Column: Saints bounty scandal looms on draft eve

    2012-04-26 05:21

(Eds: Also sent previously. With AP Photos.)
By TIM DAHLBERG
AP Sports Columnist

The moment NFL fans have been waiting for since the last seconds ticked away in the Super Bowl arrives Thursday. It's the draft.

And It figures to be a grand event, full of the kind of pomp and circumstance the NFL is famous for, even though the glamour picks and where they will play have long been decided. Andrew Luck will be toiling for the rebuilding Indianapolis Colts, while Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III will be charged with trying to do what countless quarterbacks before him could not - win games in the nation's capital.

While the college elite wait to be picked, another waiting game goes on. Some two dozen current and former members of the New Orleans Saints are wondering if they will play at all when the new season kicks off a few months from now.

Unlike those picked in the draft by their new teams, their futures are more uncertain.

By now they've probably figured out that Commissioner Roger Goodell is serious about punishing people - and punishing them harshly - when it comes to the bounty scandal that still reverberates through the league. Seeing their coach banned from the league for a year was evidence enough of Goodell's stern intentions.

Will he hand down suspensions for players who were doing what was demanded of them in a culture they didn't create? Will he make them sit out games to drive home the point that the NFL has zero tolerance for the kind of head hunting that went on in New Orleans?

The answer is probably yes. It should be yes, at least for those who actively participated in taking up collections or handing out payments for disabling hits. Goodell has little choice but to be as tough with them as he was in suspending coach Sean Payton for the season and indefinitely banning former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

What Goodell needs more than anything is to quickly put the scandal behind him. It's already taken away some of the excitement over the draft, and it remains a threat to the league when it comes to defending lawsuits from former players who allege the NFL ignored threats to their physical and mental safety over the years.

That's why league counsel Jeff Pash expressed frustration last week with the players' union, saying it seemed more intent on protecting the Saints involved in the bounty scandal than supporting players who could have been hurt by the scheme. Pash said the union was focused on defending or excusing the conduct of Saints players, when it should be looking at the safety of those who were targeted by the pay-for-pain plan.

Goodell said Wednesday that punishments will be coming soon to at least some of the 27 players the league identified as participants from 2009-11. He expressed hope that the penalties could finally help the NFL move past a scandal the league itself uncovered and made public.

NFL fans surely hope so, too. They would rather debate the merits of Luck and Griffin as future star quarterbacks than hear about renegade coaches and players.

The bounty issue, though, is a delicate one for the NFL. Though the league thrives on controlled violence, it must also show it cares about the safety of its players. That's particularly true now with some 1,200 former players suing the league over health and safety issues, and more joining in almost every day.

Some are big names from the past, putting real faces to an issue that could haunt the league for years. They're suffering because of what happened to them on the football field, and the NFL can hardly begin to defend itself if it doesn't come down hard on the blatantly outrageous conduct by the Saints.

Unlike his predecessors, Goodell seems to get it. He's cracked down on illegal hits, implemented rules to deal with concussions, and served notice that unnecessary violence on the field won't be tolerated. So far, he's also earned his stripes as the top cop in the bounty scandal, sticking to his tough suspensions despite protests from some corners that what the Saints did was nothing worse than what other teams have done for years.

Fears that the game will somehow evolve into flag football because of his actions are overblown and illogical. The NFL became America's favorite sport by giving us hard-hitting mayhem on the field, and the billions of dollars in TV contracts recently negotiated by the league is an indication its biggest business partners don't believe that is going to change.

There will, undoubtedly, be more emphasis on player safety and there's nothing wrong with that. That's particularly true when it comes to concussions and head injuries, an area the NFL neglected far too many years and whose former players now are paying the price.

The draft kicks off Thursday with Luck, Griffin and dozens of others finally realizing their dream of playing in the NFL.

Part of Goodell's responsibility is to make sure they not only enjoy long careers, but healthy lives once they're done.

----

Tim Dahlberg is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at tdahlberg(at)ap.org or http://twitter.com/timdahlberg

Fantasy Football Player Notes RSS FeedPLAYER NOTES

Dwayne HarrisMay 23 10:14a

Dallas Cowboys WR Dwayne Harris is considered the front-runner for the No. 3 wide receiver job behind WRs Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, and it is believed WR Terrance [ More ]

Andy DaltonMay 23 10:04a

Cincinnati Bengals QB Andy Dalton has, during organized team activities, been focusing on improving the trajectory and accuracy of his throws while working with quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese. Dalton [ More ]

Louis MurphyMay 23 10:03a

New York Giants WR Rueben Randle is listed as the No. 3 receiver on the depth chart over WR Louis Murphy.

Jerrel JerniganMay 23 09:54a

New York Giants WR Jerrel Jernigan has shown progress as Victor Cruz remains absent from OTAs. WR Hakeem Nicks said his teammate has been adjusting well to the slot [ More ]

Thaddeus LewisMay 23 09:23a

The Cleveland Browns signed free-agent WR Tori Gurley (Ravens) and waived QB Thaddeus Lewis.

Johnny JollyMay 23 08:22a

Green Bay Packers DE Johnny Jolly is expected to return to the team next week and begin participating in OTAs after completing a court-ordered drug treatment program.

Aaron CurryMay 22 11:53p

New York Giants LB Aaron Curry admitted that the money he earned as a high draft pick changed him and he lost his motivation, ultimately leading to his trade [ More ]

Dan ConnorMay 22 11:53p

New York Giants LBs Mark Herzlich, Spencer Paysinger and Keith Rivers were the starting linebackers during organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, May 22, with LBs Dan Connor, Aaron Curry [ More ]

Chris SneeMay 22 11:53p

New York Giants C David Baas (undisclosed), OG Chris Snee (hip), CB Terrell Thomas (knee) and LB Jacquian Williams (knee) did not take part in team drills during organized [ More ]

Jason FoxMay 22 11:53p

Detroit Lions OT Jason Fox served as the first-team right tackle, and OT Riley Reiff worked as the first-team left tackle, Wednesday, May 22, during organized team activities (OTAs).

Chris GreenwoodMay 22 11:53p

Detroit Lions CB Chris Greenwood (abdominal) was able to practice Wednesday, May 22, during organized team activities (OTAs). He missed last season due to an abdominal injury.

Reggie BushMay 22 11:53p

Detroit Lions RB Reggie Bush was used as a punt returner during organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, May 22. WR Terrence Austin, WR Patrick Edwards, RB Steven Miller, WR [ More ]

Nate BurlesonMay 22 11:53p

Updating a previous report, Detroit Lions WR Nate Burleson (leg) showed quickness during organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, May 22. He has also lost weight, dropping from 198 to 192 pounds to add speed.

Dylan GandyMay 22 11:53p

Detroit Lions C Dylan Gandy saw first-team reps during organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, May 22. He has a chance to replace the departed OL Stephen Peterman (Jets), but [ More ]

Hakeem NicksMay 22 10:13p

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks did not show up to practice Wednesday, May 22, because he is unhappy with his contract situation, a source indicated. Nicks did not [ More ]

Justin TuckMay 22 10:13p

New York Giants DE Justin Tuck, a free agent at season's end, said Wednesday, May 22, that he wasn't thinking about his future with the team, or how he [ More ]

Randy MossMay 22 08:33p

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said the team isn't considering re-signing WR Randy Moss after learning that WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles') tore his Achilles' Wednesday, May 22. [ More ]

Charles WoodsonMay 22 08:13p

Oakland Raiders CB Charles Woodson (collarbone) said he expects to play the same safety role he moved to with the Green Bay Packers late in his career. Also, he [ More ]

Michael VickMay 22 07:23p

Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick, who held onto the ball for an average of 3.07 seconds last year, will likely have to change in order to be successful in [ More ]

Mark SanchezMay 22 06:13p

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan said he was disappointed with QB Mark Sanchez after he threw three interceptions during organized team activities Wednesday, May 22. 'Yeah, it [ More ]

Michael CrabtreeMay 22 05:53p

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said he does not think WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles') will miss the entire 2013 regular season.

Tim TebowMay 22 05:43p

Ron Jaworski, part owner of the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League, said he is serious about his interest in signing free-agent QB Tim Tebow (Jets) to his [ More ]

Brandon GibsonMay 22 05:13p

Miami Dolphins WR Brandon Gibson lined up as the slot receiver when the team used three-receiver sets during organized team activities Tuesday, May 21.

Rokevious WatkinsMay 22 05:13p

St. Louis Rams OG Rokevious Watkins has been suspended for the first game of the 2013 season for violating the NFL's policy for substances of abuse.

Brent GrimesMay 22 05:03p

Miami Dolphins WR Brian Hartline, WR Brandon Gibson and CB Brent Grimes worked as punt returners during organized team activities Tuesday, May 21. Head coach Joe Philbin did not [ More ]

Aaron WilliamsMay 22 04:33p

Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said FS Aaron Williams has done well in his transition from cornerback to safety. 'He's doing a nice job, and that's a difficult [ More ]

Michael CrabtreeMay 22 04:13p

Updating previous reports, San Francisco 49ers WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles') has undergone surgery to repair his torn Achilles' tendon.

Michael CrabtreeMay 22 04:13p

Updating a previous report, doctors believe San Francisco 49ers WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles') will miss six months because of his torn Achilles' tendon. Doctors have recommended that Crabtree undergo surgery as soon as possible.

Jameel McClainMay 22 03:53p

Baltimore Ravens LB Jameel McClain (spine) and CB Lardarius Webb (knee) were limited to individual drills during organized team activities Wednesday, May 22.

Jeremy EbertMay 22 03:53p

The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed free-agent WR Jeremy Ebert (Patriots). Terms of the contract were not disclosed. In a corresponding move, the team waived DT Jeris Pendleton.

Stephen HillMay 22 03:43p

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan said WR Stephen Hill (knee) did not participate in organized team activities Wednesday, May 22, because of swelling in his knee.

Mark SanchezMay 22 03:33p

New York Jets QBs Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith both struggled during organized team activities Wednesday, May 22, with Sanchez completing only six of his 11 passes, including three [ More ]

RSS Feeds

NFL News:
 
Player Notes:
 
Forum Posts:
 

© 2013 RealTime Fantasy Sports, Inc.
Email Us  ·  Call Us 636.447.1170  ·  Lost Password
Advertising represented by USA Today Sports Media Group