The NFL throws the book at the Saints

[Champ1432]

The NFL has decided what the punishments will be for the New Orleans Saints and their coaches and front office in the aftermath of the bounty paying incident.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7718136/sean-payton-new-orleans-saints-banned-one-year-bounties

Among the highlights:

- Head Coach Sean Payton suspended for an entire year

- Saints GM Mickey Loomis suspended for 8 regular season games

- Asst. Coach Joe Vitt suspended for six regular season games

- Former Saints assistant, now St. Louis assistant Gregg Williams suspended indefinitely

- Saints fined $500,000 and will forfeit two second round draft picks

This level of punishment for an entire franchise is unprecedented in many ways. As the article mentioned, Payton is the first NFL head coach suspended for any reason. The Saints are only the fourth team since 1980 to lose multiple draft picks for one violation. We haven't seen this level of punishment for an entire team in the NFL. It may be easier to look to the college football ranks to find similar punishments, such as the "death penalty" levied by the NCAA against SMU in 1987, or the various other postseason bans and years of probation given out to numerous teams since then.

Although the Saints have not been banned outright from the postseason, one has to think these penalties may lead to that outcome. Payton was the play caller for their offense, so losing him will no doubt have a large impact on how the team performs on game day. Of course, all their players are still there, including Drew Brees, one of the best QB's in the league. But one has to wonder how well the team is going to function, who will step into the lead role, etc.

The repercussions are not limited to New Orleans, however. The Rams are now without their defensive coordinator (one widely regarded as one of the best in the league) indefinitely. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he would review the situation regarding Williams after next season.

Obviously the league is sending the message that it will not tolerate any bounty systems to be in place on any team. Goodell has asked that each team certify in writing to the league office that there is no such system in place in their organization.

Some points for consideration:

How will this affect the Saints season this year? Do you think they will still make the playoffs?

Do you think this punishment will be effective in wiping out bounty systems in the league, or will they still operate in many places?

Do you think these sanctions are too harsh, too lenient, or about correct?

When, if ever, do you think Gregg Williams will be allowed to coach again? Will he be regarded differently then before?

 

[Big Sexy]

Today Roger Goodell handed out the punishments for the Saints bounty scandal and he certainly made a statement. The punishments are as follows:

-Saints lose 2nd round pick in 2012 and 2013
-Saints fined $500,000
-Saints GM Mickey Loomis suspended for first 8 games of 2012 season
-Sainst Head Coach Sean Payton suspended for the entire 2012 season, effective April 1
-Saints assistant coach Joe Vitt suspended for first 6 games of 2012 season
-Gregg Williams is suspended indefinitely, but no less then 1 year. His suspension will be reviewed after the 2012 season.

Sean Payton is the first head coach to ever be suspended for anything. With Payton out for the season and Assistant Head Coach Joe Vitt suspended for the first 6 games, Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael is likely to take over coaching duties for the season. Carmichael doesn't have any head coaching experience but this will be his 7th year with the Saints organization, the last 3 as O-Coordinator. I'm sure Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will also take a more expanded role in his first year with the Saints as he is coming to New Orleans after a 3 season stint as the Rams Head Coach.

Some questions for all of you:

Were the suspensions and penalties too hard, too lenient, or did they fit the crime?

What are your thoughts on Sean Payton being the first head coach ever suspended?

How is this going to affect the Saints upcoming season and the franchise as a whole?

 

[Megatron]

How will this affect the Saints season this year? Do you think they will still make the playoffs?

Do you think this punishment will be effective in wiping out bounty systems in the league, or will they still operate in many places?

Do you think these sanctions are too harsh, too lenient, or about correct?

When, if ever, do you think Gregg Williams will be allowed to coach again? Will he be regarded differently then before?

1. Tough to say with Payton out, but I do think they'll still be in playoff contention. They still have Brees and a top offense, and their D wasn't all that great last year with Williams at the helm. I'd say a Wild Card berth is more than likely.

2. I think it sends quite a strong message, and anyone that does it after finding out of the suspensions of the Saints would be pretty idiotic and deserve an even heftier punishment than what NO got.

3. I'd say about correct so far, but we have to see which players are involved in the punishment. The one you could argue is Paytons for a full season, but it's justifiable since he IS the head coach and was told before to stop it and just tried to have the guys sweep it under the rug.

4. I don't think he'll be allowed back by Goodell, and if he was I don't know who would really wanna gamble and go after him since they would go under intense watch by the league. His days as a NFL coach are more than likely finished, as they should be.