Stephen Holder

stephen.holder@indystar.com

ORLANDO, Fla. — This week's NFL owners meetings were dominated by efforts to prevent the sort of locker-room dysfunction seen with the Miami Dolphins last season.

But for the Indianapolis Colts, and a number of other teams, that scenario seems a far cry from their realities.

The NFL locker room, they say, is actually a place that brings people of divergent backgrounds and interests together. But that elusive chemistry is important not only in creating a good working environment. It's also an essential ingredient for winning teams, coaches said.

That's why maintaining it ranks high on Colts coach Chuck Pagano's list of priorities.

"We feel like we have a great culture," Pagano said. "We feel like we have a great environment. I think that is their sanctuary. I think (the coach) has to have a pulse of the community and pulse of the locker room."

Said Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith: "I think you win in the locker room first."

Seemingly nothing was discussed more extensively in the league's closed-door sessions with team owners, executives and coaches than creating respectful workplaces. It was harped on from commissioner Roger Goodell on down, a reaction to the Dolphins' bullying scandal that pitted guard Richie Incognito and others against tackle Jonathan Martin.

But if coaches are to be believed, what happened in Miami is very much the exception. In fact, many marvel at their players' abilities to mesh despite their dramatic differences. You can find evidence of that very thing in the Colts' locker room where, for example, Kenyan-born former rugby player Daniel Adongo has developed a bond with someone like 11-year vet and Atlanta native Robert Mathis.

Rather than foster discord, coaches say, the locker room and the common goal of winning creates an atmosphere not seen in the public at large.

"With football especially, it bonds guys from different walks of life," said Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, a former Colts assistant and interim head coach. "I had the experience at Virginia Tech. The first African-American player (allowed in the dorms), he was my roommate."

Said Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll: "It's an extraordinary aspect of sports. People can come from all walks of life. They don't even have to speak the same language and they can compete together and play together. ... It's a great melting pot and it demonstrates that people can get along, can work together and can do extraordinary things. You look at the rest of the world and it doesn't look like that very often. I wish everyone could take a lesson from sports."

Great emphasis was placed this week on the fact that coaches must be a part of creating that environment. That's something Dolphins coach Joe Philbin admitted he will improve on to prevent a repeat of the Incognito saga.

Meanwhile, the league is taking continued steps to ensure initiatives discussed at these meetings are carried out.

"We will be working with our players, our coaches, our executives and with outside experts," Goodell said Wednesday. "We will be going through a lot of training on the (team) level over the next several months and I'm confident that everyone understands the importance of it and embraces it."

As for the Colts, their mantra of trust and belief is carried out in many ways, making it more than a hollow talking point. General manager Ryan Grigson, for example, has a policy of ensuring players are treated respectfully when they are cut or otherwise informed of roster decisions. While it will always remain a business transaction, Grigson hopes it doesn't feel like one.

"We started that tradition and culture even with the 90th man on the roster," Grigson said. "I see them, (then) I take them right to Chuck and we have those tough conversations. At the end of the day, I know as a former player, I appreciated it just so you have some closure.

"When you just get a call from your agent that says, 'Hey, they're not re-signing you,' no, man. We went through so much together. Am I not owed at least a handshake? To me, I feel like we're not really a family then. That's a bunch of baloney if you don't at least take the time to at least talk to me like a man."

It's those little things the Colts think will help them remain a cohesive group — while also avoiding the kind of Miami mess the NFL hopes to never see again.

Call Star reporter Stephen Holder at (317) 444-6520. Follow him on Twitter: @HolderStephen.