Report: Williams has instituted bounties at multiple stops around the league

[Phishfan]

I recall Belichick getting the absolute max available in spygate (a paltry $250k fine or something).

What kind of world do we live in where we discuss athletes & coaches and call a $250K fine paltry? What sickens me is how many of those guys end up broke anyway.

Back on topic, I thought it was a $500K fine but might be mistaken.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

What kind of world do we live in where we discuss athletes & coaches and call a $250K fine paltry? What sickens me is how many of those guys end up broke anyway.

Back on topic, I thought it was a $500K fine but might be mistaken.

BB was fined $250K personally.  The team was fined $500 K.  Total fine was 3/4 of a million. 

[Landshark]

What kind of world do we live in where we discuss athletes & coaches and call a $250K fine paltry? What sickens me is how many of those guys end up broke anyway.

Back on topic, I thought it was a $500K fine but might be mistaken.

If he makes $5 million, a $250K fine is most certainly a paltry sum.

[Phishfan]

^^^ And my point is, what kind of world is that?

[Spider-Dan]

I disagree with you on Williams.  I don't think he will see a football field this season, except from a TV at home.

I will say this...

The NFL is taking an awfully long time to make a move on this, and the longer they take, the longer ESPN gets to do what they do when they don't have real news: manufacture the news.  As days and weeks pass, we will inevitably see more stories go from calls for fines, to calls for suspensions, to calls for firing, to calls for lifetime bans.

So I will temper my original statement and say that the longer the NFL drags this out, the more severe the punishments will become for all involved parties (not just Williams).

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Today Rex Ryan was asked about the bounty program and said that he offered his players bounties as well being it is one of his favorite candy bars.

[Spider-Dan]

Well, looks like I was completely wrong.  Goodell came down with the hammer of God on the offenders:

- $500k fine for the Saints + two second-round picks confiscated
- GM Mickey Loomis suspended for 8 games
- Head coach Sean Payton suspended for a year
- Assistant coach Joe Vitt suspended for 6 games
- Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams suspended "indefinitely" (but at least a year)

This kind of makes Spygate and Tripgate seem like a slap on the wrist, but whatever.  It's nice to see management being held to a standard close to that of the players, for once.

[bsmooth]

I know they tagged Brees, but how does this effect talks?

[el diablo]

Talk about a Ten Ton Hammer. Wow!

As far as Brees, it depends. Depends on how desperate the Saints are to have a silver lining. And how willing Brees is to lead this train wreck.

[Landshark]

Goodell reached across the country and knocked the Saints squarely on their butts.  They will have to either designate an interim head coach or get rid of Sean Payton. 

As for Brees, it depends on whether or not he wants to be there.  If I'm not mistaken, the cost to acquire a franchised player is two first round picks although the team can negotiate for less.

[Cathal]

What does suspending a GM for 6 games do? Is that just saying he's not going to be paid for 6 weeks?

[fyo]

If I'm not mistaken, the cost to acquire a franchised player is two first round picks although the team can negotiate for less.

The Saints slapped Brees with the exclusive franchise tag. As the name implies, no other team can approach him.

The Saints are always free to try and work out a trade, but since Brees hasn't actually signed the tender (and reportedly has no intention of doing so anytime soon), any potential trading partner would almost certainly require Brees to agree to a contract of some sort (meaning a trade wouldn't be feasible without Brees' accept).

[SportsChick]

What does suspending a GM for 6 games do? Is that just saying he's not going to be paid for 6 weeks?

and can't make player moves, be involved with the team etc.

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

I figured the punishment would be big.....but WOW this was a complete shock. I figured Williams would get a year off but not Payton.....I think Goodell wanted to send a clear message to the league and he did just that.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

The punishments don't just reflect the bounty program, but the cover up after they got caught the first time and continueing it.