What's appropriate punishment for Saints MLB Jonathan Vilma?

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has already gutted the Saints of much of their key leadership for the 2012 season, banishing HC Sean Payton for the duration, GM Mickey Loomis for half of it and assistant coach Joe Vitt for six games, in the wake of the league's investigation into the team's bounty program.

However Goodell has, to this point, refrained from punishing any of the 22-27 Saints players known to have participated in the pay-for-pain incentive system.

But that won't last forever.

"I am profoundly troubled by the fact that players -- including leaders among the defensive players -- embraced this program so enthusiastically and participated with what appears to have been a deliberate lack of concern for the well-being of their fellow players," Goodell said in a statement last week. "While all club personnel are expected to play to win, they must not let the quest for victory so cloud their judgment that they willingly and willfully target their opponents and engage in unsafe and prohibited conduct intended to injure players."

MLB Jonathan Vilma seems to be squarely in the league's crosshairs. He was the only player publicly identified by the NFL when it released its findings into the bounty program after he offered $10,000 for a knockout of Vikings QB Brett Favre in the 2009 NFC Championship Game.

Vilma's been lying low, though it's interesting to note that the Sports Illustrated cover that features him with the headline "Bounty Culture" serves as his Twitter avatar.

The Saints seem to be bracing for the potential loss of their defensive captain. They signed OLB Chris Chamberlain on Friday before striking a five-year deal with former Falcons MLB Curtis Lofton on Saturday.

In his only tweet since the team's suspensions came down last Wednesday, Vilma wrote Sunday: "Welcome to WhoDat nation Curtis Lofton and Chris Chamberlain!! It's the SAINTS vs the world so strap in tight bc it's gona b 1 helluva ride!"

Lofton certainly appears in line to replace Vilma for however long he might be out. Given the commitment New Orleans made to him -- not to mention Vilma's history of knee injuries -- Lofton is almost certainly going to replace him permanently at some point.

But first, matters must shake out for 2012. Goodell has been consulting with union chief DeMaurice Smith (the NFLPA was in offseason meetings over the weekend at Marco Island, Fla.) and at least two dozen players as he mulls his final verdict in the case.

"I'm disappointed players would've identified opposing players and intentionally tried to injure them, and that's something that we're gonna continue to pursue," Goodell said last week on NFL Network. "And that's next up."

This article was written by Nate Davis and appeared in USA Today.

Posted by Necesitamos Mas Football on 1:00 p. m.. Filed under gallery , Jonathan Vilma , New Orleans , nfc , noticias , principal , saints . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0