Warner’s right … good for Goodell!

Former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner 

was one of four quarterbacks the Saints 

offered a bounty for. The now retired legend 

agreed with commisioner Roger Goodell's 

punishment of the Saints.

As one of four quarterbacks targeted in the New Orleans Saints bounty program, Future Hall of Fame NFL quarterback Kurt Warner shared his thoughts on how NFL commissioner Roger Goodell handled the situation – and I agree with the Christ-loving Warner one million percent.

“I’m shocked like a lot of people, but not fully surprised,” Warner said. “One thing we realize about the commish is this has been primary from day one … he was going to protect our players. I am shocked at Coach Payton being suspended for a year and the various other things, but this is what Commissioner Goodell has done from day one. I love that he is trying to make statements to protect our game for the long-term.”

‘Puh-leeze’ … save the apology Payton, Loomis

Saints head coach Sean Payton (L) and GM 

Mickey Loomis, tried to apologize for their 

roles in Bountygate, but 

Eye On Sports says - save it fellas'. 

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton and GM Mickey Loomis issued a joint statement on March 6, in which they each took full responsibility for the bounty program in New Orleans.

“We acknowledge that the violations disclosed by the NFL during their investigation of our club happened under our watch,” they said in a statement. “These are serious violations and we understand the negative impact it has had on our game. Both of us have made it clear within our organization that this will never happen again, and make that same promise to the NFL and most importantly to all of our fans.”

The only problem I have with their joint apology us that it comes long after they were told to out an end to their, then alleged bounty program – and they didn’t.

When you break the law – and then do so repeatedly – I don’t want to hear how sorry you are for your crimes. Basically, Payton and Loomis were apparently going to allow the illegal bounty program to continue as long as they weren’t caught.

Now that they have been – and the s**t’s hitting the fan, I don’t want to hear an apology when you could have ended the career of another player.

Serves ‘em right … Saints get hammered!

The New Orleans Saints paid for their foolish 

bounty program in unprecedented fashion!

If players, GM’s and coaches across the NFL thought that commissioner Roger Goodell was playing around when he said that he was going to protect his league’s players from undue harm – they may want to think again after seeing Goodell lay down the hammer on the suddenly-dysfunctional New Orleans Saints on Wednesday.

Goodell body-slammed the Saints in an unprecedented – and former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams (now with the St. Louis Rams) for their respective participation in a bounty program, that awarded players cash for injuring opposing players.

The league’s investigation showed that the Saints placed monetary bounties on four of the game’s best former and current quarterbacks – Brett Favre, Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers and Kurt Warner.

Goodell suspended Saints head coach Sean Payton without pay for the entire 2012 season while also banning general manager Mickey Loomis for eight games and assistant coach Joe Vitt for the first six games of the season.

New Orleans also has to pay a whopping $500,000 fine while forfeiting its second-round draft picks in 2012 and 2013.

For his part in basically organizing the entire bounty program, Williams has been suspended indefinitely with Goodell stating that he will reevaluate his standing at the end of the 2012 season.

Williams’ suspension started with the league’s announcement while Payton’s will begin on April 1. Loomis’ suspension will begin following New Orleans’ final preseason game.

“We are all accountable and responsible for player health and safety and the integrity of the game,” Goodell said in a statement. “We will not tolerate conduct or a culture that undermines those priorities. No one is above the game or the rules that govern it. Respect for the game and the people who participate in it will not be compromised.

“A combination of elements made this matter particularly unusual and egregious. When there is targeting of players for injury and cash rewards over a three-year period, the involvement of the coaching staff, and three years of denials and willful disrespect of the rules, a strong and lasting message must be sent that such conduct is totally unacceptable and has no place in the game.”

All I can say Eye On Sports football fanatics is that I’m absolutely ecstatic to see commissioner Goodell lay down the hammer in an effort to clean up a sport that has seen an increase in cheap shots – and concussions – in recent seasons.

The Saints got just what they deserved after implementing the bounty program – and then foolishly allowing it to continue – even after being warned by the league last season.

The NFL also required every other franchise to confirm that they did not have bounty programs in place.