NFL Drops the HAMMER on the Saints

[Bonecrusher#31]

Sean Payton stunned by suspension: “I’m not OK”
Posted by Michael David Smith on March 21, 2012, 1:28 PM EDT


Saints coach Sean Payton was shocked to find out today that he has been banished from the NFL for the entire 2012 season for his team’s bounty scandal.

Jay Glazer said on NFL Network that he interviewed Payton immediately after the news came down, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s punishment is far more severe than Payton was expecting.

“I did talk to him and he’s stunned to say the least,” Glazer said. “I think the entire team thought maybe there’d be a four-game suspension, but not a year. I said, ‘Are you OK?’ And he said, ‘No, I’m not OK.’ He is stunned. He’s going to lose about $8 million. He is beside himself here.”

Glazer reports that Payton’s plan for the four-game suspension he had braced himself for was to have assistant head coach/linebackers coach Joe Vitt take over as interim head coach while Payton served the suspension. But that plan is now out the window because Vitt has been suspended six games for his own role in the bounty scandal.

The Saints may now have either offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael or former Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo, who was slated to replace Gregg Williams as defensive coordinator, step in as the head coach.

 

[Bonecrusher#31]

Goodell sends “strong and lasting message” via discipline of Saints
Posted by Mike Florio on March 21, 2012, 1:24 PM EDT


The NFL has released its official announcement regarding the penalties imposed as a result of the Saints’ three-year system of paying defensive players for, among other things, trying to injure opposing players.

The league imposed significant penalties against coach Sean Payton, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, and G.M. Mickey Loomis, and for good reason. Commissioner Roger Goodell wants to be sure this never happens again.

“We are all accountable and responsible for player health and safety and the integrity of the game,” Goodell said in the league-issued release. “We will not tolerate conduct or a culture that undermines those priorities. No one is above the game or the rules that govern it. Respect for the game and the people who participate in it will not be compromised.”

“A combination of elements made this matter particularly unusual and egregious,” Goodell added. “When there is targeting of players for injury and cash rewards over a three-year period, the involvement of the coaching staff, and three years of denials and willful disrespect of the rules, a strong and lasting message must be sent that such conduct is totally unacceptable and has no place in the game. . . .

“Let me be clear. There is no place in the NFL for deliberately seeking to injure another player, let alone offering a reward for doing so. Any form of bounty is incompatible with our commitment to create a culture of sportsmanship, fairness, and safety. Programs of this kind have no place in our game and we are determined that bounties will no longer be a part of the NFL.”

To achieve this goal, Goodell has suspended coach Sean Payton for a full year, effective April 1. Former Saints defensive coordinator (and, for now, Rams defensive coordinator) Gregg Williams has been suspended indefinitely; his status will be reviewed after the 2012 season. Saints G.M. Mickey Loomis has been suspended eight games, and Saints assistant head coach/linebackers coach Joe Vitt has been suspended six games.

In comparison, the Saints organization got off light. Goodell fined the team only $500,000 and stripped a second-round pick in 2012 and a second-round pick in 2013.

Still, being denied the ability to rely on the man who led the team to a Super Bowl win three seasons ago and who has helped the Saints become competitive on a consistent basis will make it very difficult for the Saints to become the first team to ever qualify for a Super Bowl to be played in a team’s home stadium. Next February, Super Bowl XLVII will be played in the Superdome.

 

[cmd34]

That's rough.

I'm sure this punishment will accomplish it's goal of eliminating "bounties". If a coach or player even says the word now, someone in that organization is going to go off.

 

[UVAwahoos]

lol

This is so enjoyable. Saints fans must be going nuts on their message boards.

They should ask Hostile to speak with Goodell. Maybe he can breakthrough and get a reversal.

 

[dbair1967]

Eh. I hate the Aints, but this is bullshit by the league.

So paying some money for some big hits is a major felony, but out and out cheating (like the Pats did) is ok and receives basically a handslap.

Goodell is a joke.

 

[dbair1967]

We'd win the Super Bowl.

We might win it anyway.

 

[UVAwahoos]

So paying some money for some big hits is a major felony, but out and out cheating (like the Pats did) is ok and receives basically a handslap.

Lotta people are bringing up the same point.

 

[Midswat]

Different commisioner from when the pats were punished.

 

[UVAwahoos]

Why can't Garrett get indefinitely suspended. I'm jealous.

 

[cmd34]

Why can't Garrett get indefinitely suspended. I'm jealous.

I'd be more interested in seeing our General Manager getting suspended for 8 games. That moron wouldn't know what to do. I'm sure he'd still find a way to be on TV.

 

[dbair1967]

Different commisioner from when the pats were punished.

Are you sure, I thought I remember Goodell having something to do with this?

 

[Midswat]

Are you sure, I thought I remember Goodell having something to do with this?

You're probably right.

I was thinking Spygate was 10+ years ago. But it wasn't that long ago.

Nevermind.

 

[Cr122]

It sucks to be a Saints fan.

 

[marionbarberthe4th]

This is a whe different can of worms than spygate. The NFL doesn't need any more brain damage lawsuits, that's the only thing that can turn people off to the NFL.

 

[Bonecrusher#31]

Drew Brees “speechless,” wants an explanation
Posted by Michael David Smith on March 21, 2012, 2:35 PM EDT

Saints coach Sean Payton isn’t the only one who’s beside himself that he was banned from the NFL for the year.

The Saints’ biggest star, Drew Brees, took to Twitter after the punishment for the team’s bounty scandal was announced, and he couldn’t believe it.

“I am speechless,” Brees wrote. “Sean Payton is a great man, coach, and mentor. The best there is. I need to hear an explanation for this punishment.”

If Brees wants an explanation, he only needs to read the NFL’s announcement on bounty discipline, which details what Payton did — and what Payton failed to do — regarding the bounty scandal. Brees doesn’t have to agree with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s decision, but Goodell has already given an explanation.

The big question now is how this will affect Brees going forward. Brees is a free agent tagged with the exclusive franchise tender, which means he’s not under contract with the Saints but isn’t allowed to negotiate a contract with any other team, either. Brees was already reluctant to sign the exclusive tender offer, and he’s surely going to be even more reluctant now that his beloved head coach won’t be there.

If this makes Brees less willing to sign with the Saints, then the news is only getting worse in New Orleans.

 

[Sheik]

We might win it anyway.

lol

First successful joke. Better print it out and frame it.

 

[peplaw06]

You're probably right.

I was thinking Spygate was 10+ years ago. But it wasn't that long ago.

Nevermind.

It was just when Goodell was a baby dictator... Like a pre-pubescent Stalin. Now he's full bore dictator.

 

[cmd34]

lol

First successful joke. Better print it out and frame it.

Oh no, he was dead serious.

P.S. don't encourage him.

 

[marionbarberthe4th]

Former Saint Joe Horn says EVERY NFL team has a program like the Saints bounty program. Says in KC and ATL players were paid for cart offs.

Every team loses every draft pick

 

[Midswat]

Except for Dallas 'cause we never lay big hits.