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Gregg Williams Can End Bounty Debate. Where is He?

| June 26th, 2012

Drew Brees just spent a few minutes on WFAN’s Boomer & Carton radio show in New York. During that time he made it clear he believed the following: (1) the NFL’s investigation was unfair, (2) there was no evidence of a pay-to-injure program inside the Saints locker room and (3) he believes the individuals accused (especially Scott Fujita) are innocent of the charges levied against them.

I have one question. One simple question. And the answer to that question will end the discussion for me.

If Gregg Williams accepted his punishment for orchestrating a “bounty” program inside the Saints locker room, didn’t someone on the Saints have to be involved?

It may sound naive but why has Williams gone AWOL on the entire discussion? This is the man who issued the following statement in the wake of the penalties issued:

“I want to express my sincere regret and apology to the NFL, Mr. Benson, and the New Orleans Saints fans for my participation in the ‘pay for performance’ program while I was with the Saints,” Williams said. “It was a terrible mistake, and we knew it was wrong while we were doing it. Instead of getting caught up in it, I should have stopped it. I take full responsibility for my role. I am truly sorry. I have learned a hard lesson and I guarantee that I will never participate in or allow this kind of activity to happen again.”

And I don’t want to hear this semantics bullshit surrounding pay for performance and pay for injury. Gregg Williams was not suspended indefinitely for rewarding a defensive end’s sacking of the quarterback with an Aspen ski trip. He was not suspended indefinitely for throwing a corner a grand after a big interception. He was suspended because he encourage his players to injure the opposition and he knows that.

Williams can end the Hargrove debate. He can end the Vilma and Fujita debate. He can even end the debate of Joe Vitt’s involvement. If these players were not involved in the program, why hasn’t Williams come out and exonerated them? If Vitt did not endorse the program, why doesn’t Williams make a statement?

The problem is this: Williams never claimed innocence. He accepted his role from the outset because he knew his guilt and his acceptance of guilt IMMEDIATELY INDICTS OTHERS IN THAT LOCKER ROOM. The defensive coordinator can not run a bounty program on his own unless he is running onto the field, tripping quarterbacks and poking wide receivers in the eyes like Moe. He can not run a bounty program on his own unless he is sneaking into the opposition’s Ramada the night before games and dropping hemlock into ice vending machine.

I don’t want to hear anything else from the players or current coaches about evidence. Boo-hoo-hoo. Your defensive coordinator admitted guilt and I hold every single individual in those defensive meetings accountable. If you want to maintain your innocence, fine. If you want to clear your name, great. Call Gregg Williams and tell him to make a statement.

No? I didn’t think so.