Goodell vs Evilma

The latest penalties against the New Orleans Saints were issued earlier this week with a strong message: Bounties will NOT be tolerated in the NFL. Four players received suspensions; two of which are still on the Saints roster. Scott Fujita (currently with the Browns) was hit with a 3 game suspension, Will Smith was handed 4, Anthony Hargrove (currently with Packers) was given 8 games and Jonathan Vilma was slapped with a *drum-roll* season long suspension. SEASON LONG?!?! How crazy is that?!

Let's first discuss the what we could have been looking at. I reported in an earlier post  that 22 out of 27, former and current players were involved in the scandal so all things considered, we got off easy. We could have easily been looking at an entire new defense come September. Also, keep in mind that we signed 3 very good and athletic LBs this off-season which shows that we were preparing for life without Vilma far before any of this happened so from a talent standpoint; we are still a Super Bowl caliber team (once Drew signs of course).

The issue I have - as well as many others - is that this entire investigation has been fueled by the current player safety lawsuits. Instead of fairly being punished we are now the poster team for his "Not on my watch" campaign and Vilma is now the villain; Dr. Doom and Frieza ( for my DBZ lovers) wrapped in one. From here on out, Vilma and bounty scandal will be synonymous with each other. We all know he has the option to and will appeal the rulings but Goodell is the judge and jury so I don't think he'll change mind on the topic.The damage is done and now it is becoming more and more ingrained in everyone's head day after day (see Sports Illustrated cover up top).

Goodell isn't concerned about how fair the punishments are at this point, it's the message. Why else would you suspend a player for an entire year for something that did not give the team an competitive advantage? On second thought, I guess we shouldn't be shocked at all. It is Roger Goodell we are talking about. Giving his track record, it fits.

But who's really the villian in all this???

And the Verdict is...?

GUILTY!

...but we've known that. In matter of fact, we - the Who Dats - have known that since early March. So what's the hold up on the rest of our punishments?

The NFL has made it pretty known that they aren't taken the bounty scandal lightly. Coach Sean Payton is suspended for a year, GM Mickey Loomis is suspended for the first 8 games of the season, Assistant Coach\Interim HC is suspended for the first 6 games of the season, and the organization was hit with a $500,000 fine and the lost of some draft picks in this year and next year draft. Not to mention former DC Gregg Williams indefinite suspension from the NFL. And now, the final part of these punishments; the player suspensions.

The initial investigation found that between 22 and 27, former and current players were involved in the scandal. Given Mr. Goodell's reputation; we should expect the worse but the process has been dragged out for the past 2 months. Weekly "leaks" has suggested that the penalties would come as early as last week but the commish did not want to "interfere" with the draft. That's cool; I understand that, but don't think the punishments aren't already drafted sitting on some one's desk right now somewhere. It took approximately 18 days for the NFL to issue their first wave punishments against the Saints organization...we are now on day 60.

Granted, I can only imagine the amount of work that goes into an investigation such as this one. Speaking with the organization, NFL Players Association, owners etc. can take months but, as we've seen since he has taken over, he is THE COMMISH! He has the power to do what he wants; when he wants. Unlike his predecessor Paul Tagliabue, Goodell understands the full extent of his power as the commissioner and he isn't afraid to use it...heavily.

It's time to git'er done Commish. I dare to speculate that the reason behind the stalled process is personal driven but I'm not one to dive into conspiracy theories. We need to know sooner than later or better yet, now. The task to solidify a team without it's leaders is already an enormous one but throwing in the uncertainty of if players will be there come opening day kick-off is asking a dog to run a race with 2 legs! Unfair is an understatement.

So c'mon commish; stop pouring salt in our wounds. We have enough injuries to last this year.

NFL's Most Wanted

Well Who Dats, we are once again the center of attention (like we ever left) and for more BS. According to ESPN Outside The Lines report; Mickey Loomis had the ability to listen in on opposing teams game-plans and strategies for some of the 2002 and all of the 2003 and 2004 seasons. During Randy Meuller's tenure, a wired jack of sorts was installed in the GM suite to listen in on game day communication of the Saints coaching staff.  It is alleged that Mr. Loomis had this line rewired to listen to only opposing coaches; with a button that switched between offense and defense instead. The jack was un-installed in 2005 before Hurricane Katrina destroyed the Superdome. A former employee that worked on the communication systems for the Saints made the allegations which prompted the investigation. The FBI and Louisiana State troopers have joined forces in the investigation and the league has said they won't pursue any punishments until the investigation is over.

*Scratches head*

Ok, (sigh) something just doesn't sound right to me on this one. This allegedly started 10 years again...10 YEARS!  All of a sudden it comes out now??? While we are trying to get back up from the knock out blow we just took from the league regarding the bounty scandal? Really??? The timing couldn't have been any worse. Either the league had this information and held it until the timing was "right" or the former employee saw this as an opportunity to kick us while we're down.  The front office and former coaches vehemently deny these reports which is hopefully a good thing ( last time we denied something; Goodell dropped the hammer).

It sucks seeing your team have a special category on ESPN's ticker every morning for several weeks especially when it's about scandals and wrong-doings. As a TRUE Who Dat; it's disturbing but if it's one thing we are known for, it's our resiliency as a city. It's true; "When it rains, it pours" and real fans are there through rain,sleet,snow,hail,tornado,sand storm etc. These dark gray clouds will soon pass and when they do, we'll be in the Superdome on February 3, 2012 hosting our own Super Bowl.

The Waiting Game

Another day has gone by and still no deal for Drew. Even with the purchase of the Hornets yesterday ( for a reported 338 million) and the not so promising "We're close to a deal" from Mr. Benson is still not good enough for us Who Dats. The equation is pretty simple; Drew + Saints = Winning .What's the real issue? Money? Long term? Pride? Ego??? The front office have to understand that not signing Drew can end in a possible boycott from the city (no joke!) not because we are spoiled - which we are - but to deny a proven player his well deserved money and risk the entire team folding is unacceptable. If I would have won the Mega Million jackpot; Drew would be signed by now :) .

So what's next? The conditioning program starts Monday and you can only expect the team to react accordingly without Drew. This domino effect can be devastating for the franchise but as a true fan, I'll always have hope and find that silver lining....just hope it's sooner than later.

Every team needs a leader. Ours live in Uptown New Orleans with 2 sons and one on the way.