Hammer drops on Saints Players

[A.E]

The long awaited hammer for Saints players involved in the Bounty scandal has finally dropped...

- Jonathan Vilma is suspended for all of 2012
- Anthony Hargrove suspended for 8 games
- Will Smith suspended for 4 games
- Scott Fujita suspended for 3 games

According to the investigation findings, Vilma slapped $10G's on the table and offered it up to anyone who knocked out Favre in the 2009 NFC Title Game. The NFL says Hargrove admitted his role but for a period of time hindered the investigation by providing false details. Will Smith apparently set up the bounty program with Gregg Williams and as for Scott Fujita, his exact role isn't known but he'll serve his suspension with his new team, the Cleveland Browns.

I wouldn't put any money on the Saints winning this season.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/05/02/four-saints-suspended-vilma-for-all-of-2012/

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Not really even that bad.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Schefter is saying there will be a massive legal battle over this, wish they would just serve the suspensions. Especially with Will Smith only missing Washington, Carolina, Kansas City, and Green Bay. I don't want another starcaps case.

 

[A.E]

Schefter is saying there will be a massive legal battle over this, wish they would just serve the suspensions. Especially with Will Smith only missing Washington, Carolina, Kansas City, and Green Bay. I don't want another starcaps case.

I'm sure these guys are looking at it from a game-check perspective

 

[jonathanlambert33]

I'm sure these guys are looking at it from a game-check perspective

I'm looking at a fans perspective lol. You are a Vikes fan right? So I'm sure you know about the starcaps bullshit.

I agree with Vilma though, his career is probably over.

 

[A.E]

I'm looking at a fans perspective lol. You are a Vikes fan right? So I'm sure you know about the starcaps bullshit.

I agree with Vilma though, his career is probably over.

No I get it...they;ll probably appeal it, get it delayed and at the very least they can hope for a lengthy process and not have to miss out on any upcoming paychecks.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

I just don't know what to believe.

NFLPA says the NFL doesn't have any actual evidence.

"punishment without evidence" they say

The thing with Vilma is, Joe Vitt said himself that Vilma is nolonger a starter because he isn't healthy enough. I myself have been saying he won't be on the team next year since before our offseason started. So I don't think his year suspension means much for the Saints, especially with the moves we've made at LB. But to basically end a guys career over this? Way to harsh.

Now, clearly the NFLPA will appeal by the end of the week. Then, they'll take it to court. Long drawn out process, blah.

I am still blown away by this. Fujita was only a part of the team one year and he has been adamante that he didn't encourage to hurt anyone.

I wonder why Hargrove got more games than everyone except Vilma? He wasn't making enough money to put a lot down, so unless they think he "earned the most" it's very odd.

Surprisingly, Harper and Jenkins (let alone Sharper, even if he's retired) didn't get nailed. I figured Harper would be out some time, since he is possibly our most aggressive defensive player. Very glad they didn't happen though. Also shocking Ellis isn't a part of this. I really thought when the NFL said 22-27 players that they'd really dismantle us.

So, all said, this still sucks, Vilma got hosed, but it's not as many players as I thought it could have been.

In a way, maybe this is a good thing for Vilma. A year to rest, get that knee healthy; it may actually extend his career. But then, what if he does get released? Nobody is going to sign a guy who has a year long suspension waiting on him.

 

[SaintFan25]

I just don't know what to believe.

NFLPA says the NFL doesn't have any actual evidence.

"punishment without evidence" they say

The thing with Vilma is, Joe Vitt said himself that Vilma is nolonger a starter because he isn't healthy enough. I myself have been saying he won't be on the team next year since before our offseason started. So I don't think his year suspension means much for the Saints, especially with the moves we've made at LB. But to basically end a guys career over this? Way to harsh.

Now, clearly the NFLPA will appeal by the end of the week. Then, they'll take it to court. Long drawn out process, blah.

I am still blown away by this. Fujita was only a part of the team one year and he has been adamante that he didn't encourage to hurt anyone.

I wonder why Hargrove got more games than everyone except Vilma? He wasn't making enough money to put a lot down, so unless they think he "earned the most" it's very odd.

Surprisingly, Harper and Jenkins (let alone Sharper, even if he's retired) didn't get nailed. I figured Harper would be out some time, since he is possibly our most aggressive defensive player. Very glad they didn't happen though. Also shocking Ellis isn't a part of this. I really thought when the NFL said 22-27 players that they'd really dismantle us.

So, all said, this still sucks, Vilma got hosed, but it's not as many players as I thought it could have been.

In a way, maybe this is a good thing for Vilma. A year to rest, get that knee healthy; it may actually extend his career. But then, what if he does get released? Nobody is going to sign a guy who has a year long suspension waiting on him.

Yeah I thought for sure Harper and Jenkins would get suspended. This isn't even close to as bad as I expected it to be.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Yeah I thought for sure Harper and Jenkins would get suspended. This isn't even close to as bad as I expected it to be.

Me also. I'm just confused mostly.

If the NFL has all this evidence, why are only 4 of the 22-27 players that were allegedly involved punished? What type of message does that send?

DeMaurice Smith, NFLPA Executive Director has released a statement regarding the player's suspensions:

"The NFLPA has STILL not received any detailed or specific evidence from the league of these specific players' involvement in an alleged pay-to-injure program. We have made it clear that punishment without evidence is not fair. We have spoken with our players and their representatives and we will vigorously protect and pursue all options on their behalf

 

[Elite]

Jonathan Vilma's career isn't over because of this...

Some team will sign him next year. I'd bring him back to Gang Green if we end up getting rid of Bart Scott.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Jonathan Vilma's career isn't over because of this...

Some team will sign him next year. I'd bring him back to Gang Green if we end up getting rid of Bart Scott.

It all depends on what the Saints decide to do with him. Most people thought his career as a Saint was over, but he ended up restructing his contract. The word is it was either "restructure or we will cut you." They have already replaced him with Lofton and Hawthorne, and Joe Vitt said himself that Vilma is not a starter right now. Best case is that he sits for a year, gets healthy, then comes back to the Saints as either a Mike or Will.

If they decide they don't want to wait for him for a year, and really they won't have to pay him anything and he won't take up a roster spot so that is a possibility, and they release him his career is done.

There will not be a market for a undersized LB who just turned 30 years old, who's seen a drop in production over the last two years because of recurring knee injuries who has a year long suspension waiting on him once he signs a contract.

 

[Elite]

Shittier players than Jonathan Vilma start at MLB on multiple teams

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Do those shittier players have knee issues and will be away from the game doing god knows what for a year though?

 

[Elite]

Being away from the game for a year will only help his knees.

And who gives a shit about his bad knees if he's still better than them with those bad knees. You're not going to sign the guy to a 10 year deal, he'll get some 1 year deals at a low price.

 

[A.E]

Being away from the game for a year will only help his knees.

And who gives a shit about his bad knees if he's still better than them with those bad knees. You're not going to sign the guy to a 10 year deal, he'll get some 1 year deals at a low price.

Vilma has durability issues and it doesn't matter how long he's out of the game for...those durability issues aren't going to change. It's not like Vilma is going to spend the next year on a bed with his knees elevated. He's going to have to stay in football shape all year round and staying in football shape still requires him to put a beating on his knees.

 

[elcheato]

I don't even like Fujita, suspended him for the whole year.

 

[Pugz]

:banhammer:

 

[Lake Louise]

Not as bad as I expected, but who knows. Maybe it's not all over with yet.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Not as bad as I expected, but who knows. Maybe it's not all over with yet.

It is.

Anyone heard Werder on ESPN? He basically said that his source said that GW was looking for an extra incentive to heighten the players intensity prior to the playoff games against Arizona and Minnesota. GW pulled Vilma aside and said he had an idea. He reportedly gave Vilma $10K to put down in front of the players to motivate them and the money was never paid out, but rather returned to GW. Since it worked so well to motivate players against Arizona, it was repeated against Minnesota. He also said the NFL and Goodell could not prove that there was a bounty program in either of the last two seasons.

 

[cruzg24]

Man I cant wait to play the Saints this year. Especially without Vilma and all that coaching staff. Its gonna be good times.