Count New York Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson among those who doesn't think severe punishments should be doled out following the New Orleans Saints "bounty" system investigation.
"We'll have to wait and see what the commissioner does as far as discipline, but in all honesty I mean I think it's kind of part of the game," Tomlinson told 1090-AM in San Diego on Monday. "I mean to be honest with you I don't think you can discipline them guys too much."
Tomlinson didn't budge from that opinion when asked whether he'd think differently if he knew a "bounty" was placed on him.
"I'm sure it has happened before," he told the radio station. "Think about this? Do you mean to tell me that guys are not naturally saying you know what I want to knock LT out of the game?
"He is the focus of that offense. I want to put him out of the game. They're saying that anyway, so if a coach says it and they are going to put some money on it … I mean it is the same thing to me to be honest with you."
Tomlinson went on to agree that it is actually something of compliment to be targeted by a "bounty" -- to a point.
"I agree. I agree," he said. "As long as they are not doing anything dirty after the play or anything like that, then I think it is totally legal."
The NFL is expected to discipline the Saints within two weeks after saying on Friday that 22 to 27 defensive players were involved a "bounty" program administered by former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who now holds the same position with the St. Louis Rams.