I know I’m supposed to be outraged about the Saints paying bounties for big hits that injure opposing players, but I’m not. I’m not saying what Gregg Williams and the Saints did was right, or that it should go unpunished, but I can’t work myself up to be outraged about the issue like so many others.
Is this bounty system really that big of a revelation? Are we truly shocked that something like this was (is) going on in the NFL?
I’m not.
I always assumed some sort of bounty system existed and it was just one of those things that got treated with a wink and a nod, kind of like when pitchers in baseball used finger-nail files or sandpaper to doctor the ball back in the day.
That doesn’t make it right, but it makes it one of those issues where people’s reactions get under my skin. Now everyone is condemning Williams and the Saints for being big evil monsters that were out to tear off the limbs of opposing players and collect cash for maiming their NFL brethren.
Bounty or no bounty, defensive players are looking to deliver a giant hit on every play. If that big hit results in a player getting carted off, so be it. Some players also take cheap shots. These types of players play for many teams, not just the Saints or some other team with a bounty system.
The NFL can issue as many fines and suspensions as it wants (and it will, and should), but this type of mindset won’t go away. Perhaps the other teams currently using a bounty system will stop, but those cash incentives will be replaced with other tokens of appreciation.
A coach praising a player during film sessions for bone-jarring hits, teammates buying dinner for whomever knocks out the opposing QB, sharing laughs and re-enacting certain violent plays over a few beers — those are a few ways players and coaches will continue showing appreciation for hits that leave another player woozy or unable to return to the game.
That’s just how football works and I don’t see it changing any time soon. It doesn’t make it right. It doesn’t mean is should be accepted. But I just can’t get that worked up over it.
Charles Woodson, the Draft and Wednesday Night Football
- The Packers intend to keep Charles Woodson at CB. Good. Woodson takes too many risks to play safety and be the Packers last line of defense. If the Packers defense is going to get back to where it needs to be, the safeties need to be reliable so Woodson can take chances in the slot and as a regular CB. Besides, is Sam Shields ready to take over as the No. 2 CB?
- We’re ramping up NFL draft analysis and potential Packers prospect profiles (say that five times fast) here at AllGBP.com. When Jersey Al shares his thoughts on a prospect, it’s always a must-read. You can find his first couple of profiles here, here, and here.
- The NFL kicks off on a Wednesday this year, and I hope the Packers play the Giants. Not only would it be an intriguing game, but opening the season on a Wednesday, then not playing again until presumably the next Sunday, is essentially like having an extra bye week.
In Case you Missed It
- The Packers were reportedly interested in Texans free agent C Chris Myers. That’s news to Myers, though.
- Donald Driver is the newest cast member of Dancing with the Stars. Will Driver leap into the stands after pulling off a difficult move?
- Aaron Rodgers visited the Milwaukee Brewers at spring training. Please Aaron, if Ryan Braun offers you any “vitamins,” politely decline and get out of there as fast as you can.
- Brett Favre joined Twitter. The over/under on the number of Tweets containing the word “ya’ll” in the next five days is set at 99.5.
- John Rehor writes about the passing of his brother over at Eat More Cheese. It’s a must-read, even though it’s difficult at times. Well done, John, and thanks for sharing.
- The Vikings are getting closer to securing a deal for a new stadium. Don’t worry, it will be another dome so going to a Vikings game will be just as lame as it is now.
- If you can spare about 45 minutes, this oral history of the brawl involving the Pistons/Pacers/NBA fans is a must-read.
Previewing next week’s Packers news
- Look for a few updates on Nick Collins, especially if he sets a date to be checked out by doctors to get cleared to play, or told he has to retire.
- This week we had a Packers player join Dancing with the Stars and visit the Brewers at spring training. Who could have predicted those story lines? Maybe another player will wind up on a game show or something this week. Who knows.
- You can count on more draft profiles and the beginning of our yearbook posts at AllGBP.com.
- Topics I might write about at AllGBP.com if I can find the time: The Packers RB situation and more background on WRs Tori Gurley and Diondre Borel.
Non-Packers Thought of the Week
If any AllGBP.com readers are political junkies like me, then you’ve probably already pre-ordered The Passage of Power, the fourth volume in Robert Caro’s brilliant biography on Lyndon Johnson. If you’ve never read any of Caro’s work, you’re missing out.
There’s really no way to give justice to Caro’s work in a paragraph or two, so I won’t even bother trying. The release date for the latest installment in this mesmerizing series can’t get there fast enough.
If you care about history, journalism, great writing and amazing storytelling, check out Caro’s work.
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Adam Czech is a a freelance sports reporter living in the Twin Cities and a proud supporter of American corn farmers. When not working, Adam is usually writing about, thinking about or worrying about the Packers. Follow Adam on Twitter. Twitter .
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Yes we all know or at least should have a clue as to what goes on behind the locker room doors.However,I also can’t get outraged to the point of throwing fits but,if your wink-winks get exposed for some (ahem)illegal activity….punishment is mandatory.
I really enjoy what all you contributors to AllGBP.com are doing this year. You’ve really stepped up your game and made this my favorite football-related website. 🙂
Thanks for reading and commenting, Jim.
Thanks so much, Jim. We appreciate your participation!
I think is sight is top notch year around, but this is the second year in a row where it is clear that the guys at allgreenbaypackers step up their game and make themselves the best off-season Packers site on the web.
Other sites trim down coverage, these guys ramp up production.
**I think THIS SITE**
Really gotta get my prescription checked!
Thanks Oppy! We try to live up to our slogan, “All Packers All The time.”
Except for the occasional times when one of the writers writes about pro wrestling 🙂
*It would be nice to get Wells signed for 3yrs/18. I won’t hold my breath on that one. *Manning saga should unfold this week. *Some punishment should should be handed out to Saints for being so arrogant. *I’m sure you’ve read TRUMAN by McCullough. That’s enough to keep us busy.
I’d share my thoughts on the Saints “scandal,” but I’ve already written them down for tomorrow. 😉
Can’t wait Chad. My feelings on the “bounty” are similar to Adam’s. It’s a mater of degree. A good clean hit that causes injury is to be admired for the quality of the action, not the injury itself. The result of that play any way you look at it accomplished the positive result of removing one key element of the opponents team. Of course, players and fans alike will cheer that outcome in one breath, while expressing symphaty for the injured party in the next.
Now when it gets down to having a fromal program to reward that activity it breaks NFL regulations. And, my position would be that it sometimes encourages hitting that crosses the line between legal and illegal. The act of illegal action is already a major penalty and subject to fine and or suspension.
On the other hand how do we explain Suh? That would be Schwartz. His goal is to do exactly what NO wanted to do but, it was not formalized by reward. Just attitude. Who’s to blame here? What action should be taken?
And nothing other than arogance can explain the Steelers, James Harrison. It seems no mater what the penalty, suspension or fine, it has no impact on his behavior.
When I first heard this and posted a comment, someone answered with, “Since NO’s defense was so crappy, it wasn’t worth it.” How true that is. One thing I know for sure is that we don’t need any more regulation that will favor the offense more than the defense. In fact, I believe it’s time to level the playing field.
Football is a violent sport when played within the rules. No amount of regulation will solve the injury problem without hurting the game. No mater what football can never be made completely safe. For all the new squishy fans, ya might wanna go back to lawn bowling and please don’t drop that dangerous ball on your toe.
I wonder if there are any teams in the league that include the offense in their bounty system? It seems like offensive lineman are in the best position to injure other players. Chop blocks, diving on the pile, picking guys standing around and watching the end of play, high-low blocks….lots of opportunities to do some serious harm if you’re an o-lineman.
Usually the chop blocks by olinemen are easily detected and called so they don’t do it as much as they once did. Post play stuff is easy to detect also. The major penalty for an Olineman is almost 100% holding. Nobody gets hurt by holding. Except EDS that is!
I guess I was looking at it strictly from an injury perspective. If I was a dirty player, and my main goal was to injure a guy and collect a bounty, I’d be an O-lineman.
I’d be Harison
Or Nitschke. 😀
One thing I read that I also thought was pretty cool is Hawk cut his hair to donate it to kids who lost their hair due to cancer. Props to him. Kind of makes me feel bad for bashing him for being such a bad football player. Hopefully he donates a good portion of his sizeable income to charities like this.
I missed that one. Do you have a link?
Well there’s links on your site, =P.
http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/packers_linebacker_aj_hawk_cut_off_his_hair_and_donated_it_charity_photo/10217311
Might have come out after you posted this.
I think I saw a tweet from Aaron Rodgers (?) about this. Very cool.
Yeah it makes me hope that he develops a chip on his shoulder due to all the bashing he recieves and plays better than he has throughout his NFL career. It would suck to see a guy who does such great things with his celebrity position lose out on the opportunity to do those things because he’s not playing to a high enough level. God knows he has enough nay sayers (including myself) that he needs to prove wrong to develop that chip.
I hope Hawk has a helluva good year, but if he continues as he played most of his career to date, I hope the Packers quickly reintroduce him to the bench.