Saints' Jonathan Vilma, Will Smith await word from court

Attached Thumbnails · 07-23-2012, 02:51 PM

Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma and defensive end Will Smith met Monday with NFL lawyers and a federal magistrate in a settlement conference for lawsuits spawned by the players' suspensions following the league's bounty investigation.
Vilma and his attorneys emerged from the three-hour-long conference with U.S. Magistrate Daniel Knowles III without commenting on whether progress was made toward resolution of the case. The meeting was closed to the public.

Peter Ginsberg, one of Vilma's attorneys, said only that the group "went through the settlement process" and that he expects "things will move along."

Vilma declined to comment on the talks, but said, "I want the team to do well, and I want to be part of the team."
The star linebacker and Saints coach Sean Payton have been suspended for the 2012 season for their alleged roles in a bounty program the NFL says targeted opposition players for three seasons. Smith is suspended for four games.
NFL attorneys and lawyers for Smith also declined comment.

Vilma's lawsuit claims NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell failed to make a timely appeal ruling regarding his season-long suspension.
His suit also asks for a temporary restraining order to allow Vilma to rejoin the team. U.S. District Judge Helen Berrigan in New Orleans is scheduled to hold a hearing Thursday on that request.

Vilma filed a separate suit against Goodell for alleged defamation of character. The NFL Players Association sued the NFL on behalf of Smith and two other suspended players, Scott Fujita and Anthony Hargrove.
The Saints open training camp on Tuesday.

Waiting for word on Jonathan Vilma - NFC South Blog - ESPN

TheOak · 07-23-2012, 03:15 PM

Sounds like someone cracked down if even Ginsberg is being quiet. With Vilma being put on the suspension list, also sounds like out come is not going to be good.

Someone saw something that shut the parade down.

TXGSP · 07-23-2012, 03:44 PM

Not really much of a suprise - neither side speaking out.

So much of this was played out in the media, there could have been agreement (by force possibly) to keep the proceedings under wraps.

It was only a settlement process, it doesn't mean either side is going to back down - this really looks like it may be decided by the courts.

Rugby Saint II · 07-23-2012, 04:59 PM

We will be vindicated!

jeanpierre · 07-24-2012, 03:54 AM

The evidence must be made public.

Consumers of the NFL local product, the Saints, have been defrauded by the NFL Commissioner's office from watching the team from having a complete, legitimate chance of competition.

That team (product) and its complete components (i.e. Coach Payton, Jon Vilma, etc) or what was sold...

And if any of that team (product ) must be taken away, consumers are owed more than some Wizard of Oz authoritative "what we discovered behind the emerald curtain but is too much for your munchkin eyes to handle" explanation that denies what was sold...

saintsfan1976 · 07-24-2012, 05:37 AM

GFL

Governmental Football League

TheOak · 07-24-2012, 07:23 AM

I am hanging this all on DeMaurice Smith. He is the top of the tree in regards to the CBA, and all he focused on was money... There should have been terms covering discovery of evidence, different appellate, and a clear punishment table for various accountable acts.

If he didn't see this coming then that is his problem, the guy received a million dollar bonus for getting this CBA.

07-23-2012, 02:51 PM	#1
Threaded by TheOak 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress Tx. Posts: 18,978 Rating: (0 votes - average) Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma and defensive end Will Smith met Monday with NFL lawyers and a federal magistrate in a settlement conference for lawsuits spawned by the players' suspensions following the league's bounty investigation. Vilma and his attorneys emerged from the three-hour-long conference with U.S. Magistrate Daniel Knowles III without commenting on whether progress was made toward resolution of the case. The meeting was closed to the public. Peter Ginsberg, one of Vilma's attorneys, said only that the group "went through the settlement process" and that he expects "things will move along." Vilma declined to comment on the talks, but said, "I want the team to do well, and I want to be part of the team." The star linebacker and Saints coach Sean Payton have been suspended for the 2012 season for their alleged roles in a bounty program the NFL says targeted opposition players for three seasons. Smith is suspended for four games. NFL attorneys and lawyers for Smith also declined comment. Vilma's lawsuit claims NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell failed to make a timely appeal ruling regarding his season-long suspension. His suit also asks for a temporary restraining order to allow Vilma to rejoin the team. U.S. District Judge Helen Berrigan in New Orleans is scheduled to hold a hearing Thursday on that request. Vilma filed a separate suit against Goodell for alleged defamation of character. The NFL Players Association sued the NFL on behalf of Smith and two other suspended players, Scott Fujita and Anthony Hargrove. The Saints open training camp on Tuesday. Waiting for word on Jonathan Vilma - NFC South Blog - ESPN Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Halo; 07-23-2012 at 04:09 PM..
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07-23-2012, 03:15 PM	#2
TheOak 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress Tx. Posts: 18,978	Sounds like someone cracked down if even Ginsberg is being quiet. With Vilma being put on the suspension list, also sounds like out come is not going to be good. Someone saw something that shut the parade down. Beastmode likes this.

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07-23-2012, 03:44 PM	#3
TXGSP LET MY TEAM GO! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Just north of COWGAL HELL Posts: 296	Not really much of a suprise - neither side speaking out. So much of this was played out in the media, there could have been agreement (by force possibly) to keep the proceedings under wraps. It was only a settlement process, it doesn't mean either side is going to back down - this really looks like it may be decided by the courts.

07-23-2012, 04:59 PM	#4
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 23,725	We will be vindicated!

07-24-2012, 03:54 AM	#5
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	The evidence must be made public. Consumers of the NFL local product, the Saints, have been defrauded by the NFL Commissioner's office from watching the team from having a complete, legitimate chance of competition. That team (product) and its complete components (i.e. Coach Payton, Jon Vilma, etc) or what was sold... And if any of that team (product ) must be taken away, consumers are owed more than some Wizard of Oz authoritative "what we discovered behind the emerald curtain but is too much for your munchkin eyes to handle" explanation that denies what was sold...

07-24-2012, 05:37 AM	#6
saintsfan1976 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,534 Blog Entries: 3	GFL Governmental Football League

07-24-2012, 07:23 AM	#7
TheOak 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress Tx. Posts: 18,978	I am hanging this all on DeMaurice Smith. He is the top of the tree in regards to the CBA, and all he focused on was money... There should have been terms covering discovery of evidence, different appellate, and a clear punishment table for various accountable acts. If he didn't see this coming then that is his problem, the guy received a million dollar bonus for getting this CBA.