Carter stated, “I’m guilty of [placing bounties] – I mean, first time I’ve ever admitted it – but I put a bounty on guys before.” “I put bounties on guys. If a guy tries to take me out, a guy takes a cheap shot on me? I put a bounty on him right now!”

The NFL recently placed heavy penalties on numerous New Orleans management, coaches, and players when NFL Roger Goodell Commissioner found the team guilty of using a bounty program to injure opposing players.

Wednesday morning Carter appeared on ESPN SportsCenter to clarify his statement. He emphasized there was no intent to injure opponents and protection was the only intent. He stated, “The difference is people going out of their way to hurt a player. Hitting a spot that we as players know is off limits, like his knees. You’re not telling them to go out and get someone, you’re telling them to protect you, run down the field to protect their skill guys.”

Carter added, “Bill Romanowski – he told me he was going to take me out before the game, warm-ups. No problem. [He said,] ‘I’m gonna end your career, Carter.’ No problem. “I put a little change on his head before the game. Protect myself. Protect my family. That’s the league that I grew up in.”

Bill Romanowski is a Pro Bowl linebacker who was with the Denver Broncos at the time.

When asked if Carter was the only player to create bounties, he replied, “Hell, no. Listen, on the football field, you only got certain protection, and your teammates are part of that protection. It’s built in, and if I’m playing a certain position where I can’t protect myself – how can the quarterback protect himself? But for his teammates to stand up and do something, there are certain positions you can’t protect yourself.”

“But you have to realize the league we grew up in, the bounty was based on protection, or a big hit, excitement, or for helping your team win. It wasn’t to maim or hurt the dude,” said Carter, who retired from the NFL following the 2002 season.”

The big question here is this: The subject of bounties in the NFL is very toxic right now, so why would a player want to associate himself with the practice of offering bounties? It seems the best course of action would be to keep your trap shut. Carter is on television every Sunday and on various ESPN broadcasts several times a week throughout the NFL pre-season, regular season, and playoffs. Is he really wanting for attention in the off season so badly that he’ll talk about anything to get in the news? This was a really poor decision by Cris Carter, especially when there are Hall of Fame votes at risk.

Cris Carter has been a Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist for the past five years. It will be interesting to see if these statements affect the Hall of Fame voting. For many years has been a great ambassador of the sport of American Football by displaying outstanding character and expert analysis. It would be a shame to see his reputation tarnished.

How do you believe this will affect Carter’s ability to enter the Hall of Fame? Should have kept quiet about offering bounties?

March 25, 2012; Palm Beach, FL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during an press conference at the annual NFL meetings at the Breakers Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

We have all recently heard about the Saints bounty scandal, and now more players and coaches are acknowledging their existence, are  bounties part of the game? This is not something new. Bounties have been around probably since the game began.

Think back, there was the bounty bowl between the Eagles and Cowboys where is was alleged that Buddy Ryan put bounties on QB Troy Aikman and K Luis Zendajas. Zendajas left the game with a concussion after a hard hit. The NFL actually touted the rematch of these two games as Bounty Bowl II. Then there was the Packers Charles Martin who wore a towel with Chicago Bears players numbers on it. He threw Bears QB Jim McMahon to the ground violently and separated his shoulder, thus Ending his and the Bears season. Former NFL WR and current NFL analyst Chris Carter stated in a recent interview “I put bounties on guys. If a guy tried to take me out, guy takes a cheap shot on me? I put a bounty on him right now!” asked if they carried financial incentives, “absolutely”

So, why has the NFL come down with harsh penalties now against the Saints? Easy, its about money on different levels. First, after the lawsuit led by Jim McMahon was filed by NFL players and families stating the league did not protect players and inform them of the harm that could be done after concussions. Second, the league does not want bounties being put on the leagues superstars. Not having the big names playing could cost the NFL dollars in the long run.

Football is a violent game by nature, “blowing a player up” is part of the game and the players mentality. Although I feel these penalties and suspensions will not end “bounty programs” maybe it will curtail it a bit. After all, as much as fans like to see big hits, we wouldn’t love the sport without its biggest stars.

The Supplemental Draft, for the pick forfeiting rule as well as the relative lack of talent compared to the NFL Draft, is rarely very busy. In fact, only three times in history have more than 2 players been selected in the same year, 1978 (the first Supplemental Draft), 1987, and 1989. The Gmen have made 2 Supplement picks in their history: taking the immortal QB Dave Brown from Duke in the first round (thus forfeiting their first round pick!) of the 1992 Draft, and taking serviceable cornerback Tito Wooten in the 4^th round in 1994.

Though the Giants haven’t struck pay dirt in the draft, many notable players have found their way into the League via the Supplemental Draft. All-Pro defensive tackle Jamal Williams, Jets wide receiver Rob Moore, QB’s Steve Walsh and Bernie Kosar, and future Hall of Famer Cris Carter all were drafted in the Supplemental Draft. Whether the new Cowboys defensive end turns out to be more like Dave Brown or Jamal Williams remains to be seen.