'dem Saints Heads Rolled...

[preach4bass]

Mr. Goodell don't play. What do ya'll think? Does the punishment fit the crime, or is it too harsh?

[jeremyt]

I'm not sure that I agree. I am not a Saints fan first and foremost, but that being said I can see it because of players health and careers being jepordized. The thing I have a problem with is that the Patriots were basically given a slap on the hand for the whole "spygate" scandal. I know spygate wasn't putting players health at risk, but I thought Goodell was quoted to say that it was due to the integrity of the game. If thats the case then I don't feel the punishment fits the crime.

Just my humble opinion on the subject.

[Lund Explorer]

Williams, the guy that this whole thing revolved around no matter what team he was with, gets bannished. No specific time period, so it will be at least more than the year Payton gets. Fine with me.

Payton sidelined for a year without pay, supposedly due to lying to the NFL about what was going on? Maybe a little too harsh.

What did the other coaches that Williams worked for get?

[Glenn]

I think it's absolutely the right thing to do. Goodell learned from "spygate" that if he didn't send a strong, clear signal to the owners, then they won't take heed. Today's actions essentially took the Saints out of the running for the season - a fate no franchise wants.

Clearly this sent a very strong message to all owners: If you're doing this, stop yesterday! Doubtful any of them will even think about continuing this practice.

Well done.

[5bass]

Full break down of penalties:

• Saints coach Sean Payton suspended without pay for 2012 season, effective April 1.

• Ex-Saints (and current Rams) defensive coordinator Gregg Williams suspended indefinitely, effective immediately. Commissioner Roger Goodell will review Williams' status at conclusion of '12 season.

• Saints fined $500,000.

• Saints forfeit second-round picks in the '12 and '13 NFL drafts.

• Saints GM Mickey Loomis suspended without pay for first eight regular-season games of the '12 season.

• Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt is suspended without pay for the first six regular-season games of the 2012 season.

• The Saints, individuals disciplined are expected to participate in efforts to develop programs that will instruct on:

-- Respect for game and those who participate in it

-- Principles of fair play, safety and sportsmanship

-- Ensure bounties will not be part of football at any level

The SMACKDOWN has been applied to the Saints!!

[5bass]

The Saints allegedly had bounties on Cam Newton, Brett Favre, Kurt Warner, Jay Cutler and a few others.

[Gone_Phishin]

I'm not saying I disagree with the punishment for the Saints, but given the severity, I believe the pats should have received a harsher punishment for spygate.

[5bass]

I'm not saying I disagree with the punishment for the Saints, but given the severity, I believe the pats should have received a harsher punishment for spygate.

Was Goodell the commish then? I cant remember.

[Gone_Phishin]

Was Goodell the commish then? I cant remember.

Yup. He assumed office Sept. 1, 2006. Spygate was 07-08, as the pats lost their first round pick in the 2008 draft.

[deaknh03]

The Pats skated because of 2 reasons. Kraft is arguably the most influential owner in the NFL, and the taping that was going on was being done by every single team, admittedly, and for many years, probably since the invention of the camcorder. That being said, bounties have been a part of the game forever, I think the lying and the fact that Benson is not as influential as Kraft got the Aints a much stiffer penalty.

[Gone_Phishin]

Agreed. Apparently the Saints have been giving the commissioner's office quite a run-around. I'm sure it really ticked the big man off.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Simple fact is they got caught and were told to stop by the NFL. For some stupid reason they didn't. Insert ban hammer here. Supposedly Payton was still trying to weasel out of it when the commish interviewed him. I agree with the punishment based on those facts alone. Definitely not going to be a good year in Saints land.

I'd roll over laughing if they still won it all this year.

[K_Mac]

I don't know if the punishments fit the crime or not. I do think sending a message that rewarding intentionally hurting a member of the opposing team won't be tolerated, was the right thing to do. Football is a violent game, but physical injury is not the goal. We live in a culture that says winning is the only thing that matters. I applaud NFL management for trying to protect the integrity of the game. Many of us still think integrity matters.

[roadwarrior]

The Saint's won't do squat.

I hope Saints fans kept their Ain'ts sacks.

The punishment isn't enough for me. $500k...

How 'bout their share of the entire season?

[Jake P]

For anyone questioning the punishment given to the saints and or comparing it to the pats spying is ridicolous. The punishment is fit in every way. The difference betwene the 2 is day and night. The pats were spying to gain a competetive edge. The saints had bounties on players heads to HURT them and take them out of a game on a STRETCHER. They are 2 different offenses that get 2 different penalties. HUGE difference.

You want to raise your kids on a game that is supposed to teach sportsmanship and discipline and respect? Or a game where the objective is to hurt someone so bad that they cant play? Football is a rough and aggressive sport and thats why we love it. Sure every player wants to get that big hit. I have listened to 10 different db's and linebackers on my local radio show where they have discussed this issue and they all say the same thing. Of course we would throw a couple hundred in a hat and whoever got the biggest hit would get the cash. But we never said instead of a big hit, take this guys knee out and try to break his leg.

I think Goodell made his stance very clear. He threw out a massive punishment to set an example so it wont happen anymore, or not as often. Now everyone knows, even if you dont participate but you know what is going on you will get heavily punished. I think his punishment is fair and just.

If a coach or player is in the NFL to hurt someone intentionally and get paid for it they ought to be tossed out for good. I still want to see big hits when they are true highlight reel plays. But i dont want to see a 6'6" linebacker weighing 270 lbs running a 4.9 40 trying to literally break someones neck for a few extra thousand when he is already making 25 mill.

[grimlin]

I don't think it's enough either...they should have been fired and never allowed back into NFL period. And the saints should have been auctioned off.

Why you think I hate the Saints so much?

[ww2farmer]

Bye bye moobs...you were one of the reasons the Bills have stunk for so long....good ridence.

[preach4bass]

*Bump

With the latest accusations, I move that the Saints be kicked out of the NFL and be replaced by one of the other high-paying professional teams in the South East (Alabama, LSU, Florida, etc.).

Seriously, what is Godell going to do now? More fines? More suspensions? Hand down a lifetime ban? Force the entire organization to walk around downtown New Orleans wearing T-shirts that say, "I love BP"?

[Raider Nation Fisher]

*Bump

With the latest accusations, I move that the Saints be kicked out of the NFL and be replaced by one of the other high-paying professional teams in the South East (Alabama, LSU, Florida, etc.).

Seriously, what is Godell going to do now? More fines? More suspensions? Hand down a lifetime ban? Force the entire organization to walk around downtown New Orleans wearing T-shirts that say, "I love BP"?

I vote for the "I Love BP" tshirts. That would be pure and unadulterated chaos and fury.

[deaknh03]

They are just that, accusations. Probably never to be proven, and they don't really make sense either.

[5bass]

I heard the Saints have made moves to bring charges against the person accusing them of eavesdropping/spying, so in that aspect, it seems they have nothing to hide. If it's true, I bet Goodell lays the absolute smackdown on Mickey Loomis. His punishment will probably make Sean Payton's suspension look like a 1 week vacation if all this is true. But, nothing has been proven just yet so I'll just wait and see what happens.

[Jake P]

I heard the Saints have made moves to bring charges against the person accusing them of eavesdropping/spying, so in that aspect, it seems they have nothing to hide. If it's true, I bet Goodell lays the absolute smackdown on Mickey Loomis. His punishment will probably make Sean Payton's suspension look like a 1 week vacation if all this is true. But, nothing has been proven just yet so I'll just wait and see what happens.

This whole story is a mess with a bunch of holes in it already. ESPN broke this story without concrete evidence. I seriously doubt this happened for a number of reasons. When saints members were questioned about the bounty system they seemed reluctant to deny it. Every person with the saints that has been questioned about this has vehementley denied it over and over. I would like to think with as much trouble as they are already in, they wouldnt deny it because if it is true it will eventually be uncovered. Also, the saints record for the multiple seasons that were played while the supposed "tap" was installed is about a 500 average. You think they would have done a little better knowing every play the opposing team is about to make. I think espn jumped into something a little to quick for once!!