Bounty System May Be In Place Throughout The Entire League..

[Upton]

The New Orleans Saints organization is getting a lot of flak for the bounty hunting culture put in place by former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. But according to players around the league, this pay-for-injury system goes way behind the Saints, or even the Washington Redskins, where Williams was once an assistant.

The Washington Post reports that ex-Redskin players, most of whom were quoted anonymously, confirmed that then-defensive coordinator Williams used a bounty system to encourage his players to injure opposing teams with “kill shots,” some of which earned the players up to $8,000 dollars a hit.

Some Redskin players, including former lineman Philip Daniels, defended the practice, saying it encouraged “good, hard football.” Daniels said the reward money came from fines collected when players were late to practice or meetings, as well as from Williams’ own pocket.

Considering that Williams has been a part of a number of organizations, including the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars and now the St. Louis Rams, it isn’t hard to imagine that this is a widely-practiced system of encouraging players to leave it all out there on the field — even if that includes leaving broken body parts of opposing players out there as well.

http://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/bounty-system-widespread/

This stuff has been going on for years. Remember the Bounty Bowl?

[JonLP24]

1. It is against the rules in the CBA

It is against the rules from the Players Union, it is against the rules in every contract a player signs. It may not be surprising but what is it the NFL should do? Slap on the wrist because of the "if you're not cheating, you're not trying" clause(which I made up)?

I understand the arguments that it isn't surprising, but here you have situation where it is clearly against the rules, the team owner requested the program end but continued, what is the NFL supposed to do?

Because the NFL doesn't want bounty programs, expect them to make an example. Article offers no hard evidence of this program being in place in the entire league.

[Upton]

2. In this case...

I think the rules against bounties are a good thing...otherwise I can see how it could get out of hand. However, all the handwringing, and acting as if this hasn't been going on among NFL players on a personal level for years, is nonsense. The only real difference here is that this is a program instituted and maintained by a coach...I don't know how prevalent that is..

Btw, where did I claim the NFL should do nothing?

[JonLP24]

3. You didn't

I was speaking generally, I just didn't understand all this (not just by you) saying it goes on all the time, what is the big deal?, etc. when my main point of contention is this is against clearly defined rules and like you said, I could see how this kind of thing could get out of hand. Sorry to misunderstand your point. I think we're in agreement.

[madinmaryland]

5. No, but you post an article that says it IS widespread without any rebuttle to that article.

What the fuck are we supposed to think. You could have added your comments to your original post so that we knew you were opposed to bounties, unlike the Eagles fan that thinks bounties are a good idea.

[Upton]

7. I don't take instructions from maids..

My point is, bounties have been going on for years.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8275bb0f/article/saints-pay-for-performance-system-commonplace-in-nfl?module=HP11_cp

[MrSlayer]

8. I don't believe I ever opined on the morality of it.

I just said they'be always been around and always will. It's part of the game, you don't have to like it. The players certainly don't mind.

[Auggie]

4. When I was in high school our football coach gave out a "Hammer Award"

for the hardest / most vicious hit during a Game Day. It wasn't necessarily a bounty system because it didn't single out an individual player, but was directed at the offensive skill positions in general. Not only did players receive a special plaque (containing a 3-D hammer somewhat resembling Thor's Mjolnir), their deeds were recognized during the morning address to students.

This is a violent game, and there's a fine line here. Coaches at all levels want to encourage "good, hard football." But singling out franchise players is reprehensible.

[madinmaryland]

6. There is a big difference between hard hits and cheap shots.

[joeybee12]

9. And there's a difference between playing hard and trying to hurt a player...

Far too many teams clearly do the later.