Earlier in the day, the NFL gave 12 reporters the same Bountygate evidence presentation they gave the players. Early returns from the presentation are coming in, and it would seem that the NFL may have some ground to stand on.

SI's Peter King is one of the most respected sports journalists in the business, and he said via Twitter the evidence is "explosive" and "compelling."

The NFL's charges are explosive, compelling. Twelve reporters just heard the league's evidence.

— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) June 18, 2012

That wasn't the only bomb King dropped to his Twitter followers after the presentation by the league.

NFL just showed reporters evidence in Saints case, incl allegation of $35k bounty, not just $10k, to knock Favre out of '09 NFC title game.

— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) June 18, 2012

King, who was one of the reporters in the room, will likely have a more in-depth analysis of the evidence to come, but going off of his limited Twitter report, it seems safe to say that the NFL has not been blowing smoke about the Saints bounty system. The NFLPA and those accused of trying to knock players out of the game played a dangerous game in saying the NFL didn't have a case against them. It's starting to sound like the NFL will show their full hand soon, and it's not looking good for those involved.

Like TGS on Facebook

Follow TGS on Twitter