Saints BountyGate: Should Sean Payton Be Fired?
SodaHead Sports
2012/03/06 16:07:26
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With all of the controversy caused by the NFL's investigation of the New Orleans Saints' bounty system, many questions remain. For those that do not know, the Saints from 2009-2011 (and possible earlier than that) instilled a bounty system amongst players and coaches. Pretty much, a player or coach (in this case former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams) would put up $1,000 or however much, for a specific type of hit.
What makes this even worse, on top of violating the NFL's agreement with the Player's Association (NFLPA), is that head coach Sean Payton knew about this when it was all going on. Many journalists and fans of the game have called for the Super Bowl-winning coach to be fired for his actions. But should he be?
There is a precedent set in a head coach not getting fired, even with a ton of controversy attached to their name. That one was set by New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick in 2007-2008, when the NFL released details about SpyGate -- which revealed the Pats spied on other teams' practices as far as 2001. There were significant fines handed down to the coach and his team, but no firings -- at least not publicly. The Saints may fire employees internally, but Coach Sean Payton? His job may be safe -- for now.
What makes this even worse, on top of violating the NFL's agreement with the Player's Association (NFLPA), is that head coach Sean Payton knew about this when it was all going on. Many journalists and fans of the game have called for the Super Bowl-winning coach to be fired for his actions. But should he be?
There is a precedent set in a head coach not getting fired, even with a ton of controversy attached to their name. That one was set by New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick in 2007-2008, when the NFL released details about SpyGate -- which revealed the Pats spied on other teams' practices as far as 2001. There were significant fines handed down to the coach and his team, but no firings -- at least not publicly. The Saints may fire employees internally, but Coach Sean Payton? His job may be safe -- for now.
Why are people worked up about this? Is it literally just the word bounty? Is that all the problem?
Look, we're not talking about illegal hits here. Why would a player make an illegal hit so he can get 500 bucks as the NFL fines him 1000? Seriously? We're talking about legal hits in key situations.
A lot of businesses have bonus structures in place on top of salaries. Thats basically what this is. Its the same theory.
The only problem is that the NFL doesn't allow it so its against the rules. The bonus part, again, not the hits.
So Peyton and the Saints and Williams should be punished with some fines, loss of picks and suspensions for breaking one of the Leagues arbitrary rules.
BUT this isn't a situation to get hyper sensitive over because the bonus system DOESN'T affect the violence in the game. Again, we're talking about legal hits that would still happen absent a bonus system, formal or informal.
My question is if other business...
Why are people worked up about this? Is it literally just the word bounty? Is that all the problem?
Look, we're not talking about illegal hits here. Why would a player make an illegal hit so he can get 500 bucks as the NFL fines him 1000? Seriously? We're talking about legal hits in key situations.
A lot of businesses have bonus structures in place on top of salaries. Thats basically what this is. Its the same theory.
The only problem is that the NFL doesn't allow it so its against the rules. The bonus part, again, not the hits.
So Peyton and the Saints and Williams should be punished with some fines, loss of picks and suspensions for breaking one of the Leagues arbitrary rules.
BUT this isn't a situation to get hyper sensitive over because the bonus system DOESN'T affect the violence in the game. Again, we're talking about legal hits that would still happen absent a bonus system, formal or informal.
My question is if other businesses allow for bonus structures like this, why not the NFL? Players already do get bonus structures built into contracts for achieving particular milestones in TDs or tackles. Those are individual situations. Why not allow teams to reward key plays in key games like this?
But if we're not talking here about repeated premeditated and unpunished illegal hits than this is a petty rules violation. Some of these guys are going to lose a years time but personally I see this as a 2-4 gamer.
Whats interesting is the heat on the Saints for "bounties" and legal hits while no one cares about the NFL and what they do.
If this issue were at teh foundation about player support and saftey in an inherently violent game then the NFL retirement pension and medical support program would be beefed up for retired players with chronic injuries - especially injuries that occured before Goodell started making the league "safer". Those people should be cared for if people REALLY care about players.
They aren't.
And then theres a player like HUnter Hillenmeyer who the NFL forced to retire at the end of last season due to concussion issues. League rules say that he should be eligible for an early retirement bonus of up to 1 million dollars. When he went to claim it he was denied because it had been long enough for him to no longer have symptoms. Though he still can't play.... Seriously?
The Saints team should be heavily fined, and should forfeit at least one draft choice.
It also raises an interesting legal question. Football is supposed to be a tough sport. But, you are not supposed to intentionally injure an opponent. If you do so, is that grounds for a lawsuit?
And the are supposed to be The New Orleans Saints?