NFL spanks the New Orleans Saints for "Bountygate"

Commissioner suspends Coach Sean Peyton for 1 year without pay, suspends the GM Mickey Loomis for 1/2 a year and fines the Saints team/organization $500,000. Saints also lose a 2nd round draft pick for 2012 and 2013. Also, the NFL indefinitely suspends the former defensive coordinator.

Here is the story:

Sean Payton suspended

WOW. I'd have to say that's bigger news than Baby Jesus going to NY. Unfortunately, I would be the minority.

Extra pay for "Big Hits". So what does that phrase mean? Cheap shots? Illegal hits? Or just punishing hits that are perfectly legal?

If its (1) or (2) then I agree with the punishment. If its (3) I dont see what the big deal is.

apparently, they would get the bonus if their hit resulted in the player being carried off the field on a stretcher. I know that injuries can happen as a result of perfectly legal hits. But to pay someone for causing that injury is pretty low

The NFL supposedly put out letters to them two times during the season and knew what they were doing. They told them to cease and New Orleans said they did when they didn't.

I think much of this penalty is for the cover up and to set a grave example to all other teams that they better cease the practice.

Much ado about nothing - just like Watergate.

I think it may be because after N E pretty much got a slap on the wrist goodell is being a hardass on NO to prove hes not going to put with anything to tarnish his precious league ever again?

J

So deserved, to bad too, the Saints had a good rep until this scandal. The coaches should be ashamed of themselves. Suspension? They should be banned permanently, that would send a very clear message.

There was a bounty set......most defensive players, and most coaches took part. And let me make this clear.......DAMN SURE EVERY FRICKIN MEMBER OF THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS STAFF....WHETHER THAT BE TOWEL BOYS, TRAINERS, OFFENSE & DEFENSE KNEW ABOUT THIS BOUNTY !

Some of the bounties were on premier players....Rodgers and Favre from Green Bay among them. Let's damage their brains and knock them out of the game ! And collect some DOUGH !!!

Coaches and players got caught.....now the cover up starts. Let's get our "ducks in a row".....(sound familiar....Penn State fans ? ).....and deny said bounty.

Punishment doled out (lenient in my opinion) and now the fans (and some players) from down in the Big Easy are crying the blues. WwwwAaaaaaHhhhhhh.

Should send a VERY LOUD AND CLEAR MESSAGE to some of the other idiot coaches and players in the league. Intentional hits to do bodily harm and injury will not be tolerated.

In my opinion, New Orleans should be stripped of their franchise and said franchise awared to another city. I say give that NFL franchise to Little Rock, Memphis, or even Louisville !.