Eli Manning Rips the New Orleans Saints For Putting Bounties on Opposing Players

The MVP of Super Bowl XLVI sounds off.

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What part of the game is that?

That's the message that Eli Manning has for the New Orleans Saints, who stand accused of putting bounties on the heads (and knees, ankles, and feet) of opposing players in exchange for cash rewards. And, during the unveiling of the New York Giants Super Bowl DVD in Times Square last night, he had a very pointed response for members of the Saints organization.

"Obviously, it is a big deal, what's going on," Manning said. "It's not good for football and can't be a part of football. I know Roger Goodell will do a good job figuring all this out and making sure this doesn't happen again...When you start talking about injuring a guy and carting him off and trying to end his season or career, that's not what this game is about. I think we should have more respect for the game than that. It can't be a part of football."

No, it can't. Guys like Eli already take enough of a beating standing in the pocket—remember the NFC Championship Game against the 49ers?—so they definitely don't need bounties hanging over their heads making things even worse. It's one of the many reasons we can't wait to see how Goodell decides to handle the Saints in this situation. What a soap opera this whole thing is turning out to be.

[via New York Post]

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