Suspensions for Saints, Payton, Vitt Upheld
By Brian Carriveau on Apr 09, 2012 with 6 Comments
The NFL announced on Monday that the suspensions facing the New Orleans Saints, head coach Sean Payton, general manager Mickey Loomis and assistant head coach (and former Packers assistant) Joe Vitt have been upheld by commissioner Roger Goodell following last week’s appeal.
The NFL did acknowledge that the penalties could be reduced at some future point, however.
According to a press release from the NFL, “If they embrace the opportunity and participate in a constructive way, Commissioner Goodell said he would consider mitigating the financial penalties on the individuals. In the case of the team, the commissioner would consider whether there are factors that would support modifying the forfeiture of the team’s 2013 second-round draft choice.”
The NFL previously announced that Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was one of several players targeted through the Saints’ bounty program paying players to intentionally injure opponents. Former Packers quarterback Brett Favre was another target when he played for the Minnesota Vikings in 2009.
Payton’s one-year suspension without pay from the NFL will begin on April 16.
The eight-game suspension for Loomis and the six-game suspension for Vitt will begin at the conclusion of the preseason.
Vitt was an assistant on Packers head coach Ray Rhodes’ staff in 1999.
Filed Under: Packers News
Good. They deserve all they get.
If the Saints recapture next years #2 draft choice then they got off easy in my estimation. They lose a two this year, but the remaining penalties affect the individual coaches and brass, not so much the team. They can replace Payton on an interim basis with the Tuna and other very competent coaches. In other words the win-lose probabilities shouldn’t be greatly affected by “Bountygate” unless the commish comes down hard on players still on the roster from that period of time.
Is it over yet? No? Ok, let me know when it is so I don’t have to hear about it anymore.
Ha. Ha.
GBP 4 LIFE
Nelson?
They’re screwed this year. I was hoping they’d lose next year’s 1st round pick too.
Carolina/Atlanta will fight out the NFCS this year. Saints in the basement. 6-10. At best.