Verdict is in

**Hammerhead** · 03-21-2012, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by Ravenswintitle

a few sources saying Jeremy Shockey was the whistle blower. Not sure why they let it out or if it leaked.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/W...-snitch-032112

I actually respect Shockey a lot more if this report is true. I always thought he was a punk - but if he had the guts to do this as an act of conscience, I will be th first to say that I was wrong. If he did this in order to do the right thing, he deserves respect.

**AirFlacco** · 03-21-2012, 06:52 PM

Here's Billick's comments on bounties and nfl.com has
Payton's reaction. He is utterly shocked, of course.

Maybe Goodell will do something about mal-funtioning
score boards on final drives next-lol. I always hated
Belicheat.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-networ...content_stream

**Ravenswintitle** · 03-21-2012, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Hammerhead

I actually respect Shockey a lot more if this report is true. I always thought he was a punk - but if he had the guts to do this as an act of conscience, I will be th first to say that I was wrong. If he did this in order to do the right thing, he deserves respect.

No matter how we feel about it, he'll probably be looked down upon by NFL players for handling it this way. The real question is why didn't they protect his identity?

**Hammerhead** · 03-21-2012, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by Ravenswintitle

No matter how we feel about it, he'll probably be looked down upon by NFL players for handling it this way. The real question is why didn't they protect his identity?

As I understand it, the NFL tried but it was Warren Sapp who let the cat out of the bag (on NFLN though). And you are right. He will be seen as a snitch - which is why I think it was gutsy for him to do this. But his outing will make it much harder for the next guy to blow the whistle.

**Maverick Hiker** · 03-21-2012, 08:28 PM

I'm glad Payton and the rest got the book thrown at them. Shameful to the max, allowing a bounty system to injure players. What if someone had been paralyzed or otherwise permanently injured? If Flacco had gotten injured against the Saints I would hit the roof now.

**AirFlacco** · 03-21-2012, 11:49 PM

Goodell said the investigation has gone on for 2 years and started in 2010. They didn't have much evidence then.

He said now they have plenty of evidence from multiple
sources. They have released that evidence. They were also lied to and mis-led during the investigation which added to the punishment. That along with a serious infraction of the rules and policies to purposely injure people caused such a serious punishment.

They are going for the players involved now and are waiting for the union to get back to them on their recommendations on how to deal with them.

It was the union during the lockout that demanded safety for their players and this comes under it.

If Shockey snitched, he wasn't the only one.

**BcRaven** · 03-21-2012, 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by HoustonRaven

I don't think it will matter at all if the player(s) that are suspended end up being former Saints.

Just because it happened a while ago doesn't prevent the league from handing down punishment. Replace the bounty with legal trouble. If player X commits a crime while on the Dolphins but then gets moved to the Bears (I'm looking at your Marshall), the league can still punish him once he's found guilty.

Combine that with this being the very topic the NFLPA has been wanting to see the league do something about -- player safety.

I agree, and I think it's what happened with Cary Williams. Didn't he do a 2 game suspension on the Ravens for something he did on the Titans ? ... Bc

**The Fanatic** · 03-22-2012, 12:26 AM

Originally Posted by BcRaven

I agree, and I think it's what happened with Cary Williams. Didn't he do a 2 game suspension on the Ravens for something he did on the Titans ? ... Bc

Yeah he did.
Don't remember what it was, but he served the penalty here so a precedent has already been set.

Should be interesting to see what happens in regards to the players that were involved.

**RAVENOUS52** · 03-22-2012, 12:43 AM

Say what you will about Goodell, but the dude is a MAN OF ACTION.

This early into his tenure he's already done more than Tags did his entire career.

Even though I may not like all of his decisions, I will say that I feel he's honestly acting in the best interests of the players in the long run.

Now that everyone knows they'll be held responsible for their actions, I'm sure there will be a drastic change in seedy behind the scenes shenanigans that have been going on forever.

**RavensQB** · 03-22-2012, 04:08 AM

#91 the biggest ahole on that team.

Vilma will be gone for good also

**The Excellector** · 03-22-2012, 10:04 AM

If Shockey truly was the informer, it might have been out of spite, more than anything. It didn't end well for him in New Orleans.

**pslholder96** · 03-22-2012, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by RAVENOUS52

Say what you will about Goodell, but the dude is a MAN OF ACTION.

This early into his tenure he's already done more than Tags did his entire career.

Even though I may not like all of his decisions, I will say that I feel he's honestly acting in the best interests of the players in the long run.

Now that everyone knows they'll be held responsible for their actions, I'm sure there will be a drastic change in seedy behind the scenes shenanigans that have been going on forever.

Agree 100%. Goodell certainly got the balls, right, wrong, like him or hate him. Moral of the story. Don't piss him off by lying to his face.

**HoustonRaven** · 03-22-2012, 10:27 AM

The more I am thinking of this, the more I see why the Pats got the punishment they got and the Saints got something much worse.

It's debatable, but both Spygate and the Bounty nonsense go towards the integrity of the game. One team was relatively cooperative, got picks taken away from them and fined. The other lied and tried to cover up their misgivings. They too got picks taken away and fined, but then it extended to the folks who, I am assuming, covered it up -- Payton, Williams, etc. As a result, Goddell went after the people trying to cover up the crime with suspensions.

Moral of the story? Don't lie to the Commish. It may very well cost you your job.

**The Excellector** · 03-22-2012, 11:17 AM

'Spygate' could have also had an impact on this decision, because of how many people viewed the punishment that the Patriots received. Roger Goodell had to come down hard this time and make sure there was no question about the penalty.

**saintmatthew** · 03-22-2012, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by The Excellector

If Shockey truly was the informer, it might have been out of spite, more than anything. It didn't end well for him in New Orleans.

I think this would have happened before he was cut though. Maybe his falling out of favor there was cut because of something he voiced about what was going on. Really, it's all conjecture at this point.

**The Excellector** · 03-22-2012, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by saintmatthew

I think this would have happened before he was cut though. Maybe his falling out of favor there was cut because of something he voiced about what was going on. Really, it's all conjecture at this point.

That is true. Especially, considering the uncertainty behind whether or not Warren Sapp is telling the truth.

Warren, on the other hand, is in quite a pickle now, whether he had the right guy or not.

**saintmatthew** · 03-22-2012, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by The Fanatic

Sounds like he couldn't convince Goodell either..

We Were Lied To

"Goodell said there’s no doubt in his mind that the Saints lied to the league office when the bounty investigation began."

“Clearly, we were lied to,” Goodell said. “We investigated this back in 2010, we were told it was not happening, it continued for another two years until we got credible evidence late in the 2011 season and we were able to identify significant information that verified from multiple sources that this was going on for a three-year period.”

You know, after I put that comment up about him having to buy tickets that thought crossed my mind.

Kind of like spy gate I suppose.

Him being in the stands in secret communication over a cell phone or some shit.

Some player, for Tampa I think, got in trouble for buying a ticket and attending a game while he was suspended.

**Captain Silver** · 03-22-2012, 03:04 PM

Now the Senate is getting involved. I kinda thought what the Senator said was true, if you were paid to hurt someone off the field, it would be a crime.

Story

**moose10101** · 03-22-2012, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by Captain Silver

Now the Senate is getting involved. I kinda thought what the Senator said was true, if you were paid to hurt someone off the field, it would be a crime.

Story

He's just another grandstanding a-hole politician (yes, I realize that's redundant). How would they prove that a player's injury was caused specifically by intent to injure for a bounty, and wasn't just a routine part of a very violent game?

**Ravens44** · 03-22-2012, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I agree that he should have been held much more accountable than what he was. The NFL definitely took it easy on him and the Pats.

I guess it depends on which you value more/less.

Attempting to cheat by filming practices, etc? Or paying players to take out certain opposing key players?

It would have been a HUGE embarrassment for the NFL.
Their model franchise turns out to be cheaters!! Say it ain't so Tom!
It would have changed everything.
That is why the evidence was burned.
No way to ever dig that stuff up again against them.

Look, give Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Joe Flacco and whoever is playing center, the check offs and online calls for all the opposing teams before we play them and see what happens.
We could have wideouts playing corner, too, and win.

How do those trophies look now?

I can tell you this...if evidence had come out that the Ravens were cheating instead of the Pats, there would have been an ungodly uproar and the 2000 title would have been called into question.