Comments on: James Harrison eager to see the NFL’s punishment for the Saints

By: pizzon

pizzon — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 22:53:35 +0000

agree totally with harrison, lets see just how serious roger and the rest of his moron buddies on park ave really are about player safety. anything less than an 8gm suspension and 500k fine is BS.

By: rmgel

rmgel — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:34:42 +0000

Help me understand something: If a coach tells the players to do what it takes to win (knowing the D players thrive on taking other players out), telling them to ‘go earn’ their paycheck by being assertive…is he a Bounty Coach or just a Coach? Where is the line being drawn on this…guess I am a bit lost on what the difference is. You can say it one way or another but either way the D players are going out to earn their money and take any key players out they can. And I guarantee you that most players are going after the same 2-3 critical players.

By: jdraht

jdraht — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:27:05 +0000

James is not a “Loud Mouth” nor a “Trash Talker”. He leads by example and gets it done on the field. He has made a tough transition to the new rules. He does have a valid point here. If it were him, he would be banned from the league. It is obvious that the league has made an example of him over the past several years. The league does not dish out fines and punishment equally. That is a matter of fact. It does make one question their judgement and credability?
Afterall, it is big business. Big $$$
Bound to be some rotten apples… Just have to shake the tree a bit…

By: jessethegreat

jessethegreat — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:22:54 +0000

This may be better served by league the allowing the Steelers to play true STEELERS football in their next game against the Saints. Allow TP, Harrison, and Clark to headhunt all day long and see how many Aints players they can “knock out”.

It can be on a rewards system like the Aints had set up.. but each bone crushing hit by a Steelers player allows for a “get out of jail free card” against the other teams during the year for big questionable hits.

I’d pay good money to see James Harrison with free rein against Brees for an entire game.

By: hitsburgh5629

hitsburgh5629 — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:16:17 +0000

Really people? Football players are rewarded for big hits starting in middle school. This is condoned by coaches, players, & parents. So is it a big surprise that this is happening at the professional level? The real problem is that football is a contact sport. Big hits are going to happen regardless if there is a reward or not. These million dollar athletes forget they get paid to hit and get hit. The league lacks consistency!
Even Harrison and Pittsburgh haters cant argue that!

By: wiley16350

wiley16350 — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:59:51 +0000

wiley16350

They DO treat him differently. The Saints TRY to injure players and the league doesn’t even notice.

Harrison makes a few borderline tackles and he gets suspended.

Suh had to actually stomp on someone to get suspended and he was penalized more than Harrison has been in the last 2 years. But they didn’t do anything until he stomped on someone.
———————————————–
I agree that the league treats him differently. but its because of how he has responded to his penalties that has forced the league to treat him differently. If you’re not going to heed the penalties and warnings from previous actions then the penalties continue to get bigger, that is common sense. He had repeatedly said that he wasn’t going to change how he plays and had shown that the previous penalties were not strict enough to change his conduct. That is why he was suspended. Not because of any certain hit. It was his continued defiance, disregard of the rules and comments that revealed that he had no respect for the rules or penalties imposed on him. Basically, he refused to learn from the punishment, so the punishment had to get more effective.
I don’t even know what you’re point is about the league not noticing the Saints actions, because apparently nobody else knew about it either or cared enough to complain. But the fact of the matter is that the league knows about it now and will reprimand the Saints. So its not like they are going to continue to let the Saints proceed with that behavior. So I don’t get your point there. If they continue the actions, they will get harsher penalties and if they act like Harrison they will have to live with even tighter restrictions.
Suh had received penalties prior to his suspension so I don’t see how the league was unfair. The difference with Suh and Harrison was their responses, comments and attitutudes when receiving the fines. Harrison has brought the target onto himself. He only has himself to blame.

By: eaglesw00t

eaglesw00t — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:27:56 +0000

clayton43 says:
Mar 5, 2012 9:24 AM
ok so now we have ……

Saints
Ravens
Dallas
Buffalo
Philly
Washington
Chicago

———————————

Easy on Philly there please. Were talking about Buddy Ryan in 1991. That was a different time, when football players were tough guys. Yeah, ok, so Buddy went after a kicker, but so what :p

All these other teams are doing this crap now. When everyone is under scrutiny for everything, Reggie Bush got stripped, etc.

Although the bounty bowl was one of my favorite games…along with the bodybag game, lol

By: texans87

texans87 — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:26:39 +0000

Harrison plays football the way it was supposed to be played, don’t let the media pussify your judgement on what the responsibility of the defense is (separate the player from theball)

By: jackm79

jackm79 — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:54:33 +0000

Harrison is a buffoon. Only he can turn Bountygate around so it’s about him. Dope.

By: dennychimes

dennychimes — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:53:03 +0000

2 wrongs do not make a right!!!!!! Or in Harrisons case 5-6 wrongs. Typical comment from a Steelhead.

By: 611jmp

611jmp — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:15:30 +0000

Harrison does not look very good in martyr’s clothes, and he is not intelligent enough to keep his mouth shut. Every time he opens his mouth he lends support to the conclusion that he is not the sharpest tool in the shed. Good football player, but dumber than a box of rocks, IMHO. He better make his money, because I seriously doubt he can do anything other than play football.

By: colt2011

colt2011 — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:04:40 +0000

I can see Harrison’s interest in what punishment is imposed. With 100′s of articles already written, it appears as though the NFL will come down real hard on this scandal. IF Williams has been summoned to ‘security’ today, he’s as good as toast. He admitted to the ‘program’ in NO. Likewise he’s now been outed in TEN, WAS and BUF. I doubt he’ll have a job in the NFL-period. If you call ‘head-hunting’ gambling/cheating it’s illegal for pro sports players to participate. If it’s intentional assault to cause bodily harm, it’s a criminal offense. When players earn huge salaries, why would they NEED more money for motivation? Sure, a friendly wager amongst friends for interceptions, big yardage might be acceptable. But to cause a potential career ending injury is deplorable. I see lots of suspensions and gigantic fines coming + forfeiture of draft picks (done to Patriots for Spygate). The Saints won’t be the only team to get hammered here. Wherever Williams was will be investigated. He can’t survive this. Those who have tried to protect him will be punished too. Lying IS cheating. How about play the game, do your job for the big money you make.

By: chalkruz1989

chalkruz1989 — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:04:39 +0000

This is a very tricky situation and I hope the NFL gets it right. Everyone is pointing at the New Orleans Saints as they should, but, lets not forget that Gregg Williams has had the same tactic in place at his other stops. The Saints need to be hit hard but so should Williams, he’s the man running it. It’s like the NCAA penalizing the college programs for errors made by a coach and then the coach leaves and the instiution gets severe penalties. Do the right thing NFL! And, first time I will ever say good job James Harrison.

By: eventheunpopular

eventheunpopular — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:03:42 +0000

Sincerity. What a word. You can badmouth James Harrison all you want, however, Roger Goddell is at the center of this. Does he truly want to do something about concussions? How many flags have been thrown against teams playing the Steelers for helmet to helmet hits in 2010 and 2011 combined? none. Who gives instructions to the officials? Refer to the name mentioned earlier. Perhaps uniform officiating would be a good start.
The other point. You can like or dislike Harrison, however, even he has the right to express his point of view. There is an element of our constitution that guarantees it. Surprise.

By: pibhighfootballrules

pibhighfootballrules — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:02:47 +0000

when i watch a game i hope they knock out the best opposing player..and so does every one..if they tell u no there lying

By: eaglebobby

eaglebobby — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:00:09 +0000

This is what I wrote on my fans’ website board–

1. Gegg Williams should be permanently banned from the NFL. Any coach who openly pays for his players to intentionally injure another player should be banned from the game. Now that it’s come out he’d done it in Washington, Buffalo, and probably Tennessee, that would be a just penalty.

2. Loomis should be suspended a minimum of two years–for lying to NFL invesitgators and covering it up.

3. Payton should be suspended a year. He failed in his supervisroy capacity as a head coach to control his coaches and players.

4. Every player that particpated should be suspended for 8 games–Vilma should be suspended for a year.

The Saints as a team should be fined $1M with the loss of their franchise tag for 2 years, in addition to their 2nd rounder this year and their 1st and 2nd next year.

Their actions altered the competitive nature of the games they played for 3 years. Let the punishment fit the crime by making it harder for them to compete.

By: tjigger

tjigger — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:48:44 +0000

Harrison was making illegal hits.
As far as we know the Saints, Bills, Redskins, 49ers, and Titans were all making legal hits and most of the bonus was for int & fumble rec

By: sudz28

sudz28 — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:47:51 +0000

I think he’s trying to compare apples to oranges, but he’s right about wanting to see consistency with how the league deals out punishments for infractions. It’s been such a random grab bag for the past couple of years and I’ve seen no signs of things changing anytime soon.

By: brilskin

brilskin — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:44:59 +0000

Harrison is absolutely right. With the direction the NFL appears to be going regarding player safety, the league needs to show consistency in their approach. That said, if they’re incenting LEGAL hits, what’s wrong with the whole bounty thing? It brings back a little old school NFL.

By: glac1

glac1 — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:43:55 +0000

All players and coaches involved should be banned for life, the Saints should take a 30 million dollar salary cap hit and lose their next 5 first round picks. What sorry organization since Peyton came along.

By: rpiotr01

rpiotr01 — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:35:55 +0000

@ziggy26

Yeah, I doubt the league is that severe, though I think the suspensions and fines are on target. Doubt the players get hit that hard, and doubt they lose that many picks.

I understand this has gone on in the league for a long time, but it’s a different game now – or at least Goodell, owners and the NFLPA want it to be. And apart from the bounty ring itself, people up and down the organizational ladder lied about this two years ago. NFL may have made the punishment less severe and more discreet had they fessed up. Lie to the commish and that’s when you get an example made out of you. The public flogging is already out in full force.

By: afreak2u

afreak2u — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:34:28 +0000

Harrison is correct in what he is saying, u can’t punish one for what they call illegal hits but not another, with Harrison u knew he was coming out to hit u, weather a legal it illegal hit he was gonna hit u, but now u gotta worry if every player that is out to hit u is up for an award and is he going for the little money a fumble hit or a career ending hit.

By: jeffchadwick

jeffchadwick — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:32:46 +0000

I’m a fan of neither Harrison nor the Saints, but just because he’s the one saying it doesn’t mean it’s not a good point.

By: nardointhenati

nardointhenati — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:31:36 +0000

Its pretty funny that the “incentive” to put a player out was $1500 bucks when some of these guys make 20-30 million. $1500 isnt even enough to get Lawrence Taylor high at halftime! $1500 isnt even enough to pay child support for Pac Mans kids. $1500 isnt even enough to pay for Rodney Harrisons HGH. So for the price of one of these guys watches you’re gonna fine a coach, owner, organization millions?
The NFL and Nike have announced the new “Combat Uniforms” will include flag football belts.

By: clayton43

clayton43 — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:24:39 +0000

ok so now we have ……

Saints
Ravens
Dallas
Buffalo
Philly
Washington
Chicago

players who have openly said that they had
” bountys” are had the practive of trying to intentially knock players out of games…..
more to come I am sure as more and more players are saying they had a system in place at one point or another. How do you go back and fine all these teams or tarnish teams records or players reps ?????

The Saints only team that gets fined because is flavor of the week ? I dont see how they can be only team to get punished or players to be punished which is why I dont see how can do it.

By: bigjdve

bigjdve — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:23:07 +0000

Of course Harrison wants to see the punishment.

Any illegal hit made during Williams tenure on any team should result in a fine. If they weren’t illegal hits, then how can you fine them? It doesn’t matter the incentive, if it was legal then it was within the rules.

The coaches and players that lied to cover it up, should be dealt with harshly.

I also would love to know who the whistleblowers are. Are they disgruntled former players, are they players that want to come clean, or are they (most probable) former players that have something to gain? You know like the players that are trying to sue the NFL because of their injuries?

It would be interesting to know. I think that if any of them are party to any of those lawsuits that they should be thrown out because of conflict of interests.

By: ncwhodat

ncwhodat — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:21:06 +0000

If Harrison is so concerned about player safety, why didn’t he change his violent tackling and avoid continuous fines?
I guess players don’t have to be incented for violent hits on opponents (See Colt McCoy).
BTW, Harrison, you SHOULD have been kicked out of the NFL.

By: halbriston

halbriston — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:20:08 +0000

‘Cause you should never forget, James, it’s all about you.

By: johntonioholmes

johntonioholmes — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:18:24 +0000

wiley16350

They DO treat him differently. The Saints TRY to injure players and the league doesn’t even notice.

Harrison makes a few borderline tackles and he gets suspended.

Suh had to actually stomp on someone to get suspended and he was penalized more than Harrison has been in the last 2 years. But they didn’t do anything until he stomped on someone.

By: johntonioholmes

johntonioholmes — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:15:55 +0000

miamimike1

Good question.

The Saint have literally been head hunting but none of those players have been suspended.

What is it that Harrison does differently than the rest of the league, especially if at least one team is TRYING to injure other players?

Like I said, I think he’s just too strong. The Saints always hit H2H, but they don’t knock people out.

Everyone thinks Harrison is dirty because he’s had 4 illegal hits. 2 H2H and 2 “late” hits in the last 2 seasons.

He’s played 4500 defensive snaps in his career but 4 plays have doomed his name.