Just recently, the Saints have been in the news for having a bounty system from 2008-2011 while defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was coaching. For those of you who do not know what a bounty system is, basically coaches from the Saints would pay defensive players large amounts of money to perform tasks. These tasks included getting sacks, causing fumbles, and even injuring other players. When the Saints played the Vikings in 2010 with Brett Favre at the helm, the Saints defenders were constantly after the quarterback giving him late hits and knocking Favre down until he eventually could barely walk due to a sprained ankle. It just came out this week, Saints defenders such as middle line backer Jonathan Vilma were after Favre trying to get him out of the game. Favre came out with a statement saying that the game against the Saints did not feel particularly right and he knew something was up. Sources said that some players were offered up to $10,000 to make sure Favre didn't last the entire game.
This is an issue the NFL should take very seriously. It should not be allowed under all circumstances for this to be accepted in the sport. Playing football is grueling enough and for offensive players to know defensive players are out to get them for money is just disturbing. I expect for the NFL to come down hard on the Saints with fines and other punishments because they need to get rid of these bounty systems before they escalate. Good thing this news came out when it did or players could have gotten seriously injured down the road.
New Orleans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is responsible for these bounties.
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