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Player Bounties, College and "The Spear"

  • 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.

    This post has been edited 2 times, most recently by satexas on 3/5/2012 at 5:57 PM

    satexas

  • You are comparing large sums of money, some violating NCAA rules for knocking guys out of the game to some stickers for a hard hit? All I can say is wow and that might be the worst comparison I've ever seen made.

    Njnoles

  • I don't think you got the point at all.

    Let me summarize in a "elementary" mode for you:

    1. Hits have been rewarded for years at all levels.
    2. An example of this, relative to this board, is getting spears on helmets for hard hits.
    3. Medical Science is proving hard hits, particular to head, are a huge problem.
    4. The NFL has to do SOMETHING about it, even if they know they can't stop it (like drugs).

    Now, if you think what's happening with regards to this issue and the NFL isn't impacting other sports, including College, then you're a fool.

    Proof? Look at the rule changes the NCAA made this year. They are specifically designed, in their theory, to lower impacts, and have stated as such.

    Clueless about that? Read about the new kickoff rules, and about getting the ball on the 25 vs the 20. (It's a dumb rule, and won't do what they think it will... but that's a different debate all-together)

    This post has been edited 2 times, most recently by satexas on 3/5/2012 at 8:16 PM

    satexas

  • I see what you are trying to do but it's stupid to equate stickers to large financial bounties for injuries. You are connecting two extremes. Nice try though. No one seems to think your post is worthy of a discussion. I just had to tell you how far off you are on the comparison!

    Njnoles

  • These guys were given cash to injure other players. There is no comparison. There is huge difference between a clean, big hit and a malicious hit with the intention of injury. Also, any player needing cash (these guys get paid millions o play a game in the NFL) to do the job they already get paid for is lacking in the effort department. I think any of these players accepting bounties should be exempt from any settlement with the ongoing concussion suit.

    TheOriginalBigL

  • Your making a VERY big error in regards to the "big hit" and the bounty. The big hit is celebrated for being clean and playing physical. The bounty isn't doing either, it's specifically targeting a player to be hurt and removed from the game.
    Lets say that you offer $1000 to take star RB out of the game with a "BIG HIT". O.K., maybe in your mind you want a hard clean shot to take him out, it's to ear respect form your teammates. But to another guy he wants that $1000 just because. SO, in stead of a regular tackle he dives for the back of the players knees, you spears him with his helmet. If it was your son playing and you found out that the other team had a "bounty" on getting him out of the game I Guarantee you wouldn't feel the same way.

    Noleville

  • Njnoles said...

    I see what you are trying to do but it's stupid to equate stickers to large financial bounties for injuries. You are connecting two extremes. Nice try though. No one seems to think your post is worthy of a discussion. I just had to tell you how far off you are on the comparison!

    It's all relative - a $1500 reward to some one making 7 figures is little more than a sticker

    delawarenole

  • Sa....don't ever try to convince anyone here you're a NOLE fan until you learn the difference between a tomahawk and a "little spear".lol

    warface bass

  • domo that was tl;dr

    anyone who is shocked by any of this is a bit naive....like steroids in baseball.

    signature image

    WARNING: Text above may cause dizziness, nausea, cognitive decline, and/or a burning sensation. Read at your own risk.

    healthguyfsu

  • How is getting a tomahawk for nice clean hit the same thing as being paid to knock a player out of the game?

    FearTheSpear

  • delawarenole said...

    It's all relative - a $1500 reward to some one making 7 figures is little more than a sticker

    Wrong! We give tomahawks for good clean hits, these bounties are for injuring and knocking guys out of games. No comparison!!!!

    Njnoles

  • Njnoles said...

    Wrong! We give tomahawks for good clean hits, these bounties are for injuring and knocking guys out of games. No comparison!!!!

    I was referring to the fact that it isn't big $ to them

    delawarenole

  • Njnoles said...

    Wrong! We give tomahawks for good clean hits, these bounties are for injuring and knocking guys out of games. No comparison!!!!

    I was referring to the fact that it isn't big $ to them

    delawarenole