Should a Football Coach Suggest Hurting Opposing Players?

This week, an audio tape was released in which New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was heard telling his players to “put a lick” on San Francisco 49ers receiver Kyle Williams before an important playoff game between the two clubs on January 14, 2012.

It's alleged that Gregg Williams - who has since left the Saints and moved on to the St. Louis Rams - wanted to see if Kyle Williams had lingering effects from a concussion the 49er player had experienced earlier in the season.

Williams also implored his players to "beat (running back) Frank Gore's head," and "lay out (quarterback Alex) Smith."

Filmmaker Sean Pamphilon, creating a documentary this past season about football, had access to Saints meetings, and posted the audio on his web site, then on YouTube.

We've attached the YouTube upload for you to listen to. We want to advise you: It is filled with profanity. It is explicit, vulgar and profane. We urge you to exercise caution and discretion if you decide to listen.

Football is an intensely physical game. No one denies that. But where is the line crossed; where does that intensity become violence? Is it acceptable in pro football to put "bounties" on players, hoping to knock them out of a game, as a means of winning?

We've set up a poll below. We'd like your vote. And we'd like to hear what you think in the comments.