2025-2026 NFL Season Thread

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by MaCruz

The thing that really bothers me about the Saints Bounty story was that Peyton even told Williams to stop because the investigation reopened during or after the Wild Card game against the Lions, but continued on heading into the Division Round against the Niners. Gregg Williams had total control of the Saints defense during his time there, but then blame would also go towards the head coach because he would also be responsible for this ordeal regardless if Peyton knew if this was continuing or not. I just can't look at the Saints organization the same.

Payton, he's not the Broncos' QB, Macrus.
So former Cowboys special teams coach Joe Avezzano has died, I didn't even know he was sick.

[MaCruz]

Originally Posted by Darth Anakin

Payton, he's not the Broncos' QB, Macrus.
So former Cowboys special teams coach Joe Avezzano has died, I didn't even know he was sick.

Im sick. So thats my excuse.

[Blu-Benny]

I just read the story Yahoo posted about the bounty scandal.

All I gotta say is if half of what they say is true, Williams has to be one of the worst people on the planet.

To purposely want to hurt someone or inflict an injury on them that could affect them the rest of their lives is just rotten.

I hope to hell that Goodell does not let this basterd back in the league!!!

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by Blu-Benny

I just read the story Yahoo posted about the bounty scandal.

All I gotta say is if half of what they say is true, Williams has to be one of the worst people on the planet.

To purposely want to hurt someone or inflict an injury on them that could affect them the rest of their lives is just rotten.

I hope to hell that Goodell does not let this basterd back in the league!!!

When this whole story broke my initial feeling was "big deal." I knew bounties were part of sports forever, especially in football. But up until now I'd always assumed it was a "wink wink, nudge nudge" sort of thing. I never imagined any coaches were actually paying sums of money out and giving speeches where he goes into detail about how to injure opposing players. Williams went way over the line. Can't believe some of the things said on that pre-game tape.

St. Louis is fortunate this thing broke before he could settle into his job there or else that franchise might have been caught up in this mess. I can't see how he ever returns to the NFL. Here's a video of some of the uglier bounty hits.

Bounty Bowl Greatest Hits - $10K For Knocking Favre Out Of The Game! - YouTube

[SevenwithaT]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

When this whole story broke my initial feeling was "big deal." I knew bounties were part of sports forever, especially in football. But up until now I'd always assumed it was a "wink wink, nudge nudge" sort of thing. I never imagined any coaches were actually paying sums of money out and giving speeches where he goes into detail about how to injure opposing players. Williams went way over the line. Can't believe some of the things said on that pre-game tape.

St. Louis is fortunate this thing broke before he could settle into his job there or else that franchise might have been caught up in this mess. I can't see how he ever returns to the NFL. Here's a video of some of the uglier bounty hits.

Bounty Bowl Greatest Hits - $10K For Knocking Favre Out Of The Game! - YouTube

Agreed 100%

[Blu-Benny]

Let’s just say I’m glad I’m not a Saints fan!! I could never cheer for a team that went along w/something like this!!

[ChadFL]

Anyone else see the incredible irony with this Saints defense Super Bowl victory parade float? D-Coordinator Gregg Williams is riding atop the float to a heroes welcome and below him are a bunch of skeletons. If you look hard enough you can almost see the corpse of Brett Favre...

Saints Defense, Gregg Williams Party In Victory Parade - YouTube

[dfinch]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

When this whole story broke my initial feeling was "big deal." I knew bounties were part of sports forever, especially in football. But up until now I'd always assumed it was a "wink wink, nudge nudge" sort of thing. I never imagined any coaches were actually paying sums of money out and giving speeches where he goes into detail about how to injure opposing players. Williams went way over the line. Can't believe some of the things said on that pre-game tape.

St. Louis is fortunate this thing broke before he could settle into his job there or else that franchise might have been caught up in this mess. I can't see how he ever returns to the NFL. Here's a video of some of the uglier bounty hits.

Bounty Bowl Greatest Hits - $10K For Knocking Favre Out Of The Game! - YouTube

Im currious as to what, in your opinion, makes those 'bounty hits' rather than just tackles? Each and every one of those hits was legal...

[Konfusion1230]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

When this whole story broke my initial feeling was "big deal." I knew bounties were part of sports forever, especially in football. But up until now I'd always assumed it was a "wink wink, nudge nudge" sort of thing. I never imagined any coaches were actually paying sums of money out and giving speeches where he goes into detail about how to injure opposing players. Williams went way over the line. Can't believe some of the things said on that pre-game tape.

[Show spoiler]Bounty Bowl Greatest Hits - $10K For Knocking Favre Out Of The Game! - YouTube

That's pretty much my feeling on it as well. I never thought coaches would be that involved and going into that much detail about injuring players.

I can't say I would agree with anyone who would say that those hits wouldn't have happened if a bounty wasn't in play though. Most of the hits in that video seemed pretty normal to me. Most were just the QB getting hit immediately after the ball left his hand. Is that the Saints defenders fault or Favre for holding on too long? Those type of hits are pretty common. If there were maybe a few more cases than normal, i would attribute that to the fact that it was players playing hard in a huge game.

No doubt Favre took a beating in that game. We all knew that watching it, but for that Youtube video or anyone else to say that there was "Incredibly late hits all over the place on Favre, illegal hits, high/low hits, defenders aiming for nothing but favres ankle." would not entirely be true. There were 2 fines for $10k each against the Saints in that game. Both to Bobby McCray for " 2 incidents involving unnecessary roughness". If he is paid $10k for the hit to knock him out, but has to pay $20k in fines to the NFL, then why make the hit unless he was going to rough him up anyway? I just don't believe a $10k bounty is going to motivate many of these guys to play harder, let alone deliver a possibly illegal hit, assuming they even get the opportunity to do so.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Blu-Benny

Let’s just say I’m glad I’m not a Saints fan!! I could never cheer for a team that went along w/something like this!!

I would imagine at some point in what, their 100 year history, your team did it as well. I know my team did it in the 90s, it's horrible but it's part of the game.

Originally Posted by Konfusion1230

That's pretty much my feeling on it as well. I never thought coaches would be that involved and going into that much detail about injuring players.

I can't say I would agree with anyone who would say that those hits wouldn't have happened if a bounty wasn't in play though. Most of the hits in that video seemed pretty normal to me. Most were just the QB getting hit immediately after the ball left his hand. Is that the Saints defenders fault or Favre for holding on too long? Those type of hits are pretty common. If there were maybe a few more cases than normal, i would attribute that to the fact that it was players playing hard in a huge game.

No doubt Favre took a beating in that game. We all knew that watching it, but for that Youtube video or anyone else to say that there was "Incredibly late hits all over the place on Favre, illegal hits, high/low hits, defenders aiming for nothing but favres ankle." would not entirely be true. There were 2 fines for $10k each against the Saints in that game. Both to Bobby McCray for " 2 incidents involving unnecessary roughness". If he is paid $10k for the hit to knock him out, but has to pay $20k in fines to the NFL, then why make the hit unless he was going to rough him up anyway? I just don't believe a $10k bounty is going to motivate many of these guys to play harder, let alone deliver a possibly illegal hit, assuming they even get the opportunity to do so.

Woodson said it wasn't so much about the cash as it was about being recognized by your peers for your "accomplishment".

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

I know I'm probably late on this cause i don't come in here much. But I see the Niners picked up a good running back and it's another Giant. Watch out for us!

[Batman1980]

A league source tells Profootballtalk.com that the Ravens are making "no progress" in long-term extension discussions with Joe Flacco.
Flacco and agent Joe Linta are known to be aiming high in contract talks, and Flacco recently argued that he's the best quarterback in the entire National Football League. The Ravens may have a problem on their hands if he wants to be paid like Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. Flacco, 27, is due a $6.76 million salary and $2.1 million roster bonus in the last year of his rookie deal.

Source - http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/4677/joe-flacco

[filmnut5]

Originally Posted by Blu-Benny

I just read the story Yahoo posted about the bounty scandal.

All I gotta say is if half of what they say is true, Williams has to be one of the worst people on the planet.

To purposely want to hurt someone or inflict an injury on them that could affect them the rest of their lives is just rotten.

I hope to hell that Goodell does not let this basterd back in the league!!!

He's definitely been busted and I agree with your assessment. How many other DC's in the league do this on a regular basis? There is NO way this is an isolated incident. This type of behaviour was rampant in the 70's and NOT dealt with. Read...

[Show spoiler]51ND5f1sM1L__SL500_AA300_.jpg

.

I own it and have read it a few times. It chronicles the payout breakdown for inflicting injuries. It's scribed by ex-Raider Jack Tatum (one tough dude).

[Batman1980]

Redskins OC Kyle Shanahan will reportedly meet with Baylor QB Robert Griffin III a couple of times per week leading up to the draft.
If it's true, the report speaks of the level of confidence by both the Redskins and Griffin's camp that the Colts are locked into Andrew Luck with the first pick. RGIII will get a head start on the Redskins playbook in the meantime, expediting his NFL learning curve.

Source - http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/...rt-griffin-iii

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

Gregg Williams Bounty Recording Discussion with Michael Irvin, Kurt Warner & Brian Billick - YouTube

Irvin is mad in this, you can really tell.

[Batman1980]

Ravens FS Ed Reed indicated in a Wednesday interview with 105.7 The Fan that he wants a new contract from Baltimore.
"I got a lot on my mind I’ve been thinking about," said Reed, who's due a $7.2 million base salary in the last year of his deal. "The truth of the matter is, it’s about respect. It’s about getting respect and it’s a business." Reed also asked for a new contract last offseason. "And I know if I’m giving my heart to football, it’s going to take a toll on my later life," he said. "My family has got to be taken care of. I don’t want to hear that I’m getting old. I don’t want to hear that."

Source - http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/2222/ed-reed

[Brandon.]

Originally Posted by Blu-Benny

Let’s just say I’m glad I’m not a Saints fan!! I could never cheer for a team that went along w/something like this!!

I can and I will.

Not saying the stuff was acceptable, I'm glad Williams is gone.

I can't remember the last time I was so excited for a season to start. Well maybe the 2010 season, that ended in a bummer. As well as the 2011 season lol.

I just wish Goodell would release the evidence, which I know he never will. Just as the whole spygate scandal. I'm not hating on any player or any other coach until I see some real stuff, not some 'inside sources' who have read documents or memo's.

The tape released was pretty ridiculous. but not all of it was over the line. Tim Hasselbeck was talking about it ESPN, some of the speech was normal coach stuff in the NFL as many have said, Ochocinco defended some of it on his twitter account.

I just want the truth, I mean even Tracy Porter after he signed with the Broncos said bounties never happened. I don't know how someone on the Defense could flat out say that if they didn't think there wasn't any sort of hard evidence to prove it.

And there is plenty of hypocrisy in the media during all of this as well. Warren Sapp was so disgusted by all this bounty stuff. But he almost ended Chad Clifton's career on one of the most cheapest 'blocks' of all time.

Overall this will make the team look bad for years to come, but I don't see them much differently as I did before. I don't see the Superbowl tarnished or even dented by this.

I just want the Saints carrying that Lombardi Trophy in New Orleans in 2013

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Brandon.

I can and I will.

Not saying the stuff was acceptable, I'm glad Williams is gone.

I can't remember the last time I was so excited for a season to start. Well maybe the 2010 season, that ended in a bummer. As well as the 2011 season lol.

I just wish Goodell would release the evidence, which I know he never will. Just as the whole spygate scandal. I'm not hating on any player or any other coach until I see some real stuff, not some 'inside sources' who have read documents or memo's.

The tape released was pretty ridiculous. but not all of it was over the line. Tim Hasselbeck was talking about it ESPN, some of the speech was normal coach stuff in the NFL as many have said, Ochocinco defended some of it on his twitter account.

I just want the truth, I mean even Tracy Porter after he signed with the Broncos said bounties never happened. I don't know how someone on the Defense could flat out say that if they didn't think there wasn't any sort of hard evidence to prove it.

And there is plenty of hypocrisy in the media during all of this as well. Warren Sapp was so disgusted by all this bounty stuff. But he almost ended Chad Clifton's career on one of the most cheapest 'blocks' of all time.

Overall this will make the team look bad for years to come, but I don't see them much differently as I did before. I don't see the Superbowl tarnished or even dented by this.

I just want the Saints carrying that Lombardi Trophy in New Orleans in 2013

I don't see how you'll be able to, between this scandal which got pretty much your entire coaching staff suspended, will no doubt get some defensive players suspended and all the contract drama with Drew Brees. Atlanta may improve enough to win the division next year and I don't believe your franchise has ever won a road play-off game, would be extra hard to do it this year.

[Blu-Benny]

Originally Posted by Darth Anakin

I would imagine at some point in what, their 100 year history, your team did it as well. I know my team did it in the 90s, it's horrible but it's part of the game.

players doing it among themselves for hard hits or boosting a young guys confidence i can accept....but a coach specifically singling out players and wanting them hurt so they can win a game is disgusting.

[Brandon.]

Originally Posted by Darth Anakin

I don't see how you'll be able to, between this scandal which got pretty much your entire coaching staff suspended, will no doubt get some defensive players suspended and all the contract drama with Drew Brees. Atlanta may improve enough to win the division next year and I don't believe your franchise has ever won a road play-off game, would be extra hard to do it this year.

I still see the Saints winning the division. Payton gone the whole year is an obvious loss, Joe Vitt is gone for 8 games. That's not really close to the entire coaching staff. I see Carmichael, Kromer, Spagnoulo or even Parcells jumping in and doing a great job.

Drew's contract drama won't be a problem going into the season unless he isn't on the field.

Atlanta hasn't proved anything to me. I don't see how they've improved over last year. After they lost to the Packers in the playoffs 2 years ago they felt the team needed a boost of offense so they traded a whole lotta picks to Julio Jones. This year they scored 2 points in their playoff game and it obviously wasn't on offense.

Bucs are starting over. Panthers will definitely be much better but not truly good for another two years I believe.

Call me biased but I still really love the Saints chances this year, and absolutely love all their defensive free agent pick ups so far this offseason.