By Michael Kelley ’14 & Mick Kowaleski ’14

Big Hits for Hire

Kelley: Let’s be real: bounty programs have been going on since the beginning of the NFL. Remember Buddy Ryan’s famous “Bounty Bowls?”

It’s scary to think about what type of punishment is going to come down on the Saints. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, a huge advocate of player safety, is going to send a message loud and clear to the rest of the league when he punishes the Saints and it could get ugly. NFL sanctions, loss of draft picks, suspensions to current players are all real possibilities. Look for a seven-figure fine to the Saints to accompany the punishment.

I’m also not surprised to hear that this all came under the watch of Head Coach Sean Payton and General Manager Mickey Loomis. We are currently in the age of the win at all costs era. Gregg Williams, the former defensive coordinator for the Saints and mastermind behind this plan, is the face behind all of this and this past Monday, he met with NFL league officials to discuss his involvement. Rumors have it he will receive a yearlong suspension.

Kowaleski: While this scandal damages the reputation of the 2009 Saints, I find myself wondering how big a deal should be made out of these developments. If you think about it, is deliberately trying to injure an opposing player that different than what happens in the NFL on a week-to-week basis? I realize that players are technically supposed to only bring the opposing player down, but doesn’t that require physical force? These bounties were instructed to act within the confines of the NFL rulebook, so no cheap shots or late hits were rewarded.

What I do find a problem with is not with the bounties themselves, but the source of payment. As a coach, Williams should not be putting his players in a situation where they are encouraged to injure other players. If the players themselves want to have an intra-team bounty system, that is more acceptable. When Brett Favre found out about this development, he stated that he was “not pissed. It’s football. I don’t think anything less of those guys…in all honesty, there’s a bounty of some kind on you on every play.”

Well said.

Final Four Predictions

Kowaleski:

Syracuse: I can’t believe I’m actually picking my Cuse to win it all this year. But to be honest, I can’t imagine them playing a game where I don’t expect them to win. Even as a devoted OrangeHead, that’s the first time I’ve said that in my entire life. We’re incredibly deep, and while some may knock the Orange for their lack of a go-to guy, I view that more of a strength than a weakness.

Kentucky: The top team in the nation in the polls, the Wildcats boast an immensely talented squad that makes up for its lack of experience with raw skill.

Indiana: The only team to defeat Kentucky this year, and my dark horse for the Final Four. They have a Zeller brother, and their unbridled enthusiasm and habit of knocking off the top dogs will come in handy come Tourney time. I love me some Hoosiers. Not since the days of Bobby Knight has there been a better team.

Missouri: They won’t get a number one seed, or even win the Big 12, but the Tigers are a Kansas loss short of a top seed in the bracket, and will do well in the number two slot of either North Carolina, Duke, and Kansas’ bracket. They can and will beat one of those teams en route to a Final Four berth.

Kelley:

Kentucky: The talent on that team (Anthony Davis, Terrence Jones, Doron Lamb) is so amazing that any one player can go off and carry the team to victory. They are simply blowing teams out (Florida and Georgia know what I’m talking about), and they have won tough games against non-conference teams (see Kansas and UNC).

UNC: Anyone see their most recent game against Duke? Started off strong from the start and never let up… and it was in Cameron Indoor stadium. They rank second in the nation in points, first in the nation in rebounds, and fourth in assists. Well-balanced teams fare well in March.

Missouri: Marcus Denmon at 18 points per game leads a tough and physical team that can get hot quickly. For this team, rebounding will be a serious issue as they are ranked 281st in the nation in rebounds per game.

Michigan State: Draymond Green will go off and lead another Izzo team to the Final Four, almost a home away from home for this legendary coach. The experience factor is what will carry this team to the final four.

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