New Orleans Saints and NFL: Top News and Video Clips

The bounty system implicates at least two types of criminal charges: battery and conspiracy. Battery, which under Louisiana law is punishable by up to six months in jail, refers to the intentional use of force upon another person without that person’s consent. Here, a Saints player who intentionally tried to injure another team’s player could have battered that player. In response, a Saints player might argue that offensive players assume the risk of serious injury on every play, especially since defensive players are rewarded for stopping the advancement of the ball. That rationale would be deeply flawed, however, because while offensive players assume the risk of injury on a tackle, they do not assume the tackle is intended to injure them. The Saints’ “pay for injury” model is clearly outside the boundaries of the game and an assumption of risk defense holds little weight.

"Speedy University of Cincinnati wide receiver D.J. Woods ran the 40-yard dash in 4.40 seconds at his campus Pro Day workout today. He also registered a 37-inch vertical leap, a 10-4 broad jump and bench pressed 225 pounds nine times.  Per a league source who attended the workouts, Woods impressed NFL scouts with his explosiveness, hands and route-running ability. He also caught every punt during the workout that was attended by 30 NFL teams."

"Last September, Cindy Boren of the Washington Post wrote an article in which ex-Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy put the start of Peyton Manning’s longstanding neck injuries and surgeries at a game between the Colts and the Redskins on October 22, 2006. On one play, Manning was given a “high-low” hit by defensive linemen Andre Carter and Phillip Daniels. Those types of hits, in which two defensive players aim for different halves of an offensive player’s body, are among the most dangerous in football."

"The Saints organization also used Twitter on Friday to respond to the N.F.L.’s report. The team’s official Twitter account sent out a link to a statement from the Saints owner Tom Benson.  I have been made aware of the NFL’s findings relative to the “Bounty Rule” and how it relates to our club. I have offered and the NFL has received our full cooperation in their investigation. While the findings may be troubling, we look forward to putting this behind us and winning more championships in the future for our fans."

"San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith hinted Friday that the team isn’t likely to apply the franchise tag to receiver Vincent Jackson, but added that the move is still an option. Right now, I’m not real comfortable with what I see for a tag, but we haven’t ruled it out yet because we have so much to do, and we have different levels of plans that we do with different scenarios, Smith said in an interview with XERPS-AM radio in San Diego."

"Reports have been circulating throughout the league in recent days that Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning‘s rehab back from neck surgery has been progressing in a positive direction, and three sources with knowledge of Manning’s rehab told NFL Network’s Albert Breer that Manning steadily has regained strength in his grip and triceps."