St. Louis Rams: D Coordinator Gregg Williams Named in Bounty Scandal with Saints

According to this report from NFL.com, the New Orleans Saints implemented a "bounty" program under then defensive coordinator and current Rams DC Gregg Williams, with 22 to 27 players directly involved. The system apparently rewarded players in a "pay for performance system" that included compensation for knocking opposing players out of games or for injuring opponents, among other things, from 2009-2011. 

The aforementioned report quotes Roger Goodell on the topic, who stated the following: 

"

The payments here are particularly troubling because they involved not just payments for ‘performance,’ but also for injuring opposing players.  The bounty rule promotes two key elements of NFL football: player safety and competitive integrity.

It is our responsibility to protect player safety and the integrity of our game, and this type of conduct will not be tolerated. We have made significant progress in changing the culture with respect to player safety and we are not going to relent. We have more work to do and we will do it.

"

Responses via twitter from around the NFL have been immense.  Some of those responses include the following, starting here with Peter King of Sports Illustrated: 

"

Peter King ‏ @SI_PeterKing

In my opinion, the penalties on this will be worse, and maybe significantly worse, than Spygate.

"

Former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason offered this take: 

"Boomer Esiason ‏ @7BOOMERESIASON

This is ugly. Yes, there used to be bounties. That's why there are rules now against them. They are dangerous. #idiocyinthnfl.

"

Two-time Super Bowl champion and current ESPN analyst Damien Woody, who played in the NFL for 12 seasons shared a different perspective:

"Damien Woody ‏ @damienwoody

This 'bounty' program happens all around the league...not surprising.

"

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the punishment coming to the Saints could come by various means:

"Adam Schefter ‏ @AdamSchefter

Discipline for the Saints could include fines, suspensions and forfeiture of draft choices.

"

That said, Rams fans specifically want to know how the findings against new DC Gregg Williams could directly (or indirectly) affect them.

In all likelihood, the Rams will not suffer any direct punishment from the NFL.  What occurred in New Orleans under Williams had nothing to do with St. Louis.  The Rams will not lose draft compensation or be fined, for example.

Indirectly, however, St. Louis could be impacted significantly.

In all probability, Williams will be severely punished.  This report from cbssports.com suggests that he could face a fine and suspension.  I believe both are likely to occur. 

It is too early to tell if Williams can survive this and remain as the Rams DC.  Many more details are sure to be released in the coming days.  Depending on the depth of his involvement and how much evidence they have against him, St. Louis may not have any choice but to move towards hiring a new DC.

That is assuming that the NFL allows Williams to coach at all in 2012 (or beyond).  

Based on some of the league reaction and the statements of Roger Goodell, the discipline coming after the findings of this investigation could be exceptionally severe.  It is not out of the realm of possibilities that Williams' NFL career is over, however, it is too early to speculate in that regard.

You can read Williams' regretful response to today's revelations in the following article at turfshowtimes.com. 

We will continue to update this story here as more details emerge. 

Shane Gray covers the St. Louis Rams year-round. You are encouraged to check out the rest of his work here and to follow him on Twitter.