Who dat, Saints?

If you play with fire, you get burned.

Sure, it sounds cliché. But New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton didn't believe the message and neither did ex-Saints (and current St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator) Gregg Williams. But after carrying on with a bounty program for the past three seasons and then continuing to lie about it, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had enough.

Saints head coach Sean Payton and ex-Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. AP

On Wednesday, Goodell suspended Payton without pay for the entire 2012 season effective April 1, and suspended Williams indefinitely, effective immediately. Goodell will review Williams' status at the conclusion of the 2012 season.

Just to get you caught up, Saints players and Williams ran a bounty program to reward players for hits on opposing players during the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons. The program was primarily funded by players and violated NFL rules. According to news reports, the program included bounty payments to players for inflicting injuries on opposing players that would result in them being removed from the game. In some instances, the amounts pledged were big and were directed against specific opposing quarterbacks such as Kurt Warner, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and Cam Newton.

One of the most egregious offenses was when Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, a defensive captain, offered $10,000 to any player who knocked Favre out of the NFC Championship game in New Orleans on Jan. 24, 2010.  If you watched the game or seen highlights, you would have seen Favre on the receiving end of cheap, malicious hits from Saints defensive players.

Others suspended included Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt. Loomis was suspended without pay for the first eight regular-season games in the 2012 season while Vitt was suspended without pay for the first six regular-season games of the 2012 season.
In addition, the Saints were fined $500,000 and will forfeit their second-round picks in the 2012 and 2013 NFL drafts. The Saints and other individuals disciplined are also expected to participate in efforts to develop programs that will instruct on a variety of topics including:
• Respect for the game and those who participate in it
• The principles of fair play, safety and sportsmanship
• To ensure bounties will not be part of football at any level.

As you can imagine, this decision was not met well by Payton, Williams, Saints fans, and even quarterback Drew Brees. Payton was apparently stunned  by the suspension. Williams was said to be remorseful and apologetic about everything. Saints fans took to ESPN and other social media websites defending the bounties by proclaiming every team does it. 

But perhaps the most disappointing response was from Brees, who was  "speechless" and called Payton "a great man, coach, and mentor." He further stated he needed an explaination why Payton was suspended for the entire season as opposed to just four games  – something Payton and the rest of the Saints staff were preparing for due to the seriousness of the investigation.

I am not as sympathetic. And as far as I am concerned, they can all cry me a river.

Payton seemed more concerned about losing out on a $7.5 million salary than acknowledging any wrongdoing. Williams' apology was too little, too late given his history of running bounty programs in the NFL. And since Brees was so quick to defend Payton and his teammates, perhaps he would also like to defend perpetrators of domestic violence too?

Let's face it, the Saints played dirty and got away with it for three seasons, and then lied to investigators. The team and their fans exploited the Hurricane Katrina tragedy for long enough and eventually got their wish from the NFL to bring a Lombardi Trophy home to the Big Easy – tainting whatever special season they had down the drain.

Goodell has not announced punishments against any players involved. But there are between 22 and 27 players involved who will be facing steep fines and suspensions for participating in Bountygate. Given the unprecidented punishment handed down to Payton and Williams Wednesday, any player who is still in the NFL and was a part of Bountygate better have enough money saved up and consider temporary employment elsewhere. Otherwise, it's going to be a long season and eventually an unpleasant retirement from professional sports.

Who dat? Who dat? NFL just beat da Saints, dat who!

NFL must truly go medieval on the Saints, players, and Williams

January 24, 2010 is a day I will never forget.

It was the day of the National Football Conference Championship between the Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans. It was one of the most exciting playoff games ever in NFL history. But the end result left a bad taste in my mouth.

Vikings quarterback Brett Favre takes a vicious hit by Saints players in 2009. AP

It wasn't just because the Saints beat the Vikings in overtime 31-28. It was also due to the cheap, dirty tactics that Saints players put on Vikings quarterback Brett Favre throughout the game - trying take him out of the game by maliciously trying to injure him.

For years, the National Football League and other NFL fans had ignored this fact and passed it along as the way football was meant to be played. It should also be noted that New Orleans was still rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina in 2009, and the Saints "magical" season provided a feel good story heading into Superbowl XLIV, in which they defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17.

But after numerous complaints from opposing players and a lengthy investigation by NFL's security department, news came out Friday that Saints players and their defensive coordinator Gregg Williams maintained a bounty program to reward players for hits on opposing players during the 2009, 2010, and 2011 seasons. The program was primarily funded by players and violated NFL rules.

According to news reports, the program included bounty payments to players for inflicting injuries on opposing players that would result in them being removed from the game. In some instances, the amounts pledged were big and were directed against specific opposing players.

Vikings quarterback Brett Favre gets hit by Saints players in 2009. AP

One of the alleged bounties was from Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma who offered $10,000 to knock Favre out of the NFC Championship Game. Favre was hit numerous times throughout the game - at times after he got rid of the ball. He also sustained a hit to the leg after throwing an interception that briefly took him out of the game to get his ankle treated on the sideline. It was an interception that should have been overturned at the time, NFL officials said after the game.

According to the report, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis failed to stop the bounty program when directed to do so by team owner Tom Benson. Head coach Sean Payton was also aware of the allegations but did not pursue them or take steps to stop the program, according to the report.

The report also said Williams ran a similar bounty program when he was a defensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins. The Washington Post interviewed four players who admitted Williams ran a system. Only one of them - former defensive lineman Philip Daniels - went on record to admit to the program, but defend Williams.

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson had also complained last season about the Saints trying to re-injure his ankle during a home game at Mall of America Field in December. Unlike 2009, some in the NFL actually listened. Other players also spoke up and were interviewed for the report - which re-opened an initial investigation whether the Saints played dirty during the NFC playoffs in 2009.

The report's findings are now in NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's hands and severe punishments could be in store for the organization, coaches, and players involved. Those punishments include fines, suspensions, and even forfeitures of draft picks for the 2012 draft in April.

Let me be clear: I hope Goodell goes medieval on the asses of everyone involved. I don't care if this cripples the Saints organization for years. They chose to play cheap and dirty. It is time for Karma to do her work and offer payback to the organization, its players, and current and former coaches during the 2009 season.

Then-Saints Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams

One of the best ways to do this is to strip the Saints of all their draft picks for 2012. It should be noted that the Saints traded their first round pick to this year's draft to the New England Patriots. In addition, Goodell should seriously consider stripping the organization of its franchise tag for 2012. The move force the Saints to either sign quarterback Drew Brees to a long term contract, which would cripple the team's salary cap space. Or, it would allow Brees to become an unrestricted free agent and sign with another team.

Williams, who is now a defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams, took full responsibility for the program and apologized Friday. But he only apologized after getting caught, and I doubt his apology is sincere. And for that, Goodell should consider banning Williams for an entire season without pay.

As for the players, I expect to hear them to shoot the messenger, deny the allegations like former Saints defensive back Darren Sharper, and even admit and enable that behavior by saying that it's been going on for years, as Sharper pointed out.

I understand that football is a tough, physical game people play to win. But many of these athletes and coaches are supposed to be good stewards for their communities on and off the field. That means being good role models for children and playing the game ethically.

This report not only confirmed my belief that Saints players play dirty to win. It put a black eye on the NFL and tainted the Saints "winning" season. If Goodell is at all concerned about player safety and integrity of the game, send a message and by making examples out of these clowns.

Editor's note: I need to disclose that I am a Vikings fan and am a little biased.