Saints Bounty Punishment: Full Recap of Sean Payton's First Public Comments

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton addressed the media publicly for the first time since his one-year suspension was handed down by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, speaking openly about the bounty scandal that has engulfed the franchise.

Mike Freeman of CBS Sports reports Payton didn't back down from a single question with just five days until his ban is slated to begin.

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Payton took approximately 28 questions. He didn't avoid a single one. He was forthright, contrite and blunt.

— mike freeman (@realfreemancbs) March 27, 2012"

Payton also backed up the rumors about legendary coach Bill Parcells potentially taking the reins for a season. No deal has been reached yet, however.

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One of the main things I took away: this Parcells thing, while still unlikely, is no joke. Payton seemed very serious about it.

— mike freeman (@realfreemancbs) March 27, 2012"

One thing the Saints coach didn't rule out was an appeal of the suspension, according to Rachel Nichols of ESPN.

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Payton says an appeal would buy more time (would be allowed to work thru it) & let him go over w/Goodell what contact he can have w/club

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) March 27, 2012"

Payton also said what he'll do during his league-imposed break remains unclear. Surprisingly, that aspect of the story has been speculated about nearly as much as the Parcells rumors.

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As for his year away from football - will be his first in 39 years - Payton unsure of his plans; did not rule out being a TV analyst

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) March 27, 2012"

Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports Payton believes no opposing players were significantly injured because the bounty program was in place.

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Sean Payton said he does not believe that any players were seriously hurt by the team's bounty program

— Sean Jensen (@skjensen) March 27, 2012"

Finally, Freeman was skeptical about a comment Payton made about the bounty report, which gleaned light on why the NFL levied such harsh punishments.

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One place where Payton was totally full of it: said he hasn't seen copy of the bounty report. That just can't be true.

— mike freeman (@realfreemancbs) March 27, 2012"