A lot of information has already come out regarding BountyGate and the Saints. But we’re only just getting started.
One of the details that has emerged relates to the 2009 NFC Championship game where the Saints bruised and battered Brett Favre all night long.
Before the game, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on NFL Live that Jonathan Vilma threw $10,000 on a table and said it would go to the player that successfully knocked out Favre. None of the Saints were successful, but they did their best in one of Favre’s more underrated performances of all time. (Yes, the ending stunk. Just watch the rest.)
On the hit pictured above, Favre threw an interception that the league admitted after the game should have been overturned because of the shot on Favre’s leg. Favre eventually crumpled on to a cart before getting his ankle treated on the sideline and staying in the game.
Vilma, incidentally, is due $5.4 million in 2012. Based on his performance last year, Vilma could be a candidate to be released to clear room for Drew Brees’ contract. We don’t think this news coming out will hurt Vilma, but it won’t help him either with the Saints wanting to put the scandal behind them.