NFL: Saints Bounty Thread

[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.