The NFL has apparently come down on the New Orleans Saints, and it is not pretty.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the league has decided to suspend head coach Sean Payton for one year for his role — or lack thereof — in the Saints' bounty program that was run under former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' watch.
The Payton suspension will go into effect on April 1.
Schefter also reports that the Saints have been fined $500,000 and will lose a second-round pick in both 2012 and 2013. General manager Mickey Loomis will also be fined $500,000 and will get an eight-game suspension. Schefter reports that assistant coach Joe Vitt will receive a six-game suspension and will be fined $100,000. FOX's Jay Glazer points out that this will complicate things for New Orleans, as the Saints had planned on having Vitt step in as head coach once Payton learned his fate.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen also reports that Williams — who is now serving as the Rams' defensive coordinator — has been suspended indefinitely. The length of that ban is unknown at this point, but Mortensen reports that Williams will have to sit out the 2012 season.
