Sean Payton suspended for season

shawn555 · #1 03-21-2012, 12:10 PM

Sean Payton suspended, Saints fined for bounty program

By Robert Klemko, USA TODAY
Updated 2m ago
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has been suspended for one year and the team will lose its second round pick in 2012 and '13 and pay $500,000 as a result of the NFL's bounty investigation, the league announced Wednesday.

Former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who orchestrated the program, has been suspended from the NFL indefinitely. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis also faces an eight-game suspension and a $500,000 fine.

CAPTIONBy Patrick Semansky, AP
The NFL revealed in early March an investigation which found more than 20 defensive players for the Saints participated in a 'bounty' system from 2009 to '11 which rewarded individuals with cash for harming opposing players.

"We are all accountable and responsible for player health and safety and the integrity of the game," Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday. "We will not tolerate conduct or a culture that undermines those priorities. No one is above the game or the rules that govern it. Respect for the game and the people who participate in it will not be compromised."

The league found that the cash 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. Money was provided primarily by players.

All such payments violate league rules for non-contract bonuses.

Williams administered the program, and the NFL says Payton was not a direct participant, yet was aware of the allegations and "failed to stop the bounty program." Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt is also suspended without pay for the first six games of the 2012 season.

"A combination of elements made this matter particularly unusual and egregious," Goodell continued. "When there is targeting of players for injury and cash rewards over a three-year period, the involvement of the coaching staff, and three years of denials and willful disrespect of the rules, a strong and lasting message must be sent that such conduct is totally unacceptable and has no place in the game."

CAPTIONBy Derick E. Hingle, US Presswire
Payton and Loomis took "full responsibility" for the violations in a joint statement issued days after the findings, and later met with Goodell in New York to discuss the issue.

The pair apologized for the "unique hardship" on team owner Tom Benson, recognized the severity of the violations, and promised that they "will never happen again."

Williams, who left the Saints this offseason to become defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams, apologized for his program, which he reportedly also implemented in several other NFL cities. Commissioner Goodell will review Williams' status at the conclusion of the 2012 season and consider whether to reinstate him.

"I have learned a hard lesson and I guarantee that I will never participate in or allow this kind of activity to happen again," Williams said.

Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma became the player face of the program following an SI.com report describing his $10,000 offer to any player who could knock Brett Favre out of the 2009 NFC Championship Game. The league did not hand down punishment for any players involved on Wednesday, but ESPN reports that the issue is still under review.

Nosigar · #2 03-21-2012, 12:31 PM

ageecee · #3 03-21-2012, 12:48 PM

dude came down hard on the Saints.

hope they can get the suspension down to 8 games at least.

shawn555 · #4 03-21-2012, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ageecee

dude came down hard on the Saints.

hope they can get the suspension down to 8 games at least.

I doubt it gets shortened. Payton fucked up big time letting this nonsense happen on his watch.

Gregg Williams could receive a lifetime ban.

ageecee · #5 03-21-2012, 01:02 PM

id give my left nut for 8 games but i dont think its gonna happen either. And what happens if Brees doesnt sign and holds out? They got 10 freakin days to figure out what to do.

hogman14 · #6 03-21-2012, 01:12 PM

Do you fire him, and cut bait from a "PR" and football decision? Or, let an interim deal with your team?

Tough calls...

ageecee · #7 03-21-2012, 01:56 PM

if you let SP go then you can kiss Brees goodbye after this year.

now way they let SP go they got too much to lose if they let him go

Old School · #8 03-21-2012, 04:04 PM

Commish means business here..

no chance the hammer doesn't come down..

NFL will make this an example of highest priority..

Damn sure don't want law suits down the road to go against the NFL for failure to address.

AR182 · #9 03-21-2012, 04:49 PM

The Saints lied to Goodell in 2010 when he asked them about it & he was told that they were not doing it anymore....That is the reason why there was a severe penalty & why it won't be reduced....

AR182 · #10 03-21-2012, 05:12 PM

here is a league quote...."The NFL's extensive investigation established the existence of an active bounty program on the Saints during the 2009, 2010, and 2011 seasons in violation of league rules, a deliberate effort to conceal the program's existence from league investigators," said the NFL in a statement, "and a clear determination to maintain the program despite express direction from Saints ownership that it stop as well as ongoing inquiries from the league office."

Old School · #11 03-21-2012, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AR182

here is a league quote...."The NFL's extensive investigation established the existence of an active bounty program on the Saints during the 2009, 2010, and 2011 seasons in violation of league rules, a deliberate effort to conceal the program's existence from league investigators," said the NFL in a statement, "and a clear determination to maintain the program despite express direction from Saints ownership that it stop as well as ongoing inquiries from the league office."

and all this time we thought they were Saints

AR182 · #12 03-21-2012, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old School

and all this time we thought they were Saints

LOL !! No Saints, just Sinners !!

Hooks · #13 03-21-2012, 07:50 PM

Biggest LOSERS.... JUCIYFRUIT GUM

Cie · #14 03-21-2012, 09:10 PM

It sucks that my local team, which was a super bowl contender, is now screwed for a full season.

I am now wondering how many players will be suspended this season.....

ageecee · #15 03-21-2012, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cie Grant

It sucks that my local team, which was a super bowl contender, is now screwed for a full season.

I am now wondering how many players will be suspended this season.....

Vilma for sure but no big loss there-actually i think they might cut him. Harper is another one that might get suspended.

Destructor D · #16 03-21-2012, 11:15 PM

I actually think the Saints got "F*CKED" and I'm not a Saints fan, but do respect Payton. I heard today on my local radio this isn't surprising from a former NFL player and this punishment is super extreme. It's the f*cking NFL which soon will stand for National Flag League if Goodell keeps this sh*t up. Now, you can't hit with your helmet... I mean this league use to be a f*cking war every Sunday, now guys have to watch the rules on everything. Just pisses me off being a former football player who purposely played to go f*cking head hunting and hurt people. This is crap, a whole year ban and 2 years worth of 2nd round picks.

Goodell go back to the 50's and 60's when face masking and everything else was legal. You f*cking coward pussy. I hope you get your ass kicked for this crap... I seriously hope you get hurt as what the Saints did has happened many times in the past and more.

Destructor D · #17 03-21-2012, 11:20 PM

Sorry just venting, but if I was a Saints fan, I would be f*cking irate. This is complete bs and if someone hurts Goodell, well he deserves it. At most, Payton is suspended 4 to 8 games to make a HUGE statement, but the whole year and a couple 2nd round picks... WOW!

Cie · #18 03-22-2012, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Destructor D

Sorry just venting, but if I was a Saints fan, I would be f*cking irate. This is complete bs and if someone hurts Goodell, well he deserves it. At most, Payton is suspended 4 to 8 games to make a HUGE statement, but the whole year and a couple 2nd round picks... WOW!

It hurts the Saints fans, myself included, the most. We spend thousands of $ on season tix, parking, beer, jerseys for kids, etc. Belichek got no suspension for spying, yet our guy gets a year ... Sucks.

THE KOD · #19 03-22-2012, 06:20 AM

i heard on the radio that Peyton has bought a house in Dallas and that Jerry Jones has wanted Peyton as a coach for years.

LA Burns · #20 03-22-2012, 09:59 AM

the Saints were super-ignorant and not sure what else one could expect given the severity and longevity of the violations, the "cover-up" mentality the Saints employed after the allegations came to light AND the fact that they were basically asked politely to stop and they ignored this until there was a 50,000 page report that detailed the entire thing

also think the Brees tweet was ridiculous - he "needs to hear an explanation" - really?

pretty sure the whole thing has been explained in detail repeatedly - the fact that Payton, Brees etc are still acting totally indignant about the situation tells you all you need to know

born and raised in N.O. and a lifelong Saints fan,
but i personally do not have a problem with the punishment - i had heard that we might lose a lot mor edraft pix too so the 2 2nd rounders, while harsh, were better than what some down here had anticipated

Mr. Poon · #21 03-22-2012, 10:18 AM

LA Burns is spot on. Is the penalty harsh, especially considering what was handed to the Patriots over 'spygate', definitely. But what they did, both with the bounty (regardless if it happens throughout the NFL) and the cover-up mentality make the penalty warranted. Add in the fact that severe injuries are such a big issue w/ the NFL, Goodell had to be severe.

I find it odd how players from not only from the Saints but around the league and former players are saying it was too harsh, talking about a 'snitch' etc.

When it is the owners/league wanting to add games or talk about post-retirement benefits, they (the players) talk about how they sacrifice their bodies and the injury issues and they are being used and discarded without care. However, when there is concrete evidence that there was a bounty program, they seem to turn a blind eye and just say it is 'part of the game' and happens throughout the league and there shouldn't be an issue.

Cie · #22 03-22-2012, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE KOD

i heard on the radio that Peyton has bought a house in Dallas and that Jerry Jones has wanted Peyton as a coach for years.

True. Payton and wife split up because he boned a saints cheerleader. She moved to Dallas, is what I heard.

Cie · #23 03-22-2012, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LA Burns

the Saints were super-ignorant and not sure what else one could expect given the severity and longevity of the violations, the "cover-up" mentality the Saints employed after the allegations came to light AND the fact that they were basically asked politely to stop and they ignored this until there was a 50,000 page report that detailed the entire thing

also think the Brees tweet was ridiculous - he "needs to hear an explanation" - really?

pretty sure the whole thing has been explained in detail repeatedly - the fact that Payton, Brees etc are still acting totally indignant about the situation tells you all you need to know

born and raised in N.O. and a lifelong Saints fan,
but i personally do not have a problem with the punishment - i had heard that we might lose a lot mor edraft pix too so the 2 2nd rounders, while harsh, were better than what some down here had anticipated

In his time here, Payton has made huge mistakes, including the knocking up of a Saintsation and abusing pain killers from the team facility. He showed in both cases that he is slimy and refuses to accept responsibility for his actions.

No doubt that Goodell had these prior transgressions in mind, not to mention this attempted cover-up and the team's failure to stop the program in 2010 after being "alerted" of the situation by the NFL.

I still think Payton for a year is harsh, particularly because Belichek got no games, just a large personal fine. Fine payton a year's salary, but don't take him form the team.

LA Burns · #24 03-22-2012, 11:05 AM

not sure how Spygate has anything to do with this situation - completely different animals

and yes i agree on all points on Payton - when you run around and steal/eat too many pain pills and have sex with the dance team girls and such, sooner or later you are going to run into a dead end - he began to feel like he was above any and all potential punishment or repercussions and now they have put a severe stain on all accomplishments

the whole thing sucks and imo tarnishes most the positive over the last 5-6 years

ageecee · #25 03-22-2012, 02:25 PM

I too thought the punishement was too harsh but after i look back and take into account all that has transpired i have no problem with the punishment and im a huge Saints fan.

Payton thought he was big enough to not get caught. They told the Saints 2 yrs ago to quit the bounty thing. They did not and kept on going. Payton lied about it and also chipped into the pot with a 5K hit on Rogers. They got what they deserved.

I have no problem with Goodell doing what he did.

bleedingpurple · #26 03-22-2012, 02:44 PM

Of course he got what he deserved, fuck they got an email with him telling someone he would "chip in 5 grand for Rodgers." The Saints had the NFL up their ass in 2009 and it's payback..

Yes I am still bitter but how many times did Favre get late hit in the Saints game?, about 10 and 2 roughing the passers were called. Asshole NFL comes out with an apology saying they missed some roughing the passer.. Really! No shit.

Then find out they had a bounty on Favre. Before you Saint's fans give me shit about being a sore sport about it, let's say the roles were reversed, Saints lose to Vikings, Vikes have bounty on BRees, Brees leg looks like tenderized meat, and then you find out their was a bounty and he got hit late time and time again with no calls. You would be irate too.

The Packer fans up here were making fun of Favre when the news came out but now that they have evidence of a hit on Rodgers, now they are going fucking coo coo and want blood. Hope the Saints aren't coming to Lambeau soon.

Mr. Poon · #27 03-22-2012, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ageecee

I have no problem with Goodell doing what he did.

if ageecee isn't going to overreact, no one should.

THE KOD · #28 03-22-2012, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cie Grant

In his time here, Payton has made huge mistakes, including the knocking up of a Saintsation and abusing pain killers from the team facility. He showed in both cases that he is slimy and refuses to accept responsibility for his actions.

.................................................. .........

he knocked up a cheerleader and was on pain pills ?

I never saw anyting reported on that

ageecee · #29 03-22-2012, 04:17 PM

the draft picks we lost we knew that was coming, the fine we knew that was coming, the year long suspension caught everybody off guard including me. Its a bit excessive i could live with 8 games but a year is almost about right. No crying from me they should of stopped in 2010 or they shouldnt of hid it better.

Cie · #30 03-22-2012, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE KOD

.................................................. .........

he knocked up a cheerleader and was on pain pills ?

I never saw anyting reported on that

He did both. No joke