The NFL's case against the New Orleans Saints got even stronger today. As if all of the allegations weren't bad enough, today audio was posted of a speech former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams gave to players the night before the team's playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers. In the speech, Williams can be heard giving specific instructions about which players to target and what kind of injuries to inflict. Here's the audio (warning: the language is NSFW):
There is more to the speech than what is shown above. It went on for a total of 12 minutes, and at one point the Lions were referenced, according to Pro Football Talk.
In the full audio from Gregg Williams before the 49ers game, he calls the Lions "weak-ass, phony-ass mutherf--kers."
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 5, 2012
I'd be very interested to hear what Williams said before the game against the Lions, because I'm sure he gave out similar instructions about targeting certain players and their injuries. Stuff like this is why he is indefinitely suspended and why the Saints are in so much trouble. It's one thing to make a speech about going out and taking it to the other team. That happens in every locker room in the country. It's completely crossing the line to shout out instructions about inflicting specific injuries, such as targeting a player's head or ACL. That is unacceptable.
Personally, I'd be shocked if Williams ever coaches in the NFL again with all that has come out. Simply reading about the allegations is much different than getting to hear an actual speech, and the negative reaction this has generated toward Williams is substantial. Now I think it's pretty clear why he didn't even bother trying to appeal his suspension.
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