The Saints had better lawyer up -- Congress is getting involved!!

Dick Durbin is putting together a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting on Bounty-Gate, and the other sports are being asked to come too.

Here's the thing: I believe we have sufficient laws on the books in the state of Louisiana where felony battery charges could be brought on EVERY PLAYER AND COACH INVOLVED.

Section 34.1 of the Criminal portion of the Louisiana Statute, Revised Statute 14:

"§34.1. Second degree battery

A. Second degree battery is a battery when the offender intentionally inflicts serious bodily injury; however, this provision shall not apply to a medical provider who has obtained the consent of a patient.

B. For purposes of this Section, "serious bodily injury" means bodily injury which involves unconsciousness, extreme physical pain or protracted and obvious disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty, or a substantial risk of death.

C. Whoever commits the crime of second degree battery shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than five years, or both."

Durbin is actively exploring whether Federal laws (including those which cover game-fixing (sports-bribery laws)) need to be invoked or expanded to cover this.

There is only one right punishment: SHUT THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS DOWN. And if you won't do it for "bid'ness", Mr. Goodell, the United States Congress just might!