Saints' Smith: disagrees with much of appeal ruling
Chris Miller Reporting
Other than having his suspension tossed out, New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith says there's not much in former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue's ruling he can agree with. Smith told ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike in the Morning he was happy with the ruling until he had a chance to read it, and saw "a little tricky wording."
"He said the findings was consistent with what the NFL had found," Smith told the hosts. "I don't think that was correct."
Smith said there was a pay-for-performance program, but "there never was a 'bounty' program or 'pay-to-injure' program, and that was quite evident when you looked at all the testimony."
Tagliabue also left open the possibility that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell could attempt to impose new discipline by fining the players. Smith said that would not sit well with him or his fellow players.
"I never did anything of the sort, and it's very clear. There's no evidence to show I participated in a bounty program," said Smith. "I never laid any money down to hurt any players."
Smith said if Goodell were to fine him, it would lead to another round of appeals.
"I'm happy that we weren't suspended, but at the same time, like I said, the damage is done," Smith summed up. "This was a year-long campaign that the NFL had against the New Orleans Saints."
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