Saints Penalties are Upheld and Joe Vitt Sitting Pretty

In an announcement that surprised nobody, Commissioner Goodell has upheld the suspensions he originally handed down to the New Orleans Saints. I know that the Saints had every right to challenge and appeal the ruling, but did they really think that they would get anything major changed? I know that there is talk of the Saints receiving the 2013 second round pick back, but I expect them to still pay a heavy fee for their actions. I have to give Goodell props for sticking to the punishment. The Saints better prepare for a rough year. It also appears that Parcells is out of the running to be the interim head coach for the Saints and it appears that assistant head coach/linebackers coach Joe Vitt is who the team is leaning towards.

Tapes of William's Pre-Game Speech Could Be Final Nail in the Coffin

It just seems to be getting worse for Gregg Williams and company. With the recent release of the audio/video for Williams pre-game motivational speech before the 49ers game, the evidence and extent of the bounty system in place in New Orleans. The audio is disturbing. I know that some players are saying that it isn't that bad, but I have to disagree. I can excuse the example of taking out the head and killing the body as an example, but to specifically mention going after a player's ACL is disgusting. Saying that you are going to go after a player in any way like that is beyond comprehension. It is one thing to play the game physically and try to be a punisher on defense, but to target like that is beyond belief. I know that teams do this more than we want to believe, but this goes beyond the idea of certain players taking this actions. To have a coach basically say that he is personally going to pay for the first hit on Alex Smith is just wrong. This raises the question of how in the world Sean Payton couldn't have known about this. I doubt that this is the first speech that went like this, and this guy is under you. How could you not have known?

People can argue the morals of Pamphilon releasing the tapes without the consent of Steve Gleason, the fact remains that what was stated is horrible. I think that he had an obligation to report this. People will question the release of the tapes, if they should have been given to the league offices or held, but in the end, it is a moot point. Pamphilon may well have opened himself up to a lawsuit or two, both from Gleason and the Saints as an organization.

Williams can forget ever being in the NFL after this. Just imagine the fan outrage if this guy gets back in. I don't see him getting a job in football at the collegiate level either. Teams have to worry enough about rouge boosters paying players. Why bring in a coach with a reputation like Williams? I will say that Williams was a great coordinator and was a big part in the Saints turnaround and their Super Bowl win. All of that doesn't matter anymore. Williams has soiled what should have been a great legacy. He may get a job, but his reputation is destroyed.

I don't always agree with the way that Goodell player safety issues, but this time he got it right. This should never be allowed to happen.

For those of you who want to listen to the audio, a link is provided below. Be warned, this is neither workplace or children appropriate and the language is strong to say the least.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=H3V149Nyjag

A Look Ahead: Biggest Games on the Chargers Schedule

While the official schedule has not been set, teams do know who they will be playing. With that in mind, here are 5 games to watch this season.

1) Denver at San Diego

I know that this game will happen twice this year, so lets go with the Chargers home game against the Broncos. This game has serious draw. With the exception of the Patriots, no team vexed Manning more while in Indy than the Chargers. Rivers gets to dual with Manning at home. Denver is possibly the only team in the league that will look so different and is a division rival. What is there not to like?

2) Baltimore at San Diego

The Ravens are one of the most physical teams in the NFL. This game will be brutal, regardless of the final score. The Ravens are one of 6 teams the Chargers play that were playoff teams last year. The Ravens advanced the farthest of any of the 6. With the influx of former Ravens on the team, expect this to be a great battle.

3) San Diego at New Orleans

I know that the Saints defense is going to be hindered during at least part of the season, but we don't yet know when the Chargers will be playing the Saints. What we will have is two great offenses going toe to toe. This game should be an offensive highlight reel waiting to happen. New Charger Robert Meachem gets a homecoming game against his former team and the Chargers face former quarterback Drew Brees.

4) San Diego at New York Jets

These two teams have produced some good games the last few years, and there is a bit of bad blood. We get to hear Rex Ryan run his big trap for a whole week about this game, which is always entertaining. What is most intriging is that San Diego just may end up facing Tebow this year after all.

5) San Diego at Tampa Bay

This game has been on the radar ever since Vincent Jackson signed with the Bucs. While the Bucs took a step back last year, this is still a very talented team with plenty of youth. The Chargers should be looking forward to this one, especially after all of the headaches that Jackson caused the last two years.

NFL Destroys Saints

The NFL has handed down the punishment for the Saints as an organization and coaches. These are historic punishments from the NFL, of that there is not question. Commissioner Roger Goodell threw the book at the Saints, as they rightly deserved. Former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has been suspended from the NFL indefinitely, with a review of his actions at the end of the year. Head Coach Sean Peyton has been suspended for one year, the first head coach to be suspended by the league in its history.  The team as a whole was fined $500,000 and had their 2012 and 2013 2nd round picks removed. GM Mickey Loomis has been suspended for the first 8 games of the season. These punishments are severe, with the ability to destroy an organization with one act. I have to commend the NFL for taking such strong action against the Saints and this system. Yes, I know that football is a contact sport and one based to an extent on violence, but there is a clear line between playing the game with a physical nature and purposely trying to hurt a person. Bounties have been an issue within the league over time, but the league has made its stance on the issue of player safety well known. The Saints knew what they were doing was wrong, yet they continued to operate this system. The league needed to send a message, and send a message they did. The league has yet to announce punishments for individual players, but I expect them to be just as harsh.