LITTLE ROCK — SAINTS
Payton apologizes
METAIRIE, La. - Sean Payton apologized Friday for the bounty scandal under which New Orleans Saints players were offered payouts for big hits on opponents, saying he takes “full responsibility” for the system that operated for three years under his watch.
“I share and fully support the league’s concerns and goals on player safety,” the Saints coach said in a written statement released by the team. “It is, and should be, paramount.
“Respecting our great game and the NFL shield is extremely important to me,” Payton added, referring to the league’s famous logo.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Wednesday suspended Payton for the 2012 season, effective April 1, one of several unprecedented penalties he issued against the club and its officials.
Payton said that, as head coach, he should take full responsibility for a program which the NFL says offered improper cash bonuses for blows that either knocked targeted star players out of the game or left them needing help off the field.
The NFL has said Payton initially lied to NFL investigators about the program, at first denying its existence, and instructed his defensive assistants to lie. The league also slapped an eight-game suspension on General Manager Mickey Loomis and a six-game suspension on assistant head coach Joe Vitt, who also coaches linebackers.
Former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who left the Saints after last season to join the St. Louis Rams, ran the bounty program and has been suspended indefinitely.
In his statement, Payton said the Saints “will implement all necessary protections and protocols, and I will be more vigilant going forward.”
Payton, however, won’t begin exercising that vigilance until after New Orleans hosts the Super Bowl next February, when his suspension officially ends.
BEARS
Barber retiring
LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Chicago Bears running back Marion Barber said he plans to retire.
His decision, posted on the team’s website Friday, comes one day after Michael Bush signed a four-year, $14 million contract to be part of a backfield that includes disgruntled Pro Bowl running back Matt Forte.
Barber, 28, spent his first six NFLseasons with the Dallas Cowboys before signing with the Bears in 2011. He was a backup to Forte last season and then saw extensive duty when Forte sprained his knee in early December.
Barber had six touchdowns and 422 yards rushing last season, but will be remembered for two gaffes in a costly loss at Denver when he ran out of bounds as the Bears were trying to kill the clock, and then fumbled in overtime.
A fourth-round pick of the Cowboys in 2005 out of Minnesota, the hard-running Barber gained 4,780 yards rushing on 1,156 carries with 53 touchdowns in his career. He also caught 179 passes for 1,330 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Barber, who had little to say to reporters during his only year in Chicago, told Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com: “I want to thank everyone who gave me the opportunity to play, and I’m very thankful to have had the chance to suit up for two of the NFL’s most storied organizations.” PACKERS
Saturday agrees
MILWAUKEE - The Green Bay Packers made a rare reach into unrestricted free agency to find a new anchor for their offensive line, agreeing to a two-year deal with veteran free agent center Jeff Saturday on Friday.
The Packers made the signing official late Friday afternoon, also announcing the signing of former Colts defensive lineman Daniel Muir.
Saturday’s agent, Ralph Cindrich, confirmed the deal Friday afternoon. ESPN reported the deal earlier Friday.
The 36-year-old Saturday has started 188 regular-season games in 13 NFL seasons.
He replaces former Packers starter Scott Wells, who signed with the St. Louis Rams as a free agent.
BRONCOS
Dreessen, Tamme sign
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - The Denver Broncos keep adding offensive personnel for quarterback Peyton Manning, as they agreed to terms Friday with tight ends Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreessen.
Tamme will be reuniting with Manning in Denver after spending four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, who drafted him in 2008 out of Kentucky.
He has 92 career receptions for 855 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Dreessen, a former Colorado State standout, has hauled in 110 passes for 1,364 yards and 13 touchdowns in 6 seasons with the New York Jets and Houston Texans.
COLTS
Stanton acquired
NEW YORK - The New York Jets traded backup quarterback Drew Stanton to the Indianapolis Colts for the sixth-round pick the Colts got from Philadelphia in the trade for Winston Justice on March 14.
Both picks are for this year’s draft.
Stanton signed a one-year, $1.25 million deal last week to back up Mark Sanchez, but became expendable when the Jets acquired Tim Tebow from the Denver Broncos on Wednesday. After that trade, General Manager Mike Tannenbaum said Tebow would be the team’s No. 2 quarterback.
Stanton left the Detroit Lions for a chance to be the backup after sitting behind Matthew Stafford and Shaun Hill. Stanton has played in 12 games, including four starts, since being drafted in the second round five years ago.
Sports, Pages 19 on 03/24/2012