What Up With Dat?: Bountygate Edition

Below are my answers to last weeks reader questions submitted Friday. Special thanks to all those that participated. Feel free to continue the discussion on any of these topics in the comment section below.

Do you feel that the media is blowing this up with smoke and mirrors making it something that is it not. - Jeremy S.

Obviously you're referring to the Saints' defensive pay-for-performance system and no, I don't think the media is blowing it up with smoke a mirrors. The Saints are guilty and the NFL busted them, that's the simple truth. Anyone thinking the Saints have done nothing wrong or that they're being framed by the league is just in denial. What I do think the media is doing, however, is focusing too much on the bounty aspect of the system Gregg Williams set up and not properly framing it within the entire pay-for-performance program.

Which has the greater chance of happening: The league matching up the Saints against the Giants in the kick-off game to start the season or Gregg Williams being invited to Tom Benson's house for Thanksgiving dinner? - Mobile S.

The league matching up the Saints against the Giants in the season-opener has a much better chance of happening. In all honesty, this Bountygate scandal might make the Saints an even more attractive option for the 2012 kickoff because love 'em or hate 'em, this scandal would surely draw huge ratings. I'm pretty sure neither Gregg Williams nor Mike Ornstein will be invited over to the Benson's for the holidays.

Do you think Steve Spagnuolo was aware of the NFL investigation before he was hired? I'm impressed that he took the job knowing what could be an avalanche of bad press. - T. Mac

Interesting question. I think Spagnuolo was probably aware that Gregg Williams ran a pay-for-performance program but I can't say for sure whether he was aware that the league was investigating it. I don't really think it matters since all of the bad press has completely avoided Spagnuolo. In fact, it may have made the situation more attractive for a new defensive coordinator, considering the Saints should be eagerly looking to turn over a new leaf.

What D line changes do you see the saints making. Will they let go of Will Smith and Scott Shanle? - Keljuane B.

I don't see many big changes for the Saints defensive line, as much as I hate to say it. I'm sure they'll sign a free agent or two, maybe even draft one, but I'm not expecting big things. It looks like Will Smith is here to stay, since he restructured his contract earlier this month. Scott Shanle's not going anywhere, so you might as well get used to that sweet barbed wire tattoo around his arm. I think our best hope for improvement in the pass rushing department lies with new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

Why is Vilma being called out i missed the issue with Vilma - P. Head

Jonathan Vilma is alleged to have put $10,000 on the table for any player who knocked Brett Favre out of the NFC Championship Game.