Report: Gregg Williams urged big hits on 49ers, including concussed player

Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams of the New Orleans Saints talks to Jonathan Vilma (51) during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Louisiana Superdome on October 31, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

/ Photo by Matthew Sharpe/Getty Images

(CBS/AP) Saints head coach Sean Payton, assistant Joe Vitt and GM Mickey Loomis are in New York today having their appeals hearing for punishment connected to the team's bounty system. Former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is conspicuously absent. Newly released audio may explain why.

A new recording purports to capture Williams telling players to "put a lick" on San Francisco's Kyle Williams to see if the receiver has lingering effects from an earlier concussion.

"We need to find out in the first two series of the game, the little wide receiver, No. 10, about his concussion," Williams apparently says on the tape. "We need to [expletive] put a lick on him, move him to decide. He needs to decide."

NFLPA: Bounty players could face criminal charges

Filmmaker Sean Pamphilon, who had access to Saints meetings for a documentary on football, has posted the audio on his web site. Pamphilon shared the content with Yahoo Sports' Michael Silver, telling Silver that while he was not bothered by much of Williams' profanity-laced speech, he was troubled by comments about the previously concussed player.

Frank Gore (21) of the 49ers gets tackled by Patrick Robinson (21) of the Saints during the Divisional Playoffs at Candlestick Park on January 14, 2012 in San Francisco.

/ Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

In the recording from a meeting before the Saints played the 49ers in a playoff game in January, Williams urges players to beat running back Frank Gore's head, "lay out" quarterback Alex Smith and go after receiver Michael Crabtree's knee.

"At one point Williams says, 'We hit [expletive] Smith right there' - then he points under his chin [and continues] - 'remember me.' Then he rubs his thumb against his index and middle fingers - the cash sign - and says, 'I got the first one. I got the first one. Go get it. Go lay that [expletive] out,'" Pamphilon told Silver.

Williams also told his players, "Kill the head, the body will die" - one of the coach's trademark mantras, according to current and former Saints defensive players.

Williams hasn't decided on whether or not he plans to appeal his indefinite suspension - but given the mounting evidence against him, that seems unlikely.

[CashLaundry]

Time for some conspiracy to commit assault and battery charges. I'm pretty sure if anyone else put a bounty on causing bodily harm to another person we would be facing charges in a heartbeat. Last I checked hiring hitmen was against the law.

[Bryon_Evans]

Wonderful example to the nation's youth these VERY WELL PAID men are who play children's games for their living. Over and over and over again it comes out just what kind of role models they truly are. But it's "Just one bad apple" right? Sure!!!! Sure it is! Keep dreaming. What's this guys salary again? I missed that part! Just how many MILLIONS is this Payton making per year just to get away with being a creepy sob hiding behind a corporate controlled jersey with an NFL sticker on it?

[smittyc]

They don't call it the National Felony League for nothing.

[robert1129]

Benson and Payton need to be ashamed of themselves for hiring this sorry excuse of a coach. Williams one year suspension needs to be made permanent.