Here we go again. Now "Outside The Lines" is reporting that The new Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis used an illegal eavesdropping device during the 2002 -2004 seasons. Again we are faced with the question, is Mickey Loomis guilty again?

What are the allegations?

Sources report that in 2000 the listening device was installed in the general managers suite for the then general manager Randy Mueller to use to listen to the Saints offensive and defensive play calling. It was strictly for listening to game day communications for the Saints staff only.

The sources are reporting that at sometime after Loomis became general manager he had it rewired to listen to opposing teams play calling.

Loomis's Response:

Both Mr. Loomis and Greg Bensel, the teams Vice President of communication, responded that this report is 100 percent false. At no time has he ever used a device to listen to the other teams play calling, and to accuse him of this is plain criminal.He has the criminal part right. If he did indeed do this it is against state and federal eavesdropping laws. This on top of the six game suspension he is now serving for knowledge of a bounty program the Saints ran could mean the end of Mr. Loomis's employment with New Orleans.

Are the Saints the bad boys of the NFL?

I would guess that they are not the only bad boys in the NFL, just the ones to get caught. At this point one has to wonder how much is hype and how much is true, and just how many teams have padded and or completely disregarded the rules to get an upper edge on their opponents.With all the money involved in today's sports, cheating seems to almost be a requirement and this is very unsettling. Is New Orleans getting picked on and made an example to the rest of the league, or do they really deserve this much scrutiny?

What next ?

This is a question best left unanswered. This allegation will now be investigated, and penalties handed out if true. On the tail of still waiting for the punishments to the players involved in the bounty program, now comes this new allegation.Will this effect the rest of the NFL? Will people now look at their favorite teams and ask themselves, how many rules is my team bending?

One thing is for sure. This off season will be one to remember , or maybe forget, in New Orleans.

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