Dennis Allen escapes punishment in "Bountygate" scandal

The league came down hard on the Saints organization today. Some of the harshest penalties were imposed on former defensive coordinator Greg Williams, head coach Sean Payton, and general manager Mickey Loomis-all of whom received lengthy suspensions. But as of now it appears that Dennis Allen will get off free and clear.

Allen was the Saints defensive backs coach from 2008 to 2010. The Bounty program was in place from 2009 to 2011. The scandal has followed Greg Williams back to his previous stops in Jacksonville, Washington and as the head coach in Buffalo. As a result, the league suspended him indefinitely.

It was a worry initially that Dennis Allen may receive some kind of punishement whether it be in the form of a fine or otherwise. It would depend upon what was in the 50,000 page report as a result of the three year investigation. In the end, it was discovered that Allen was simply caught up in it when Williams was hired as the Saints DC in 2009.

Saints head coach Sean Payton has been suspended for a year without pay. He was held accountable for the actions of Williams and the team as the head coach. General Manager Mickey Loomis was suspended for the first eight regular season games of the 2012 season for his role in covering up the scandal.

The Saints organization will lose a second round pick in 2012 (so the Raiders will now look at moving up a slot to getting the 95^th pick in the draft), as well as their 2013 second round pick.

The player suspensions and/or fines have yet to be handed down and it may be the reason none of their free agents have been signed by interested teams. The Raiders have shown interest in CB Tracy Porter and could also show interest in NT Aubrayo Franklin. But we will have to wait for this whole thing to shake out first.