2025-2026 NFL Season Thread

[StereoMike]

Schefter did say that the Saints will be disciplined far worse than the Patriots were for Spygate.

[Batman1980]

Anyone remember what sanctions, if any, were levied against the Iggles for their Bounty Bowl against the Cowboys under Buddy Ryan?

NFL 1989 Season - Week 13 Pregame (Bounty Bowl Discussion) - THE NFL TODAY - YouTube

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by StereoMike

Schefter did say that the Saints will be disciplined far worse than the Patriots were for Spygate.

It shouldn't be. The Patriots actions effected the outcome of games. Bounties don't.

Come to think of it didn't the Saints also have other issues on Payton's watch? I think there was some issue with large amounts of drugs (painkillers) missing from team facilities years back.

[wilky61]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

It shouldn't be. The Patriots actions effected the outcome of games. Bounties don't.

Come to think of it didn't the Saints also have other issues on Payton's watch? I think there was some issue with large amounts of drugs (painkillers) missing from team facilities years back.

Chad, you're fooling yourself if you don't believe that incentivizing the knocking out of the opposing team's QB has no effect on the outcomes of games. Have you not yet seen the footage of the blindsides and cheap shots that the '09 Saints were taking in the playoffs (e.g., on Favre in the Vikings playoff game)? What's worse is that they were getting away with it at the time, too (i.e., the onfield referees were allowing it to continue).

But a bounty system doesn't just affect the outcomes of games... it has the player safety issue, which affects the outcomes of careers. (As you know, the NFL is currently being sued by former players regarding the issue of concussions, so the timing of this bounty story couldn't be worse for the NFL/Saints right now.) A bounty system also runs against salary cap rules and is in fact specifically outlawed in the collective bargaining agreement to which the owners/players agreed. A pay-to-hit scheme also undermines the NFL's system of fining players for hits on defenseless QBs, etc.

This is far worse than Spygate, and the Saints are about to enter a world of pain.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by wilky61

Chad, you're fooling yourself if you don't believe that incentivizing the knocking out of the opposing team's QB has no effect on the outcomes of games. Have you not yet seen the footage of the blindsides and cheap shots that the '09 Saints were taking in the playoffs (e.g., on Favre in the Vikings playoff game)? What's worse is that they were getting away with it at the time, too (i.e., the onfield referees were allowing it to continue).

But a bounty system doesn't just affect the outcomes of games... it has the player safety issue, which affects the outcomes of careers. (As you know, the NFL is currently being sued by former players regarding the issue of concussions, so the timing of this bounty story couldn't be worse for the NFL/Saints right now.) A bounty system also runs against salary cap rules and is in fact specifically outlawed in the collective bargaining agreement to which the owners/players agreed. A pay-to-hit scheme also undermines the NFL's system of fining players for hits on defenseless QBs, etc.

This is far worse than Spygate, and the Saints are about to enter a world of pain.

Former Cowboy and I believe former Bronco Michael Myers is suing the NFL for his concussions. On another note, anyone think Carl Nicks will get what he wants, which is a bigger contract than the $56 million one his teammate Jahri Evans got?

[Tony208]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

It shouldn't be. The Patriots actions effected the outcome of games. Bounties don't.

Come to think of it didn't the Saints also have other issues on Payton's watch? I think there was some issue with large amounts of drugs (painkillers) missing from team facilities years back.

we're talking the competitive advantage of getting more tape on another team vs deliberately taking dirty hits on the opposing team to take them out of the game and shorten their careers

which one sounds worse and has more effect on the outcome of the game?

[SleeperAgent]

Originally Posted by wilky61

Chad, you're fooling yourself if you don't believe that incentivizing the knocking out of the opposing team's QB has no effect on the outcomes of games. Have you not yet seen the footage of the blindsides and cheap shots that the '09 Saints were taking in the playoffs (e.g., on Favre in the Vikings playoff game)? What's worse is that they were getting away with it at the time, too (i.e., the onfield referees were allowing it to continue).

But a bounty system doesn't just affect the outcomes of games... it has the player safety issue, which affects the outcomes of careers. (As you know, the NFL is currently being sued by former players regarding the issue of concussions, so the timing of this bounty story couldn't be worse for the NFL/Saints right now.) A bounty system also runs against salary cap rules and is in fact specifically outlawed in the collective bargaining agreement to which the owners/players agreed. A pay-to-hit scheme also undermines the NFL's system of fining players for hits on defenseless QBs, etc.

This is far worse than Spygate, and the Saints are about to enter a world of pain.

No it isn't. Spying on opposing teams is something that only they did. Everyone knows that there are always bounty's for good hits on star players you're facing. Regardless of team.

And seeing as the Pats only lost a few (or 1, not sure) draft picks I figure a punishment similar is called for. Maybe add a small fine to Williams since he already left.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by SleeperAgent

No it isn't. Spying on opposing teams is something that only they did. Everyone knows that there are always bounty's for good hits on star players you're facing. Regardless of team.

And seeing as the Pats only lost a few (or 1, not sure) draft picks I figure a punishment similar is called for. Maybe add a small fine to Williams since he already left.

Jimmy Johnson has openly admitted he used similar tactics to what the Patriots did so it's not exactly something new, a lot of teams either do it or try to do it.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by SleeperAgent

No it isn't. Spying on opposing teams is something that only they did. Everyone knows that there are always bounty's for good hits on star players you're facing. Regardless of team.

And seeing as the Pats only lost a few (or 1, not sure) draft picks I figure a punishment similar is called for. Maybe add a small fine to Williams since he already left.

That's my point. Bounties are part of all sports from little league sports to pro leagues. It's especially prevalent in the NFL. Always has been, always will be. But honestly I don't think they do have much impact on the games. Do you really think guys are trying all that harder to hurt an opponent just because they get a tiny bounty? Because the money I'm hearing regarding Saints bounties is peanuts. A couple thousand dollars is less than these guys drop at a strip club in one evening. Dirty players are dirty players bounties or not. The commissioner isn;t an idiot. He knows this stuff goes on with every team. He'l probably just bow to public pressure and throw some big penalties at the Saints simply because they were dumb enough to get caught. And it won't make a lick of difference either. This stuff will always go on.

Even Brett Favre thought it was a joke when he was asked about the Saints bounties. Every veteran player knows about it and doesn't care. It's part of the game.

As far as the Pats go I'm starting to think it's no coincidence they won 3 titles pre-Spygate breaking and zero post-Spygate. Some of the Pats most talented teams were post-Spygate and they just can't seem to finish off a title run.

[Batman1980]

The Buffalo News reports Rams DC Greg Williams' bounty system was in place as coach of the Bills from 2001-2003.
Two former Bills players confirm a reward for "knockout shots," similar to Williams' off-the-books compensation in New Orleans and reportedly with the Redskins as well. Pressure is mounting for commissioner Roger Goodell to suspend Williams for a year -- and perhaps ban him for life -- if he's found to be lying about the bounty system that deep into his past. Rams coach Jeff Fisher was defensive coordinator for Buddy Ryan, who coached against the Cowboys in the infamous 1989 "Bounty Bowl" game.

Source - http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/413/rams-defense

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by Darth Anakin

Source - http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/413/rams-defense

Williams does need to be banned for life. What he has been doing really damages the integrity of the NFL. This has happened at the last three teams he has been associated with, and I wonder if it happened with the Titans as well?

[dcowboy7]

Jerry Jones must be laughing....
"Yea Sean Payton thats what you get for drinking MY wine."

[Hatter]

Originally Posted by Moviefan1203

Williams does need to be banned for life. What he has been doing really damages the integrity of the NFL. This has happened at the last three teams he has been associated with, and I wonder if it happened with the Titans as well?

In my opinion it's a complete non-issue.

[wilky61]

Originally Posted by Darth Anakin

Source - http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/413/rams-defense

OK, so the perspective on this story has definitely shifted since the initial news broke; it has moved away from the Saints organization and more in the direction of Gregg Williams specifically.

Now don't get me wrong, the Saints and Sean Payton may still face penalties, but Williams is very conveniently (for the NFL) sliding into the position of the "fall guy" for this story. I think the pressure for a lifetime ban is going to be so great that Goodell isn't going to have any choice but to ban him for life. Here's his big opportunity to say, "OK, this may have been the way we did things in the past, but this is NOT the way we're going to do things in the future going forward under my watch."

This story has far more important consequences than the outcomes of games (remember, at the end of the day, that's all they are -- games). This story is about the lives that were at stake.

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by wilky61

OK, so the perspective on this story has definitely shifted since the initial news broke; it has moved away from the Saints organization and more in the direction of Gregg Williams specifically.

Now don't get me wrong, the Saints and Sean Payton may still face penalties, but Williams is very conveniently (for the NFL) sliding into the position of the "fall guy" for this story. I think the pressure for a lifetime ban is going to be so great that Goodell isn't going to have any choice but to ban him for life. Here's his big opportunity to say, "OK, this may have been the way we did things in the past, but this is NOT the way we're going to do things in the future going forward under my watch."

This story has far more important consequences than the outcomes of games (remember, at the end of the day, that's all they are -- games). This story is about the lives that were at stake.

You're absolutely right, Goodell will be facing pressure to ban him for life. I, for one, hopes he shows the balls to follow through. This kind of behavior of this magnitude cannot be allowed in the game. Gregg Williams has zero respect in my book.

[Batman1980]

Honestly I think this witch hunt is just going to make teams that issue bounties keep it closer to the chest, pretty sure it's always been part of the game. They can't regulate coaches and player everywhere they go so it could be easy to put a system in place to get it done on a regular basis.

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by Darth Anakin

Honestly I think this witch hunt is just going to make teams that issue bounties keep it closer to the chest, pretty sure it's always been part of the game. They can't regulate coaches and player everywhere they go so it could be easy to put a system in place to get it done on a regular basis.

While it has always happened, and most teams probably do it, the way Williams has been doing it is a proportion that seems unusually high. Just like the Spygate situation, that happens with a lot of teams.

[wilky61]

And you just have to think that if this story had not broken when it did, Williams would've gone on to institute his bounty system with his new organization (the St. Louis Rams) this upcoming season. It makes Williams out to look like he's the root cause behind this culture of bounties in the NFL today (even if it dates back decades to other assistant coaches).

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by wilky61

And you just have to think that if this story had not broken when it did, Williams would've gone on to institute his bounty system with his new organization (the St. Louis Rams) this upcoming season. It makes Williams out to look like he's the root cause behind this culture of bounties in the NFL today (even if it dates back decades to other assistant coaches).

I actually wouldn't be surprised if Jim Johnson(the late Eagles coach) or either of the Ryan brothers ever used bounties. I say that as a huge fan of Rob too.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by wilky61

OK, so the perspective on this story has definitely shifted since the initial news broke; it has moved away from the Saints organization and more in the direction of Gregg Williams specifically.

Now don't get me wrong, the Saints and Sean Payton may still face penalties, but Williams is very conveniently (for the NFL) sliding into the position of the "fall guy" for this story. I think the pressure for a lifetime ban is going to be so great that Goodell isn't going to have any choice but to ban him for life. Here's his big opportunity to say, "OK, this may have been the way we did things in the past, but this is NOT the way we're going to do things in the future going forward under my watch."

This story has far more important consequences than the outcomes of games (remember, at the end of the day, that's all they are -- games). This story is about the lives that were at stake.

That's exactly what's happening. Roger Goodell is all about appearances, political correctness and public relations rather than results and always has been. He's not a stupid man. He knows bounties are a bedrock of the NFL culture and always has been. Most fans just didn't think about it till this story broke. Goodell will hammer Williams and the Saints with draconian penalties and claim publicly that the "problem is solved" and this won't happen again, when in reality it's all appearances that changes nothing. But most casual fans will buy the whole "one rotten apple BS" Goodell gives them. In fact most NFL players not on the Saints are probably laughing their asses off about this non-story. Hell, Brett Favre already has said as much publicly.