Saints Sent Marching

The biggest news in sports this week came out of New Orleans and echoed across the NFL. The Saints were punished and punished severely for the bounty gate scandal which could have significant ramifications on the franchise for years to come. Clearly the importance of player safety was put ahead of all other interests in this case and commissioner Roger Goodell made his decisions accordingly. Head coach Sean Payton is band for the year and Gregg Williams the man behind the program is suspended indefinitely. The team will also have to forfeit several draft picks. This is a hard pill for the franchise to swallow I'm sure as it is likely they are not the only ones to have been involved in such a situation but were found out and are being made an example of. I can't say that that aspect of it is fair, but as for punishing them the league absolutely got it right. It sent a very clear and decisive message that this type of action is not only unacceptable it is shameful and deserves to be dealt with severely. Football is a violent sport but to turn it into a sort of free for all risking people's safety in doing so is just thoughtless and barbaric. I love a big hit as much as the next guy, but do it within the rules. If you're not good enough to beat the other team with all their starters on the field, you don't deserve to. Don't go out and try to cheap shot them in hopes of winning. That sends the absolutely wrong message and for the sake of the NFL I hope the Saints got theirs.