Typically during this time of year, all NFL fans are talking about is the draft. Who will be taken first? Who will my favorite team draft? What player will make the biggest impact as a rookie? After last year’s hold out headlines, everyone was hoping to get back to the regularity of the draft. However, an even bigger headline has once again overstepped the draft and became center of attention.
Apparently, the New Orleans Saints have had what is called a “Bounty Program” for several years. This program is a money earning system where players that purposely injure other players get paid. Also, important players for opposing teams also have money placed on them before the game so that if any player does knock them out, then that player will receive the total. It is a ruthless, merciless system that completely takes away the morality and integrity of the NFL game.
However, the punishments for the Saints team have just been passed down, and most would consider these to be very serious if not extreme. Head Coach Sean Payton was suspended an entire year without pay. The defensive coordinator, who had just moved to the St. Louis Rams, is now suspended indefinitely. Another suspended component of the team is the General Manager Mickey Loomis, who now can have no contact with the team through the first eight games of the season. And finally, the team now faces a $500,000 fine and loses their second round pick for the next two years.
Seems like a lot, right? Some would argue that it is not enough and a punishment like this should result in suspension of players, too. Another group would argue it is just right and that all teams will learn from this mistake. I am in the final group and believe that this punishment is too severe and some aspects should be re-evaluated.
Head Coach Sean Payton, who has had an amazing track record through his years at the NFL, has no connection to the program at all. It is said by many of the interviewed players that the bounty program was talked through defensive meetings, in which case Payton was not a part of. Is this not America where a man is innocent until proven guilty? In my honest opinion, I see Payton completely innocent and punished for absolutely no reason.
The other severe part is the number of draft picks taken away. I see the ability to take away this year’s draft pick. They need to punish the team somehow. But after everything they are taking away from the team this year, they are going to take away another pick next year? That is just a jab in the gut to remind the team of mistakes made in the past. Keep the punishments to this year and move on with it.
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