To any observer of the NFL, it should be obvious what’s on the way: Fines. Suspensions. \u00a0Probably lost draft picks, possibly other things cooked up by the league. \u00a0In a truly ironic twist, the New Orleans Saints are about to die for the sins of the NFL – or if not die, suffer mightily, at least.<\/p>\n
Because this isn’t new. \u00a0Apparently Gregg Williams and his bounty system have been all around the league, from the Titans to the Bills to the Redskins before arriving in New Orleans. \u00a0The only difference now is apparently somebody snitched. \u00a0But it would be a fool who assumed that this was limited to teams where Crazy Blitz Man was defensive coordinator or head coach – the Eagles famously ran afoul of the “bounty” rules in the late 80s and early 90s under Buddy Ryan, and the idea that a player would be incentivized to disable an opponent\u2026well, let’s be honest: that’s called defense, and it gets incentivized every time ESPN shows another highlight clip on the “Jacked Up” segment or a particularly hard sack is on the cover of Sports Illustrated.<\/p>\n
They’re not playing two-hand touch out there.<\/em> That used to be the defense; now it’s the indictment. The NFL has always gloried in its image as modern gladiatorial bloodsport, the finest of real men battling for victory, while murmuring that we should pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, or his MRI results, or his early death or mental illness or inability to walk. \u00a0Everyone knows what this game has become; the Saints defense was just paying accordingly. \u00a0But now, because the most important thing about the NFL is that everyone knows what a big swinging dick Roger Goddell is, the Saints are going to take it in the ass. \u00a0Because if they don’t, people might start to ask what kind of league this is, and why the interest in player health and safety is limited to making sure no under-the-table money contributes to the future lack of either.<\/p>\n Vanderbilt’s own Chris Marve, linebacker par excellence, is no dummy – he announced today that he’s passing on the NFL and heading for law school. \u00a0Of all his moves, this one is probably the best. \u00a0Meanwhile, it’s time to start asking how long this can go on in a world where parents are becoming ever more reluctant to let their kids play the sport, and whether the NFL’s move toward glorified Nintendo football eventually winds up with a sport that exists as one big 7-on-7 passing drill.<\/p>\n