NFL: Saints used illegal player bounty program

[polamalubeast]

An NFL investigation has found that more than 20 Saints defensive players and at least one coach participated in a program which placed bounties on opponents.

Former New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams celebrates with linebacker Jonathan Vilma during a game in 2009.


Former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams administered the program with knowledge of other defensive coaches. Bounty money was provided for primarily by players.

The investigation revealed that the money pool reached $50,000 or more during the 2009 playoffs, and players were paid $1,500 for a "knockout" and $1,000 for a "cart-off" with payouts doubling or tripling during the playoffs.


read more

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2012/03/nfl-saints-used-illegal-player-bounty-program/1?csp=34sports&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TP-TheHuddle+%28Sports+-+The+Huddle%29

[polamalubeast]

Pro Football Weekly
Goodell says investigation began in early 2010 after allegations that #Saints had targeted opponents, including Kurt Warner and Brett Favre.


https://twitter.com/#!/ProFootballWkly/status/175678861730791424

[st33lersguy]

It is not the Steelers so the Saints will get off light

P.S. I laughed when Goofdell said he is trying to preserve the integrity of the game

[fansince'76]

How about the bounties on Ward and Mendenhall that Terrell Suggs bragged about on the radio back in 2008? :noidea:

[tube517]

How about the bounties on Ward and Mendenhall that Terrell Suggs bragged about on the radio back in 2008? :noidea:

Tapes were destoyed over any mention of that. :coffee:

[oneforthetoe]

Harrison gets ........
Patriots get ..........

[steeldevil]

Maybe Goodell will cover this up like he did the Pats tapes...

Prob not though.

This is bad for the Saints if Goodell does not cover it up. Its not really cheating like the Pats I guess, but its bad in a different way.

Cheap is what I would term it as.

"We can't beat you straight up, so we're gonna just try to knock out your players" is basically what it boils down to...

[Count Steeler]

Well, the Saints ain't so Saintly. Can't wait to see the conclusion to this one, Roger.

[steelerdude15]

I never liked Gregg Williams because he did have that attitude of kill everyone, but this takes it to a new level.

[stillers4me]

Didn't James get fined for hitting Brees once back then?

[steelerdude15]

Looking at different Saints forums, some are really upset and disappointed in the team while others are criticizing Goodell and saying all teams do this.

[polamalubeast]

Statement from Gregg Williams:


I want to express my sincere regret and apology to the NFL, Mr. Benson, and the New Orleans Saints fans for my participation in the ‘pay for performance’ program while I was with the Saints. It was a terrible mistake and we knew it was wrong while we were doing it. Instead of getting caught up in it, I should have stopped it. I have learned a hard lesson and I guarantee that I will never participate in or allow this kind of activity to happen again.


https://twitter.com/ProFootballWkly

[vader29]

We can now scratch the Saints off the list as a possible opening night opponent for the Giants.

[vader29]

Gregg Williams had a bounty system when he was with the Redskins also:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/new-orleans-saints-had-bounty-system-that-paid-for-injuring-opponents-nfl-announces/2012/03/02/gIQAPNDDnR_blog.html

[ALLD]

Team should receive a major fine and loss of a draft pick. Coach should be fined and suspended from the NFL. Goodell will screw it up.

[smokin3000gt]

$1000 for a cart off? Talk about garbage. I can't stand that team and TBO I don't hold their fan base in high regard after all the rape and pillaging that went on during Katrina. If this was really Williams 2nd offense then I think Roger ''baby dick'' Goodell will make an example out of him.

[BlacknGoldBabe]

It is not the Steelers so the Saints will get off light

P.S. I laughed when Goofdell said he is trying to preserve the integrity of the game

Integrity?!?!?! I think that when Goodhell took over that all illusions of such a lofty ideal were up in smoke like 70's bong pipes.

[polamalubeast]

Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints had bounty systems that paid for big hits [updated]

By Mark Maske


[UPDATED at 6 p.m. EST]

The Washington Redskins had a bounty system for big hits on opponents under former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams that was similar to the one revealed by an NFL investigation of the New Orleans Saints, four players who played under Williams said Friday.


read more

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/new-orleans-saints-had-bounty-system-that-paid-for-injuring-opponents-nfl-announces/2012/03/02/gIQAPNDDnR_blog.html?tid=sm_twitter_washingtonpost .

[86WARD]

Goes on all over the league. Harrison probably has collected a good amount of bounties...lol. He's probably in positive numbers compared to his fines...

[Godfather]

Did any bounties ever get paid? When I think hard hitting defense, the Saints don't exactly come to mind.

This story is being met with guffaws on some of the local message boards.

[polamalubeast]

Back in Sept. 2011, Dungy traced Peyton's neck injury to an '06 game vs. the Skins. Yep, Gregg Williams was the DC


http://eye-on-football.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22475988/35067638

[polamalubeast]

When I think hard hitting defense, the Saints don't exactly come to mind.

.


Just remember the game against Brett Favre and the Vikings in the 2009 playoffs!....

[steelerdude15]

From what I understand, Goodell is going to come down hard on them, which he should.

[fansince'76]

Didn't James get fined for hitting Brees once back then?

Yes.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvfmN50ECQs



Harrison got tagged $20K for that, so Der Kommissar BETTER come down HARD on the Saints. Something tells me he won't, though.

[X-Terminator]

Goes on all over the league. Harrison probably has collected a good amount of bounties...lol. He's probably in positive numbers compared to his fines...

None of those other teams were dumb enough to get caught, though. I'm sure most fans would have thought the Steelers would be the ones getting caught with this kind of program, but they just pretty much tell you up front that they're going to kick your balls through the top of your head.

[Butch]

How about the bounties on Ward and Mendenhall that Terrell Suggs bragged about on the radio back in 2008? :noidea:

Yep thought the same thing. Because it was against 2 Steelers "Go To Hell" turned the other cheek and then pitched in his own funds to double whatever the team was offering.

[Butch]

Yes.Harrison got tagged $20K for that, so Der Kommissar BETTER come down HARD on the Saints. Something tells me he won't, though.

Again coming down hard is an elusive term look how he handled spygate. Don't know how the saints fall in the pecking order but guess we will find out. Remember he fined James $75,000 for a hit he ("Go To Hell") deemed a finable hit.

[smokin3000gt]

Just remember the game against Brett Favre and the Vikings in the 2009 playoffs!....

that game was brutal!

[suitanim]

The funny thing about this is nobody in the league would ever consider the Saints an overly agreesive or intimidating team. So even with incentives they wer basically just like every other average team in that regard.

Could you imagine if the STEELERS encouraged this with the hitters and studs on the team?

[86WARD]

I'm sure they were. It probably happens on every team.

[Iron Steeler]

You think they will lose a dra
ft pick?

[ShutDown24]

The Saints should lose the use of their franchise tag for the season, first round draft pick and suffer a massive fine.

Gregg Williams should be fined and suspended for the year without pay.

There is no place for this in the game. I don't think this is an "every team does it" situation. I'm sure it happens some around the league (Baltimore), but it sounds like Gregg Williams officially installs it into his defensive strategy. Anything less than the most strict of penalties will be unacceptable. Williams and any player who abided by his bounty system are absolute garbage.

[stillers4me]

James gladly brings the hurt for free...as a matter of fact, he pays to do it! :lol:

[BigNastyDefense]

The thing is, these were cash payments made to players, really hard to trace. However, I do not agree with paying bounties to players for big hits and inflicting bodily harm.

But, the NFL is a league full of violent, bone crushing hits on a weekly basis. Injuries happen, it's part of playing the game on both sides of the ball. Most defensive players want to hit a guy and knock him out of the game if he's a top performer, with or without a bounty to do so.

A couple of years ago James Harrison said it best, "I don't want to injure anybody, but I am not opposed to hurting someone." If you hit a guy hard enough, he's going to think twice about wanting to come in or playing as hard.

However, what the Patriots did was blatant cheating and that was swept under the rug and deemed okay by Goodell. There were fines and the stripping of a draft pick (the 32nd overall, the Patriots were allowed to keep their higher draft pick that they received in a trade), but no suspensions.

But this involves actually playing defense, and Goodell hates defense....so suspect there to be heavy fines and suspensions. But I don't expect the Loomis (Saints GM) or head coach Sean Payton to be fired over this.

[86WARD]

None of those other teams were dumb enough to get caught, though. I'm sure most fans would have thought the Steelers would be the ones getting caught with this kind of program, but they just pretty much tell you up front that they're going to kick your balls through the top of your head.

true dat!!!

[86WARD]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-0304-bowen-nfl--20120304,0,4015992.column

[86WARD]

I think it was pretty obvious from this sideline shot...right under the leagues nose...

http://www.theheckler.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-01-payton-fett-dog1.jpg

[JayC]

that should be at least a 1st round pick taken. you know we'd be losing a 1st rounder if it was the steelers

[tube517]

I think it was pretty obvious from this sideline shot...right under the leagues nose...

http://www.theheckler.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-01-payton-fett-dog1.jpg

:rofl2: Boba and Dog

[steelerdude15]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-0304-bowen-nfl--20120304,0,4015992.column

Doesn't surprise me that it happens all over the league.

[polamalubeast]

Pictures of Brett Favre’s Ankle and Thigh Injury after the saints game

http://backseatfan.com/2010/02/brett-favre-injury-pictures/

[Shoes]

James gladly brings the hurt for free...as a matter of fact, he pays to do it! :lol:

:chuckle:

[steelerdude15]

Pictures of Brett Favre’s Ankle and Thigh Injury after the saints game

http://backseatfan.com/2010/02/brett-favre-injury-pictures/

Those are ugly. I'm all up for football being an ugly and violent game, but when stuff like this happens, it angers me.

[steelreserve]

Pictures of Brett Favre’s Ankle and Thigh Injury after the saints game

http://backseatfan.com/2010/02/brett-favre-injury-pictures/

That's nothing, you should see the ones of his cock.

[XxKnightxX]

Should have seen the signs.
http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/529454828.jpg?key=607420&Expires=1330903423&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=xNubuSN2u5UjmCmG1Ynkll09OaMIs-oslElIHPXMnK5vU7~Wt1J~-Nchr8Hiyek-3De495mr7QpD6Lv2mCSoeHvegKrIP-nCKTl1qy4yTnDz0IeOyxL31kXELvaXzPlvwFj8yKl19elZS9Us KdO9wApR9XuMIymJ6YI6Glt-how_

[86WARD]

http://i39.tinypic.com/hs9eub.png

[steelerdude15]

NFL calls Williams to N.Y. for Monday meeting about bounties

The source said Williams will talk with NFL general counsel Jeff Pash and security officials Joe Hummel and Jeff Miller. The summit was termed a "meeting" rather than a "hearing," according to the source.

The parties will continue to discuss Williams' violations in New Orleans and review his time as a coach in Tennessee, Buffalo, Washington and Jacksonville. Since the NFL first revealed the results of its investigation Friday, reports have surfaced about alleged "bounty" programs in Buffalo and Washington, though players who worked with Williams in Tennessee and Jacksonville have denied he used such a system with them.

Potential discipline, which likely will be significant, isn't expected to be discussed with Williams at Monday's meeting. And Williams, according to a league source, has been a "stand-up guy" through this phase of the process, after being more evasive with NFL officials in the past.

Read More: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8275fe80/article/nfl-calls-williams-to-ny-for-monday-meeting-about-bounties?module=HP11_cp

Someone is in big trouble...

[O'Malley]

I think they're opening a can of worms here that may be a league wide black eye... Wouldn't be surprised if every team had their own "bounty" system set up.. This has been going on for years and is no surprise to me. Goodell could unknowingly bring down the league in one fail swoop right here.. Don't be surprised if this blows the league wide open... How many teams could this effect? Might be all 32, might not.. But this may be a can that should have been left closed!!!!

[steeldevil]

It so funny how this is gonna be a huge ass deal, but Spygate was swept under the rug...

[XxKnightxX]

It so funny how this is gonna be a huge ass deal, but Spygate was swept under the rug...

did you expect anything less. Its all people in suits behind desks who are doing the damage control for the pats in 07 and if the league decided to fully go after the Pats* then they would bring down the league with them as they will lose major credibility.

[steeldevil]

did you expect anything less. Its all people in suits behind desks who are doing the damage control for the pats in 07 and if the league decided to fully go after the Pats* then they would bring down the league with them as they will lose major credibility.

The league coming down hard on the Saints and looking for evidence other teams do this could bring down the league reputation just as much. How is it gonna look if half the teams or more do this?

In other words from the PR perspective, digging up dirt on this subject would hurt the league more than digging up dirt on spygate. Most people dont care about taping practices, that doesn't hurt anyone physically. This bounty thing involves hurting people. The general population won't like that very much.

But the taping of other teams is worse in terms of CHEATING THE GAME. You can accidentally hurt the other team's qb even without bounties. You cannot accidentally tape another team's practice before the Super Bowl and use that info to gain advantages....

[O'Malley]

The league coming down hard on the Saints and looking for evidence other teams do this could bring down the league reputation just as much. How is it gonna look if half the teams or more do this?

In other words from the PR perspective, digging up dirt on this subject would hurt the league more than digging up dirt on spygate. Most people dont care about taping practices, that doesn't hurt anyone physically. This bounty thing involves hurting people. The general population won't like that very much.

But the taping of other teams is worse in terms of CHEATING THE GAME. You can accidentally hurt the other team's qb even without bounties. You cannot accidentally tape another team's practice before the Super Bowl and use that info to gain advantages....

Pesonally I care more about cheating then hurting people!!! Players get hurt every single game(intentionally or not)! Teams don't cheat every single game! The Patriots*** cheated and evidence got swept under the rug.. This is not even a 10th of a percent as bad as what the Patrots*** did!!! There were bounties in the 70's,80's,90's,now in the 2000's... Big freaking deal! Not like they won 3 Super Bowls due to a bounty system.. The Patriots*** won 3 Super Bowls by blantantly cheating and got caught and barely a slap on the wrist! This is not even close to what they did... Something else must have been discovered and this is a cover for that, because this is not the first time a bounty system has been discovered and will not be the last time either... Down play what the Patriots*** did, but I am one of the many whom will never forget.. Note they have yet to win one since or before Spygate!!!!

[BigNastyDefense]

http://blackngoldreport.blogspot.com/2012/03/bounty-hunters.html


First, let me say that I do not agree with any bounty program on any team in the National Football League. I feel that they encourage the intent to injure a player instead of simply putting the hurt on a player. And let me explain what I mean.

"I don't want to injure anybody, but I am not opposed to hurting someone." - James Harrison
Hurting someone it hitting them hard enough to cause them physical pain. Make them sore. Make a running back think twice about hitting that hole hard, a wide receiver think twice about going across the middle, or a quarterback holding onto the ball a bit longer than he would want to. I do not mean breaking a guy's leg, giving a guy a concussion, tearing up someone's knee, or intentionally causing injury worse than bruises and bumps that come naturally with playing the sport of tackle football.

[BigNastyDefense]

Pesonally I care more about cheating then hurting people!!! Players get hurt every single game(intentionally or not)! Teams don't cheat every single game! The Patriots*** cheated and evidence got swept under the rug.. This is not even a 10th of a percent as bad as what the Patrots*** did!!! There were bounties in the 70's,80's,90's,now in the 2000's... Big freaking deal! Not like they won 3 Super Bowls due to a bounty system.. The Patriots*** won 3 Super Bowls by blantantly cheating and got caught and barely a slap on the wrist! This is not even close to what they did... Something else must have been discovered and this is a cover for that, because this is not the first time a bounty system has been discovered and will not be the last time either... Down play what the Patriots*** did, but I am one of the many whom will never forget.. Note they have yet to win one since or before Spygate!!!!

I think the issue here is that the Saints were specifically told to put an end to the bounty system and they didn't do so, they let it go on business as normal.

I agree, what the Patriots did was much worse. But this is going to be dealt with more severely because it makes the NFL looks like a blood sport, and Goodell cannot let that happen. And while I normally don't agree with that douchnozzle, the league cannot make it look like this will be allowed because of all of the negative things that can happen to the league if that perception is allowed to permeate.

[O'Malley]

I think the issue here is that the Saints were specifically told to put an end to the bounty system and they didn't do so, they let it go on business as normal.

I agree, what the Patriots did was much worse. But this is going to be dealt with more severely because it makes the NFL looks like a blood sport, and Goodell cannot let that happen. And while I normally don't agree with that douchnozzle, the league cannot make it look like this will be allowed because of all of the negative things that can happen to the league if that perception is allowed to permeate.

Just another excuse to make the game more offensive oriented... Just another excuse to dole out fines for great hits... One step closer to flag football... Goodell is making football a thing of the past. I for one don't like Basketball, and this is what football is becoming. Basketball on a football field.. I could care less if there is a bounty system... Football needs the violence put back in to it. It's just the sign of the times and how sissyfied the world has become.. Air bags in cars.. Kids wearing helmets on their bikes.. Parents with leashes on their kids etc.... It's a womans world and hopefully coming to an end!! I for one have had enough of it.. I still drive a 1971 Buick GS 455 could care less that I get 12 miles to the gallon in the city and 18 on the highway.. Could care less if my car is not green.. Can't replace the feeling of 400 hp and 510 foot pounds of torque... No air bags, lap belts that I only wear if I get pulled over.. What I'm trying to say is our world is now cotton candy, bubble gum, rainbow, I have feelings, don't say this, don't say that, talk shit because you can't touch me, Unicorn and gum drops, save the planet(but it's already to late) crap.:rant:Sorry my rant is over...

[BlacknGoldBabe]

Well O'Malley, I'm a woman and CANNOT stand what football has become. I watched the game the way it was supposed to played back in the 70's when unnecessary roughness wasn't called half the time and a head slap was the norm.

Goodhell and his bunch of whiney-assed pansies need to take a long jump off a short pier into a very deep ocean.

This is now officially the end of my rant!

[O'Malley]

Well O'Malley, I'm a woman and CANNOT stand what football has become. I watched the game the way it was supposed to played back in the 70's when unnecessary roughness wasn't called half the time and a head slap was the norm.

Goodhell and his bunch of whiney-assed pansies need to take a long jump off a short pier into a very deep ocean.

This is now officially the end of my rant!

Nice!!! Your old school, I love it!!

[Butch]

I think the issue here is that the Saints were specifically told to put an end to the bounty system and they didn't do so, they let it go on business as normal.

I agree, what the Patriots did was much worse. But this is going to be dealt with more severely because it makes the NFL looks like a blood sport, and Goodell cannot let that happen. And while I normally don't agree with that douchnozzle, the league cannot make it look like this will be allowed because of all of the negative things that can happen to the league if that perception is allowed to permeate.

The patriots were told directly as well and they didn't heed the warning either. What they did was worse by far and they barely got a slap on the wrist.

[Butch]

Pesonally I care more about cheating then hurting people!!! Players get hurt every single game(intentionally or not)! Teams don't cheat every single game! The Patriots*** cheated and evidence got swept under the rug.. This is not even a 10th of a percent as bad as what the Patrots*** did!!! There were bounties in the 70's,80's,90's,now in the 2000's... Big freaking deal! Not like they won 3 Super Bowls due to a bounty system.. The Patriots*** won 3 Super Bowls by blantantly cheating and got caught and barely a slap on the wrist! This is not even close to what they did... Something else must have been discovered and this is a cover for that, because this is not the first time a bounty system has been discovered and will not be the last time either... Down play what the Patriots*** did, but I am one of the many whom will never forget.. Note they have yet to win one since or before Spygate!!!!

As spanky from the little rascles would say..."And how!!!"

For those who are to young to know what I am sayin'...it means Amen!!!