NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

Four weeks and three days after an internal appeals panel vacated suspensions imposed on Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, Saints defensive end Will Smith, and free-agent defensive end Anthony Hargrove, the league has re-issued the discipline without any changes or reductions, according to a league source.

This means that Vilma will be suspended a full season, Fujita will be suspended three games, Smith will be suspended four games, and Hargrove will be suspended eight games.

All four players have the right to appeal the ruling to Commissioner Roger Goodell. Given that the players chose this time around to meet with Goodell before he issued the suspensions, the players may be more inclined to participate in the appeal process this time around.

Given that the league has relied this time around on lengthy sworn statements from former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and former Saints assistant Mike Cerullo, it’s likely that both will testify at the appeal hearing.

Then, after the appeal process has been completed, the players likely will take the league back to court — barring a dramatic reduction or reversal of the punishments by Goodell.

The players also may challenge the rulings once again under the labor deal, if the players believe that the punishment in any way extends beyond Goodell’s jurisdiction over conduct detrimental to the game and encroaches on possible salary-cap violations.

UPDATE 3:37 p.m. ET: The NFL says that an explanation of the re-issued bounty discipline is coming soon. Asked for confirmation that the same discipline has been meted out, the league said, “It’s not that simple.” As to specific question as to whether the penalties will be the same, the NFL said, “Not all.”

NFL re-issues bounty discipline | ProFootballTalk

I don't get that last part. "Not at all"??? sounds the same to me.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline
 

Are we really going to miss will smith?

I don't really think so to be fair, Tez and galette are the stars

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline
 

I won't. Might be just what is needed to get the youngins on the field more.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline
 

Don't see a down side here. Hopefully they stick to their guns and go through with the penalties. We need to be done with all these distractions and it gives the other guys a chance to play.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline
 

I was hoping we'd get Vilma back this season. Some combination of Loftin Vilma and Hawthorne might work really well.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline
 

I still don't see this being resolved this season...

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline
 

Nothing really surprising.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline
 

This will just keep going and going and going and going and goooiiinnggg.

Things that will happen as a result.

Will does his time.

Vilma gets released.

This is why the coaches didn't appeal. Do the time and get it over with.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline
 

Roger Godhell isn't showing any signs of weakness. Even if he had proof which he doesn't he is standing his ground. It's a good thing we have a judge on our side.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline
 

I really thought it would change and I thought there would be a chance Payton would be back.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline
 

What a clown and shame on the media for not seeking to tell the truth. They don't want to bite the hand that feeds them.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline
 

UPDATE

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has altered the suspensions of three of the four players who were disciplined as a result of the league’s investigation into the Saints’ bounty program.

The player who got the best result was Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, who already had the shortest suspension and has now had the largest reduction to his suspension: Fujita’s suspension has been reduced from three games to one, the league has announced.

Defensive end Anthony Hargrove’s suspension has been reduced from eight games to seven games. Hargrove, who is currently a free agent, will be credited for having served his suspension during the first five games of this season. If he signs with a team, he will have to serve the final two games of the suspension before he can play for that team.

For Jonathan Vilma, who was suspended for the entire year, the suspension remains unchanged in the sense that he will not be permitted to play at all this season. But the NFL has altered Vilma’s suspension by allowing him to collect his pay for the six weeks he has already spent on the Physically Unable to Perform list. The NFL had previously planned to suspend Vilma without pay for all 17 weeks of the season.

Saints defensive end Will Smith was the only player whose suspension wasn’t changed at all: His four-game suspension remains in place.

It’s still possible that the players will continue to fight this discipline, and that the issue is not over. But for now, this is what Goodell views as a compromise solution

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

So, a reduction of everyone but Will Smith? I thought Vilma was supposed to be the ring leader of this, what did Will do to piss off Roger?

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

Will Smith AND Vilma. Vilma is just getting to keep his 6 months worth of PUP check. Still suspended the rest of the season.

I just heard portions of all 4 letters read on NFL Sirus.

There were confessions from Vitt, And the players involved.

Confessions about cart offs, money contributed etc..

Goose cooked

New verdicts

Fujita 1 game
Hargrove 2 games once he has a team
Smith 4 games
Vilma no change except he keeps salary.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

Eff that.. I don't want to hear it, I want to read it. I want them to put it in black and white.

Vitt is going to have a hard time being a coach IF he in fact admitted it. Wonder how the players are going to respond to that.

Players Smith/Hargrove admitted also.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

Vitt? Are you sure on that? Say it ain't so, Joe!!

Then why did he call up Roger Goodell on the phone and ream him out, why offer to take a lie detector test, why make such a big stink when the league changed its story on him? Just to fold up and roll over two weeks before your suspension is up? Doesn't make a lot of sense.

Not buying this about Vitt until I see/hear it for myself. Remember how the NFL said Hargrove "admitted there was a bounty" when he actually said no such thing in his affadavit.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

Roger's ego. Keep the pressure on Jon. Don't let up, even a little.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

Still plays for the Saints? Basically everyone who is not a Saint, got a nice reduction in their suspension. Everyone who is still a Saint, no reduction. Makes you go hmmmmm

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

"Discipline Reaffirmed For Four Players Suspended For Participation In Saints Bounty Program" official statement here:

http://nfllabor.files.wordpress.com/...-12-saints.pdf

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

There has never been denying that there were payments for hard hits (cartoffs & knockouts). That does not mean anyone admitted to bounties (pay to injure/intent to injure). BIG difference.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

Nobody has admitted anything about a bounty system. In fact, they have ALL sworn there were no bounties. Vitt swore in court that there was a pay for performance program, but there was not a bounty system.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

So says yet another piece of paper. Goodell has been putting words in the mouths of our players since this began. How is this any different?

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

Which is why Goodell changed his basis for punishment to "conduct detrimental..."

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

It isn't, which is why it isn't over.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

Here I am, again, shocked I tell you, absolutely shocked! Everything stays the same including how much I love the komissar. Would have difficulty handing him a glass of water if he were on fire.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

If this is true, Vitt might be the next cart-off. :mad:

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

He is just mad because saints are not treating him like a god that he thinks he is. How does everyone who isnt still on the team get reduced?fu#! his dead granny and his kids.He said at the beginning that if Payton did what he was suppose to then we have a chance to get our second round pick back.I bet that doesnt happen.Hes making an example out of us and all the expert/analyst say pay for performance happens on every team.

MOOT they are ALL suspended for Conduct Detrimental now.

Bounty/PFP/Nose hair.... Doesn't matter.

However for the sake of your argument. Please clarify the difference between injure and having to be taken off the field on a cart.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

:popcorn:

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

There is nothing new, Sarge. Vitt said there was a pay for performance program as he has stated since day one. There was one. But, he has continued to vehemently deny there was ever any program that had anything to do with intent to injure. Vitt is a good guy in all of this. A VERY good guy.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

They had a program which included a reward for a player missing time in a game due a hard legal hit. A pay to injure program implies intent to injure. A pay for performance program simply rewarded, albeit still against the rules, a legal hit that resulted in a player leaving the game for a play or more. BIG difference there. The first implies targeting players, while the second describes players getting extra compensation for doing their job, albeit still against the rules.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

But, it does matter. Because now the Vilma vs. Goodell suit can continue. Greeg Williams and Mike Cerullo have been served subpenas and must undergo direct examination by Vilma's attorney. Goodell had fought this tooth and nail, but later this evening I will try to post my theory on why this now may have changed.

By the way, that is called a tease.

;)

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

And by the way, there has been no new information released today that wasn't already known. Nothing has changed beyond a couple of reduced suspensions.

That is correct!

Honesty at this point I don't care what happens. Vilma is not healthy enough to play and Smith plays like he isn't healthy.

The team just doesn't need the distraction any more.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

While this is true, Vilma also needs redemption and Goodell needs to be crucified and that can only happen if this all continues in court.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

I find myself feeling the same way. I want Vilma to stick it to the a hole just because he is a douche. Other than that, we need to move on.

Re: NFL re-issues bounty discipline**UPDATED**
 

You still haven't explained to me Guido the difference between paying to injure and paying for cart-offs. I've never seen a non-injured player get carted off the field. It's like if I told you I was going to have you put in a body bag, but denying that it means I'm going to have you killed.