Nfl Suspends 4 Saints For Bountygate: Vilma Gone For The Season!

[Mr. Scot]

Any of the folks suggested the NFL didn't have sufficient evidence to back things up might want to take note of this bit from Peter King:

It's ironic that, in my Monday column, I recalled a moment spent with Goodell late in 2010, when we were discussing something controversial that he could be at loggerheads with the union about. "We've got good lawyers too,'' Goodell said.

Little did I know that he would enlist one of the most noted attorneys in recent American history to help provide one final check on the evidence the league has on the Saints. Former U.S. attorney Mary Jo White, who successfully prosecuted noted mob boss John Gotti for murder and racketeering in 1992, was brought in by the league to pore over all the evidence. White reviewed the findings of the league's internal investigations (one in early 2010, and a renewed investigation early this year) and reportedly told the league its case is solid.

SI.com

And then there's this...

(Anthony) Hargrove submitted a signed declaration to the league that established not only the existence of the program at the Saints, but also that he knew about and participated in it. The evidence showed that Hargrove told at least one player on another team that Vikings quarterback Brett Favre was a target of a large bounty during the NFC Championship Game in January of 2010. Hargrove also actively obstructed the league's 2010 investigation into the program by being untruthful to investigators.

NOLA.com

Somebody alert Drew Brees.

[breezing2anotherSB]

If Will Smith's statement doesn't concern you then you aren't being honest with yourself. Goodell should be the one investigated.

A player gets accused, found guilty and suspended when

Through this entire process, the NFL never notified me of what I was being accused of, nor presented me with any evidence or reasoning for this decision. I am interested in discovering who is making these specific and false accusations, and as well as why a decision was made without speaking with me and giving me the opportunity to review the facts.

"I am disappointed the NFL has punished me with a four game suspension. I have never in my career, nor as a Captain asked others, to intentionally target and hurt specific opposing players. I was in no way involved in establishing or assisting Gregg Williams with implementing a bounty program. The accusations made against me are completely and one-hundred percent false, and I plan to appeal the decision along with the help of the NFL Players Association. Through this entire process, the NFL never notified me of what I was being accused of, nor presented me with any evidence or reasoning for this decision. I am interested in discovering who is making these specific and false accusations, and as well as why a decision was made without speaking with me and giving me the opportunity to review the facts. I am going to work with my union to clear my name and returning to the game I love and respect. Thank you to our fans for the continued support."

http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2012/05/new_orleans_saints_de_will_smi_8.html

[The NFL Shield At Midfield]

copy and paste more text dipshit. you've changed the subject like sean payton changes dealers (boom roasted high five bros).

[The NFL Shield At Midfield]

i guess payton, williams, and all the others copped to it because they thought it would be fun. apparently there's no evidence that it ever happened and we've all been misled by master con artist roger goodell.

[Mr. Scot]

If Will Smith's statement doesn't concern you then you aren't being honest with yourself. Goodell should be the one investigated.

A player gets accused, found guilty and suspended when

Through this entire process, the NFL never notified me of what I was being accused of, nor presented me with any evidence or reasoning for this decision. I am interested in discovering who is making these specific and false accusations, and as well as why a decision was made without speaking with me and giving me the opportunity to review the facts.

"I am disappointed the NFL has punished me with a four game suspension. I have never in my career, nor as a Captain asked others, to intentionally target and hurt specific opposing players. I was in no way involved in establishing or assisting Gregg Williams with implementing a bounty program. The accusations made against me are completely and one-hundred percent false, and I plan to appeal the decision along with the help of the NFL Players Association. Through this entire process, the NFL never notified me of what I was being accused of, nor presented me with any evidence or reasoning for this decision. I am interested in discovering who is making these specific and false accusations, and as well as why a decision was made without speaking with me and giving me the opportunity to review the facts. I am going to work with my union to clear my name and returning to the game I love and respect. Thank you to our fans for the continued support."

http://www.nola.com/...will_smi_8.html

Not in the least :D

Especially not knowing that Gregg Williams, Sean Payton, Mickey Loomis and now Anthony Hargrove have all admitted that it was true. Hence the head coach, the general manager, the defensive coordinator and one of the players involved have all corroborated that the program existed. Add in that the evidence passed the inspection of a U.S. Attorney, and top it all off with the fact that outside of Louisiana, the entire NFL fanbase is on board.

I see little reason for Roger Goodell to worry about much of anything.

[breezing2anotherSB]

Not in the least :D

Especially not knowing that Gregg Williams, Sean Payton, Mickey Loomis and now Anthony Hargrove have all admitted that it was true. Hence the head coach, the general manager, the defensive coordinator and one of the players involved have all corroborated that the program existed. Add in that the evidence passed the inspection of a U.S. Attorney, and top it all off with the fact that outside of Louisiana, the entire NFL fanbase is on board.

I see little reason for Roger Goodell to worry about much of anything.

So you know that Payton, Williams, Hargrove and Loomis admitted that Vilma and Smith were involved? If so why don't you share that knowledge with everyone? If you can't then admit that you misspoke and that maybe the players have an argument. Besides that the only fan base that is on board are those that have never won championships. Check and see what 99% of the players in the league are saying. These are supposedly the players the Saints were "intentionally" trying to hurt. I think their response is the most telling part of the story. Guarantee you Smith and Vilma play in every game this year if the Saints choose to put them in.

[4Corners]

I've got the saints pegged for 3 wins this year.

[zebrainz]

nfl =/= a democracy

Yeah, nobody ever told him because he refused to go see the commish when he was invited to NY for his own personal, special 1 on 1 to explain it all.

One of you huddle shrinks help me out with correct medical term for delusional rationalization, mmk? Apparently b2aSB and Will Smith are afflicted with the same disease.

[Mr. Scot]

So you know that Payton, Williams, Hargrove and Loomis admitted that Vilma and Smith were involved? If so why don't you share that knowledge with everyone? If you can't then admit that you misspoke and that maybe the players have an argument. Besides that the only fan base that is on board are those that have never won championships. Check and see what 99% of the players in the league are saying. These are supposedly the players the Saints were "intentionally" trying to hurt. I think their response is the most telling part of the story. Guarantee you Smith and Vilma play in every game this year if the Saints choose to put them in.

Loomis and Payton admitted responsibility and said they were sorry. Look it up on your own, not that it'll help your delusion. For that matter, I can't say I care whether you approve or not.

By the way, found a clip of you on jury duty...

[pOpCoRnPoPpEr]

I could easily answer you but the reason you are so upset is because you don't get to follow a champion so you really can't comment on whether something is tainted or not. Win a Super Bowl or even get to a Super Bowl with out players that were juiced up and then I might entertain a dialogue.

Hey Saints Fan. We have 3 and are going to break it off in you ass, in your house on opening day.

[Mr. Scot]

Florio - whom it's worth remembering is a lawyer - breaks down Vilma's statement (and it's lack of credibility).

Vilma’s strong statement would have been more convincing in early March

It’s possible that Vilma was advised by his lawyer or by the NFLPA to say nothing while the decision on discipline was pending, but is that how truly innocent people behave? Most would say that someone wrongfully accused of misconduct would shout his innocence from the proverbial rooftops, welcoming any opportunity to prove that he isn’t guilty.

Instead, Vilma and the three other players declined an opportunity to meet with the Commissioner to persuade him face-to-face that they did nothing wrong.

That doesn’t mean we believe Vilma is guilty as charged. But his strong and clear and forceful statement would have been far more convincing on March 2 than on May 2.

Moreover, it’s possible that Vilma’s statement was carefully crafted to provide a safe harbor. He says that he “never paid, or intended to pay” $10,000 to anyone who knocked Warner or Favre or anyone else out of a game. Vilma doesn’t deny making the offer, perhaps as some sort of mechanism for getting his teammates appropriately “fired up” for the playoff games. If Vilma is entirely and completely innocent, common sense says that his statement would have used the phrase “never paid, or offered to pay” the money.

[SCP]

If Will Smith's statement doesn't concern you then you aren't being honest with yourself. Goodell should be the one investigated.

A player gets accused, found guilty and suspended when

Through this entire process, the NFL never notified me of what I was being accused of, nor presented me with any evidence or reasoning for this decision. I am interested in discovering who is making these specific and false accusations, and as well as why a decision was made without speaking with me and giving me the opportunity to review the facts.

"I am disappointed the NFL has punished me with a four game suspension. I have never in my career, nor as a Captain asked others, to intentionally target and hurt specific opposing players. I was in no way involved in establishing or assisting Gregg Williams with implementing a bounty program. The accusations made against me are completely and one-hundred percent false, and I plan to appeal the decision along with the help of the NFL Players Association. Through this entire process, the NFL never notified me of what I was being accused of, nor presented me with any evidence or reasoning for this decision. I am interested in discovering who is making these specific and false accusations, and as well as why a decision was made without speaking with me and giving me the opportunity to review the facts. I am going to work with my union to clear my name and returning to the game I love and respect. Thank you to our fans for the continued support."

http://www.nola.com/...will_smi_8.html

Who on God's green earth would believe anything that comes out of the mouths of a player, coach, or exec from that franchise? They are a joke now dude. Any cred they had is gone. Suck it.

[SCP]

The difference between the Saints and the Panthers?

Yea, I'd rather win one on the up and up. Now for the rest of your life when you say you are a Saints fan (or until you jump the bandwagon to another team, maybe manning2anothersuperbowl will be your next name?) EVERYBODY is going to say oh yea, you guys had to cheat to win a title. LOL enjoy that you waste of government FEMA dollars.

[pOpCoRnPoPpEr]

Oh and one more thing. If i'm the Saintz i'm on the phone with New York asking about Osi Umenyiora. Spags coached him in New York, and he shouldn't demand a high pick in return.