NFL slow-playing bounty penalties in Saints scandal

In a few days, it will be two weeks since the NFL made the stunning announcement that it had conducted a three-year investigation into the New Orleans Saints’ “pay-for-performance” bounty system.

So far, no penalties.

That’s somewhat surprising, considering that former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, Coach Sean Payton and GM Mickey Loomis have admitted and apologized for their roles in the improper program.

Saints coaches and the front office have not denied the existence of the system, and they haven’t quibbled with the findings of the league. That might be because the league has evidence in emails and the like that would be next to impossible to refute.

The league is also likely giving the NFL Players Assn. time to conduct its own investigation and suggest penalties, time the union had requested.

What’s more, the league is likely looking deeper into the background of Williams and whether he might have implemented a similar bounty program at his various career stops. Members of the Washington Redskins have already conceded that they too had a bounty program when Williams was their defensive coordinator.

At the Saints’ request, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met in New York on Monday with team owner Tom Benson and Payton, leading to speculation that penalties are imminent.

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