Saints Player Punishments Sends Perfect Message to NFLPA

The NFL handed down player suspensions in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal on Wednesday and it's safe to say the league sent a strong message to the NFL Players Association. It's also a safe bet that there will never again be a bounty program run in an NFL locker room.

Commissioner Roger Goodell penalized four players for their connection to the Saints' bounty program.

Middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma was slapped with the harshest punishment, as he was suspended without pay for the entire 2012 season. Defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove (now with the Green Bay Packers) will miss the first half of the 16-game season, while Saints defensive end Will Smith will sit out the first four games and linebacker Scott Fujita (now with the Cleveland Browns) will miss the first three. Like Vilma, the other three will not be paid while they serve their suspensions.

The NFL's statement claimed that Vilma, Hargrove, Smith and Fujita were singled out because of their leadership roles on the team.

Vilma has denied any involvement in the program and has said he will fight the suspension. DeMaurice Smith, the head of the NFLPA has claimed the union will fight the penalties as well, though I think we all know nothing will come of any appeals. 

Goodell was sending a message to the players that purposely trying to injure opponents will not be tolerated. There is a line that cannot be crossed and the Saints clearly crossed it. 

A league investigation determined that New Orleans' defense ran a program that awarded cash bonuses to players for plays like turnovers, or "knockouts" and cart-offs. The system was in place from 2009 to 2011 and was overseen by former defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams.

Williams has already been suspended indefinitely by the NFL, while Saints head coach Sean Payton will miss the entire 2012 season. 

The league had to act here and that action had to be heavy-handed and swift.

This was the right call.

Those four players were in positions of leadership and could have stepped up and attempted to stop the program. Instead, according to reports, they actively participated and encouraged it. 

Goodell did the right thing and sent the right message here.