The New Orleans Saints: A Black Eye for the New Bounty Hunters

A murky cloud the size of Louisiana is hanging over the New Orleans Saints after news of their "cash to smash" bounty.

The camaraderie associated with professional football has severely been brought into question because of it.

When I first heard the news, I was taken back to say the least. Maybe it's because I never played any sort of organized football. However, as a kid I was involved in many sports, football being one of them. I was never taught to cause extra physical harm to my opponent for a perk.

Although it has been used as a cliche so many times before, I can not stress it enough: At the end of the day, it's a game. What happened if somebody was paralyzed in the midst of these bounties? No price tag can ever be put on the life of another.

What is more disturbing is the fact that this has been part of the culture of many NFL teams. To say that it's part of the game is ridiculous and anyone who thinks it is acceptable needs to check their morals at the door.

As violent of a sport that football is, there are players out there who care greatly about players' safety. There's a reason why teams kneel down and hold hands when one of their "brothers" lies unconsciously on the field after a violent hit.

How big of a black eye would the NFL face if it leaked out that the defender responsible for such a devastating hit was paid extra to intentionally knock that player out of the game, let alone his state of mind?

Roger Goodell, during his controversial term as commissioner of the most popular sport in the United States, has been the advocate for protecting players in the most efficient ways possible. Needless to say this does not sit well with him, as well it shouldn't.

There are certain traditions, no matter how old they may be, that are just unacceptable and should serve no purpose in the sport. Way to go, Gregg Williams. Somebody must have either had it out for you, or found the practice too unethical that they called you out on it.

Not to mention the fact that the Saints finished the 2011-2012 season 30th in the league against the pass. A more tactical and reasonable strategy most likely would have improved the Saints defense. There's only two more spots they could have dropped.

The odds for that stat are in their favor, yet the court of public opinion is not.