Saints Players Next to be Punished?
Added on Mar 26, 2012 by Scott in
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Last week’s unprecedented suspensions levied against the New Orleans Saints coaches and organization for participating in an illegal “Bounty” program has left the team in utter disarray. With Sean Payton banned for the season and assistant head coach Joe Vitt forced to sit six games, a gaping hole in leadership remains. As troubling as the scenario is, it will likely get much worse once Roger Goodell targets current Saints players for their role in the “pay-for-play” system.
A reported 22-27 players have been identified as being participants in the bounty program, including defensive captain Jonathan Vilma, who allegedly put up $10,000 to knock out Vikings quarterback Brett Favre in the 2010 NFC title game. Thus far, he’s the only player to be revealed in the league investigation, but a number of current and ex-Saints are bracing for the hammer to be dropped.
Goodell has been mum on who will be punished and what form of punishment will be handed out. The Saints inked free agent linebacker Curtis Lofton to a five-year deal over the weekend as insurance for Vilma should he be suspended for a significant amount of time. One to four games for each of the guilty parties is standard, although longer suspensions are possible considering the gravity of the situation.
The players are definitely culpable. If Goodell wants to send a clear message to present and future athletes that paid bonuses for violent hits won’t be tolerated, then he’ll lower the boom on those implicated. The players were obviously pressured into participating in the program, but that shouldn’t excuse their behavior. Delivering a hard, aggressive hit is one thing. Purposely attempting to injure opponents in order to fatten the wallet is troubling, to say the least.
Should several current Saints be docked multiple games, the 2012 season might be over before it starts. In a conference that includes the last two Super Bowl champs and a host of potential contenders, New Orleans is staring at a deserved uphill climb.
Source: PFW
