"Victory is mine!!!!" This is what Saints linebacker, Jonathan Vilma, tweeted once news broke that the four players suspended in result of Bountygate were no longer suspended. They can start playing in Week 1. Vilma had the harshest suspension of 16 games. Saints defensive end, Will Smith, was suspended 4 games along with Browns linebacker, Scott Fujita, for 3 games and free agent, Anthony Hargrove, for 8 games. NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, can still reinstate the suspension if evidence proves these players purposely injured players. Bountygate brought to light two major topics - in my opinion - of the nature of the game and the business of the game.
First, the obvious topic is the violence of the NFL. Everyone knows football is a full contact sport that can be violent at times. The problem is people focus on the "violence" of the game and fail to remember it is controlled "violence." Players play the game with full knowledge and acceptance of the contact nature of the game. This is why we have referees. They keep it structured and full contact rather than violent. Now, I agree that Sean Payton should be suspended for the year along with the suspension of ex-defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams. There is no argument that a structured bounty is crossing the line. However, you cannot tell me the Saints are the only team to do this. I believe the Saints were just made an example. Not saying all teams have a structured bounty, but it is almost common sense, or second nature to want to knock the opposing team's best player out of the game. It gives you an advantage. I am not saying to maliciously hurt them, but shake them up some. Make them uncomfortable and give your team the edge.
What I want to focus on, however, in this post is the latter topic - how the business of the game is ran. Not saying at a team level or even a monetary level, but on the discipline level. It is obvious that Goodell's policing of players has been well documented and criticized to a degree. It is also certain that the policing will always be linked to Goodell's legacy as commissioner to the greatest league in all of pro sports. I agree with some of his policing. I believe that if you cannot keep yourself out of trouble outside of the game and are constantly embarrassing your team and league, you should be punished. In most cases it works. I start having issues when it is in the confines of the game. I am all for player safety, but lets not panic. I am for the concussion rule but against making the quarterback untouchable. I believe with Bountygate, the punishment was too quick and unfair to the four players. I say this because if there was evidence that these players went out to hurt their opponents, then why was the suspension overturned? I believe the NFL and Goodell should have a committee or even an individual in charge of the punishments and let the commissioner be the commissioner.
To wrap up I agree with the direction Goodell is heading in punishing the knucklehead players out there that just cannot seem to learn and realize they are blessed. There are hundreds of thousands of boys, young men, and even girls who would love to be in the position of these athletes we watch and admire on Sundays. If you cannot learn how to stay out of trouble or follow the rules, you should be punished. But when it comes to something that is not as black and white as the Bountygate scandal or when you are just a tool (and I mean that in a general term - not negative) in someone's scheme, you should not be punished or punished as harshly. I believe the NFL did the right thing suspending Williams and Payton, but crossed the line when suspending 4 players from a defense that consists of at least 20 other players. I believe what happened yesterday was a victory for the players, but not necessarily a loss for the NFL. I believe these events are needed to find the happy medium that is needed and will be perfected to "protect the shield."
- Greg Tepe "Self-proclaimed NFL Guru"
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