Bounties wrong and Saints, Vilma and NFLPA just don’t get it
Jonathan Vilma has some free time to admire this.
(4:10 p.m: Updated and rewritten)
The NFL Players Association needs to re-brand itself, perhaps as the Union of People We Feel Like Representing. Because how is it that a players’ union, whose stated mission includes looking out for the well-being of all its membership …
• Ignores all evidence uncovered in a two-year NFL investigation into a bounty program.
• Ignores the public admission of a former assistant coach, Gregg Williams, who orchestrated and partially funded the program.
• Ignores an audio recording in which Williams is heard instructing his New Orleans defensive players to deliver repeated head blows to the opposing quarterback and running back and then references a specific wide receiver, saying: “He becomes human when we [bleepin’] take out that outside ACL.”
Where’s their union?
The NFL did the right thing again Wednesday. Following the suspensions of coach Sean Payton and other team officials for “Bounty Gate,” commissioner Roger Goodell suspended linebacker Jonathan Vilma for the entire 2012 season and three other players: defensive end Will Smith (four games), linebacker Scott Fujita (now with Cleveland, three games) and defensive end Anthony Hargrove (now with Green Bay, eight games).
It could’ve been worse. The league initially stated “22 to 27″ players were involved in the bounty program. But Goodell, in his own little bounty program, focused on the Saints leaders who contributed money, demonstrated the greatest intent to participate “and/or obstructed the 2010 investigation.”
The union’s immediate response was indignation. It will appeal. I understand a union has members’ backs. But is Drew Brees’ back more important than everybody else’s? How about the guys targeted to be beheaded? Or is the NFLPA just somehow trying to save face after giving so much back in collective bargaining talks?
The NFLPA released a statement saying it has “not received any detailed or specific evidence from the league of these specific players’ involvement in an alleged pay-to-injure program.”
In legal circles, this is called The Bart Simpson Defense: “I didn’t do it. Nobody saw me do it. You can’t prove anything.”
Former Saint Darren Sharper said he read the NFL security report and saw no “proof” that bounty payments made. I love it when people go all CSI on us.
Fear not, I’m sure video of Williams and Vilma handing out $100 bills will surface because don’t you just know the Saints would want it for bookkeeping purposes?
Probably won't see this photo again: Payton, Goodell, Brees smiling
Exactly what would the players union and its muddled-brained leader, DeMaurice Smith, say to Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was among those targeted for $10,000 bounties by the Saints defense? Rodgers said recently, “I think the line is drawn when people knowingly take money for hits that cause injuries to another player.”
The Saints have now lost their head coach (Payton) for the entire season, their interim head coach (Joe Vitt) for six games, their general manager (Mickey Loomis) for eight games, two of their best defensive players (Vilma and Smith) and a second-round draft pick. Quarterback Drew Brees also remains unsigned and unhappy about being franchise tendered, so there’s a degree of uncertainty about his future.
The Saints will play up the Us-Against-The-World theme. But how can you not look at this and logically conclude that the Falcons have the inside track for the NFC South title?
We’ve addressed this before: Anybody who trivializes the bounty program with comments like, “Everybody does it” (not true) or the NFL loves violence (true, but they don’t love concussions and torn ligaments) is missing the point. There’s a difference between rewarding an athlete for an unscripted play and a premeditated assault.
Payments for “cart-offs” aren’t acceptable. We’re taking about people’s livelihoods. And lives.
There aren’t a lot of people around the NFL who feel sorry for the Saints. Along with the team’s success, New Orleans has been viewed as one the more arrogant organizations for a few years. Nobody wears that crown better than Vilma. He recent demonstrated that by changing the avatar on his Twitter account (@JonVilma51) to the Sports Illustrated cover with his picture and the headline: “Bounty Culture.”
I’m sure that went over well in Goodell’s office.
Clearly, there’s a level of acceptance that hasn’t taken place yet with Vilma or the NFLPA. It’s easy to understand a player who can’t get out of the way of his own ego. But a union that is supposed to be looking out for all doesn’t have that excuse.
By Jeff Schultz
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259 comments Add your comment
sam
May 2nd, 2012
2:08 pm
Jeff: I’m surprised only 4 players were suspended when the NFL has been saying 22-27 were involved. Any insight on why the others weren’t punished?
Sid
May 2nd, 2012
2:08 pm
Judy May 2nd, 2012 1:58 pm
They are getting what they deserve. But you cannot count them out.
***********************************************
Yes you can………..Saints are cooked for 2012…………..NFC South Cellar Dweller Judy…………but you can’t count out Tampa and Carolina…………that part is very correct.
Buckeye
May 2nd, 2012
2:09 pm
Sid,
I couldn’t catch him anyway. For once, he’d be a step faster.
G
May 2nd, 2012
2:11 pm
From Saints to Sinners……..bwahhaahhaa!!!! New Orleans Taints! Superbowl trophy officially has a taint. Next up, the trophy will have to be vacated because of how the team went about getting it done.
Kirk
May 2nd, 2012
2:13 pm
Why do all the saints fans cry on this blog? Don’t they have anywhere else to go?
Go Falcons!
P B Orr
May 2nd, 2012
2:16 pm
Larry you don’t know what the hell you are talking about. The people of New Orleans are some of the nicest and friendliest – and family-oriented – you will meet. Louisiana is like any other former Confederate state, politics at the state level is all Billy Bobs and greased palms. It has nothing to do with New Orleans.
As for Vilma, thugz and thug life has been creeping into the NFL for some time, and something should be done to halt it.
Just Sayin
May 2nd, 2012
2:17 pm
Big Time TECHFan, Have you lost your everlasting mind about Brees being overrated. Matt Ryan
is saying on if he could be like Brees.
Jimmy Crack
May 2nd, 2012
2:17 pm
To be clear….
IT COULDN’T HAPPEN TO A MORE DESERVING FAN BASE.
Delbert D.
May 2nd, 2012
2:17 pm
@Larry “Delbert D.
Perhaps you’re unfamiliar with the corrupt politics and organized crime so prevalent, ignored and well accepted in Louisiana, particularly New Orleans. As a result, this actually will result in higher attendance and popularity thus making them MORE valuable for Benson.”
I’ve been aware of the New Orleans situation since my first trip down there in 1965, and more recently from reading books on organized crime, its possible ties to the Kennedy assassination including one by the chief federal prosecutor who was responsible for the Warren Commission review.
This mess with the Saints provides a perfect opportunity for the NFL to get their team in LA. Benson either sells the Saints, or has them disenfranchised by the NFL as a result of the federal criminal proceedings (RICO statute). Either way, no more small market New Orleans NFL team; the vast riches of LA await. As I said, conjecture on my part.
Dirty Dawg
May 2nd, 2012
2:19 pm
Can you imagine the outcry, particularly from NOLA, the first time a Saint goes dwn with an injury? Undoubtedly, they’ll claim it was ‘payback’…I’ll call it Karma…what goes around, comes around.
mol
May 2nd, 2012
2:20 pm
saints still suck hind tit
Forget Hell
May 2nd, 2012
2:21 pm
Larry, let’s be real. Regardless of the circumstances, winning beats losing. Unfortunately, neither of my teams can be counted on to win, so I’ll take any win we can get. My hope is that this has started the saints in a downward death spiral from which they cain’t recover. If the Falcons can take the two games this year, maybe it would serve as a catalyst for bigger and better things to come. Payback for making the Falcons the sacrificial team in New Whorlings’ triumphant return. Rewarding idiots for building a town in a hole by the ocean. Great feeling, having the rest of the world pull against Atlanta. It should have been a nonconference game with no added value. Never send a hurricane to do a man’s job. Thanks Mr. G.
New York 1
May 2nd, 2012
2:24 pm
Falcons and Carolina would be the Saints anyway, Brees is washed up and team has fallen apart, two one and dones to Seattle and SF, WHAT A BUNCH OF LOSERS, GO GIants !
Sad Sack
May 2nd, 2012
2:25 pm
Yeah, well it looked like the Hawks could win w Boston not having their best player, so just cuz the Saints are down doesn’t mean they are out…
Janet S
May 2nd, 2012
2:27 pm
Now they can go loot their city, occupy New Orleans, LMFAO,
FalconJim
May 2nd, 2012
2:27 pm
The “Aints” got what they deserve. But let’s not count our chickens before they hatch, Jeff. The “Sucs”, and the “Panties” had a nice draft, and won’t be “push-overs” by any means.
The only thing I don’t like about this whole thing is, when we give the “Aints” a beat-down, they’ll have an excuse now…..stupid whiners!
But I must say, it’s looking good for our Falcons right now…..I guess we’ll know more come August.
The Backup Quarterback Blog
May 2nd, 2012
2:28 pm
Agree that the suspensions are absolutely justified. Not sure the Falcons should print the NFC South Title T-shirts just yet though: http://www.backupquarterbackblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/saints-player-suspensions-wont-hurt-too.html
Karen N.O. Deva
May 2nd, 2012
2:28 pm
I think the Saints gave our city a bad name to be honest.
Falconwings
May 2nd, 2012
2:30 pm
They will cry all season as why they arent winning. Why is everybody picking on us, cry me a river
Live and in Color
May 2nd, 2012
2:31 pm
Its funny…Vilma is out and the Saints will replace him in the lineup with the best tackler on the Falcons!!!! Lofton is now the starter in the middle for New Orleans and Wac Ryan nad “Tiptoe” Turner will loose to them again…Then we will have to listen to the srcub fans in this town make even more excuses as to why the Falcons can not win in the playoffs…….
Gomer Pyle
May 2nd, 2012
2:33 pm
So…
The Saints’ bounty, the grassy knoll and the faked lunar landing are all related?
Shazam!
Live and in Color
May 2nd, 2012
2:33 pm
“two one and dones to Seattle and SF”
Really???? This from a fan of a team that only managed 2 points in a playoff game???? Yeah right……
SeenThisB4
May 2nd, 2012
2:34 pm
Falcons still suck and they will be lucky for a 7-9 record at best!! Saints will dominate on offense this season! Watch out Drew brees is gonna be MVP! WHOOO DAAAT NATION STAND UPP!!!
Big Lou
May 2nd, 2012
2:40 pm
*Inhales Deeply*
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!
Brave Hokie
May 2nd, 2012
2:41 pm
Wish I could share in the enthusiasm Schulzie…
But the last 24 hrs should be time and again reminder: this IS “loserville” and something will always find a way to go wrong…
The Bucs or Cats will take advantage while the Falcan’ts will watch and wonder, WTF?
Hillbilly D
May 2nd, 2012
2:41 pm
Louisiana is like any other former Confederate state, politics at the state level is all Billy Bobs and greased palms.
And of course they don’t do any of that up North, I guess?
Mateo49
May 2nd, 2012
2:42 pm
Schultz – you have a new O-coordinator and D-coordinator and think that should get your pigeons the NFC South title?? In the words of ESPN MNF, ‘come on, man’! You better not sleep on the Bucs or Panthers…if anything, if the birds don’t win the division, your head coach may be looking for a new gig next year as well…as a beat writer for pro sports in this city, you should know better…the Braves, Hawks and Pigeons are teasers…nothing more, nothing less. Get a grip on reality, sir.
catamount 79
May 2nd, 2012
2:45 pm
You seem to have forgotten about the team 4 hours north of Atlanta. Atlanta hasn’t clinched anything yet.
Pandora
May 2nd, 2012
2:46 pm
There is no way in HELL the Failcant’s would have won the south period. The Failcant’s is a very sorry team! Give me a break!
Matthew
May 2nd, 2012
2:47 pm
I hate the Saints, but Grubbs is a very small step down if any, and I think it is a huge reach to act like the Falcons made massive upgrades this year.
Steve613
May 2nd, 2012
2:53 pm
This is AWESOME news!!! Maybe…just maybe…if the ENTIRE Saints team gets suspended for the year, Atlanta might be able to split the two games against them this year. Maybe.
Forever a Saints Fan!
May 2nd, 2012
2:53 pm
The Failcant’s wish they could have a good team. That is not in the cards any time soon. Not in this lifetime! Go ahead you FAILCANT’S fans…laugh while you can. It’s so pitiful that you laugh at this. At any rate we the New Orleans SAINTS will beat your behinds again! You can believe that! Then I’m certain that the Failcant’s fans will still cry…’bounty…bounty..’.
Notice that Matt ’sweetness’ Ryan was NOT on their list. What does that tell you…It tells you that your team is not a match for the New Orleans Saints! The Failcat’s are very sorry. You still have a sad team. It will be proven once again when the season begin. WHO DAT NATION BABY….ALL DAY EVERY DAY! GEAUX SAINTS!!! 
Steven
May 2nd, 2012
2:55 pm
Vilma was not going to play for this team next year. He would have been cut if the suspension hadn’t given the Saints a freebee on his contract. The Saints (in reality) lose one player because of the suspensions. Grubbs is not a step down from Nicks; he might actually prove to be better, and to assume that Carolina and Tampa Bay aren’t capable of surprising their way into the playoffs is naive to the point of idiocy.
Old School
May 2nd, 2012
2:56 pm
Hey Jeff, off the subject but I just heard Junior Seau was found dead, apparent suicide. Wow, heard anything? Terrible if true.
C
May 2nd, 2012
2:56 pm
Goodbye Saints. Back to your rightful place at the bottom of the NFC.
Tully
May 2nd, 2012
2:57 pm
Old School-
Apparently true. TMZ and Fox are reporting he shot himself at his home. Tragic end to a great player.
Old School
May 2nd, 2012
3:00 pm
Thanks Tully, just found a couple of links. I’m stunned, he was only 43. Damn.
Brave Hokie
May 2nd, 2012
3:00 pm
May 2nd, 2012
2:46 pm
There is no way in HELL the Failcant’s would have won the south period. The Failcant’s is a very sorry team! Give me a break!
_________________________________________________________
I agree, the Falcons IS a very sorry team…
& your “forms of be”, be mastered at some Louisiana public sckool.
Pandora
May 2nd, 2012
3:01 pm
Trust me when I say that New Orleans has been thru Katrina…I KNOW we will get through this. We will have a great season. The New Orleans Saints team is a great team. On their WORST day, they are much better than the FAILCANT’S best day!
Go head all of you Failcant’s fans and enjoy the second…let’s see how much you will be talking when we go to the Superbowl in our own city next year! GEAUX SAINTS!!! 
Jimmy Crack
May 2nd, 2012
3:05 pm
Sain’ts fans are such scumbags.
Karma
May 2nd, 2012
3:09 pm
I agree, Saints can go the Superbowl in NO. Of course, they’ll need tickets.
Devil's Advocate
May 2nd, 2012
3:11 pm
Falcons will go 16-0 then lose in the 2nd round of the playoffs to the Lions 66-3. Stafford and Johnson break NFL post-season passing and receiving yardage and TD records in the process. Bank it!
Karma
May 2nd, 2012
3:13 pm
We can all dream, DA.
Sage of Bluesland
May 2nd, 2012
3:16 pm
Jeff–I still don’t get excited about this player-financed motivational ploy (and I’m a huge Falcons fan enjoying the Saints’ offseason nonetheless).
“Pre-meditated assault”? That IS the NFL, for Heaven’s sake.
Soon, the league will be reviewing the “intent” of every single tackle….and the game will be ruined forever.
I think this is much ado about nothing….but, I’m still enjoying the Falcons’ offseason….Petrino’s comeuppance; the Saints’ travails; Keith Brooking revealed as a fraud in a loan-scam….yes, indeed, it’s been a good offseason.
Saints, Vilma slammed — and Falcons may have won South | football-feed.com
May 2nd, 2012
3:17 pm
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nolabigdawg
May 2nd, 2012
3:23 pm
bigtimetechfan @ 1:11
Son, you are not supposed to drink the bong water, GEESH!!
You can’t be that stupid?
While I am not a Saints fan, you Falcons do know that the Saints offense is intact, right?
You will still have to out score them and while their defense was mid-pack they will still be a contender to go to the Super Bowl from the NFC.
The Falcons will be good, but they still have to beat the Saints, Shultzes’ foolish prediction not withstanding.
SAL
May 2nd, 2012
3:27 pm
It’s sad that Falcons fans have to rely on other teams having players suspended or a team in disarray to have hopes of winning the division.
kerryb
May 2nd, 2012
3:30 pm
Sage of Bluesland
May 2nd, 2012
3:16 pm
Jeff–I still don’t get excited about this player-financed motivational ploy (and I’m a huge Falcons fan enjoying the Saints’ offseason nonetheless).
“Pre-meditated assault”? That IS the NFL, for Heaven’s sake.
Soon, the league will be reviewing the “intent” of every single tackle….and the game will be ruined forever.
I think this is much ado about nothing….but, I’m still enjoying the Falcons’ offseason….Petrino’s comeuppance; the Saints’ travails; Keith Brooking revealed as a fraud in a loan-scam….yes, indeed, it’s been a good offseason.
__________________________________________________
You can’t be more wrong. Yes, the football is a violent game and players will get hurt but, it is a different thing to pay players as hit men to injure other players intentionally. That is a BIG difference. I don’t know why the other players wouldn’t withdraw from the NFLPA or fire the representatives for backing these players. It sounds like no matter what players do the union is going to back them even if it is something against the other members. Seems like a pretty stupid decision by the leadership.
kerryb
May 2nd, 2012
3:32 pm
SAL
May 2nd, 2012
3:27 pm
It’s sad that Falcons fans have to rely on other teams having players suspended or a team in disarray to have hopes of winning the division.
_________________________________________________________________
I think the Falcons won the division convincingly in 2010 without all of that.
kerryb
May 2nd, 2012
3:34 pm
nolabigdawg, don’t live in denial. The Saints are finished. Gone from the media’s darlings to outcast in just a few short months.