Saints' Coach Sean Payton suspended 1 year
Sean Payton suspended for full year, per league source.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 21, 2012
Ho-lee fuck. Shit is going down. The Saints will forfeit 2nd round picks in 2012 and 2013, in addition to a $500k fine. Gregg Williams is suspended indefinitely but will miss at least the 2012 season . Asst HC/LB Coach Joe Vitt suspended 6 games and fined 100k. GM Mickey Loomis also suspended for 8 games (I'm not sure how that is supposed to work). Roger Goodell statement on punishment of Saints for Bountygate: "We are all accountable and responsible for player health and safety and the integrity of the game," Commissioner Goodell said. "We will not tolerate conduct or a culture that undermines those priorities. No one is above the game or the rules that govern it. Respect for the game and the people who participate in it will not be compromised." When there is targeting of players for injury and cash rewards over a three-year period, the involvement of the coaching staff, and three years of denials and willful disrespect of the rules, a strong and lasting message must be sent that such conduct is totally unacceptable and has no place in the game. ESPN's Chris Mortensen confirms more punishment coming for #Saints roster: "We haven't even gotten to the players' penalties yet." The NFL has also sent a memo to all NFL teams requiring that they certify that no bounty systems are in place and/or terminate it immediately if it exists.

