The other shoe has finally dropped in the New Orleans Saints' bounty scandal, with four players receiving the brunt of the punishment from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell:
NFL announces Vilma suspended for the season; Hargrove 8 games, Will Smith 4 games and Fujita 3 games
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) May 2, 2012
Because Vilma's suspension is season-long, he has to begin serving it immediately and is banned from participating in the Saints OTA programs. All four players will likely appeal.
Vilma and Smith are the only two still with New Orleans, as both players have been cornerstones of the team's defense for years. Anthony Hargrove, meanwhile, is now a member of the Green Bay Packers while Scott Fujita is with the Cleveland Browns.
The punishment, while harsh, will at least allow the Saints to begin to move on from this disastrous off-season, as Goodell's decision had been hanging over the team for months.
Stay tuned to SB Nation Atlanta for more information on "Bountygate" while Canal Street Chronicles has all the reaction from New Orleans.