NFL: Saints Bounty Thread

[papachaz]

just scrolled across the screen on NFL network, goodell has upheld the suspensions, the expectations are that the other three will also file for restraining orders to try to get around the suspensions.

i mean come on, how do you sign a labor agreement, and then try to sue to get around it? these guys may ALL wind up out of the league before long. as already mentioned, MV got back in by just letting Goodell do his thing.....these guys are gonna look back at this with regret one day

[phocis850]

Vick was completely different situation.

[RFlagg]

The way this appears to me is:

Goodell: I have evidence you were the main contributors of a bounty program. Do you wish to rebut?
Players: We've got nothing to say.
Goodell: Ok, you're all suspended.
Players: Wait, you can't do that, you have no evidence! We're appealing!
**At Appeals Hearing**
Players: So where's all your "evidence"?
Goodell: Here you go.
**Que 45 minute presentation of evidence**
Players: This is a sham!
Goodell: Well, you're all still suspended.
Players: That's it, we're going to court!
Goodell:

[papachaz]

(07-03-2012 08:10 PM)phocis850 Wrote:  Vick was completely different situation.

yes i know, but, he could have been banned for life, but didn't fight against the commish and i personally believe that had some bearing with why he was allowed back into the league. you sure can't say that about Vilma, but, i guess we'll have to wait a year to find that out.

i can't believe these suits will even make it past the first round, he's totally within his rights to suspend them, and they were offered, and are still offered, to provide evidence of their innocence, and yet they are not doing so.

[Drathdon]

The only way they could prove their innocence is to show it was someone else who did it (another player) since the NFL has proof the Aints ran the program. Not a one of them, if innocent - which I doubt, could clear their name without being a rat and the most hated player ever. I do not think they are innocent, but if they were, what a shitty position to be in. I like it!

If I were writing a book, I'd have Brees behind it all... all the cash payments and the whole thing, and have them all be forced to take the fall for him! That would be one hell of a movie! Imagine if even a hint of that were true! You know Brees knew something!

[Templar]

OH!! That's it....that's what it's all about. Goodell has evidence that Brees was a major backer in the bounties, but not wanting to give the golden boy a bad name, the whole contract dispute is simply a way to suspend Drew without pay for a year, without officially suspending him. It's like when Jordan went to play baseball for a year so he wouldn't be suspended for gambling.


Not to mention, if it came out that an opposing QB were putting up money to hurt players on opposing teams offenses, that QB would become a marked man for the few games that they would have left in their careers.



Yes...dreaming...but oh what a dream!!!

[TeamPlayer1]

It just gets better and better! What if Vilma's suit against Goodell and the NFL is tossed quickly because of the CBA and his contract with the "conduct detrimental clause"?

Vilma will have 200K in legal fees and will still be suspended. The only participant who cannot lose is Vilma's lawyer! Then Vilma flips and says Brees knew about everything!! Ha!Ha!Ha!

[Drathdon]

Tick... tick... tick...

[RFlagg]

Just some thoughts I've been having related to the bounty case and Drew Brees as of late.

I see people tossing around and joking about Brees knowing about the bounty system the Saints installed and saying that he is actually been suspended for this season, but is using the contract dispute as a way to let him save face (a la Jordan's retirement/move to baseball after being investigated for gambling). My question is, would it be so far fetched that Brees actually did know about the bounty program? here's a picture of the New Orleans locker room.



And another at their training facility.



The first thing I notice: No separation between players, in fact, things look pretty close together to me. I'm not saying Brees contributed money to the pool, but to think that he didn't once, in 3 seasons, overhear someone talking about the money they earned during a game is almost too far fetched to believe.

Another theory I've seen is that Brees might just sit this season out so that he won't have to play this year without Payton. Again, not a bad thought. In Brees career, here are his stats with and without Payton.

Without Sean Payton:
Total - 59 Games, 1125/1809, 62.2%, 12,348 Yards, 6.83 YPA, 80 TDs, 53 INTs, 84.9 Rating
Per Game - 19.07/30.66, 209.29 Yards, 1.36 TDs, 0.90 INTs

With Sean Payton:
Total - 95 Games, 2488/3670, 67.8%, 28,394 Yards, 7.74 YPA, 201 TDs, 93 INTs, 98.5 Rating
Per Game - 26.19/38.63, 298.88 Yards, 2.12 TDs, 0.98 INTs

Is it too far fetched to believe that Brees is willing to sit out a season so he can continue to play for a coach that lead him to such drastically better numbers? I'd have to think the thought has at least entered his mind.

Of course this is all null and void if the Saints actually pay him for a long term deal in the next 9 days.

[juraitwaluzka]

Whatever went on down there Brees knew. Period. To think anything else is more absurd than any of Guido's theories and that's saying something.

As for him sitting out. I don't see it happening but if it did it would only be for financial reasons. As much as I wish he played for any of 27 other teams, he is a great QB. Payton needs him far more than he needs Payton.