Relationship between Saints, their fans and the NFL sours even more with latest penalties

The intense dislike, if not downright hatred affair, between the NFL league office and New Orleans Saints fans has been elevated.

The Saints received more bad news from its perceived adversary as its best friends, Roger Goodell and the NFL hierarchy, decided to make the team an example by not only fining the organization $500,000 but also taking away a seventh-round draft choice.

The penalties were levied for the videos posted all over social media, highlighted by the organization itself in a far less than brilliant move, showing the players and coaches dancing in celebration in the locker room at Raymond James Stadium without masks after a 38-3 shellacking of the Buccaneers on Nov. 8. Here’s an example from Tre’Quan Smith’s Instagram account.

The league ruling stated the Saints had previous violations and had been warned and the ruling came just five days after the league issued a mandate about wearing masks in the locker room on Nov. 3.

The league also mentioned that other teams had been disciplined as well, trying to dispel its obvious and clear contempt for the New Orleans football team and organization.

I am all about rules and all about remaining obedient in a lawful society.

Then, there is common sense on both sides.

The fine was appropriate.

Was the stripping of a draft pick necessary?

New Orleans has appealed the decision, saying other teams have done similar acts, if not the same, and were not penalized as severely.
In fairness, the Las Vegas Raiders received the same fine and were docked a sixth-round pick for COVID-19 protocol violations. Head coach Jon Gruden was also fined.

Sean Payton had already been fined for not wearing a mask in a week two loss at Las Vegas.

The draft is the lifeblood of a franchise and that has certainly been the case in New Orleans.

The Saints are a true contender, thanks to key draft picks, including Terron Armstead, Ryan Ramczyk, Andrus Peat, Eric McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, Cameron Jordan, Trey Hendrickson, Marcus Davenport, David Onyemata, Sheldon Rankins, Marshon Lattimore, Patrick Robinson, Marcus Williams and Thomas Morstead, to provide perspective.

As for a seventh-round pick, think Marques Colston and Zach Strief. Both were picked in the final round, in the same draft of 2006.

Prior to the current regime, think Eric Martin of LSU, a seventh-round pick in 1985. He and Colston went on to become Saints Hall of Fame inductees, two of the very best players in franchise history.

Kaden Elliss and Will Clapp have been contributors and they were seventh-round picks.

Linebacker Marvin Mitchell was a seventh-round choice and he went on to play in 98 NFL games over seven seasons, including four in the NFL.

Prior to the Payton/Mickey Loomis regime, Kevin Houser was selected in round seven and he went on to be an excellent deep snapper for 11 seasons in the league.

Linebacker Brian Forde went in round seven in 1988 and he played in 64 NFL games.

Safety Gene Atkins was the seventh-round selection in 1987 and he became a starter and impact player for Jim Mora.

New Orleans native and former Jesuit High star Gill Fenerty was a serviceable player who went in round seven in 1986 to New Orleans.

Cornerback Ernie Jackson was the pick in round seven in 1972 and he went on to play in 89 NFL games.

Wide receiver Bob Newland was a seventh-round choice in 1971 and he became a solid receiver for Archie Manning, catching 124 passes in his career.

Defensive end Larry Estes went in round seven in 1970 and he played in 47 NFL games.

Defensive back Gene Howard went in the seventh round to New Orleans in 1968 and he played in 1968.

You can get players, good players, even exceptional players in the NFL draft.

The moral to the story is to obey the rules and you might want to rethink allowing anyone to leak video to the public of what goes on in private.

As media members, we are kept out of locker room situations until a cool down period has taken place, until the head coach has addressed his team.

What goes on in private should remain private.

The video was taken in that privacy time, not with anyone from the public sector, including media, in the locker room.

Perhaps a valuable lesson has been learned. Keep your phones and video options in your pocket.

Hopefully, the appeal will be considered.

In the meantime, let the conspiracy theories abound.

We haven’t seen Goodell in New Orleans at any point in recent years. That streak will likely remain intact.