NEW ORLEAN SAINTS

[GramPolly3]

From Pop Warner football right up to the NFL players are told to hit and hit hard the opponent. That's nothing new. To be paid a bounty for injuring another player crosses the line.

[rogery]

Bounties are not new unfortunately. It should be stopped of course and suspending a coach for a year might be a good first step. A warning to others it won't be tolerated. Careers can be ruined. Could you imagine a bounty system in the NBA ?

[dwiley11]

I'm sorry this even happened in high school footbal when I was a kid

[donnitab]

I live in New Orleans and am a diehard saints fan. With that being said, I am sickened, saddened and embarrassed by their actions and behavior. I do believe the suspensions are appropriate, maybe a bit lenghty, but still appropriate. They knew what they were involved in and whether it is common practice in the NFL or not, it does not make it ok. They now have to be held accountable for their actions and suffer the repurcussions!! Hopefully, a lesson will be learned from this and it will deter other teams from participating in this kind of activity. It is a shame that Drew Brees' name is associated and being dragged through the mud as a result of this. From all accounts, it looks like he really didn't know anything about it and he is such a stand up guy and does such positive things for the team and community. It is sad his reputation is being tarnished.

[pattersondebra]

I wondered what a true Saints fan would feel like or even say. I now know, and thank you for your true thoughts as hard as it was to admit. I too would be angry and dissapointed, but as you I would still be a fan and defend the innocent.

[derrick12480]

im sure they arent the only team doing it. I don't see why they didn't just give the bounty money for sacs and such instead of saying oh ya gotta hurt the guy.

[pattersondebra]

That's why they make the big money - doing thier job. There should never be any bounties for any team.

[bowrunner]

I'm not sure that Sean Payton should have had a year's suspension because I'm not sure he knew about it but he's at the top and the buck stops there.
I was very interested in what the Saints fan had to say about it.  I feel sorry for all of the players that weren't involved in it.
Unfortunately it's happened before but Goodell is doing the right thing and not giving a slap on the wrist.  Some players are most likely going to get suspended also.

[pattersondebra]

My heart tells me that there were players that were not aware of this, but my mind says how could you not know when the envelopes with money were passed to the winners of these bounties in front of thier faces.