My 1st take when this whole deal broke was much to do about nothing. I talked about how I played the game trying to knock somebody out of the game everytime they came across the middle etc.

I heard the audio today. It is pretty unreal! Talks about pounding Gore's head. Don't come off the pile without beating his brain. Talks about going after Crabtree's ACL etc. I heard an interview with Warner (he and Favre were targets). He took the high road but talked about trying to calm his wife and kids down etc.

Talk radio was probably 90% killing Godell. Honestly the more I've thought about it the more I like what he's done. I do think he gets on power trips some. This one totally breaks the intergity of the game.

The Saints were asked about it several years ago. They said nothing was going on. They didn't get fined. They were asked again. Same. They didn't stop! They have proff that Vilma walked into a meeting and layed down $10,000 to knock (I think it was Favre) out of a game. That kind of stuff is why he got it worse. People calling in were saying 8 game. To me this is the bottom line. The game can't go there. If you know you are going to loose that paycheck, possibly never recover career wise, miss a whole year of football are you going to participate in a bounty program? Probably not! That's the ultimate goal to stop it!

I almost laugh at the players union. They are outraged. It will be a mess in court. Hmmm how about guys like Warner+Favre? Don't they represent the guy that is being threatened? What about his safety? Had one of those guys been done from one of those hits then how much money do they+their family loose etc? I like the Saints (not my team but I like them). I like the way Vilma plays. I think Peyton is the best play caller in the NFL and will miss him this year. End of the day they all blew it. They better sign Brees fast! That would be a nightmare if he leaves!

Vilma had his chance to talk to the commisioner but refused to go. Now he is trying to defend himself. Had he cooperated to begin with maybe his punishment wouldn't be so severe.

Vilma had his chance to talk to the commisioner but refused to go. Now he is trying to defend himself. Had he cooperated to begin with maybe his punishment wouldn't be so severe.

 

I didn't know that. I still don't agree with any of the bountygate punishments but it is more logical to me why Vilma's is what it is. No wonder he never saw any of Goodell's 'supposed evidence'...:lol: I have to question their union at this point. Who's advising him and then allowing him to speak publicly?

Im hearing that NFL is offering an 8 game suspension if Vilma drops his lawsuit against the NFL. Seems like the NFL is trying to save face or hide something.

Im hearing that NFL is offering an 8 game suspension if Vilma drops his lawsuit against the NFL. Seems like the NFL is trying to save face or hide something.

I think they would offered 8 from the onset had they not refused to meet with the Commissioner. If Vilma is 100% innocent he should appeal to get 0 games.

I think they would offered 8 from the onset had they not refused to meet with the Commissioner. If Vilma is 100% innocent he should appeal to get 0 games.

 

Vilma ain't 100% innocent.

 

The Saints act like they are victims here and it's annoying.

 

Why did Greg Williams take his punishment and shut up? He admitted he was wrong and then disappeared. Why can't the others do the same? They whine about how they are innocent but provide no evidence backing it up.

Adam Schefter apparently reporting that NFL is not working on a deal and intends to let it play out in court.

Espn is reporting both now, lol. One reporter says there is a deal, another says there isn't. go figure

Its entirely possible ESPN and Mortenson got something wrong...again.

NFL senior VP of communications Greg Aiello: "Today's report about a settlement offer by the league to Jonathan Vilma is completely inaccurate. No such settlement offer has been made. We will continue to respect the court proceedings on this matter and have no further comment at this time."

Espn is reporting both now, lol. One reporter says there is a deal, another says there isn't. go figure

 

Isn't that called ESPN on ESPN crime!?

NFL looks to cut deal with Vilma, possibly other suspended players | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports

 

The ESPN report indicated that others in the league have urged Goodell to reduce the suspensions (perhaps further indicating the flimsiness of Goodell's actual claims against the players in question), while Goodell has insisted all along that if the players had participated fully in the appeal process and capitulated in front of him for what they allegedly did, their suspensions may have already been reduced.

I get the players are trying to act all big and bad with calling out the Commissioner. And we can debate the merits of some of Goodell's decisions, but the total lack of respect for his position by the players - and to me it starts with Demaurice Smith - has crossed the line. Vilma knew for months his head was on the chopping block. He was requested to come and meet with the Commissioner and he basically told him to kiss his behind and refused to meet with him. Then after the punishment was handed down, he wants to trash him more and scream from the mountain top his innocence.

I get the players are trying to act all big and bad with calling out the Commissioner. And we can debate the merits of some of Goodell's decisions, but the total lack of respect for his position by the players - and to me it starts with Demaurice Smith - has crossed the line. Vilma knew for months his head was on the chopping block. He was requested to come and meet with the Commissioner and he basically told him to kiss his behind and refused to meet with him. Then after the punishment was handed down, he wants to trash him more and scream from the mountain top his innocence.

 

Brees has been getting on my nerves throughout this as well.

 

They all know what they did but they won't admit to it. I heard they even put up a stupid picture of Sean Peyton at the Saints training camp like he's a victim.

Brees has been getting on my nerves throughout this as well.

 

They all know what they did but they won't admit to it. I heard they even put up a stupid picture of Sean Peyton at the Saints training camp like he's a victim.

Brees has been the worst and really doing it on behalf of the entire league, not just the Saints. But apparently Demaurice Smith is cool with it. I think it is bad practice. And yes, the whole organization is getting on my nerves now.

 

Do I think the Saints did the bounty stuff? Sure. Do I think Goodell tried to make an example of the Saints in the wake of this pending CA lawsuit? Sure. But the Saints and the rest of the league have done themselves no favors with their responses to Goodell. If it is so bad, they should remember it was about 1 year ago now they signed the new CBA giving the Commissioner the power he has. I don't want to hear it.