Today, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made a huge statement when he brought the hammer down on the New Orleans Saints for their bounty program. And while this isn’t exactly Vikings news, we felt that the punishment should be mentioned here since we’ve touched on the subject off and on since it came into the news.
No, the Vikings don’t get any compensatory picks. We don’t get a re-do of the NFC Championship game. The Saints didn’t lose their Superbowl ring. The Vikings will be compensated in no way, shape or form (for all you hoping they would be). But they did receive a punishment far more extreme than anything the likes of the NFL has ever seen. Seriously – it’s crazy.
The punishment (according to ESPN):
In regards to the punishment, Goodell said,
“We are all accountable and responsible for player health and safety and the integrity of the game… 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… A combination of elements made this matter particularly unusual and egregious… 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.”
It is expected that there will also be punishments for the 22 of 27 players involved eventually.
One thing to keep an eye out for is if this has any effect on what the Vikings do with Remi Ayodele. It seems he’s already been displaced by some of the free-agency moves made so far this off-season. If he is one of the 22 players that will eventually (assumingly) be punished by the NFL, it may be wise for the Vikings to just cut their ties now.
Oh yeah, and since we’re already talking about things that aren’t really Vikings news… Tim Tebow is a Jet. Don’t you just love football?
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Do the Vikings get any of those second rounders by chance?
No, highly doubt it. Unless the NFLPA somehow pushes the NFL to redistribute them... But again, probably not.
I think Gregg Williams should also be forced to give up one of his superfluous g's, and wear a "bro" for them bitch-tits, and get his gay-ass hair cut, and be forced to watch Sex & the City reruns for a week straight, and finally have to make out with Brad Childress for ten minutes, with liberal amounts of tongue and saliva in said exchange, whilst listening to a montage of Brad's past pressers.
WOW!! I think the fact that they lied about it for so long made it worse and they kept on doing it for two more years. They should've known that lying to the commish wasnt a very good idea.On the bright side hopefully this gets Ayodele off the team.
what? they were in the closet and lying about it?
They got what they deserved.
nice!
tebow a jet. roflllll...
Not enough. I think the Saints are criminally liable. What's the difference between having a bounty on another NFL player compared to some goombah kneecapping another wise guy in New Jersey? This is not relative to getting a speeding ticket, this is more akin criminal conspiracy to commit assault.
They crossed the line from aggressive play to being criminally liable when money exchanged hands (the bounties) and then lied about it.
Punish 'em ....... jail for the players and coaches, plus a lifetime ban from the NFL for all those involved.
The difference is that the NFL, even with Goodell at the helm, is not a law enforcement agency. If criminal charges are to be brought forth it will have to be from an outside agency. The NFL can only punish those involved from within the confines of their business and aide any investigation from outside authorities. Not saying the NFL couldn't have hit them even harder, just saying they can't punish them like criminals... at least not until Goodell builds NFL Prison Europa.
Ole's right on...I mean, only glaring difference between the saints and Jeff Gillooly is a baseball bat.
Hope he dishes out punishment soon on the players involved.
Wished it would have been 1st round picks too...
The image conscious NFL will not take the Saints punishment too far. It would take a prosecutor with brass balls to try and charge an NFL player with conspiracy to commit criminal assault. Charge the person with the least to lose first, establish your case then go head hunting, right up to the ownership if necessary.
If they crossed state lines to commit a crime, it's a federal offense. Does anyone remember if the Arizona game was at New Orleans or Phoenix?