NFL Comes Down Hard On Saints

by Dugald Skene

The NFL today revealed the sanctions it was imposing on the New Orleans Saints following the revelations that defensive players were being rewarded form a bounty fund for deliberately inflicting injury on opposition players.

When releasing their findings the NFL stated that between 22 and 27 defensive players were involved in the bounty system and rewarded by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams (now at St Louis Rams).  It is believed the bounty fund amounted to up to $50,000.

The New Orleans Saints have been heavily punished by the NFL

The NFL have come down hard on the Saints, with commissioner Goodell announcing today that head coach Sean Payton will be suspended for 1 year effective from April 1st after it was found he was in cahoots about the incentive scheme throughout the 3 years it was in place.  Assistant coach Joe Vitt has been suspended for 6 games without pay and fined an additional $100,000.  The Saints have also lost their second round Draft picks for both this year and 2013.  For a team that builds so specifically around the Draft, this is a major blow for the franchise.

The other penalties imposed on the team are as follows:

• The Saints are fined $500,000

• Saints general manager Mickey Loomis is suspended without pay for the first eight regular-season games of the 2012 season.

• Former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is suspended indefinitely from the NFL, effective immediately. Goodell will review Williams’ status at the conclusion of the 2012 season and consider whether to reinstate him, and, if so, on what terms. Goodell said he will give close attention to the extent to which Williams cooperates with the NFL in any further proceedings.

• The Saints and the individuals disciplined today are expected to participate in efforts led by the league office to develop programs that will instruct players and coaches at all levels of the game on the need for respect for the game and those who participate in it, on principles of fair play, safety and sportsmanship, and to ensure that bounties will not be part of football at any level.

• The NFL also said the involvement of players in the bounty program remain under investigation and Goodell will address possible discipline at a later date.

It represents just about the worst possible outcome for the Saints fans who have been waiting the last few weeks for todays verdicts.  Huge questions will be asked of the team over the next 12 months as they look to regroup following this news.  For one of the top teams with arguably the best quarterback in the league, things couldn't get much worse.