As more and more attention is being paid to the OTA’s the Saints were hoping the Bounty Gate drama would slowly drift away. However, as with any good scandal that just isn’t happening. Yesterday ESPN reported the following:
"The person confirmed the existence of the ledger to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday night because the NFL has not publicly discussed it. Yahoo! Sports first reported that the NFL has the ledger, which describes $1,000 payments for “cart-offs,” or hits which left opponents needing help to the sideline. It noted $400 payments for “whacks,” or hard hits, and $100 deductions for mental errors."
I have to admit I’m torn on this whole issue. Going out to cause injury to someone is not okay but on the same hand does anyone really believe that the added 1,000$ really made someone hit “harder” or “dirtier”? What is $1,000 on a four million dollar yearly salary? I truly believe that the players were not doing it for the extra cash. The motivation was internal and the cash only provided a materialistic value.
My real problem with all of this lies with the NFL Players Union. Look at one of their most recent quotes:
"NFL Players Association spokesman George Atallah says the union has not seen the ledger or any other evidence of player involvement in a “pay-to-injure” program, including the ledger.“This supposed coach’s ledger, if it does exist, only proves that a fair due process was not afforded to the players,” Atallah told The Associated Press. “They were punished before they had the opportunity to review any of the supposed evidence against them.”"
Due process? Basically the union is trying to have it’s cake and eat it too. You cannot claim your primary goal is to protect the players
and then try and defend the players who engaged in Bounty Gate. No matter your opinion on this matter you have to take a critical look at the union and how they are trying to “protect” the players. The union enjoys blaming the NFL regarding concussions but now when the league tries to address a potentially bigger problem, the union claims due process was not followed! Interesting to say the least.