Unconquered

I think this whole "bounty" thing is interesting, but on multiple levels. Hear me out...

First off, what's going on with the Saints (and others) has been around for "years". You know it, I know it. In fact, players have been rewarded at all levels of football from Pee-Wee to the Pro's. Think it doesn't happen at FSU? Wrong. Make a "Big Hit" and you'll get that nice little spear to sticker on the back of your helmet. Heck, have you ever not seen a "hype it up" type of video shown on your local stadium Jumbotron that didn't show a massive hit?

Secondly, as a disclaimer, we need to address the "reality" of the bounties some. It does "sound" a lot worse than it really is. These bounties are far more similar to "make a big hit and I'll give you a Nole Spear sticker on your helmet" than they are "Hey, go break Bubba's leg". Let's be honest and clear about that up front.

Thirdly, football isn't put out to be flag football, and nobody wants to see that (flag football). We want to be entertained, see monster hits and full blown action while privately hoping nobody gets mained as to feel better about it.

Hitting is part of the game, and unfortunately we're learning more and more what it really is doing to our bodies. I won't go on some silly tangent about how we need to stop all contact sports - I fully believe if you elect to play the game, you understand the risks and accept those risks. However, to further develop "my point" of this post, I do need to address a few things...

We're learning now that hits at the Pop-Warner level (pee-wee) are as devestating as any level, if not MORE SO. Recent studies have shown that we've been mistaken thinking that our young boys running slower with less impact actually cause less damage - it's not true. In fact, the studies are so severe in proof that the Pop-Warner administration is mandating a severe limitation to "contact time" in practices. It really is that big a deal.

What does that matter right? But we're talking about pro's and adults here eh?

Well one major issue is that with all the studies of late, we've come to learn that the game is played faster and stronger than ever before, and a massive percentage of our former NFL players are leaving behind a long, long trail of nasty injuries and shortened life-spans that have basically been ignored by the league and the public for many, many years. It's true.

So you ask, what's this matter about bounties.....

Well, with reality is that nobody wants to deal with incoming data of medical proof and science. Many former players and families are being forced to get their medical benefits and justice in the courtroom, and the NFL is under fire in some pretty big cases... cases that if the NFL loses, is going to open MASSIVE flood gates. Does everyone realize that Dave Duerson (Bears, Notre Dame) shot himself in the chest specifically so that his brain could be dissected and studied by doctors? If you didn't now, now you do.

And this is why Sean Payton and the Saints matter.

Goodell has done a great job in trying to keep the sport physical, and lowering some percentages of injuries one some levels. I think we can ALL agree with that.

Nobody needs to kid themselves - we all know bounties have been around for years, and trying to take out certain players like a QB isn't anything new - but for the league to condone it, that's a major problem on a lot of levels, including legal levels.

How can you defend yourself in court if you openly condone bounties without an attempt to stop it? That's motivation alone for Goodell and the NFL to slam the Saints.

I think the reality of the situation is really clear.. it's like drugs.... you're not going to ever completely stop it, but to have to attempt to and you can't openly condone it on any level. You know it's a violent game and the NFL knows it, but for the NFL to really survive (not that it's in danger today), it needs to maximize the entertainment value (the brutality aspect) while trying to keep injuries and long-term damage down.

Expect to the Saints to be made an example of. And before you get upset thinking they're a scapegoat - remember just one thing... they already got warned and told to stop it on ALL coaching levels, and they flat out ignored it.