For starters, let me preface this by saying I've got no preference in their punishment. They will get punished for the whole bounty issue, but as far as I am conscerned, whatever they get, I'll probably think it was either way too harsh, or pretty decent.

Instead, this post is designed to ask what sort of punishment is the most damning to a franchise. These punishments are more exaggerated than what will happen, however, some sort these punishments will be enacted.

The first option comes in the form of a 7-digit fine. Hurting someone in the pocketbook is quite effective afterall, isn't it?

Option #2 is suspensions. If your head coach is suspended for a season and isn't allowed to coach, wouldn't that affect your team negatively?

#3. The loss of #1 draft picks. New England lost a #1. Many expect New Orleans would stand to lose more than a single #1 pick. A realistic option would be for the Saints to lost this year's #2, and next year's #1 pick.

The final option is a salary cap hit. If, say, the NFL deems that since they did this over the course of 3 years, they hit the Saints with a 3 year salary cap hit. Say each year, they are given a hit of 10-15 million per year.

So what is most damning. You comments are appreciated below.