Paying for the Bounty

NFL Commissioner Goodell rejected the appeals of Payton, Loomis, and Vitt. In doing so, Commissioner Goodell upheld the punishments meted out to the New Orleans Saints franchise: 1 year suspension (beginning this coming Monday through the Superbowl to be held in New Orleans in 2013) for Coach Sean Payton, 8 game suspension (beginning after the preseason) for general manager Mickey Loomis, 6 game suspension (beginning after the preseason) for assistant head coach Joe Vitt, a $500k fine for the New Orleans Saints franchise, loss of 2^nd round picks for this (2012) draft, and loss of 2^nd round picks for next (2013) year. There are no additional financial fines being given out to Coach Payton, GM Loomis, or Assistant Vitt, but they will not receive their salaries while serving their suspensions. Former Saints Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams who moved on to the St. Louis Rams a few months ago at the end of the season is indefinitely suspended, and will (hopefully) never coach or hold a position of power or leadership or influence in the NFL or any football arena ever again.

Overall, I am very pleased with Commissioner Goodell upholding the original decisions, and I hope that players, coaches, staff, franchises, etc. will be more aware of and understanding about the long-term impact that dirty play has in the life of players on the receiving end.

I am also pleased, though with mixed emotions, that Commissioner Goodell is willing to work with the Saints in a way that may enable them to earn back their 2^nd round draft picks in 2013. While I am encouraged his willingness to reward the Saints for good behavior, I would have preferred he work with them in the future, not using the existing punishments for past bad behavior as items that may be changed with future good behavior.

And now they have to decide what they’re going to do in terms of coaching. Who are they going to get to step into the role of head coach? And is the understanding that the position is for sure only one year, or is there a possibility of ousting Payton if they have an incredibly first year? I’m sure that Payton’s contract would protect him until the conclusion of his contract, but after that, there may be a real possibility that his contract may not be renewed and the interim coach may be installed. Convoluted and far off? Sure. But possible? Indeed. No matter what they do, they better do it quickly so that the interim head coach can get established, meet with the players and staff, and prepare the staff and players mentally and physically for the offseason, regular season, and, if they’re lucky, postseason.

And as for the players who may get individual punishments, either internal or civil, I’m sure there is a ton of anxiety and fear. And, if they’re smart, some re-structuring of their assets so that their loved ones can hold onto the whatever money and assets that they currently have. Maybe do some planning for the future in case they don’t make it out of this un-scathed. And their current teams (if they’ve been traded, etc.) will also be looking for possible replacements for some of the suspected individuals (and even those individuals who did nothing wrong but who were still on the Saints team during the bounty years 2009 – 2011) in case those individuals are no longer able to play. I wonder how much this will shake up the draft this year. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/09/saints-bounty-punishments-upheld-roger-goodell_n_1412706.html?ref=sports