New Orleans Saints assistant coach Joe Vitt talks offseason preparations and bounties - NFL News
The New Orleans Saints offseason preparations have been completely overshadowed by the bounty scandal and the subsequent punishment dealt out by the National Football League (NFL).
However, assistant coach, Joe Vitt who will take over the role of head coach for the upcoming season tried to get the attention back to the training ground although he too could not stop himself from mentioning the bounty scandal.
Speaking to the media in his first press conference on Tuesday as the Saints head coach, Vitt said that the team cannot let off-the-field matters distract them from the upcoming season.
"Anything that happens outside this building can never be an excuse for what's taken place inside the building. Our players are working hard. We've had a great first week. ... Our players are focused. Our coaches are focused. Our owner is focused. Our building
is focused. We owe it to our fans.”
With head coach, Sean Payton suspended for a year for failing to stop the bounty programme while also lying to league investigators and denying the existence of bounties, Vitt will perform duties as head coach although he will himself miss the Saints first
six games due to suspension.
The Saints have been punished heavily by the NFL with a $500,000 fine plus having their second round draft picks revoked for two seasons.
This is not the end of the problems for the Saints, however, as commissioner, Roger Goodell has yet to announce the punishments for players who were involved in the bounty scandal.
Vitt in his press conference tried to protect his players and said.
"At no time did any of our players ever cross the white line with the intention of hurting another player."
Adding further he said that the Saints will not be de-motivated with their problems in the new season and the players have the character to do their job in adversity.
"Everybody in this organization will do their job. This is a roster that's made up of character players that are accountable to one another.”
The NFL is expected to announce punishments for the players soon but until that time the Saints continue to work hard as they prepare for the new 2012-13 season.
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