The NFL News Keeps Coming

            Roger Goodell and the NFL dropped the hammer on the New Orleans Saints this afternoon in the wake of their bounty scandal. Head Coach Sean Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season, while former Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams (now of the Rams) was suspended indefinitely. General Manager Mickey Loomis received an eight-game suspension and the team was docked two second-round picks. This punishment far outweighs the punishment levied on the New England Patriots for their recording of defensive signals back in the 2007 season. The Patriots and Bill Belichick were simply fined and stripped of one first-round pick. No suspensions were ever issued.           

The NFL is clearly making an example of the Saints. They may have come down a little harsher than most would have guessed, however this will almost surely eliminate bounties completely from the league. Anyone willing to risk this type of punishment for their team after this punishment obviously does not have the best interests of the team on their mind.

The craziness did not stop there today as Tim Tebow was shipped to the New York Jets for 4^th and 6^th round draft picks. I do not quite understand the Jets willingness to give up two draft picks for a player who at most will run a few plays out of the wildcat offense for them. Say what you want about Mark Sanchez, but he is an NFL-caliber passer. Tim Tebow is not. After a terrible and dysfunctional ending to the 2011 season, the Jets should have just quietly gone about their business this offseason. Instead they chose to acquire a player who at first glance seems to be a terrible fit in that locker room.

On the Patriots front there is also news this afternoon. Top-pass rusher from the 2011 Patriots, Mark Anderson is headed to the Buffalo Bills. The Bills inked Anderson to a four-year deal, adding him to an already formidable defensive line that includes Mario Williams, Marcel Dareus, and Kyle Williams. The Bills are making a strong push to be in the conversation in the AFC East. The Patriots were interested in retaining Anderson’s services but likely not at four years and whatever financial figures Buffalo ends up giving him.

There are also reports coming out that Benjarvus Green-Ellis could soon be joining the Cincinnati Bengals. That would be a good move for them I believe as long as it is at the right price. They have a back with a little flash in Bernard Scott, and “Law Firm” will be a good solid runner to pair him with. Green-Ellis is a player who the Patriots value, but with the drafting of Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen a year ago, they are seemingly looking for a little more explosiveness out of that position.

The Patriots also reportedly signed cornerback Will Allen, formerly of the Dolphins and Giants, to a one-year deal. At 33 years old and having been a training camp cut of the Dolphins last season, I believe this is the classic case of a “camp body.” Allen will have a difficult time cracking the 53-man roster on a team that already has Devin McCourty, Kyle Arrington, Ras-I Dowling, Sterling Moore, and likely a mid-to-upper round draft pick at corner.