According to Don Banks at Sports Illustrated, the future of General Manager Mickey Loomis could be in danger. Loomis had full knowledge of the program, and lied to NFL as they investigated. Not only did Loomis deny any knowledge that the bounty program existed, but he also stated that he would put an end to it if it did. By knowing what was going on and lying about it, he embarrassed not only himself, but the Saints organization and most importantly, his boss, Saints owner Tom Benson. Not only did he bring shame to Benson and the Saints, he failed to carryout a direct order.

quote:
“When informed earlier this year of the new information, Mr. Benson advised league staff that he had directed his general manager, Mickey Loomis, to ensure that any bounty program be discontinued immediately. The evidence shows that Mr. Loomis did not carry out Mr. Benson’s direction,” the league’s internal report reads.

“Similarly, when the initial allegations where discussed with Mr. Loomis in 2010, he denied any knowledge of a bounty program and pledged that he would ensure that no such program was in place. There is no evidence that Mr. Loomis took any effective action to stop these practices.”

Sean Payton's job could also be in trouble depending on how much he cooperates with the league and what his knowledge of the bounty program actually was.

Filed Under: New Orleans Saints

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Akit1•153 months

There is ZERO football on TV until late AUGUST. People are bored. They need news. This Saints story is going to be twisted into Watergate. A $1500 reward for someone making $ 3 mill/yr is like some who makes $50,000/yr getting a $25 reward. Keep it in perspective.

TigerWoody•153 months

Banks...what a hack. Sensationalism, "pitchforks and burn'em at the stake" journalism. And I thought ESPN was bad.

Tommy Patel•153 months

The news of the New Orleans Saints operating a "bounty" program from 2009 to 2011 under defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has created quite a stir since the news broke Friday, but I will let you in on a dirty little secret: The practice is commonplace throughout the league.

While the salacious details of the "pay for performance" program certainly will draw the ire of Commissioner Roger Goodell, the act of players providing cash bonuses to their teammates for impact plays has been a part of the league's subculture for years.~ NFL.com

Sid in Lakeshore•153 months

Starting to identify a fall guy....poor mickey.

tigertown79•153 months

So the Patriots can get caught cheating and Belichik doesn't get fired but people want Payton and Loomis fires over this? Get real. This is nothing worthy of firings or losing draft picks. Just makes for a good story

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