Interesting...

Reggie was paying for hits in 96.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/18/in-1996-nfl-was-ok-with-reggie-white-paying-teammates-for-hits/ 

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There have been plenty of stories that have come out from former players that they had incentive programs for bit hits. The distinction from the beginning has been pay for hit vs. pay for injury.

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yeah it was talked about a lot back then. Well talked about some. It wasn't considered much of an issue as long as it wasn't the "hit list" and cheap shots. Reggie assured everyone it was not.

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The problem with the whole "bountygate" is that the Paying to Injure was and still is blown out of proportion. They all played up the Williams speech for the 49ers game, where he talks about putting a hit on and testing Crabtree's (i believe) ACL. They want us to believe that he meant that, that he wanted somebody to go an intentionally hit and take out his ACL, yet they completely ignore just a few seconds before that when he was saying to "We have to kill Frank Gore's head". Now none of them believe that Williams actually wanted somebody to go out and Kill gore. I highly doubt that part of the speech was meant figurative and the other part literal.

Vilma's I put 10K on Favre. Don't know for certain, but I am pretty positive, that Vilma didn't show up at that defensive meeting with a check or 10K in cash to throw in. It was nothing but a symbolic statement. It know different than somebody saying. I'll bet my house, or I'll bet my soul.

The NFL had rules about no bounties, yet all teams did. Even our Packers, and the SOP had been. If it comes out and the NFL looks at it, the say. We addressed this issue and took care of it internal and it won't happen again. At which point the players go back to doing it, just making sure they hide it better. That is what the Saints did. They were told to stop, they said, OK and when the NFL left they went back to it again.

Saints were just used as an example so the NFL can make it look like they actually care about players.

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IMHO: There is a line and the Saints crossed it.

There is more emphasis on this sort of thing now with the concussion issue coming to the fore.

The NFL has to cover it's own ass, on paper at least, if not in actuality as far as genuinely protecting its players.

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NFL knew about Reggie White rewarding players for big hits. They didn't say it had to stop.
NFL believed Saints were paying for big hits and injuries and were told to stop. They didn't stop.


That's the difference. If the Saints stopped in 2010, they probably wouldn't have had as severe a punishment. The punishment I feel from what I've read and heard is essentially predicated on the Saints lying that anything of the sort existed and continued to do so after the NFL told them to stop.

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As with presidents, so with life.

It's not the crime, it's the cover up!

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Thing is, it was normal for teams caught to lie to the nfl and say they took care of it, and continue to do it only quietly. Like the Packers did in 07'. Then it was hold Peterson to <100. And Peterson actually did get hurt by tackle from Harris. No intent. I'be gone through all the hits against Favre, only one would I even call questionable, the one where Favre handed off to Harvin on the end around and turned like he had faked it and got popped by the DE he ran into.

There was no intent to injure, it was nothing but talk, and the NFL doesn't really even believe their was intent. they just want the PR. The most hits against favre were from Sharper. Him and Favre are friend, as are most NFL players. It was just talk.

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I find it interesting that the NFLPA is saying, because they allowed it back then and having change their rules, they shouldn't have a problem with it now ...


Simple answer to it...

Back then, you guys weren't suing us for injuries...



Heck if players weren't suing for injuries they might still allow it (if it wasn't talked about... because they still wouldn't of liked it talked about)

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