NFL commissioner Roger Goodel handed down the verdict on Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis, head coact Sean Payton, assistant head coach Joe Vitt and former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, guilty for running a "bounty program" from 2009-2011. The NFL also slapped fines and or suspensions on those found guilty.
As reported in the Times Picayune of 3/22, Goodel also contended that Payton and Loomis orchestrated a web of lies to divert the attention of league gumshoes. That is not a flattering statement concerning two of the Saints top people. Their punishments given out by the NFL is well deserved and hopefully will be a reminder in the future for all concerned. Professional sports, especially NFL football is not a sport any more, it is a business and businesses do not like to be regulated. They like to give lip service to rules and regulations.
NFL owners, general managers, head coaches and players are all overpaid and think they are above it all. Part of the reason is greed and part is because the news media, especially sports journalists put them on a pedestal and give them idol status. How can they do anything wrong. It's the culture they live in. Owners who seek corporate welfare from the states are worse because they know some elected officials would do anything.
This writer in the past has been critical of N.O. sports journalists who cover the Saints for their hype and closeness to the organization and their failure to be objective, but Jeff Duncan and John DeShazier were right on target concerning their report on the subject matter in a Times Picayune article of 3/22. They stepped up to the plate and should be congratulated.
Some players just don't get it and Drew Brees seems to fall in that number for a quote attributed to him in Peter Finney's column of 3/22 in the Times Picayune. Quoting from the column Brees said, "I am speechless" Brees posted on his twitter account. Sean Payton is a great coach and mentor. The best there is. I need to hear an explanation for this punishment.
This writer is of the opinion that Goodel indeed gave a good explanation for the punishment. Where is Brees mind on the subject matter? Is he that far from reality that he is unable to comprehend why Goodel took the actions he did? The Saints, their coaching staff and the players from this day forward will have an opportunity to demonstrate how well they will handle the future. The final chapter in this sad story will be written at a later date.
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