Packers Placing "bounties"

[the_idle_threat]

I think this is a non-story based upon a mistaken interpretation of the rules. Keep in mind, the league has not said they think any rule was broken; they are just investigating.

It's media idiots who are spinning it like there have been actual rule violations.

I think the Packers would be very premature to admit wrongdoing when there really wasn't any. They should let the league investigate, argue their case in front of investigators as to why these weren't "bounties," and then let the league conclude its investigation with an announcement that there was no wrongdoing.

[BradStrand]

Couldn't care less. This is yellow shoes.

[the_idle_threat]

I think this is a non-story based upon a mistaken interpretation of the rules. Keep in mind, the league has not said they think any rule was broken; they are just investigating.

It's media idiots who are spinning it like there have been actual rule violations.

I think the Packers would be very premature to admit wrongdoing when there really wasn't any. They should let the league investigate, argue their case in front of investigators as to why these weren't "bounties," and then let the league conclude its investigation with an announcement that there was no wrongdoing.

Okay, I hadn't read this yet (from the ESPN article above):

League rules prohibit teams and players "from offering or accepting bonuses to a player for his or his team's performance against a particular team, a particular opposing player or players, or a particular group of an opposing team."

If these are actually the league rules, then it looks like there was a violation after all, although I agree with BradStrand that it's of the "yellow shoes" variety. Kind of a ticky-tacky rule, as it seems to conflate performance incentives with bounties.

[swede]

http://blogs.jsonline.com/packers/archive/2007/11/19/how-the-packers-should-handle-this.aspx

How the Packers should handle this
By Greg A. Bedard
Monday, Nov 19 2007, 02:12 PM

Green Bay - I can already hear the machine turning...

...this Green Bay Packers "bounty" story is going to get some traction -- if the Packers don't come out right away and stop it.

I don't believe this. Green Bay should respond to league inquiries--not media blather.

...But here's what the Packers need to do right now:

1) Whichever players were involved, find them and make them available to the media...

No. All communications go through MM--period!

2) McCarthy needs to speak again -- in an informal setting, not a press conference -- and come out strong against it.

Wait for the press conference. He'll be asked. He can respond fully then, at a time when he's answering any other questions the press may have. And I fully expect him to defend his players--not throw them under the bus.

The more time you give something like this time to breathe -- by not talking -- the worse it becomes. Without fail.

Sez you.

It's not a crime, but it is against the rules.

It may be, but please quote the precise rule and let's see if the rule has actually been broken before you convict the players--asshole!

And the longer the Packers go without making amends, the louder the talking heads are going to get.

Sez you!

Bedard had been doing okay with me, but this was East Coast bullshit journalism/

[gbpackfan]

Leroy Butler was asked about the so called "bounties."

Q. It has been reported that some of the Packers' defensive backs have set up incentives for their defensive line in which they'll pay cash or gift certificates if they'll keep the opponent from rushing for a specific number of yards. Did this happen when you were a player and is it ethical?

A. Oh yeah, we did that all the time. It was fun. We would put money in a pot and whoever got the interception would win the pot. If we held Barry Sanders, that one time we held him to negative yards, some of our offensive guys were giving us money. It's different if I get $100 bucks from like Brett Favre or Al Harris or Reggie White than getting 100 grand from the team. It's different. The guys are showing you how much they appreciate what you've done. I loved that. It's almost like you're playing a game within itself. There's more incentive when it comes from your teammate. It's like him saying, 'I need you this week. Every week I need you but this week is special. We have a guy who's coming in and has been destroying every team. We'll put some money in the pot and whoever gets a big hit or whoever stops him, great. Here's some cash.' When your teammates do something like that it makes you feel good. I think it's an awesome gesture

[FritzDontBlitz]

The NFL is the ultimate micromanaging monopoly.

Next there will be fines for using a toothpaste not endorsed by the NFL and then smiling during a game.

Big Brother, thy name is Roger Goodell.

[MadtownPacker]

When your teammates do something like that it makes you feel good. I think it's an awesome gesture

If Leroy thinks it's great I think it is too!

[BF4MVP]

This is a load of crap. Nothing wrong with giving your teammates a little extra incentive..It's not like they want them to hurt the opponent, they just want them to stop them...

[CaliforniaCheez]

[Reggie is trying to get his pre-game nap]
McGrath: Are you crazy? We could all end up in the clinker for this. You can't put a bounty on a man's head.
Reggie Dunlop: I just did.
[Hangs up, Phone rings again]
Dave 'Killer' Carlson: Coach, I want that hundred dollars.
Reggie Dunlop: Ya gotta earn it, Killer.
Dave 'Killer' Carlson: My attitude's right.

"A hundred bucks of my own money to to the first of my guys that really nails Tim McKracken."


This is very similar to what the Giants D-line has done this year except their money was pooled among themselves. The Packers have one position group pooling money for another group.

The word bounty was used to inflame the small brains of viking customers.
The D-line did not injure Peterson or Johnson.

[pbmax]

OK, somebody owes the DBs big time for blabbing big time.

And everyone needs to stop being so defensive. Your talking points are as follows:

1. "Players have been doing this for decades. Even before Brett Favre."

2. "Neither the team nor the players had any intention of injuring anyone. The goal was performance based, not Injured Reserve based."

3. "Neither the team nor the coaches condone breaking the rules, and this rule will be clarified to the entire team this week."

And when the injury question rears its head:

4. "Al Harris is a seasoned pro. He has no incentive to cost himself additional money AND risk a penalty and suspension that might cost him game checks in the hundreds of thousands."

5. "I think you heard our team speak with respect for Adrian Peterson after the game. Several mentions were made that the team wanted to face his best and see if they could stop him."

[4and12to12and4]

Betting on games you are involved in is a no-no in my book. See: Pete Rose

[The Leaper]

This is a big bunch of nothing.

Every team does this. It has gone on for years. It simply should remain hush-hush and on the down low.

Yawn.

[CaliforniaCheez]

OK, somebody owes the DBs big time for blabbing big time.

And everyone needs to stop being so defensive. Your talking points are as follows:

1. "Players have been doing this for decades. Even before Brett Favre."

2. "Neither the team nor the players had any intention of injuring anyone. The goal was performance based, not Injured Reserve based."

3. "Neither the team nor the coaches condone breaking the rules, and this rule will be clarified to the entire team this week."

And when the injury question rears its head:

4. "Al Harris is a seasoned pro. He has no incentive to cost himself additional money AND risk a penalty and suspension that might cost him game checks in the hundreds of thousands."

5. "I think you heard our team speak with respect for Adrian Peterson after the game. Several mentions were made that the team wanted to face his best and see if they could stop him."

The Packer Radio Network guys discussed this during the pregame show.

They thought it was a nice thing and talked for awhile about it. A QB doing something nice for the O-line is a tradition.

I think the NFL will tell the Packers to not be so open about such things.

At worst the players involved will be fined.

[Merlin]

My understanding is that the CB's offered the "bounty" and the DL did limit Peterson under the century mark. But it was a CB that made the hit on Peterson so how could this be construed as a Bounty? Wouldn't Harris be better off missing that tackle? I mean it probably cost him 2K for the DL payment.

I don't think it would have been an issue if AP didn't get injured. I am sure this type of thing happens all the time. QB's take their OL out to dinner, and those boys can eat. I am sure the price tage for that well exceeds %00 per player!

[FritzDontBlitz]

OK, somebody owes the DBs big time for blabbing big time.

And everyone needs to stop being so defensive. Your talking points are as follows:

1. "Players have been doing this for decades. Even before Brett Favre."

2. "Neither the team nor the players had any intention of injuring anyone. The goal was performance based, not Injured Reserve based."

3. "Neither the team nor the coaches condone breaking the rules, and this rule will be clarified to the entire team this week."

And when the injury question rears its head:

4. "Al Harris is a seasoned pro. He has no incentive to cost himself additional money AND risk a penalty and suspension that might cost him game checks in the hundreds of thousands."

5. "I think you heard our team speak with respect for Adrian Peterson after the game. Several mentions were made that the team wanted to face his best and see if they could stop him."

Talking points are for people who can't think for themselves.

Or politicians.

Same difference I guess....