I finally had a chance to listen to the tape, listen to some commentary, and take a nap. I woke up as pissed as I was when I laid down.
In my opinion it's really simple. There is a line. That line was crossed, and by the sounds of it crossed a very long time ago. I am sure that that wasn't his first speech. I'm sure that he made speeches like that in Buffalo. I get that football is a gladiator sport, where sometimes individuals suffer some of the severest injuries. Some of those injuries result in death, maybe not right away, but the injuries and hits take their toll. IMO, to say that you need to hit someone so hard that the next time the go over the middle they will think twice about catching the ball is ok. You are not implying you injure someone, and calling someone out making them a personal target. It IS NOT ok to say that you need to hit Kyle Williams in the head because he has had a history of concussions. Period.
If I'm Goodell, and I issued a warning to the Saints about issuing bounties, and just before I hear the appeal of the GM, HC, and one of the assistants involved this audio tape comes out from a game that was played AFTER I told the Saints to end the bounty program, I would not only deny the appeal, but depending what they present as their appeal extend the penalties.
Here's why.
There is a multi-million dollar lawsuit out there from former players regarding injuries, concussions in particular. If the NFL does anything deemed to be "a slap on the wrist" for punishment it could possibly cost the league a lot of funds. Goodell has to make a very profound statement. He has to make it known to the leagues other 31 teams that this WILL NOT be ignored. For the record, I don't think the Saints are the only team doing this, they were the unfortunate ones to get caught. If I'm Goodell, first, Williams gets the ban of Pete Rose proportions. I would ban him from even attending an NFL event. He is the main player, catalyst, problem in this whole debacle. Second, Payton's suspension goes from one season to indefinite. He was the leader of this team, and he/other coaches need to understand the HC's role in this as the top of the pinnacle. Payton can re-appeal the suspension at the end of the season, until then it stands, effective immediately. Loomis, a full season effective immediately. The Saints franchise would be docked multiple draft picks. I would also go to the NFLPA and tell them that from here on out if any player participates, starts, or advocates a bounty on another player that player and any teammate that was in coercion will be hit with penalties similar to that of the Saints coaches and organization.