Steelers MMQB: NFL Offseason News
By Kim Myers
Bountygate doesn’t equal Deflategate
Dec 28, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton fixes his headphones against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. New Orleans Saints defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
It was inevitable that New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton was going to be asked his opinion on the NFL’s latest scandal considering his team was the last one to be involved in a “gate-like” situation. Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season for Goodell finding him responsible for not stopping the bounty program his players ran on the team.
In addition to the suspension to Payton the team was fined $500,000, docked a second-round draft pick, the GM Mickey Loomis was suspended eight games, assistant head coach Joe Vitt for six games and then-defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, the alleged ring-leader of the bounty program, was suspended indefinitely.
While Patriots coach Bill Belichick was not found directly responsible for the deflating balls scandal, Payton was still asked about any similarities by The Times-Picayune.
"“I knew that question was coming at some point. We went through a process three years ago and I’m sure (the Patriots) are going through one right now. But other than that our focus right now for me and our team is on what we are doing right now. We’ve got enough problems ourselves to solve. That’s what I’d say.” – Sean Payton"
Robert Kraft won’t get any sympathies from other owners in the NFL as he surely didn’t stand up for the Saints when Goodell was dropping the hammer on them.
Next: Pettine in the Browns Offense