Are you ready for the internet to blow up? Because the internet's about to blow up.
The NFL has finally ruled on the main figures involved in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal. And the sanctions are much, much, much more than a simple slap on the wrist. Let's break down what we've heard so far from the Adam Schefters, Chris Mortensens, and Jay Glazers of the world:
- Former Saints Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL. That means there's no timetable for his return to the league. He's gone for at least the 2012 season and the league will review his standing after that. We knew Williams would probably get the most severe punishment, and it doesn't get much more severe than that. Hey St. Louis--it's probably time to start making some phone calls for a new D-coordinator.
- Saints Head Coach Sean Payton has been suspended for a full year without pay. Yes, you read that right. No Payton on the sidelines for the entire 2012 season.
- The Saints were fined $500,000 and penalized two second-round draft picks: one in 2012 and one in 2013.
- Saints assistant coach Joe Vitt was suspended without pay for six games and fined $100,000. He was supposed to take over for Payton if he was suspended, but that plan obviously won't work for the beginning of the season.
- Saints GM Mickey Loomis has been suspended for the first 8 games of the 2012 season.
More punishment for the individual players involved in the ordeal is sure to come as well. The official story from the NFL can be found here.
The Saints aren't very popular around these parts for obvious reasons. But I think even the staunchest of Saints haters has to be surprised about the severity and breadth of the punishments handed down by the league. These sanctions have the potential to cripple the franchise for years to come.
What do you guys think about the punishment? Did the Saints get what they deserved or did the league come down too hard? Let us know in the poll and comments below.