BY: JAMAL ANDRESS After a season-long suspension for a bounty program and a disappointing 16 games for the Saints, Sean Payton is back as New Orleans’ head coach. Here’s the NFL Network “Commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated Payton this morning after a meeting with the coach that took place on yesterday.” Despite what many called a harsh punishment from the commissioner, Goodell had nothing but positive things to say about putting Payton back on the sideline. “We had a productive discussion... Sean fully complied with all the requirements imposed on him during his suspension. More important, it is clear that Sean understands and accepts his responsibilities as a head coach and the vital role that coaches play in promoting player safety ” But USA Today speculates Goodell may have an ulterior motive for bringing Payton back two weeks early. “ With a still-angry city waiting to, uh, welcome him during Super Bowl XLVII week, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell pretty much played the only card he had to appease the masses. He reinstated New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton. ” The Bounty program that Sean Payton, Saints former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and Saints players allegedly participated in has always been a very divisive issue. The season when the Saints won the super bowl players on the defense would allegedly get paid for injuring players on the opposing team. But NFL Players Association Executive Director Demaurice Smith had a lot to say about the evidence or lack thereof for Payton’s season long suspension. “Do I think the Fans in New Orleans got the raw end of that deal? Yes they did. Do I know that Sean Payton got the raw end of that deal? Yes they did. Because I know from reading each and every page of that transcript that what the National Football League said occured, never occurred.” But whether the suspension was right or wrong it seems like Payton is just happy to have is job back. Payton said in a statement Tuesday “ I am thankful today Commissioner Goodell has granted me reinstatement... I have assured the Commissioner a more diligent protocol will be followed. ” The Saints recently signed Payton to a 5 year extension on his contract and for good reason. Not including his suspended season, Payton has a 64 - 32 regular season record.