The New Orleans Saints just got hammered today by the NFL for their bounty program. Among the most significant punishments (and here is Joseph Person's story on this for the Wednesday newspaper):
-- Saints coach Sean Payton is suspended without pay for the entire 2012 season and general manager Mickey Loomis is suspended for half the season without pay.
-- The Saints will forfeit second-round draft picks in both 2012 and 2013.
-- St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who was the keeper of the bounty program because he was the Saints' defensive coordinator at the time, has been suspended indefinitely.
But buried deep in the NFL’s press release about the punishments was this interesting – and disgusting -- nugget:
“Payments were made for plays such as interceptions or fumble recoveries. All such payments are against league rules. Payments also were made for plays on which opposing players were injured. In addition, specific players were sometimes targeted. The investigation showed bounties being placed on four quarterbacks of opposing teams – Brett Favre, Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, and Kurt Warner. Multiple sources have confirmed that several players pledged funds toward bounties on specific opposing players, with defensive captain Jonathan Vilma offering $10,000 to any player who knocked Brett Favre out of the NFC Championship Game in 2010.”
Newton played against New Orleans twice in 2011 and wasn’t hurt in either game. But the Saints were trying to hurt him – they had literally put a bounty on him. That what’s what the NFL investigation has concluded (the Saints were penalized for three personal fouls in those 2011 games, however -- read this very interesting blog by The Observer's Joe Person about that and what the Saints said about "remember-me" hits following one of those games).
In general, I’m glad the NFL has taken such a hard line on bounties, which have no place in football. I wish the league had also taken away the Saints’ No.1 draft pick in 2013 (the Saints don’t have a No.1 pick in 2012). Otherwise, suspending Payton for a year seems about right, and I would imagine Williams will never work in the league again.
Saints' player suspensions, incidentally, are still to come (linebacker Jonathan Vilma will likely be hit the very hardest). These punishments were only for the management and the team. As I’ve written before, this “BountyGate” may change the balance of power in the NFC South. And at the very least, the Saints should be a good team to play early in the season, when the yet-to-be-announced player suspensions are in full force.
I suppose Newton could take it as a compliment that the Saints thought enough of him to put a bounty on him -- he was in pretty good company on that four-QB list. Everyone else on that list has won both an NFL MVP award and at least one Super Bowl.
But still...
This is disgusting. The Saints are getting hammered for this, and rightfully so. And I imagine the Panthers will have a little extra desire to win -- and to keep Newton's jersey clean -- the next time these two teams meet.
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55 comments:
Will this ruling be known as Hurricane Roger in New Orleans?
I agree... they should have lost a first rounder! I hope Cam lights them up for 50 points the next time we see those dirt bags!
I think we can confidently say Jonathan Vilma will be out of the league at least a year. $10,000!!!! That's a not a bounty, that's a death warrant.
I was at NO v Panthers game last season (in Charlotte) and it was clear someone tried to take out Steve Smith. Definitely a dirty shot at Smitty. When this bounty deal came out that was the first thing that came to mind. So good for Goodell, sorry Saints and Go Panthers.
I think the Saints got off light. Why not make them forfeit first-round pics? What about the players who participated in the bounty? Have they been suspended/fined?
When I read that about CAM, I was literally sick. All those people hurt, suffering, and goig through so much loss with Katrina and the Saints painted themselves as a Savior to the community and in the locked room they are trying to destroy and hurt people. Just sick!
Anon @ 1:40, I think you're talking about when Roman Harper blew Smitty up about five yards deep in the end zone. I instantly thought of that play when the bounty story broke as well.
Aside from defensive linemen and some linebackers, Cam would run over a lot of defensive players!
Saints get everything they deserve for Bountygate. I hope everyone runs the score up on them if they can. What the NFL should've done though too is remove Brees' franchise tag. That way he had the option of leaving. That would really hurt the Aints!
I'm not surprised to hear the Saints were out to hurt Cam. They were not the only opposing defense trying to hurt him. This is why we must have Cam running less frequently and the OL stepping up to do a better job of blocking for Cam and opening holes for our RBs.
I'll be back...
Filthy dirtbags...$10 says Shockey had a bounty last year - he got crushed once too...and they hate him. I hope Beason destroys someone on the 1st play of the game (legally of course).
The Saints do not have a first round pick this year, so I think instead of taking next year's first pick, the NFL took two second round picks
i think an appropriate penalty for the players is that any that participated should be required to play without their cups this year.
Wow - Those are some harsh punishments, especially the suspension of Payton!
Who dat?...who dat?...who dat gonna coach dem Saints dis year?! hahahahaha Go Panthers!
Forever the Ain'ts
Get the bags ready! Paper or plastic?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ7ZWkxIhOg&feature=player_embedded
move the saints to utah
....maybe they will shape up outside of that deviant city
I wonder how much harper got for breaking Smitty's arm.
Interesting. Since the Saints won't have Sean Payton, a new defensive coordinator, do you guys think that Carolina can take the number one spot in NFC South?
And Frank "the genius" Garcia is on WFNZ right now basically saying why do you think the NFL is the most popular sport in the US? Wow. Talk about throwing NFL fans under the bus.
any player that was involved in this Bounty scheme needs to be banned from the NFL for life. The Saints coach also should be banned!
Pathetic, "maybe the Panthers can win 2 games this season playing New Orleans with out a coach, an assistant coach a GM and multiple player suspensions." Why not have the panthers play some high school teams if seeing them win means so much to you.
“Payments were made for plays such as interceptions or fumble recoveries. All such payments are against league rules...."
Going off this, then Minter and company are guilty, too. Keep in mind what he had to say the other day, as well as just about every other player that has spoken up and said "Yep, we've been doing this for a long time."
If Goodell is truly genuine with this investigation, then he will look into the Bills, Redskins and Titans. Williams coached there and his players during those stints have ALL acknowledged that a similar system was in place.
Should be like the Pete Rose punishment because this is way worse!..this is horrible BAN them from ever stepping into the stadiums for life.
Here's Harper's bounty hunter attempt on Smitty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq7gVv7I4MA&feature=related
Was the picture of Newton losing his helmet for dramtic effect only Charlib Nonobservant?
Anyone else fine it ironic that Sean Payton was busted him on the sideline last season and had to go on crutches? Interesting that it happened to him. Let's hope that didn't put the idea of bounty on coaches in his dirty head!
I hope the Saints sink this year and become cellar dwellers.
THERE WAS ALSO A BOUNTY PUT ON JIMMY CLAUSEN'S HEAD DURING THE 2010 SEASON -------
........By John Fox
I believe all of this is true because I 1. saw it in this column 2. read it in other places on the internet; 3. read it in the newspaper; 4. saw it on numerous TV programs; and, no doubt, I will 5. read it in a book soon.
But, what I don't understand is where were the on-field officials during all of this? Why were they not calling fouls on the Saints?
And, why have no players complained of being hurt?
And, with all of the tapes available for review, why has not the NFL made public the specific plays in which the Saints hurt (or tried to) an opponent?
Roger Goodell has stated that he 'has been as transparent as possible,' and that 'findings were corroborated by multiple independent sources,' yet we have heard only generalizations such as those and no specifics. Terrible, terrible journalism...generalizations and no specifics.
Goodell, when asked by an NFL TV anchorman if Peyton Manning was the target of a bounty in the 2009 Superbowl game against the Saints, evaded (in quite a few words) answering what was a yes or no question, making the answer, obviously, 'no.'
Goodell has acted as judge jury, and executioner without justifying himself and without stating the specific charges or giving the accused the opportunity to confront their accusers, something that is guaranteed in the courts of this country, if not in the NFL.
New Orleans got off easy. All involved should have been banned from the NFL for life. Period. What kind of a joke league is this, anyway
I called this two years ago also and yes include the officials! They will not be able to remove the tarnish from their Lombardy Trophy! Good riddance!! Whatever punishments are handed out will not quench the disdain I have for this organization...
Not nearly enough punishment. Vilma should be banned for life. One of the dirty shots could have been a career ender for a QB .
I just watched an interview on ESPN Sportscenter with Mike Ditka and his opinion regarding the penalty for Saints coaches and organization. He was pathetic. It was obvious that Ditka did not know anything about the situation. As time goes bye, its obvious that ESPN is not the excellent organiztiion it used to be. A pity that they don't have some real competition in the sports area.
Can we put a bounty on Drew Brees? Will there be retaliation? Scott, expect the player suspensions to be spread out over the season. 5 guys for the first 5 games, a different 5 guys for the next 5 games. etc.
It was clearly obvious all season. I say put Payton in pads and put him on the field. Sharper is full of crap saying he didn't know anything!
Sean Payton should never coach again in the NFL. If they really want make a statement that is what they should do.
@Anon 4:18
Did you watch that game or just criticizing for no reason?? Cam's helmet was like that (in the pic) because a Saints player tried to rip it off his head. It was a FACEMASK that WAS NOT called.
More dirty play by the Aints...Nice try Anon 4:18
Typical Charlotte overreaction. A few posters have it right while the rest of you are like chicken littles- this happens on almost EVERY team in the NFL. They may not be paying for it, though some may have less organized tactics with payouts, but it is happening. If you don't think so then you haven't watched much NFL football lately. And given how sorry the Panthers have been the last few years, I bet that is the case.
I don't approve of the bounty system and I am not proud of it, but quit kidding yourselves here. And thank you for the astute observation made about Minter and his crew through his own comments. Maybe you guys could have won your lone Super Bowl game if your offensive line that year hadn't been so hyped up on steroids. We ALL have dirty laundry in this league. You think this game is about having tea and crumpets at the stadium? The name of the game is try and get into a guy's head -REALLY hard hits- so he doesn't want to come back at you again. What Goodell did was make a move where he can look like he solved a problem and then walk away feeling good about himself. What he has actually done is try and use a finger to close a very large hole in a dam.
@Anon 7:20
You sound like a disgruntled Aints fan. Pay for injuries caused is not on every team. Player bonuses for interceptions and touch downs yes.
You are not an NFL player and neither am I. We know what is reported. Don't try and act like a higher authority with behind the scenes knowledge.
Ain't nothin but Aints.
you guys are talking about last year game ... about two year ago when we play those dirty saint our player got hurt atleast 4 in a single game .
Why does the writer want to use the word 'disgusting' so much to describe this? Trying to make this story sound bigger than it really is no doubt.
Anon 8:33 c'mon now, how long is it going to take you to get over the fact that Cam burned your favorite SEC team?
You can't tell me that Squeaky clean Drew Breeze did not know about this either. He tries to be such the pure outstanding citizen in commecials etc and heck yea you know he had to know something about this. I say the next time we play them lets go breeze hunting. Heck the whole team needs to be suspended for a year.
Saints should be banned from the league as a franchise for one year or more.
@ Anon 10:14
"snitches get stitches".....hmmmm.....
Oh well hello Sean Payton, I didn't know who it was at first...I see since you have the next year off you decided to come hang out on this forum!!
The truth of the matter is as a Panthers fan I'd just love to see our defense knock out Tom Brady or any other elite quarterback or offensive weapon we faced weekly if that would lead to us winning the game. But, on the flip I would hate it if that happened to Cam or Smitty. The Saints got caught and I hate that they targeted Cam, but this isn't anything new. I guarantee you that we've had similar bounties. Let's not be hypocrites.
Huricane CAMNITRA, bad mojo nawoleeen, shuda nown betta !!!
Why didnt Joe Blow Person ask his hero Cecil Newton ( and son ) where that 200,000 cash was spent or if he was paying it back?
Like they say the apple never falls far from the tree .... espec is this case ...
I didn't see a late hit or even a penalty on the play. The refs didn't either. Bounty meant nothing on the play.
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