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TAMPA BAY—Just days after it was announced that the NFL was investigating the New Orleans Saints for rewarding players for purposefully injuring opponents, the league is now looking into accusations that the Tampa Buccaneers paid defensive players for harmlessly swatting at and half heartedly pursuing opponents.
According to multiple sources, defensive players would be paid on a sliding scale depending on their performance each week, with missed tackles worth $1,000, blown coverages worth $2,500 and getting stiffed armed worth up to $10,000. “This is a very serious matter and we are definitely looking into it,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
“If it’s true,” continued Goodell, “It’s really sickening. This is football, and it’s not supposed to be played the way the Bucs are playing it.”
