Bounty Gate gets Huge Penalties

With bounty gate being the scandal of the year, everyone knew that the penalties for this offense were going to be big. The New Orleans Saints were just hoping that they could survive this and be able to contend for the upcoming season. Well the penalties have now been given and it's mainly suspensions all around. GM Mickey Loomis has been banned for 8 games, assistant coach Joe Vitt for six games, Greg Williams, the former DC who now works for the Rams, is suspended indefinitely, and lastly head coach Sean Payton suspended for the entire 2012 NFL season. The team was also hit with a $500,000 fine and stripped of their 2nd round draft pick for this year and the following.

Very harsh penalties for the Saints and a huge statement to the rest of the league. Most of the these penalties do seem a bit harsh to me but once you read about Payton's role you would understand the NFL's reaction as well. I still think the big reason the league had to come down hard what not necessarily what the Saints did but for the image of the NFL. They are "trying" to portray themselves as a humane game, especially through the concussion lawsuits that are pending, and they have to come down hard on anyone that breaks this image.

Whatever the real reason for the penalties, they are harsh and will cripple the Saints for the following year.

P.S. Drew Brees, sucks to be tagged.