tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Bounty-Gate & Tebow

The NFL is the most popular sport in the United States. That popularity extends throughout the year and during a time when usually attention is focused on college basketball, NBA & NHL playoff races and spring baseball, the NFL has dominated the sports headline the past 3 days. First, the stunning ruling by Commissioner Roger Goodell that levied huge penalties against New Orleans Saints. Secondly, the signing of Peyton Manning by the Denver Broncos and then the subsequent trade of Tim Tebow to the New York Jets. Both stories are big ones.

When word came out that the Saints were involved with a bounty system and that defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was the ringleader, I indicated at the time that I felt this was similar to the steroid mess in baseball. What I meant is that both leagues knew what was going on but looked the other way. It seems that I was right. In a story I read on CBS Sportsline, the NFL warned the Saints back in 2010. Saints Owner Tom Benson notified General Manager Mickey Loomis that the league was aware of this and nothing was done to stop it.

As a result, Goodell has suspended Loomis and Head Coach Sean Payton for one year without pay, levied a $500,000 fined against the Saints and took away the team's second round draft pick for 2012 and 2013. While I don't have a problem with the penalties, I do have a problem with the hypocrisy. What I mean is that if the league knew in 2010 what was going on why didn't they step in right there and then? Moreover, based upon the outcry by a number of current and active players, how many other teams are involved in such practice??

We know that there have been bounties placed on star players for years. It has been well-documented that a number of teams had bounties placed on Joe Namath back in the day. There is no question in my mind that the practice has continued since then. The bounty system that the Saints have been penalized for typifies the general macho, tough guy image that the NFL has promoted for years. It's the same image that allows a head hunter like James Harrison to continue his concussion-inducing style of play. It's the same image that has the Cleveland Browns send back out on the field a clearly dazed and confused Colt McCoy after being hit by Harrison with a helmet to helmet hit.

This isn't about eliminating hits on quarterbacks. This isn't about pussifying the game of professional football. This is about eliminating the illegal, sordid and violent part of the game that is really rooted in a lack of respect for other players and for the game. I get as mad as the next guy when a flag is thrown after there is a clean hit on the quarterback. But leading with one's head to make a tackle or going for another player's head is what needs to be removed from the game. With this happening and teams not doing anything to stop it, should it shock anyone that there are bounties being placed on star players?? You want to eliminate this stuff, start suspending repeat offenders like Harrison for a season and fine the teams substantially. I'm curious to know if and when we are going to hear about other teams having a bounty system. I think we are kidding ourselves if we think that this is just a Saints problem

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Peyton Manning's signing with the Denver Broncos was shocking to me. The move could make the Broncos a force in the AFC. However, what's even more shocking is the New York Jets acquiring Tim Tebow. What kind of message does that send to Mark Sanchez?? Sanchez was just given a contract extension. He has been the Jets starting quarterback since his rookie season. Last year, he regressed after taking the team to the playoffs. I have never been a big Sanchez fan for the simple reason that the kid only had one year at USC where he was the starter. That's why it is not surprising that the kid took a step back last season when the Jets expected more out of him. It's simple, the kid is still learning.

Bringing Tebow into the mix makes absolutely no sense. It creates a controversy. However, one has to wonder if that is not what the Jets high command wanted. With the Giants winning another Super Bowl, the Jets remain the second class football citizen in New York. Rex Ryan's act has grown old with his team not making the playoffs last year and the disharmony that was in the locker room. That's why former Jets great Joe Namath is absolutely right: the acquisition of Tebow is nothing more than a publicity stunt. That's why the Jets will always be second class citizens in NYC.