Saints Owner Tom Benson "isn’t backing off his support" of GM Mickey Loomis and head coach Sean Payton "even though the league says they knew" about the bounty program set up by former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, according to Brett Martel of the AP. While Benson “cooperates with NFL officials in their investigation of the bounty program that spanned the last three seasons, he is standing behind" the two men. A team source said, “The bond between Sean and Mickey and Mr. Benson could not be stronger. (Benson) is 110 percent behind his guys” (AP, 3/6). In New Orleans, James Varney notes club officials yesterday reiterated that Benson “has unwavering faith in his top employees” and they described him as “an unusually active owner urging his staff to focus on the team's pressing free agency needs.” One club official said, "Mr. Benson is rallying the troops around here today.” But Varney notes there “were indications Monday the Saints have no intention of meekly accepting penalties” (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 3/6). Sources said that Benson's support of Payton and Loomis “is unwavering.” However, in New Orleans, Jeff Duncan notes Benson "will have far less patience should another ugly incident disgrace the club.” The scandal has “irreparably damaged the Saints' reputation and embarrassed Benson in league circles.” It has created the “biggest public relations nightmare since the club's shameful post-Katrina dalliances with San Antonio.” When all is said and done, “the collective on- and off-field damage from the scandal could cost the Saints millions.” League detectives “reportedly uncovered incriminating emails from Payton to friend and business associate Mike Ornstein with extensive details of the bounty system.” Ornstein “reportedly offered a $5,000 bounty for a quarterback scalp in one of the emails late last season.” The fact Ornstein “is still associated with the Saints is, in itself, disturbing.” Duncan notes the marketing agent is “a twice-convicted felon who once defrauded the NFL of $350,000.” He is “kryptonite in league circles and NFL officials have long frowned on his cozy relationship with the Saints.” Yet, team officials “foolishly have allowed him to enmesh himself in the organization.” While he is not listed in the team media guide, Ornstein "wears Saints-issued gear around the facility and has team-approved sideline passes to games” (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 3/6).
FORESHADOWING THE FUTURE: YAHOO SPORTS’ Michael Silver wrote it is “reasonable to assume the penalties for the bounty scandal will be more severe than those handed down 4½ years ago” for the Patriots' Spygate scandal. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell “has more de facto power now, having survived a labor war,” and while he and Patriots Owner Robert Kraft “are close -- and the former rightfully credits the latter with having helped champion his selection as [former Commissioner] Paul Tagliabue's successor -- Benson isn't one of the league's cool kids” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 3/5). Meanwhile, in S.F., Gwen Knapp notes Pro Football Talk yesterday pointed out that the NFL Network “had pulled a replay of the Saints' 2009 NFC title game against the Vikings, scheduled to appear at noon Pacific time.” The Saints defense “played lawlessly that day, nearly knocking Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre out of the game with repeated hits, only a handful of which were penalized” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 3/6).
TAKING A STAND: In N.Y., Bob Raissman writes NFL TV/radio analysts, “while saying they understand Goodell’s motivation in busting the Saints, are lining up against the commissioner.” Raissman: “Give them huge credit. … These voices are playing it straight. We salute them.” If Goodell is “really determined to change the culture, he might consider legislating the way the game is covered.” He could “encourage his TV partners to put less emphasis on hard hits and the replay of ‘dirty hits’ that are shown multiple times under the guise of trying to determine if the contact was illegal” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/6). ESPN’s J.A. Adande said the NFL has to “crack down, particularly against this backdrop of renewed concern about player safety." However, the league has to "understand that this is a part of the culture of the game.” Adande: “Everyone ... is complicit in this because maybe they didn’t provide a financial reward but they did provide incentive by showing it on the big-screen in the stadium, showing it on TV, the fans the way they react” ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 3/5). ESPN's Dan Le Batard said, "This was all fine once upon a time. This used to be the stuff of big hit video. The NFL sold this. But now it’s frowned upon” (“Dan Le Batard Is Highly Questionable,” ESPNN2, 3/5).
HAVING SOME LAUGHS: Last night’s edition of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report” featured the recurring segment “Stephen Colbert’s Sport Report” with host Stephen Colbert discussing the Saints' bounty program. Colbert called it the “most damning NFL scandal in years not involving the word ‘sexboat.’” Colbert: “I am shocked -- shocked, I tell you! -- that NFL players are being paid bonuses to injure each other. They are already paid a base salary to injure each other. And I am sickened by allegations that in a playoff game in 2010 Saints defensive captain Jonathan Vilma offered $10,000 in cash to any player who knocked Vikings quarterback Brett Favre out of the game. The irony, of course, is that later that year Brett Favre was knocked out of football when he tweeted his own helmeted warrior.” Colbert added, “I also hope that those responsible are punished, the NFL continues its emphasis on safety and those defensive players learn to tackle the right way that ends up in the ‘Top Ten Hits’ montage on the NFL.com! Crunch!” (“The Colbert Report,” Comedy Central, 3/5).
