TheOak

NFL.com news: Payton can't contact Saints, Vitt, Loomis before Super Bowl

In his judgment upholding suspensions for New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, general manager Mickey Loomis and assistant head coach Joe Vitt, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the parties had to meet certain requirements for their potential reinstatements.
One of those requirements is that they cannot speak with each other while suspended, a source with knowledge of the situation said Monday, citing NFL rules.


That means once Payton's suspension kicks in April 16, he can't speak to Loomis or Vitt -- or have any communication with the team -- until after the Super Bowl. Though Payton's suspension technically ends after the Super Bowl, he has to re-apply for reinstatement and have Goodell review his status to determine if he'll be allowed to coach in the NFL again.
Loomis and Vitt can operate as normal until the start of the regular season, but once their suspensions begin, Vitt can't speak with anyone on the team for six games, Loomis for eight.
What could be an intriguing wrinkle is how the schedule lays out for the Saints. If the NFL schedules a bye week in the first six games, Vitt's and Loomis' suspension could be prolonged for a week. The same applies to Loomis if a bye is scheduled in the first eight games. Last season, the Saints' bye didn't come until Week 11.
The NFL schedule is expected to be released later this month.


See bold areas... Absolute BS!