New Orleans in trouble

To the Hornets fans at the Clippers game last night, you are a disgrace. Hearing the cheering when Jason Smith body checked Blake Griffin was one of the most disgusting sports moments I have ever witnessed. If Blake had already started his jump when that happened, he could have been seriously injured. A potential career damaging injury, a season ending injury, or any injury at all is nothing to cheer about. The Clippers had not flagrantly fouled the Hornets before; this was not retaliation for a previous hit. This was just disgusting behavior by a player, and even more disgusting behavior by the fans. For an act like that, you deserved to lose Chris Paul. Sometimes we let our emotions get the best of us, but this was just a dirty play. If Smith is not suspended for a long time because of this, justice will not have been served.

Why should we be surprised that this happened in New Orleans? Only weeks after the release of bounty gate, the Hornets pull a similar tactic, except this was not for money. The Saints had been warned for the last THREE years. They had been told to cease their bounty program, and they did not. No coach, GM, or any management personnel in that franchise can plead innocence. Peyton is the head coach and must have been informed by the owner and GM about what Greg Williams was doing. There is no way he had no idea, especially after the leagues initial warnings. This is why the suspensions, while harsh, are just. Peyton is losing one year, the GM is losing 8 games, Greg Williams could potentially lose his career, but this is all justified. The Saints were out to injure other players. These potentially injured players entire lives would be thrown into chaos. A career ending injury would lead to financial problems, career changes, potential long term or permanent physical or mental damage. If a clean hard play leads to an injury, then so be it. These players understand the dangers of playing football. However, this does not include having opposing players trying to intentionally end their careers. This is unacceptable. For all the players who could have potentially lost their careers to this bounty program, this year of suspensions is just. The punishment fits the crime.