9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

NEW ORLEANS -- Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma is hoping for a win in federal court Friday in his bid to rejoin his teammates as they prepare for the upcoming season, attempting to break the NFL's season-long suspension he received for his alleged role in the Saints bounty program.
U.S. District Court Judge Helen "Ginger" Berrigan scheduled a hearing for 9 a.m. for Vilma's request for a temporary restraining order.
If Berrigan rules in favor of Vilma, the linebacker will be allowed to return to training camp -- Vilma is looking to rehab after knee surgery -- while the case filed over the bounty scandal and his suspension works its way through the court.
Two weeks earlier, Vilma and other Saints players and coaches testified before Berrigan that the team had no bounty system, a pay-to-injure program for opposing players.
NFL attorneys have argued that the issue and suspensions don't belong in federal court, instead decided in the NFL's arbitration system approved by the league and players in the collective bargaining agreement.
What is unknown is if Berrigan will rule on the case Friday or wait until next week to issue her ruling.

Vilma hoping for win in federal court, rejoin Saints |
wwltv.com New Orleans

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

If he does win and the judge allows him to play, wonder if his knee is ready to play on?

He hasn't been able to rehab it with the Saints staff hardly any this offseason...

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Well, at least he'll get paid while rehabbing and might be ready for the SB run. Of course, it could affect the salary cap too.

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

From what I have seen of Lofton... Can Vilma replace Shanle? If not ......

Much love to Vilma but Loften better not come out of the line up for him.

I am more hoping that the judges ruling effects Smith also and our born again Will Smith can play the first 4 games.

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Supposedly live updates through the hearing.

Jonathan Vilma Hearing, live updates - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Yeah I see no way that Vilma takes the MLB spot back...

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

So far from what I see its looking really good for Vilma right now. Goooooooodbye SHANLE! :)

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

"id like to" is never a good start of a sentence LOL... Thats usually followed by a "but"...

Looks like the Judge will make Vilma wait until all efforts are exhausted with Burbanks on the 30th.

Vilma has suffered irreparable damages means Vilma will get paid by Goodell for damages but not be able to play...

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

... right on, my fellow WhoDat!

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

"May need to exhaust internal appeal of Burbank ruling. &, judge suggests that cartoffs are bounties. So,mostly good for plyrs, but bag mixed"

Vilmas lawyer tried to argue the difference.. Judge said she didn't see the difference.

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

I am watching Gabe Feldman's twitter:

Gabe Feldman ‏@SportsLawGuy

More good news for Vilma-judge believes that Vilma has shown irreparable harm. Key prong in getting injunctive relief.

Gabe Feldman ‏@SportsLawGuy

Judge now discussing defamation suit. She is troubled by preemption argument. Ie, that defamation suit is preempted by CBA.

Gabe Feldman ‏@SportsLawGuy

Summing up first 15 mins- Judge suggests NFL process was unfair,punishment was excessive, and commish may not have juris. But, plyrs...

Gabe Feldman ‏@SportsLawGuy

May need to exhaust internal appeal of Burbank ruling. &, judge suggests that cartoffs are bounties. So,mostly good for plyrs, but bag mixed

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

"NFLPA attorney says Berrigan fully empowered to rule in Vilma's favor"


Really? You are telling the Judge what she is empowered to do? Sit down and shut up.

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Kessler: "You are not a potted plant, your honor. You are not powerless."

Bro...! Your about to piss that chick off!

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Judge stops Kessler, again stresses she may not be able to do anything until hearing on the 30th


My Take:

kessler is trying to make her rule now... Judges do not like their rulings overturned on appeals.. If the Judge questions her authority to rule now because the Burbank hearings are not done, she will NOT rule.

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Kessler: We don't want to set aside Burbank's ruling. We want to set aside Goodell's affirmation. He forced issue by ruling before...Appeals board could rule on whether he had power. Therefore, he drove us to court by not waiting on appeals board and remedies exhausted

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Kessler: "You don't have to wait for the appeals panel because Mr. Goodell did not wait for the appeals panel."

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

lots of badminton

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Kessler argues that judge has power to appoint a new arbitrator to decide the case. To send this back to RG would be like "Groundhog Day"


ROFLMAO

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Looks like yet another waste of time in court today for Vilma, I'm all for him fighting this to the end but who know's when that is coming. I could see it now that come the 30th, they will make up some new reason to push it back

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

crickets


Judge weighing her balls

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Hey x626x, Thanks for the updates. I'm at work and this is much easier than trying to keep up with it live. I appreciate it.

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Kessler and Ginsberg are two very contrasting yet effective styles. Ginsberg is low-key and steady. Kessler is quick and high-energy

Kessler hammering home pt that RG's public statements of players' guilt after suspension but before appeal prove he was "evidently partial"

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Kessler: "The other thing I want to focus on is the salami."

Kessler: "The NFL sliced the salami so thin that it became bologna!"


WTF? LOL

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Kessler now channeling Henny Youngman. Arbitrators deciding commish had jurisdiction to hear case "sliced salami so thin it made it bologna"

I need to get Kessler at my next B-Day party

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

The judge said during the last hearing that the NFL had "sliced the salami too thin" when talking about the suspensions and the NFL using their "authority" under the CBA to have Roger Goodell act as arbitrator.

She's saying they stretched the terms of the CBA and what happened to Vilma comes off as "unfair"

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Drum Roll....

"Judge wants to rule in favor of Vilma and attorneys seem to have given her reason to do so. NFL hasn't had its at-bat tho "

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Kessler- judge can rule right now to vacate suspensions because no basis for suspensions.

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Kessler says NFL in previous conduct detrimental cases has always provided all its evidence. Not this time

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Kessler: "The NFL sliced the salami so thin that it became bologna!"



LMAO

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Half expecting Kessler to do the Frank Drebin umpire dance when he finishes up his argument. No signs of Enrico Palazzo, though.

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Kessler- this was a "kangaroo court. Fundamentally unfair."

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

No kidding

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Kessler now talking about Oscar Pistorius. Kessle represented him in fighting for his right to run.



NFL is at bat

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Kessler finishing up. "I think I've exhausted myself." Judge- "very impressive." Gregg Levy now up for NFL.


Berrigan: Seems you don't need a threat of violence for injunction under Norris-LaGuardia act. It's simply sufficient for one

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

@rjonesTP

Me thinks everyone knows this could be a windfall for the NFL if Vilma gets some traction here. Could mean King Goodell is going down....

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Is it just me or does all this seem very familiar to the fraternal review court scene in Animal House

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

NFL sez judge can't do anything until appeals exhausted

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

coughsullbhitcough

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

OH BOY, is that what they brought in their hat of tricks?

Re: 9 A.M. Vilma Hearing
 

Levy- "my comments are going to be relatively short, especially compared to my friend Mr Kessler"