Here are the details of the NFL’s bounty investigation
Former Falcons defensive line coach Bill Johnson posing with some of the Saints on the Falcons logo after a game in 2010.
The New Orleans Saints, the reigning NFC South champs and longtime rival of the Atlanta Falcons, are in deep trouble with the league office.
The league released results of an investigation into the Saints’ practice of placing bounties on opposing players.
Former NFL executive Andrew Brandt expects that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will be heavy-handed in dealing with the Saints.
“Everything [the] NFL does is strategic. Friday’s lengthy release sets up Saints’ suspensions, fines, loss of draft picks, etc. coming soon.” Brandt wrote in tweet.
Below are the league’s findings:
A lengthy investigation by the NFL’s security department has disclosed that between 22 and 27 defensive players on the New Orleans Saints, as well as at least one assistant coach, maintained a “bounty” program funded primarily by players in violation of NFL rules during the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons, the NFL announced today.
The league’s investigation determined that this improper “Pay for Performance” program included “bounty” payments to players for inflicting injuries on opposing players that would result in them being removed from a game.
The findings – corroborated by multiple independent sources – have been presented to Commissioner Roger Goodell, who will determine the appropriate discipline for the violation.
“The payments here are particularly troubling because they involved not just payments for ‘performance,’ but also for injuring opposing players,” Commissioner Goodell said. “The bounty rule promotes two key elements of NFL football: player safety and competitive integrity.
“It is our responsibility to protect player safety and the integrity of our game, and this type of conduct will not be tolerated. We have made significant progress in changing the culture with respect to player safety and we are not going to relent. We have more work to do and we will do it.”
The players regularly contributed cash into a pool and received improper cash payments of two kinds from the pool based on their play in the previous week’s game. Payments were made for plays such as
A New Orleans Saints cheerleader performs as San Diego Chargers tight end Randy McMichael (81, UGA) watches in the first quarter of their preseason NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans Friday, Aug. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
interceptions and fumble recoveries, but the program also included “bounty” payments for “cart-offs” (meaning that the opposing player was carried off the field) and “knockouts” (meaning that the opposing player was not able to return to the game).
The investigation showed that the total amount of funds in the pool may have reached $50,000 or more at its height during the 2009 playoffs. The program paid players $1,500 for a “knockout” and $1,000 for a “cart-off” with payouts doubling or tripling during the playoffs.
The investigation included the review of approximately 18,000 documents totaling more than 50,000 pages, interviews of a wide range of individuals and the use of outside forensic experts to verify the authenticity of key documents.
The NFL has a longstanding rule prohibiting “Non-Contract Bonuses.” Non-contract bonuses violate both the NFL Constitution and By-Laws and the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Clubs are advised every year of this rule in a memo from the commissioner. Citing Sections 9.1(C)(8), and 9.3(F) and (G) of the Constitution and By-Laws, the memo for the 2011 season stated:
“No bonus or award may directly or indirectly be offered, promised, announced, or paid to a player for his or his team’s performance against a particular team or opposing player or a particular group thereof. No bonuses or awards may be offered or paid for on field misconduct (for example, personal fouls to or injuries inflicted on opposing players).”
“Our investigation began in early 2010 when allegations were first made that Saints players had targeted opposing players, including Kurt Warner of the Cardinals and Brett Favre of the Vikings,” Commissioner Goodell said. “Our security department interviewed numerous players and other individuals. At the time, those interviewed denied that any such program existed and the player that made the allegation retracted his earlier assertions. As a result, the allegations could not be proven. We recently received significant and credible new information and the investigation was re-opened during the latter part of the 2011 season.”
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees passes during the second quarter. AP
The additional investigation established the following facts:
1. During the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons, the players and other participants involved used their own money to fund a “Pay for Performance” program. Players earned cash awards for plays such as interceptions or fumble recoveries. They also earned “bounty” payments for “cart-offs” and “knockouts.” All such payments violate league rules for non-contract bonuses.
2. Players were willing and enthusiastic participants in the program, contributing regularly and at times pledging large amounts. Between 22 and 27 defensive players contributed funds to the pool over the course of three NFL seasons. In some cases, the amounts pledged were both significant and directed against a specific opposing player.
3. The bounty program was administered by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams with the knowledge of other defensive coaches. Funds were contributed on occasion by Williams.
4. Saints owner Tom Benson gave immediate and full cooperation to the investigators. The evidence conclusively established that Mr. Benson was not aware of the bounty program. When informed earlier this year of the new information, Mr. Benson advised league staff that he had directed his general manager, Mickey Loomis, to ensure that any bounty program be discontinued immediately. The evidence showed that Mr. Loomis did not carry out Mr. Benson’s directions. Similarly, when the initial allegations were discussed with Mr. Loomis in 2010, he denied any knowledge of a bounty program and pledged that he would ensure that no such program was in place. There is no evidence that Mr. Loomis took any effective action to stop these practices.
5. Although head coach Sean Payton was not a direct participant in the funding or administration of the program, he was aware of the allegations, did not make any detailed inquiry or otherwise seek to learn the facts, and failed to stop the bounty program. He never instructed his assistant coaches or players that a bounty program was improper and could not continue.
6. There is no question that a bounty program violates long-standing league rules. Payments of this type – even for legitimate plays such as interceptions or fumble recoveries – are forbidden because they are inconsistent with the Collective Bargaining Agreement and well-accepted rules relating to NFL player contracts.
New Orleans Saints Tom Johnson tackles Atlanta Falcons Michael Turner for a short gain during 1st half action. Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com
Commissioner Goodell has advised the Saints that he will hold further proceedings to determine the discipline to be assessed against individuals and the club. This will include conferring with the NFL Players Association and individual player leaders regarding appropriate discipline and remedial steps.
The discipline could include fines and suspensions and, in light of the competitive nature of the violation, forfeiture of draft choices. Any discipline may be appealed as provided for in the Constitution and By-Laws and Collective Bargaining Agreement. Any appeal would be heard and decided by the commissioner.
Commissioner Goodell also advised the Saints that he is retaining jurisdiction and reserving his authority to impose further discipline if additional information comes to his attention.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
154 comments Add your comment
FalconsElite
March 4th, 2012
9:19 pm
Who dat nation take cover!!!
painter
March 4th, 2012
9:22 pm
Cheats. Scum. The good ‘ol Aint’s.
FalconsElite
March 4th, 2012
9:26 pm
Looks like the roof may be blown off of the Bayou Bounty Dome for the second time in history. They deserve to face suspensions, fines and loss of draft picks. If I were a Vikings fan I would really be ticked off about now.
Ball hawk
March 4th, 2012
9:28 pm
Oh Vilma needs to sit for a year.
Whatever
March 4th, 2012
9:28 pm
Really? It was relevant to show a picture of a cheerleader in this article?
ATL Fan
March 4th, 2012
9:28 pm
Not good.
Ball hawk
March 4th, 2012
9:29 pm
Dem Saints headed for dem gallows.
ATL Fan
March 4th, 2012
9:30 pm
Suspensions…Number of games in violation is the number of games suspended.
rivercard
March 4th, 2012
9:30 pm
Any evidence that these financially insignificant bounties had any impact on play? Doubtful. Just like the guy sitting at home making bets it probably just made things a little more interesting for players.
Ball hawk
March 4th, 2012
9:30 pm
@whatever lol. He’s really ODB not DOL.
Hammertime
March 4th, 2012
9:31 pm
Roger, DROP THE HAMMER ON THE CHEATING A$$ BAS@$RDS !!!!!
ATL Fan
March 4th, 2012
9:32 pm
I heard some pundits on NFL radio talking about Bountygate being a “tempest in a teapot.” I wonder if they know what the rules are and why they are there or if they just don’t care about the rules.
rivercard
March 4th, 2012
9:33 pm
Whatever – Cheerleaders that look like that are always relevant. Probably was a bounty for the first one who could play with her pom poms.
Brian
March 4th, 2012
9:34 pm
lol retards
who dat forever
March 4th, 2012
9:34 pm
you guys are funny. There were no injuries inflicted by this bounty. Matter of fact, after this investigation we can all meet here and discuss the no-findings of all of this. Scum? Cheats? C’mon the Saints’ defense hasnt knocked anybody out in a long time. Just get ready for next year boys
St Simons - we're on Island time
March 4th, 2012
9:34 pm
Williams & Vilma need to be kicked out of the league, or its a joke
ATL Fan
March 4th, 2012
9:35 pm
Three years in violation, three years without a first round draft choice.
Ball hawk
March 4th, 2012
9:35 pm
@atl fan these aren’t normal circumstances. Goodell has no choice but to fry them. They won’t receive a normal punishment considering the sophistication they employed to do this and the possible malicious injuries sustained. This one could go to the courts, as in criminal.
Brian
March 4th, 2012
9:35 pm
I would like to see a list of the players the saints knocked out of games besides Kurt and Brett.
rivercard
March 4th, 2012
9:36 pm
who dat – your right. Such a non issue. I will agree that coaches should not have been involved.
St Simons - we're on Island time
March 4th, 2012
9:36 pm
“you guys are funny.”
Well, you’re gonna just laugh your ass off at Roger Goodell then
ATL Fan
March 4th, 2012
9:37 pm
Makes that comment about “cart him off” in reference to Matt Ryan take a whole new meaning.
rivercard
March 4th, 2012
9:38 pm
Yes, Goddell will do the CYA PC puke maneuver. It doesn’t mean he is right.
FalconsElite
March 4th, 2012
9:39 pm
I really do not understand the argument of some of these people. They put money under the table for cart offs and not to mention the skirted the salary cap to some degree by offering money for performance. They got caught even after being told to dismantle the program a year earlier. How stupid can they be! They deserve their a$$es handed to them and I hope the dominoes start to fall soon.
Ball hawk
March 4th, 2012
9:41 pm
Besides Kurt and Brett????? Really? That’s not enough. Everyone hates Brett but still he didn’t deserve to go down like that. That basically ended his career more or less. Receiving funds to hurt someone is against the law dumbass and if they have documents and witnesses they could go to jail.
CAPT-ATL
March 4th, 2012
9:42 pm
knock knock…..WhoDAT…..Roger Goodell, thats who!!
ATL Fan
March 4th, 2012
9:42 pm
True ballawk, the courts may get involved. My bet is that the NFL will try to avoid that.
The NFL needs to protect the integrity of the game. There is a lot more at stake here than just the Saints. If the Commissioner doesn’t address this in a firm way, the NFL may find Congress getting involved. No one wants that!
UmadBro
March 4th, 2012
9:42 pm
Too bad they couldn’t put a bounty on choking in the playoffs and having their fans not shoot out the applebees
rivercard
March 4th, 2012
9:43 pm
Falconselite- I don’t have a problem with the bounty stuff unless it can be shown to have lead to illegal play. I do think it should have stayed between players. Coaches should not have been involved and stopped immediately. If story is true, Loomis really screwed up.
ATL Fan
March 4th, 2012
9:46 pm
Ndamukong Suh was the one who said “cart him off,” my apologies to the Saints.
FalconsElite
March 4th, 2012
9:47 pm
50,000 pages of evidence sounds like more then Kurt or Bret to me. Who Dat nation been riding dirty on the down low but the s#!t stains finally showed up in the laundry. LMFAO
rivercard
March 4th, 2012
9:47 pm
Ball Hawk- Unless they hurt someone with a blatantly illegal play it seems to me that any injuries occurred from them doing what they are paid to do. Brett didn’t seem to have an issue with it.
CAPT-ATL
March 4th, 2012
9:48 pm
Brian….are you serious? It is not about who got knocked out? If you conspire to rob a bank but never rob it, it is still a crime. They conspired to intentionally injure players for a cash reward. It is AGAINST NFL rules. The NFL warned them to knock it off and they thumbed their nose at the league and continued. Push your head back through your shoulders, wipe the colon out of your eyes and rejoin the human race.
Ball hawk
March 4th, 2012
9:50 pm
Either way with the evidence it sounds like they have in this article, it’s a big deal.
CAPT-ATL
March 4th, 2012
9:51 pm
Rivercard, see previous post to Brian. Follow same instructions. WOW, can these guys be serious or just mortally disconected from reality?
FalconsElite
March 4th, 2012
9:57 pm
All I can say is if I were Drew Breesus, how can you want to hitch up to this burning wagon. I hope some of the guys quit complaining about our front office as you can see they might make some questionable personnel moves sometimes but at least you can rest at night knowing we have our house in order.
collegeballfan
March 4th, 2012
9:57 pm
“There were no injuries inflicted by this bounty.”
This is factually incorrect.
They had the bounty for 3 straight years. They should lose their number 1 draft choice for 3 straight years.
The coaches involved should be suspended. The players who contributed money should be suspended.
Botton line, if you take out the real stars of the game by injuring them, you ruin the game. And Goodell will do what is necessary to protect the game.
rivercard
March 4th, 2012
9:57 pm
CApt- I get the part that it is against rules and they will be punished. I haven’t seen anything that has led me to believe it changed how they played or that anyone was intentionally hurt . Most players don’t seem to have an issue with it. Just the sideline chicken hawks.
Conspiracy law is a whole other issue. Let’s just say jury nullification would be my friend in 90% of those cases.
phil
March 4th, 2012
9:57 pm
Katrina.
No penalties will be forthcoming on the golden franchise.
rivercard
March 4th, 2012
9:58 pm
collegeballfan – There were no injuries inflicted by this bounty.”
This is factually incorrect.
Not saying your wrong, but how about some evidence.
phil
March 4th, 2012
9:59 pm
Give Sean Payton a raise!
Katrina!
OC
March 4th, 2012
9:59 pm
Release all the names of those that the bounties were collected on and allow them to sue all involved for pain/suffering/mental anguish/etc. Also, tho won’t happen strip the Saints of their Super Bowl title and speaking of all those that thought they were played favorites and given special calls during that “special for the city of New Orleans Super Bowl run then while that might be true now add in the bounties !!!!
who dat forever
March 4th, 2012
10:00 pm
You guys worry about the Saints’ offense next year. The guy did it in Washington as well. Since he was bascially fired by the Saints it all comes out. What are you guys going to do in about 7 months when we start another run to the Super Bowl? Get Ready, here we come again!!!!
FalconsElite
March 4th, 2012
10:02 pm
The only run I see happening in the Big Easy anytime soon is brown paper bags flying off the shelves.
Mikefalcon63
March 4th, 2012
10:02 pm
Funny how HIRAM SAINT runs and hides when his team is exposed. Hope they lose draft picks and face fines. Sean Payton should be suspended for a year. His integrity is crystal clear now that he did not do anything to stop this crap. Such a moron.
Mikefalcon63
March 4th, 2012
10:03 pm
Funny how HIRAM SAINT runs and hides when his team is exposed. Hope they lose draft picks and face fines. Sean Payton should be suspended for a year. His integrity is crystal clear now that he did not do anything to stop this craziness.
CAPT-ATL
March 4th, 2012
10:03 pm
penalties coming soon, but the key here is that Goodell will not sign off as done deal, as he knows more is to come. Rumor is CBS’s Mike Freeman is/will report/ing that a convicted felon, friend of Payton contributed to the bounty fund.He was in the locker room b4 the ATL game on monday night. Dont take that as the gospel because I dont think it has been confirmed. But if true, adds a whole other element that may bring in outside agencies.
phil
March 4th, 2012
10:04 pm
Nothing will be done to the Saints.
They are special people because of Katrina and can have bounties if they want to.
FalconsElite
March 4th, 2012
10:06 pm
Phil, you are killing me!
OC
March 4th, 2012
10:06 pm
Now reports surface that William’s bounty while in Washington may have caused the injury to Peyton Manning’s neck, can you say $28 million plus pain and suffering, emotional damages and punitive damages???????
motorcityfalcon
March 4th, 2012
10:07 pm
‘Bounty’ sanctions must be severe to protect NFL’s image
At NFL.com
phil
March 4th, 2012
10:07 pm
Payton befriends the unjustly accused felon types because of Katrina.
He has a big heart, and bounties are for the children really, when you think about it.
phil
March 4th, 2012
10:11 pm
Peyton’s neck issues are because of a bounty?
Where’s the tape? The other proof?
who dat forever
March 4th, 2012
10:11 pm
Falcon fans, you guys think once the saeson starts next yearthis crutch you are leaning on will fall from under you. Capt-you believe that? Bottom line, we are making a run at the SB next year. Better DC, and a world class offense
FalconsElite
March 4th, 2012
10:11 pm
Do you guys think that Drew Brees new of the impending announcement and tried to take advantage of the situation by asking for 23 mil a year for the first three years. I laugh at all of the Breesus fans that thought he was going to take a home town discount. I could not dream this stuff up any better. LMFAO
phil
March 4th, 2012
10:12 pm
Rob Lowe said Peyton was retiring…
What does he have add on this bounty thing?
phil
March 4th, 2012
10:14 pm
Brees is just as greedy as almost all the rest of these overpaid punks.
Only a buffoon ever thought otherwise.
phil
March 4th, 2012
10:15 pm
Proof the Falcons never had any bounty on anybody was vividly on display in the last 4 yrs as we never came close to winning a playoff game, or tackling anyone on the opposing teams….
Here are the details of the NFL’s bounty investigation | football-feed.com
March 4th, 2012
10:16 pm
[...] to Original Content From Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog): read more Related Articles Share About Author [...]
FalconsElite
March 4th, 2012
10:17 pm
With the loss of draft picks, current player suspensions and the whopper contract to come from Breesus you guys are going to be scouring the practice squads and looking for undrafted free agents. Carl nicks ain’t coming back and neither will Colston. I am waiting for the next dagger and that will be when Jimmy Graham’s agent starts looking for some more money. How about a raise from 500,000 to lets say 8 mil per season. The roof is on fire!!!
rivercard
March 4th, 2012
10:19 pm
If these bounties work so well, maybe Arthur and Smitty can start a playoff win bounty.
phil
March 4th, 2012
10:19 pm
Ole Bounty Benson!
You can bet he was in it up to his eyeballs!
phil
March 4th, 2012
10:22 pm
If we started a bounty, it wouldn’t work.
We’d forget to collect the money and forget who to go after.
falconsrus
March 4th, 2012
10:26 pm
CAPT-ATL
March 4th, 2012
9:42 pm
knock knock…..WhoDAT…..Roger Goodell, thats who!!
dats funny thats who dat
Ray Barone
March 4th, 2012
10:29 pm
Good. Commissioner should knock the Saints down a notch or two from their personal pedestals.
FalconsElite
March 4th, 2012
10:32 pm
When the news broke Friday, somewhere in Seattle, Marshawn Lynch new he dodged a bullet in that playoff game. He was quoted as saying he later found out that the Saints had a bounty in place on who could pull off the most Knutt sacks at the bottom of the pile but to his accord they never got him on the ground. I want to check my sources on this one to make sure I reported the facts.
Mike
March 4th, 2012
10:37 pm
Take the trophy away. That is how it is done in the Olympics.
JSS
March 4th, 2012
10:45 pm
On a serious point because some of you have gone off the deep end (not you Phil, you’re on roll); look at the Saints roster. Most of their defense has turned over or turning over this off season and the coaches (defensive) have moved on to other coaching gigs. Outside of the head coach and the GM, where are they going to strike for this vengeance most of you are crying for in punitive manners?
@ Ledbetter…
Considering how much the league screams about “competitive balance” will the punishment be in huge fines with rolling suspensions (how you do that keep the integrity of the roster or salary cap), or will be draft pick and restricting them in compensation pools? What’s your real guess?
Sheffield
March 4th, 2012
10:55 pm
you right phil..they love the saints…no punishment…I bet the house…Hope I am wrong
Blake
March 4th, 2012
11:01 pm
What do you think about this seenthisB4?
Blake
March 4th, 2012
11:02 pm
I hope Goodell and the league sock It to those defensive scumbags….
FalconsElite
March 4th, 2012
11:03 pm
It must be hard to see the computer with the bag on his head.
mrzizzle
March 4th, 2012
11:04 pm
This is why the Aint’s have no class! Drew Brees needs to watch his knees!
Anyone surprised?
March 4th, 2012
11:13 pm
From the city that has been the murder capital od the US for the last six years, is anyone surprised to learn of this thug-like, hired hit environment? Google what happened to the crime rates of cities that accepted Katrina evacuees. Again, anyone surprised?
hind tit
March 4th, 2012
11:20 pm
If the coaches knew about this and encouraged this then they are responsible and should be bared for life to ever coach in the NFL again. I predict a 500 season next year because of this. Just a hard hit will be looked at under a microscope and will change the defense into a very light hitting defense.
Will
March 4th, 2012
11:33 pm
18,000 documents.
Will
March 4th, 2012
11:33 pm
50,000 pages.
Will
March 4th, 2012
11:34 pm
Sean Payton knew and did nothing.
Jerryb1982
March 4th, 2012
11:34 pm
Just wait until the IRS gets involved for not reporting an employee bonus as taxable income!
Will
March 4th, 2012
11:34 pm
Loomis knew and did nothing.
CAPT-ATL
March 4th, 2012
11:46 pm
@anyone surprised? I thought it was 7 or 8? Oh well, they did set new high marks last year. While most cities declined per capita, they set a new record. On pass to break that in 2012. Some might say they where padding their stats. But Roger cant take that away from them!!
SawThat1nce
March 5th, 2012
12:48 am
Just goes to show, what a scum-bag operation the Saints are.
The saints former DC, current HC and GM should be suspended for the entire 2012 season starting now.
They should lose their first 5 draft picks this year.
SawThat1nce
March 5th, 2012
12:54 am
Goodell should fine himself also, for this crap.
The NFL zebras that work for him, have turned their heads to so many flagrant personal fouls that the saints have committed, it is disgusting.
True Falcon Fan
March 5th, 2012
7:30 am
So what’s wrong with a little ole fashion bench wagering during games, folks rest assured it’s happening NOT just with the ain’ts. Bring on the ain’ts 2012 season —- maybe this time we can beat them fair and square 2 times RIGHT —- probaBLY nope????????
TD has no clue!
March 5th, 2012
7:48 am
Sean Payton is just as guilty. He knew it was going on and did nothing about it.
fan
March 5th, 2012
8:18 am
please pick plastic please pick plastic please pick plastic please pick plastic please pick plastic please pick plastic please pick plastic please pick plastic please pick plastic please pick plastic please pick plastic please pick plastic please pick plastic please pick plastic please pick plastic please pick plastic please pick plastic please pick plastic please pick plastic please pick plastic
it’s almost pathetic to watch saints fans try and defend this. almost. I, myself, am still laughing, and will be all season long as they implode. superbowl run? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Mako
March 5th, 2012
8:27 am
Buddy Ryan is the originator of all this mess, Williams, Fisher and others played for or work for good ole’ Buddy. Just wondering how much crap his 2 apples are promoting.
AlanFalcon
March 5th, 2012
8:34 am
It appears that the only decent Saint is the owner Tom Binson, the rest of the defense should be removed from the league, but then if you think about the life style of N………O. this type of football fits in, looserville.
BRAD
March 5th, 2012
8:37 am
This might be a little more serious than I first thought. An article on cnnsi.com, written by a lawyer, says that players could be charged with battery and coaches could be charged with conspiracy.
Double Zero Eight
March 5th, 2012
8:37 am
Expect something to happen to the Saints when Barry Bonds is
punished for his steroid use. In other words, don’t expect anythng
to happen other than a verbal reprimand.
We don’t have to worry about the Falcons being guilty of this.
Their inability to sustain a pass rush and tackle with consistency
precludes them from being guilty of this.
Larry
March 5th, 2012
8:38 am
I vote they vacate their Super Bowl victory and award the Lombardi to the Colts.
Who’s with me?
Larry
March 5th, 2012
8:40 am
TD has no clue!
March 5th, 2012
7:48 am
“Sean Payton is just as guilty. He knew it was going on and did nothing about it”.
Are you sure? He may have been high on Vicodin!
dawgfan
March 5th, 2012
8:52 am
If there’s any such thing as a “death penatly” in the NFL like there is in college these clowns deserve it.
Jason
March 5th, 2012
9:04 am
The Saints will not get away with this. Even if Rodger wanted to take it easy on them he can’t. He has to make an example of them.
Topdawg
March 5th, 2012
9:07 am
Make a statement Commisioner, do not allow the Saints to participate in the April player draft. That would be appropriate and would get the attention of the whole league. You might also prevent them signing any free agents this year. Talk about a statement!!!
bird
March 5th, 2012
9:32 am
Who blew the whistle on “bounty gate”?
BigTimeTECHFan
March 5th, 2012
9:35 am
And these are the same Saints players who were crying about:
Roddy White pushing a DB
Complaining about Dunta Robinson hits.
I always knew something was up with them, they played soft, then after the wistle ended the play they would do cheap shots.
1eyedJack
March 5th, 2012
9:49 am
If somebody would put a bounty on that Saints cheerleader in the picture I would “hit” on her and try to “take her out”.
rash
March 5th, 2012
9:51 am
cheaters,scumbags the AINT’S need the superbowl trophy taken away i hope the worst for the poor sportsman ship of the AINT’S …..go falcons
E-Roll
March 5th, 2012
10:02 am
If you are interested and see one of the games that exposed the bounty program the NFL Network will be rebroadcasting the 2009 NFC Championship game between the Vikings and Saints at 3 pm today. Now that these actions have come to light you can look at this game again and really see the effort that was put into knocking Brett Favre out of that game.
I for one do not have a problem with a defensive player trying to knock the spit out of an offensive player because when I played offense it happened to me and believe me when I got a chance to knock the spit out of a DB I did it but the coaches and convicted felons participating in it is just a little too much.
Double Zero Eight
March 5th, 2012
10:18 am
Mike Smith may not be the greatest coach, but he is a
good coach and a man of integrity..
jalex49
March 5th, 2012
10:19 am
This doesn’t surprise me. Any team that would disrespect another team’s logo only shows the character of the team. It’s unfortunate because as you can see in the players on top of Atlanta’s logo, it wasn’t all the Saints players, but just the chosen ones!
I believe that the Saints will and should receive an intense investigation process and all that were involved, players, coaches and anyone else should receive due justice. I hope that some of the players understand that as a Atlanta fan, I believe the vast majority of the Saints are fair and quality players, but by the same token, this is egg on the organization, and I hope that other organizations, to include the Falcons if connected to this type of conduct is investigated.
The game is tarnished with this type of conduct and to be condone slap’s smack into the face of the teams that don’t tolerate this!
Mr. Goddell, bring a fair investigation and bring the hammer down!!!!
Nelly
March 5th, 2012
10:24 am
Don’t worry Saints fans. Phil said it best. Katrina cancels out all penalties on the Saints. Forever. They are speciallll.
Sid
March 5th, 2012
10:25 am
Whatever
March 4th, 2012
9:28 pm
Really? It was relevant to show a picture of a cheerleader in this article?
***************************************
There’s a bounty on er uh cheerleaders too………..!!
SawThat1nce
March 5th, 2012
10:32 am
I don’t understand Whatever’s complaint, about the shot of the Cheerleader girl???
abby normal
March 5th, 2012
10:33 am
Roger Goodell is about to deliver a “remember me” hit on Gregg Williams and the Saints. Good.
Sid
March 5th, 2012
10:39 am
who dat forever
March 4th, 2012
9:34 pm
you guys are funny. There were no injuries inflicted by this bounty. Matter of fact, after this investigation we can all meet here and discuss the no-findings of all of this. Scum? Cheats? C’mon the Saints’ defense hasnt knocked anybody out in a long time. Just get ready for next year boys
***********************************************************
Bobby McCray hit on Kurt Warner, a hit intentionally to maim and injure, and in this case retire. You aren’t far removed from the Saints lack of class and intergrity. “Meet here and discuss the no-findings”………sure……….Who Dat? You won’t recognize ‘em, can’t wait for your timid little Saints defense this year. LOL…..
Mark (another one)
March 5th, 2012
10:45 am
The lawyers will have a field day. All offensive players injured against the Saints and previously the Redskins will have grounds for suits. We may also see the feds get involved for tax evasion and organized crime attempting to impact betting lines.
The NFL has to take action and people should be banned from the NFL. No excuses should be accepted.
pmc
March 5th, 2012
10:46 am
I doubt the penalty will be that bad, there was much speculation about spygate too and they didn’t lose much.
Larry
March 5th, 2012
10:52 am
pmc
March 5th, 2012
10:46 am
“I doubt the penalty will be that bad, there was much speculation about spygate too and they didn’t lose much.”
Oh I think you’re wrong on this one. Civilly and criminally, there’s a huge difference between non violent “white collar” crimes than crimes of violence and personal injury.
If the facts are substantiated, expect a major sentence handed down by Goodell…and appropriately so!
Joe Tess Fish House
March 5th, 2012
11:02 am
U no a lot of this whinin is from Flacons fans
1eyedJack
March 5th, 2012
11:03 am
Goodell should take away their 1st round and 4th round draft picks…and give ‘em to us.
Jim
March 5th, 2012
12:04 pm
nola. A fun place. Lot of trash and trashy people.
ATLien
March 5th, 2012
12:19 pm
You mean to tell me the Saints cheated to get that ring they love to brag about? I cant wait until theyre fans bring up the ring this year, Boy do I have some words for them
Johnny Cochran
March 5th, 2012
12:23 pm
“If it don’t fit, you must acquit.” or is it “If it fits, you must split.”
59bulldawg
March 5th, 2012
12:28 pm
I hope they they fine the players and coaches involved, ban Greg Williams from the NFL, and take back the Lombardi Trophy from New Orleans. I also would like to see Warner, Favre, and whoever else may have been injured take legal action and get massive compensation. There’s no place for this kind of garbage in pro sports!
ATLien
March 5th, 2012
12:31 pm
Strip them of that ring that their fans thought the team was sooo deserving of. STRIP IT!!! They won that SB AFTER they ignored the warning. Take that darn ring away! Ahhhh the look on the team and fan’s faces would be AROUSING !
Joe Tess Fish House
March 5th, 2012
12:57 pm
Lot of biter Flacons fans hear. This bounty is not why the Falcons loss 2 the Saints so quite complaining. The Flacons loss 2 the Saints cuz 2 many fist round draft busts.
tevako
March 5th, 2012
1:07 pm
I agree MikeFalcon. Where are all the Saints trolls today?
Big D
March 5th, 2012
2:18 pm
Some numbskull earlier wrote “no one was injured”! Wrong, wronf,wrong. Both Favre and Warner were injured and had to leave games. The guilty should be permanently suspended, the franchise fined and at least lose to number one picks.
SWAT Native
March 5th, 2012
2:36 pm
Why haven’t we heard from SeenThisB4 or HiramSaint on this?
Bombs away
March 5th, 2012
3:33 pm
So many times I have seen Will Smith make a tackle or participate in them and lay on and twist thei knees, and he always got away with it. It was clear that he wanted to put running backs and quarterbacks out of the game…
Old Dawg
March 5th, 2012
4:06 pm
I don’t care what team it is or who the DC is, this is inexcusable. The DC and players involved should be heavily fined and serve a minimum of a 2-year suspension.
End of story!
Sheffield
March 5th, 2012
4:22 pm
NOTHING WILL HAPPEN TO THE SAINTS!! NFL LOVES THEM…SINCE KATRINA…MARK MY WORDS!
Atlanta Falcons | Skinny Post
March 5th, 2012
4:29 pm
[...] 2012 NFL Free Agency: Top 5 Possible Cap Casualties for the Falcons 03/04 – Bleacher Report Here are the details of the NFL’s bounty investigation 03/04 – ajc.com Falcons Blog Coy Wire: Falcons don’t have a bounty system 03/04 – [...]
MongoTaz
March 5th, 2012
4:33 pm
I agree the Saints should be hit hard– many have stated loss of draft picks, suspensions, and heavy fines. I have an issue with fines– these people make millions per year, fining them is like putting a band aid on a bullet wound. i recommend losing not only 1st & 2nd rd draft picks for each of the last 3 years, in addition to loss of use of the franchise tag, to be effective immediately- The could lose Nicks, Colston, and Brees all at once..
Ichabod
March 5th, 2012
4:58 pm
I would doubt the league would be able to go after an individual player unless that player admitted he had intentionally violated league rules and intended to hurt another player. All the rest would be hearsay or circumstancial evidence. as all payoffs were by cash. As for the hits themselves, the penalty rules are worded to take care of that, and should have been taken care of at the time or with film review. As for the coaches involvement, I can’t see a conviction without a coach admitting guilt.
And now I read that Jerry Glanville recommended something of this of this sort of thing, and how long ago was that? Well, that was brushed under the rug, but now look what the mushroom has grown into while in the dark. Typhoid Gregg has moved to three teams and apparently confessed.
So we have one confession. Goodell probably knew about this but hoped it would go away, but it didn’t, and now everybody expects him to punish somebody, but he doesn’t have enough people that have confessed! Plus, he has to worry about little things like the NFL image and gate and TV receipts….
SeenThisB4
March 5th, 2012
5:53 pm
And the end of this story is (FALCLOWNS: Still no playoff wins)
Shady
March 5th, 2012
5:55 pm
Lomis and Payton should get one year and the aints should lose three #1 picks….
4NOLA
March 5th, 2012
5:55 pm
Of course these, NO PLAYOFF WIN LOSERS would have something to say! Its football for heaven sakes,,there’s 32 teams in the NFL, I doubt the Saints are the only team with a bounty!
4NOLA
March 5th, 2012
5:57 pm
I guess this is the best thing that couldve happened for the falcons! It will be the highlight of their year, especially since they wont be winning any playoff games anytime soon!
falcons relax
March 5th, 2012
6:35 pm
Saints are done. They’ve already frustrated Brees, hes now worth 16 mil so they can’t keep carl nicks and marques colston. High chance they leave in FA. Payton and Greg Williams will either both get suspended or worse. Multiple Reports are saying that Goodell is going to lay the wood towards the saints to make an example out of them. Theres a difference between “pay for performance” for sacks, ints, FF, etc. But “bounties” to injure guys? I remember when AP said the saints were dirty. They’re done. This is the wild part to me, THE NFL FOUND OUT ABOUT IT AND JUST KEPT IT UNDER THE WRAPS BUT TOLD THEM TO END IT, and they kept doing it. They’ve probably lost their next 3 years of 1st round picks or me. Fines, suspensions, you name it its coming. Hope the SB win was worth it…..now its tarnished forever.
10 of 12
March 5th, 2012
6:45 pm
Need I say more? Well I will. The only way the failclowns win a playoff game is when Goodell finally makes football more like upward sports. See if you can figure that one out !
10 of 12
March 5th, 2012
6:47 pm
@failclown relax- To bad you wouldn’t know about a superbowl win now would you?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 5th, 2012
7:05 pm
Sid – Come on Sid, you know I work the cheerleaders in whenever I get a chance.
Dom
March 5th, 2012
7:15 pm
Yeah, I think the Saints are going to take some years to recover from this off-season. Nicks and probably Colston are gone. Brees ain’t happy. They’re going to be without a coach for at least a game, and without many defensive players for several. Oh, and that Super Bowl they won – it now resides in Tainted Championshipville, along with the Patriots SB wins in the Spygate era and anything Barry Bonds ever won. So they can whine about our recent playoff failures, but at least we played by the rules. Cheats never prosper. At least not for long.
Seen ThisB4
March 5th, 2012
8:12 pm
Yeah, I think my team is going to take a big hit. So’rite tho, they can take it and keep on ticking. The Saints are still going to win next year’s Divisional title, which will be more testimony than you can fit on 50,000 pages on the ineptness of the falcan’ts.
G E A U X S A I N T S
Seen ThisB4
March 5th, 2012
8:22 pm
Let’s see, Nicks was a 5th round draft choice, Colston was a 7th round draft choice, Brees and Sproles were free agent acquisitions, Graham was a late 3rd round draft pick (2nd to last pick in the 3rd round); Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory were undrafted free agents. The list is long… yeah, those numbers 1s Goodell takes away are really really going to hurt! NOT!
SCFalcon
March 5th, 2012
8:48 pm
Seen ThisB4, glad to see momma let you stay up late tonight! Who is going to select all these late round and free agent scrub players? Your coach and GM will be “up river” for the next year or so.
What player is will want to play for the Ain’ts?
Seen ThisB4
March 5th, 2012
9:00 pm
SCFalcon: Players that know the current allegations are bogus, weren’t drafted, or are looking for the best chance at a league title, which is most of them.
GameChanger
March 5th, 2012
9:01 pm
I believe I have SeenThisB4. Hahahahahahahahaha!! The Aints are done next year. With the suspensions and the way the salary cap is, Brees will be passing to ROOKIE receivers with NO pass protection. Gotta love it. Couldn’t happen to a more deserving franchise.
Seen ThisB4
March 5th, 2012
9:05 pm
Wow, I haven’t posted here since January, first time today since then, and they still got people asking me questions and others posting as me! I don’t know if that is flattering or just plain sad!!! Scroll back to 5:53 pm that’s not me, and 11:01pm last night! Too funny.
See ya after the decision is handed down guys: G E A U X S A I N T S ! ! ! !
Seen ThisB4
March 5th, 2012
9:07 pm
GameChanger: And he’ll still be beating the falcan’ts.
10 of 12
March 5th, 2012
9:30 pm
Everybody beats the failclowns…in the playoffs thats is!—BAM!!!!!!!!!!
phil
March 5th, 2012
9:31 pm
Western carolina has a bounty on Davidson tonight….
AFC
March 5th, 2012
11:13 pm
you guys are really funny…..all you atl fans are really hoping they take it to the saints because thats the only way you have a chance for the falcons to beat them….hahahahahahahaha
hbcuclassics
March 5th, 2012
11:44 pm
HBCU Classic Sports
2012 Top 10 DB
1. Christian Thompson, SC State
2. Dominique Ellis, SC State
3. Micah Pellerin, Hampton
4. Justin Ferrell, NC A&T
5. Moses Ellis, Prairie View
6. Lanny Kelly, Howard
7. DeVonte Reynolds, Norfolk State
8. Dajuan Williams, FV State
9. Alton Keaton, Winston Salem
10. Rashad McRae, Albany State
http://hbcuclassics.com/hbcu_draft_board
ls1z28chris
March 6th, 2012
12:02 am
The only reason all of you rednecks are acting so outraged is that you know you’re going to be fighting the Panthers for last place in the NFC South again next year.
Look out for that tornado, rednecks.
Falco peregrino
March 6th, 2012
8:34 am
Oh when the Saints! Oh, when the Aint’s! Oh, when the Aint’s go marching OUT!!!!!! Oh, how I’d hate to be wearing that number! When the Aint’s go maaaaaarchiiiiiiinggggggggg OUTTTTT!
Falcon13
March 6th, 2012
11:10 am
Im more concerned about our team and how we can fix our sorry @$$ defense,,$h** we shoulda had a bounty too, if it meant a superbowl title…
It looks as if having the Saints punished, will give us the only opportunity to move pass them,,pretty sad if you ask me,,This shouldnt be the highlight of our upcoming year..Wishing punishment for the competition just so we can get ahead,,WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO WIN IT ALL ANYWAY! So what is this saying about Falcon football???
Jimmy Crack
March 6th, 2012
11:31 am
They should make the entire team live in downtown New Orleans in the offseason. That should teach them a lesson.
What should really happen…
Saints…Loss of #1 pick in 2013
Loomis…FIRED and NFL ban for 3 years
Payton…SUSPENDED 8 GAMES
Williams…NFL mandated firing by the Rams & NFL Ban for 3 years
Vilma…NFL mandated release by the Saints, suspended from NFL play for 1 year.
Speaking of Vilma, between this and the Hurricane scandals, what were they teaching back then at the University of Miami? Assault 101? This guy needs a cage.
10 of 12
March 6th, 2012
9:10 pm
@ Jimmy Crack- What should really happen to you…REHAB !- The Saints are the new Americas Team . Goodell will go easy on us because everyone loves us and the money loss would be to great for the nfl to handle. It’s ok tp be jealous, just don’t be bitter
motorcityfalcon
March 7th, 2012
8:56 am
Because of what Goodell has done to other players and the fact that he said he holds coachs and FO to a higher standard I don’t think it will be very light
PlanB
March 7th, 2012
7:06 pm
It will be light. Goodell will take a draft pick away and the Aint’s will pick up someone in FA with the savings. Goodell will make a statement like, this will not be tolerated anymore and it will be over with.
For those whose careers were cut short, I hope Congress will look into this.
PS – rivercard is seenthisb4 in disquise.