ve had my setbacks and some dark days. But I’m focusing on these positive days and just building some momentum rolling into the season.”
That momentum will be interrupted by a two-game suspension to start the season for being in violation of the NFL’S personal conduct policy. It was a penalty both Incognito and the Raiders expected after an arrest 11 months ago in Arizona for allegedly threatening to shoot employees
while making funeral arrangements for his father.
Policed seized weapons in Incognito’s truck. Witnesses described Incognito walking through the funeral home, punching caskets and throwing objects. He was charged with disorderly conduct and making threats.
In May of 2018, Incognito was placed on an involuntary psychiatric hold following an altercation in a fitness club, where he behavior was described as erratic. Those two incidents, plus his involvement and suspension for the 2013 season with Miami when Incognito was accused of bullying teammate Jonathan Martin, not to mention a reputation for occasionally dirty play, left him without a team last season.
Maybe for good. Incognito, 36, continued to work out in Arizona, but his phone was silent.
“The thought definitely crossed my mind,” Incognito said. “I may never play again. But my mantra and what I prepared for was that if the opportunity were to come, I was going to be ready. It was really kind of a shot in the dark. We didn’t really have a lot of teams interested in signing me. But the Raiders were always interested and there was always that glimmer of hope that it would happen.”
For all the bad things that happened during Incognito’s career, there were also a lot of good things. He was a Pro Bowl guard as recently as 2017 with Buffalo. Mayock knew several of Incognito’s former coaches, who thought he was an excellent player when in the proper frame of mind.
It’s been a pattern of sorts throughout Incognito’s
12-year career. He’s a great guy for long stretches then goes to a dark place and becomes inconsolable and sometimes uncontrollable. Incognito believes he’s made progress in understanding his moods and behavior.
“When I first came into the league in 2005 there was zero talk about mental health,” Incognito said. “Now with concussions and traumatic brain injuries and mental health taking the forefront in the news, it’s something the league needs to spend some time off. Guys, when they get away from the game, they struggle. Guys like myself, in the game, we struggle ... there are resources out there.
“I think it’s an ego thing for some people. I know it is for myself, to be able to swallow your pride and ask for help.”
The Raiders were adamant that if Incognito were to sign, he’d have to get help. Work through the player engagement department. Participate in therapy. Learn the triggers that provoke bad behavior. They weren’t doing this out of the goodness of their hearts, of course. Following the trade of Kelechi Osemele to the New York Jets, the Raiders had a vacancy at left guard, and Incognito was a very good player not long ago.
After conceding that sitting out training camp last year didn’t feel all that bad, Incognito got restless as he saw teams begin to play. He got Gruden’s phone number from his agent and began calling incessantly. Once the Raiders’ research had determined any suspension for Incognito would likely be minimal, they signed him.
He got one year, and can be cut at the first sign of trouble.
“It’s about redemption,” Incognito said. “It’s about Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden and the Raiders
giving me an opportunity. I want to make it right. I want to make it positive for everybody. I want to come in, contribute, be a team leader, and rewrite the ending.”
That’s another part of the Incognito persona. Labeled a horrible teammate for everything that went down with Martin in Miami, he’s also been a willing mentor to many. Jonathan Cooper, recently signed to the roster and a potential starter in Weeks 1 and 2 when Incognito is under suspension, was a friend and workout companion in Arizona.
“He’s been phenomenal, both to the young guys in the building and in the offensive line room,” Mayock said.
Incoginto’s on-field aggression, if properly controlled, can be of some benefit to players such as left tackle Kolton Miller.
“He’s got he right attitude, he works hard,” Incognito said. “Hopefully I can bring a little of that nasty edge to him, get him to come out of his shell a little bit.”
As cameras from the media and “Hard Knocks” reality series were in rapt attention, Incognito said he understands how the 2019 Raiders may look from a safe distance. Other acquisitions include wide receiver Antonio Brown and linebacker Vontaze Burfict, whose reputations are hardly pristine.
“From the outside looking in, there are a lot of storylines,” Incognito said. “Signing me, Antonio, Vontaze … but you get around ’em and you see Antonio’s hunger for football and how passionate he is. You get around a guy like Vontaze and you see what a work ethic he has and knowledge of the game … I think guys that get around me, they see something different than what they’ve read in the headlines.”