Leave it to the New Orleans Saints to ruin any positive vibes they’ve built up the past several years.

The Saints, who for decades had been a laughingstock of the NFL, finally shook that label when they defeated the Indianapolis Colts to win the Super Bowl two years ago just a few seasons removed from Hurricane Katrina.

They now find themselves embroiled in a “pay-for-performance” scandal that could shake up the whole organization.

Even though the NFL investigated this allegation in early 2010, apparently it wasn’t enough to stop the Saints’ conduct, especially to former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who is now with the St. Louis Rams.

With money being dished out — as much as $1,500 to knock a player out of the game or $1,000 to be carted off — these are serious allegations.

As tough and physical and violent as the NFL is, the idea of personally trying to injure someone, is not tolerable and is downright deplorable.

Look, I get it. Football comes with risks. No one really “means” to hurt someone, but the idea of intentionally looking to injure someone, to possibly take away their livelihood, is disgraceful.

Gone are the cheap-shot, abusive, destructive ways of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. The NFL has made it a point that something like this won’t be tolerated. At least we hope.

Remember back in October of 2008. Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall saw his season come to an end when Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis separated Mendenhall’s shoulder. Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs said later on a radio sports talk show, after he was asked if bounties were put on certain Steelers players, T-Fizzle said, “The bounty was out on him and the bounty was out on 86 (Hines Ward). We just didn’t get him between the whistles.”

Suggs backtracked later and said he was asked about bounties and he was saying the Ravens were going to keep their eyes on certain players. The league “investigated” and only sent Suggs a letter about his behavior.

That was the old NFL, the 2008 NFL. That was before fines and penalties were being handed down for dangerous hits. Ask Steelers linebacker James Harrison about that.

I’m not naive to believe the Saints are the only ones to have done this, but they’re the ones who got caught. And they are at the forefront right now.

So, what’s the NFL going to do?

Does the NFL want to go back to 2008 or continue to move forward? The shield is at stake. Look for commissioner Roger Goodell to make an example of the Saints whether it forces them to fire general manager Mickey Loomis, head coach Sean Payton or strip the team of many draft choices.

Slapping a hefty fine means nothing. Owner Tom Benson could cut the check from his back pocket.

For the feel-good Saints, it didn’t take long for the bottom to drop out. Now, it’s up to the NFL to make a stand, to send another message: It’s serious about injuries.

Sam Tallarico is a staff writer with the Butler Eagle.