Saints Player Suspensions: Twitter Erupts to NFL's Punishment for Bounty Scandal

After weeks of anticipation, finally the NFL has announced the suspensions of the four New Orleans Saints players involved in the now infamous bounty scandal.

And like every other major sporting event these days, Twitter erupted in response.

ESPN.com is reporting that linebacker Jonathan Vilma has been suspended for the entire 2012 season including playoffs. Defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove, who is now a Green Bay Packers, was given an eight game ban, defensive end Will Smith will sit for four games and linebacker Scott Fujita, now a Cleveland Brown, will be on the bench for three games.

Twitter Reaction

Saints star tight end Jimmy Graham wasn't exactly thrilled with the news. He found out today's announcement on TV: 

"

This is beyond ridiculous! I want to see the evidence and hear an explanation. Its sad when u have to hear about it on tv. Ridiculous!

— Jimmy Graham (@TheJimmyGraham) May 2, 2012"

ESPN personality and former NBA player Jalen Rose was one of the first to voice his opinion on the announcement:

"

Penalties for the Saints players are way too harsh #NFL

— JALEN ROSE (@jalenrose) May 2, 2012"

While most players are afraid to comment on the ruling, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley voiced his thoughts:

"

Vilma suspended a whole yr FOR PLAYING FOOTBALL????cmon man!!!!!

— LaMarr Woodley (@LaMarrWoodley) May 2, 2012"

Whether you agree with the penalties or not, it was clear the NFL had to take a strong stance according to Fox Sports radio personality Peter Burns:

"

NFL had to show it's teeth on penalty, especially w/major concussion lawsuit on the table. Bad time to get caught #Saints

— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsRadio) May 2, 2012"

CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell tells us how Smith anticipated the suspension and was able to save a ton of money because of it:

"

Saints DE Will Smith's agent is a genius. Restructured his contract to get a $6.1M signing bonus. 4-game suspension comes of $825K salary.

— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) May 2, 2012"

The two big victims here (besides the bounty targets) are the Packers and Browns, the two teams that had no idea they were signing players involved in such a controversy. Green Bay barely met their latest free agent signing before losing him as ESPN’s Rick Reilly reminds us:

"

Worst free-agent signing of 2012: Packers signing Hargrove of the Saints and now losing him for half the year.

— Rick Reilly (@ReillyRick) May 2, 2012"

The Saints have a problem that supersedes today’s ruling. As The Patriot Way points out, their quarterback isn’t happy and the organization needs to fix that right away:

"

Bounty suspensions aside, the Saints biggest concern is that Brees is not happy, and they better make that happen.

— ThePatriotWay (@ThePatriotWay) May 2, 2012"

Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News reminds us that dozens of other players were involved in the initial report, yet only four were suspended:

"

The NFL's initial investigation concluded 27 Saints players were involved in BountyGate ... 23 escaped without punishment. #NFL

— Ralph Vacchiano (@TheBlueScreen) May 2, 2012"

So how will the Saints defense be without Vilma for the entire season? Bleacher Report’s own Michael Schottey believes the unit is going to be just fine:

"

Note: for those asking how Vilma's suspension affects the Saints--they've actually signed LB's who play better than him. They're OK

— Michael Schottey (@Schottey) May 2, 2012"

While Vilma may be a declining player, the pressure Smith put on quarterbacks is going to be sorely missed according to ESPN Stats and Info:

"

Will Smith (suspended 1st 4 games of 2012) led Saints with 12.0 sacks over the last 2 seasons. Vilma (suspended for season) was tied for 5th

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 2, 2012"

All of the suspensions will be appealed to ESPN’s Adam Schefter:

"

All 4 player suspensions will be appealed, per source who said, "Get ready for a massive multiple legal battle over this on several fronts."

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 2, 2012"

By the surprise of no one, the NFLPA is not happy with today's announcement and NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith has already released a statement on their behalf. NFL Network reporter Jason La Canfora provides us with the cliff notes of the statement:  

"

NFLPA issues statement, saying still seeking more evidence from NFL: "We have made it clear that punishment without evidence is not fair."

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) May 2, 2012"

This isn’t the last we’ve heard of these suspensions as the appeals process begins. Yet with the hardline stance the NFL seems to take these days when it comes to player safety, it’s hard to imagine Commissioner Roger Goodell reducing any of today’s rulings. 

Follow Eric Ball on Twitter.