The New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has been suspended for one year due to his role in the bounty system that encouraged defensive players to inflict injury on opposing players and rewarding them for it. Sean Payton, who earns approximately $7.5 million per year, will go unpaid for the whole year because suspension in the NFL is without pay. On the other hand, Gregg Williams, defensive coach of the St. Louis Rams has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL, and the Saints were fined $500,000.
As we all know by now, the Saints are facing a lot of potential penalties from the league as a result of the bounty system that the NFL claims the New Orleans Saints had after conducting an extensive investigation. It is being reported that the ring leader of the bounty system wasn’t any of the players, although they did voluntarily take part in it, but instead it was their former defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams. The reason the Saints are expected to face a lot of penalties is because the players were being rewarded for injuring, and severely injuring other players, and it was known all the way up to the general manager.
Roger Goodell wants to make his legacy in the NFL be about what he has done for player safety to prevent severe and long-term injuries. So many people with knowledge of what goes on in Goodell’s office all believe that he will make an example of Williams and the Saints and not take this lightly. It is very likely that Williams gets a lifetime ban, the Saints lose draft picks, and their coaches and players face suspensions for the 2012 NFL season. This is a story that will not go away anytime soon, and very well may haunt the Saints franchise for years to come.
The NFL season is to begin on September 5th with the Saints taking on the super bowl champion NY Giants. The NFL changed the first game to one day prior to accommodate President Barack Obama’s address to the democratic national convention. The first order of business will be to re-sign franchise quarterback Drew Brees. The Saints have up until March 5th to work out a long-term deal. Otherwise, look for the Saints to place the franchise tag on him to give themselves additional time to work out a long-term deal. The Saints have a plethora of other key personnel turning free agents as Marques Colston and Robert Meachem are looking for contracts. With the way Coach Sean Payton enjoys his 4 and 5 wide receiver sets, the Saints would need to fill these large voids either through the draft or through free agency.
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In a s0mewhat ugly mismatch the New Orleans Saints took another step foward to 5-2, with a 62-7 thrashing of the winless Colts. This was a week for stats and records. For starters, Drew Brees threw more TD’s (5) than incompletions (4). Brees threw for 325 yards in a rocking-chair game for the offense. Overall they gained 557 total yards, a massive number. TE Jimmy Graham also continued his success catching another 2 TD’s. Mark Ingram ran for 91, and Darren Sproles chipped in with 88 to bolster a solid running game. Against lackluster defense the Saints will erupt for montrous totals every time. The offense if the picture of efficiency.
The Colts didn’t have much to offer on offense, seeing as they were behind immediatly and had to pass with the defense knowing fully they would do so. New Orleans shut down any attempts at an uprising by taking away the ball 3 times, and holding the Colts to just 252 yards of total offense. The lone Indy score came on a Delone Carter run in the 3rd quarter after the game was well out of reach. Next week the Saints have St.Louis on the road. New Orleans should take care of business for their own sake.
This week the Saints travel to take on division foe Tampa Bay. This game will have a huge impact on who wins this division. The Saints come in at 4-1, 1 game ahead of the 3-2 Bucs. If they want to keep their slim lead, Drew Brees will have to put on an air show. The Saints need to lead this game comfortably late, or I fear they will lose to the best comeback QB in the league right now, Josh Freeman. Brees will need to have a huge afternoon to keep the Saints out in front. If at any point New Orleans drives begin to end in FG’s, Tampa will overtake them.
Defensively the Saints need to focus on backup RB Earnest Graham, who is filling in for LeGarrett Blount this week. He is a solid player and I feel he will have a big day. Don’t be shocked if he is the reason why the Saints can’t keep their division lead. I predict a 24-21 loss, to Tampa.
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This week the Saints have a very interesting game against their division rival, the Carolina Panthers. As far as divisional games go, this one should be easier on the Saints. Carolina is on the rise with their young QB Cam Newton putting up gaudy numbers each week, but they have not yet learned how to win. Newton will be confronted with a new challenge this week, playing against a confusing blitz package and opportunistic defensive backs. The Saints should be able to stop Newton’s march towards rookie passing records, by hitting him more than he has ever been hit. The Panthers don’t have too much of a running game to speak of, so New Orleans should be all loaded up to stop Newton’s dual threat style.
Drew Brees will have fun this week. The all-pro QB will have plenty of time to operate, and should cut up the Panther D. Watch for rookie RB Mark Ingram to have a breakout day, and TE Jimmy Graham to continue his solid play. This offense doesn’t let bad teams hang around because they will put the ball in the end zone. I would be shocked to see the Saints punting more than even once this week. Look for a blowout win, 42-14 Saints. Check back for my game recap after all the action.
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360 News | Saints360 | 
March 22, 2012 3:56 am | 
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