Look, I know the argument. I've made it in this space before.

Boiled to its essence, it comes to this: Football's a tough game. It's a pitiless game. If the Saints are guilty of putting bounties on certain players, so is everyone else. Targeting certain guys -- i.e., quarterbacks -- is just what an effective defense does.

However ....

However, then you read this. And you realize there is indeed a line to be drawn between trying to slobber-knock guys, and trying to end their careers.

Gregg Williams clearly crossed that line, judging by this audiotape. Telling his players to hit Frank Gore and Alex Smith repeatedly in the head, when he knew full well the NFL was trying to crack down on head shots? Expressly instructing them to take out Michael Crabtree's "outside ACL"?

That's not football. It's Bruno Tattaglia putting out a hit on Vito Corleone.

If I were the father/uncle/wife/significant other of one of the aforementioned players, I'm ready to go after Gregg Williams with a crowbar after hearing this. And if I'm Roger Goodell ....

Well. This guy should never coach again. In the NFL or anywhere else.