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On Thursday, "First Take" discussed Jonathan Vilma's confident tweets about the outcome of this appeal hearing. Vilma thinks he'll win the appeal, which might clear him of his yearlong suspension for his alleged role in the Saints' bounty program. Stephen A. Smith doesn't believe that Vilma is innocent, while Skip Bayless doesn't see enough evidence to uphold the suspension. What's your take?

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Drew Brees still has not signed a long-term extension with the Saints and has called his contract talks "extremely frustrating." Who do you blame for the delay?

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On Tuesday, "First Take" debated another facet of the Saints' bounty scandal. Scott Fujita denied ever giving money to a bounty program despite his suspension, which hasn't convinced Stephen A. Smith. As far as he's concerned, all the players are guilty. Skip Bayless says he's leaning more and more toward believing the players. What's your take?

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Terrell Suggs was one of the NFL's finest defensive players last season, but an Achilles tendon tear will likely keep him on the sidelines this season. Suggs' injury was originally rumored to have happened during a pickup basketball game, but sources say he tore it during a standard conditioning drill required by the Ravens. Suggs is a big loss to Baltimore, but can it weather his absence?


Ravens prognosis?

The Ravens have other stars, but Suggs was an absolute beast in 2011, a terror to every facet of an opposing team's offense.

SportsNation

Will the Ravens make the playoffs if Terrell Suggs misses the entire season?

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    60%
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    40%

Discuss (Total votes: 181,804)


Suggs or Rose?

Suggs may not be as important to the Ravens as, say, Derrick Rose is to the Bulls, but at least Rose got Chicago to the playoffs before his injury.

SportsNation

Which team's fans suffered the more frustrating news?

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    86%
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Discuss (Total votes: 45,511)


Offseason activities?

It's never fun when an athlete gets injured, but it always seems egregious when the injury occurs off the field, even in a football-related activity like with what happened to Suggs.

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What's your take on athletes playing pickup sports and engaging in strenuous physical activity in the offseason?

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    72%
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    28%

Discuss (Total votes: 10,021)

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On Thursday, "First Take" talked about Jonathan Vilma's comments about his role -- or lack thereof -- in the Saints' bounty program. Vilma stated that he did not set out to injure any opposing players and did not participate in or contribute to the Saints' bounty pool. Opinions were sharply divided on the "First Take" set. What's your take?

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Allegations have surfaced that Saints general manager Mickey Loomis had electronic surveillance devices that would allow him to eavesdrop on opposing coaching staffs. Would this be a bigger deal than the bounty scandal?

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As part of his punishmend for his role in the bounty scandal, Sean Payton will be banned from having any contact with anyone associated with the NFL. Is this too harsh of a punishment?

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Gregg Williams was indefinitely suspended for his role in the New Orleans Saints' bounty scandal, and new audio has emerged from a pregame speech Williams gave before a playoff game against the 49ers that doesn't exactly do wonders for his defense. Williams is receiving criticism for his statements that the Saints should have specifically targeted injuries on opposing players, including concussions and ACL injuries. Are his statements so unusual that he deserves condemnation by fans and the league alike?


Williams' future?

Williams is currently on indefinite suspension, and the release of this tape might keep him out of the sport for a long time.

SportsNation

Should Gregg Williams be allowed to coach in the NFL again?

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    30%
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    70%

Discuss (Total votes: 61,866)


Acceptable targets?

Williams instructed his players to go after Kendall Hunter's head. Hunter had suffered concussions in the past.

SportsNation

Is it ever acceptable for a football player to deliberately target an opponent's injury?

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    11%
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    24%
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    66%

Discuss (Total votes: 16,085)


Standard practice?

Gregg Williams isn't the first NFL coach to tell his players to try to deliberately hurt opponents, but was his speech more the exception than the rule?

SportsNation

Do you believe the practice of deliberately targeting an opponent's injury is widespread in the NFL?

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    35%
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    55%
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    11%

Discuss (Total votes: 42,192)

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One thing we've learned about the Saints during this whole bounty scandal is that they're more than capable of thinking outside the box when the need arises. Most people thought they'd go with one of their existing coordinators as interim head coach in Sean Payton's absence, but it's looking more and more likely that Bill Parcells will coach the team instead. Parcells' recent history suggests that he might be more comfortable behind the scenes than on the sideline, but you never know when it comes to the Big Tuna.


Parcells or Payton?

The Saints are still a very good team even with Payton, and it's entirely possible that Parcells could make them better during his stint as interim head coach.

SportsNation

Under which coach would the Saints do better if both were legitimate options this season?

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    14%
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    22%
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    64%

Discuss (Total votes: 81,611)


Reset the clock?

It takes five years after retirement for a player or coach to be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but in this case, the powers that be might make an exception.

SportsNation

Should Bill Parcells' Hall of Fame eligibility be reset if he takes the interim Saints coaching job?

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    34%
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    66%

Discuss (Total votes: 61,186)


The best retired coach?

We'd love for any and all of these coaches to put the headset on one last time, but it looks like Parcells might be the only one to get a chance.

SportsNation

Which of these retired Super Bowl-winning coaches would you most like to see step in and coach the Saints this season?

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    27%
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    38%
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    5%
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    22%
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    9%

Discuss (Total votes: 201,277)

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The Saints will definitely miss Sean Payton as he serves out his suspension, but their pain might be mitigated by an unlikely source. Payton has allegedly approached Bill Parcells to take over the team for the duration of Payton's absence. Would this be a good move?

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