The Mark Graham Sports Blog's posts tagged Gregg Williams

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• Report: Williams Used Bounty Systems In Buffalo And Washington

  March 04, 2012

  

  Embattled St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams used bounties while he was head coach of the Buffalo Bills and as defensive coordinator of the Washington Redskins, according to reports.

  The Buffalo News reported that Williams set up bounties while he was the head coach of the Buffalo Bills. Informed by former Bill Coy Wire, he said, "There were financial payments." Three other unnamed players have confirmed Wire's allegations. At least a couple of players were rewarded for "knock-out shots ". "Knock-out shots" are when a player gets injured and cannot return to the game.

  Wire went on to say about Williams' bounty program, "There were rewards. There never was a point where cash was handed out in front of the team. But surely, you were going to be rewarded. When somebody made a big hit that hurt an opponent, it was commended and encouraged."

  The Washington Post reported that similar bounty systems were in place while he was a defensive coordinator with the Washington Redskins. Former Redskin and current director of player development for the Redskins Phillip Daniels, four former Redskin players, and an unnamed coach all told the Washington Post of their experiences after the NFL's probe was released.

  The paper was unclear whether the Redskins would be held accountable if the NFL does in fact determine that the team did use a bounty system.

  Daniels told the paper that he received $1500, the most he has ever received, for posting his first ever four sack game in 2005 against their vaunted rival Dallas.

  "I think it is wrong the way they're trying to paint (Williams)," Daniels told the Washington Post, "He never told us to go out there and break a guy's neck or break a guy's leg. It was all in the context of a good, hard football game."

  Redskins head coach while Williams was coordinator, Joe Gibbs, said that he was unaware of a bounty system in place.

  NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is to rule on a possible punishment for the New Orleans Saints after a probe discovered Williams' bounty system in New Orleans.

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• Report: Saints Set Up "Bounty Pool" During 2009 Super Bowl Winning Season

  March 03, 2012

  

  The New Orleans Saints and former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams have violated the NFL's "Bounty Rule" by setting up a bounty pool adding up to $50,000 within the past three seasons, including the Saints' feel good Super Bowl winning season in 2009.

  The NFL has reported that the pool reached its highest during that 2009 season.

  The pool was set up by Williams and players were offered $1000 for cart-offs and $1500 for "knockouts". The amounts were doubled and sometimes tripled during the playoffs. Players put in money toward the pool and sometimes pledged money towards a specific player.

  No punishments have been handed out by the league, yet. Possible punishments are loss of draft picks, suspensions, and hefty fines.

  The report is troublesome because with the recent studies of concussions, the Saints are contributing to this ever growing problem. Look at former Chicago Bear Dave Duerson or former Steeler Justin Strzelczyk, both had problems with concussions and later committed suicide due to depression and other mental health issues caused by repeated blows to the head. Duerson and Strzelczyk are just two of the known cases of suicides by former players caused by brain damage from their playing days.

  Another health problem that may be caused by concussions, although not confirmed, is ALS, or more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. The Saints should know better than anybody about this because former safety Steve Gleason is now battling this horrible disease. The link between ALS and concussions is not confirmed, but many former players like Steve Smith and O.J. Brigance now have ALS. Smith went on "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" to express his concern that brain damage may be a direct link to ALS.

  The NFL needs to come down hard on the Saints and make an example of them in order to help curb this issue. Although Williams is no longer with the team, the NFL needs to suspend him and fine him heavily. Williams said of the bounty, "It was a terrible mistake, and we knew it was wrong while we were doing it." Yet, Williams continued to keep the bounty in place. That shows a lack of judgement in Williams' case and deserves a lengthy suspension.

  Saints head coach Sean Payton found out about it later, but didn't do anything to stop it. If that is said to be true, then Payton needs to be suspended or maybe even fired. If we've learned anything from the Penn State scandal (The Penn State scandal is much worse than this one), is that by not doing the right thing will indeed cost you your job. Joe Paterno, a college football legend, was fired for not telling the authorities after we learned of Sandusky's allegations and rightfully so. If Paterno could get fired for not remedying a serious problem, then what makes Payton so safe? I'm not saying Payton will be fired for this, but it should be a possibility.

  Williams, Payton, and every player involved needs to be punished in some sort of capacity or we have had learned nothing of this. For the sanctity of the NFL, throw the book at New Orleans.

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