I actually really appreciate the title of this thread and would like to know if anybody out there has really "nerded it up" by compiling things like number of personal fouls/roughing the QB/late hits/etc, injuries caused etc for every team in th NFL over the last three seasons and comparing the Saints with the rest of the league. My impression of watching our boys and watching other NFL games is that we would be far below teams like the Steelers, Titans, and others. Which, if true, raises the question: who cares about a "bounty" program if it didn't result in more injuries/penalties/etc? What if it was a motivational tool and not really an actual program?

Deuce, it's all right here, the Wall Street Journal already reviewed every regular- and postseason Saints game since 2009, and it's an interesting read:

"Little Booty in Saints' Bounties: A Study of Game Film Shows There Weren't That Many Knockout Hits"
The Bounty Investigation: Saints' Bounties Produced Little Booty - WSJ.com

I think the key word here is "intent".

You can't prove players intent. They have tape of what Williams said. As far as what happened on the field, there is really nothing out of the ordinary. The Saints were very middle of the pack when it came to penalties.

The success of this team has very very little to do with what happened on Defense. This goes to show that if Williams would have put a little more effort into solid tackling, technique and proper scheme and less effort into "take his head off" crap, we might have two Superbowls, or even three by now.

BUT critically the Saints were far from the worst in any of the last 3 years or the sum of the 3 years.

Where to now?

I am wondering.

When will the NFL thought police start fining trash talkers?