Vilma files brief on Goodell's statements last night; appears to be going for the win

Attached Thumbnails · 08-06-2012, 04:16 PM

With Commissioner Roger Goodell discussing the bounty case on Saturday, the lawyer representing Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma has filed a new legal document arguing that Goodell’s comments prove that the suspension imposed against Vilma should be overturned.

PFT has obtained a copy of the new filing.

“Goodell claims to have reviewed 50,000 pages of ‘evidence,’ but produced approximately 180 pages prior to the Appeal Hearing,” lawyer Peter Ginsberg writes. ”It is simply impossible that Goodell only considered the ‘evidence’ produced prior to the Appeal Hearing, both because the 180 pages do not come close to justifying any punishment and because it is humanly impossible to block out, and not consider, over 99 per cent of the information gathered. Now, in light of the airing of the 180 pages, and the dearth of evidence provided, Goodell is publicly attempting to justify his actions based upon purported undisclosed evidence.”

It’s a point we’ve made once or twice here. Goodell knows much more about the investigation than what was introduced at the June 18 appeal hearing. So how can he set aside what he knows and make a decision based only on the documents produced to the players who have been suspended and introduced at the hearing? ...

"Goodell has revised the allegation to be that the Saints engaged in a program that rewarded players for good, clean plays that did not involve designated specific opposing players for injury,” Ginsberg writes.

...

Finally, Vilma accuses the NFL of leaking to the media the settlement talks between the league and the player. ”Vilma entered into settlement discussions with the NFL in good faith,” Ginsberg writes.

...

The broader point here is that Vilma apparently isn’t thinking about settling. He’s thinking about winning. And his lawyer is using everything at his disposal to get there.

Linkback to ProFootballTalk

Halo · 08-06-2012, 04:21 PM

This is what the NFL gets for taking on one of its players whose job is to NEVER back down from a fight.

Sorry Roger, but it appears Vilma is not going to shake hands, take a slap on the wrist and go back and play quietly on the playground.

I think this has gone WAYYYYYY beyond that for Vilma.

saintfan · 08-06-2012, 04:21 PM

I noticed that at some point over the weekend where Roger said he had lots of evidence he hadn't disclosed - that was his defense when he was asked if, in fact, the Saints had a pay-for-performance and not a bounty program. Damn I'm starting to think like a lawyer? Somebody punch my face now! LOL

Give 'em hell Jon. Don't settle. Fight this man all the way to the bitter damn end.

Hell Halo, the site should take up a collection - just a token few dollars to send to Jon for his legal expenses. Maybe we pay for lunch is all, but it'd be a nice gesture. LOL

Brandon428 · 08-06-2012, 04:21 PM

Goodell screwed himself! If he had real evidence and was sure that Vilma was guilty he would have NEVER offered a deal to reduce the sentence in exchange for Vilma to drop the suit. That's just common sense!

SmashMouth · 08-06-2012, 04:22 PM

In a Monday federal court filing, suspended New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma asked the court to investigate a potential breach of the confidentiality of settlement talks involving Vilma, the NFL Players Association and the NFL.

ESPN reported late Sunday night that Vilma has received a settlement offer from the

New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma leaves Federal Court with his attorneys Thursday July 26, 2012 where he is seeking a temporary restraining order to allow him to continue to work while his lawsuit against Roger Goodell is pending.
NFL offering him a reduction of his yearlong suspension to eight games, conditional upon dropping his defamation suit against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

"Vilma entered into settlement discussions with the NFL in good faith," Vilma's attorney, Peter Ginsberg, said in the filing. "Vilma is well aware of, and has absolutely complied with, his obligations to safeguard the existence and substance of all such discussions, as have all of his representatives.

"Media reporting of settlement discussions, attributed to "NFL sources," coming the day after the harsh and unfortunate comments from Goodell, some of which are identified above, reflect a long-standing media campaign by Goodell and the NFL in this matter. Vilma respectfully requests the Court to make inquiry regarding the breach of the obligations to retain the confidentiality of settlement discussions."

ESPN's report said that the offer was made late last week in the process of ongoing settlement talks involving the NFL, Vilma and three current and former suspended Saints players represented by the NFL Players Association.

A conflicting report, however, emerged Monday morning from the NFL's media site, NFL.com, in which a source familiar with the negotiations said that the league "has made no settlement offer" to Vilma.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said that the league has made no settlement offer.

"Today's report about a settlement offer by the league to Jonathan Vilma is completely inaccurate," Aiello said in a prepared statement. "No such settlement offer has been made. We will continue to respect the court proceedings on this matter and have no further comment at this time."

Vilma's attorney, Peter Ginsberg, did not respond to requests for comment.

read more

saintfan · 08-06-2012, 04:26 PM

Punch his face Jon. Then punch it again.

TheOak · 08-06-2012, 04:29 PM

"The truth is Goodell, you're the tyranny of evil men. "

Halo · 08-06-2012, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by saintfan

Hell Halo, the site should take up a collection - just a token few dollars to send to Jon for his legal expenses. Maybe we pay for lunch is all, but it'd be a nice gesture. LOL

LOL I think neither Vilma nor his attorney need the small pickings we could muster. A $1000 could cover, maybe, half the cost of making copies on some of these filings. LOL

If we take a collection, we need to put it into the cost of running this site monthly as a donation from Vilma. We've given him ample, deserved, free press.

JoanieNTX · 08-06-2012, 04:42 PM

I am darned proud of JV! He's determined to see this through and get whatever form of justice he can get, and that takes guts! True test of his character and endurance. Geaux, JV!!!

sharke · 08-06-2012, 04:48 PM

this might make my just purchased "Free Vilma" shirt irrelevant.....

08-06-2012, 04:16 PM	#1
Threaded by Halo Site Donor MONTHLY Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 20,717 Blog Entries: 45 Rating: (0 votes - average) With Commissioner Roger Goodell discussing the bounty case on Saturday, the lawyer representing Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma has filed a new legal document arguing that Goodell’s comments prove that the suspension imposed against Vilma should be overturned. PFT has obtained a copy of the new filing. “Goodell claims to have reviewed 50,000 pages of ‘evidence,’ but produced approximately 180 pages prior to the Appeal Hearing,” lawyer Peter Ginsberg writes. ”It is simply impossible that Goodell only considered the ‘evidence’ produced prior to the Appeal Hearing, both because the 180 pages do not come close to justifying any punishment and because it is humanly impossible to block out, and not consider, over 99 per cent of the information gathered. Now, in light of the airing of the 180 pages, and the dearth of evidence provided, Goodell is publicly attempting to justify his actions based upon purported undisclosed evidence.” It’s a point we’ve made once or twice here. Goodell knows much more about the investigation than what was introduced at the June 18 appeal hearing. So how can he set aside what he knows and make a decision based only on the documents produced to the players who have been suspended and introduced at the hearing? ... "Goodell has revised the allegation to be that the Saints engaged in a program that rewarded players for good, clean plays that did not involve designated specific opposing players for injury,” Ginsberg writes. ... Finally, Vilma accuses the NFL of leaking to the media the settlement talks between the league and the player. ”Vilma entered into settlement discussions with the NFL in good faith,” Ginsberg writes. ... The broader point here is that Vilma apparently isn’t thinking about settling. He’s thinking about winning. And his lawyer is using everything at his disposal to get there. Linkback to ProFootballTalk Attached Thumbnails kcsaints likes this.
Views: 7521

08-06-2012, 04:21 PM	#2
Halo Site Donor MONTHLY Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 20,717 Blog Entries: 45	This is what the NFL gets for taking on one of its players whose job is to NEVER back down from a fight. Sorry Roger, but it appears Vilma is not going to shake hands, take a slap on the wrist and go back and play quietly on the playground. I think this has gone WAYYYYYY beyond that for Vilma. Ashley, savoyk, JoanieNTX and 5 others like this.

08-06-2012, 04:21 PM	#3
saintfan Donated Plasma Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 18,556 Blog Entries: 5	I noticed that at some point over the weekend where Roger said he had lots of evidence he hadn't disclosed - that was his defense when he was asked if, in fact, the Saints had a pay-for-performance and not a bounty program. Damn I'm starting to think like a lawyer? Somebody punch my face now! LOL Give 'em hell Jon. Don't settle. Fight this man all the way to the bitter damn end. Hell Halo, the site should take up a collection - just a token few dollars to send to Jon for his legal expenses. Maybe we pay for lunch is all, but it'd be a nice gesture. LOL sharke likes this.
	C'mon Man...

08-06-2012, 04:21 PM	#4
Brandon428 100th Post Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lafayette Posts: 158	Goodell screwed himself! If he had real evidence and was sure that Vilma was guilty he would have NEVER offered a deal to reduce the sentence in exchange for Vilma to drop the suit. That's just common sense! Halo, pumpkindriver and kcsaints like this.

08-06-2012, 04:22 PM	#5
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,200 Blog Entries: 29	New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma asks court to inquire about breach of confidentiality In a Monday federal court filing, suspended New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma asked the court to investigate a potential breach of the confidentiality of settlement talks involving Vilma, the NFL Players Association and the NFL. ESPN reported late Sunday night that Vilma has received a settlement offer from the New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma leaves Federal Court with his attorneys Thursday July 26, 2012 where he is seeking a temporary restraining order to allow him to continue to work while his lawsuit against Roger Goodell is pending. NFL offering him a reduction of his yearlong suspension to eight games, conditional upon dropping his defamation suit against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. "Vilma entered into settlement discussions with the NFL in good faith," Vilma's attorney, Peter Ginsberg, said in the filing. "Vilma is well aware of, and has absolutely complied with, his obligations to safeguard the existence and substance of all such discussions, as have all of his representatives. "Media reporting of settlement discussions, attributed to "NFL sources," coming the day after the harsh and unfortunate comments from Goodell, some of which are identified above, reflect a long-standing media campaign by Goodell and the NFL in this matter. Vilma respectfully requests the Court to make inquiry regarding the breach of the obligations to retain the confidentiality of settlement discussions." ESPN's report said that the offer was made late last week in the process of ongoing settlement talks involving the NFL, Vilma and three current and former suspended Saints players represented by the NFL Players Association. A conflicting report, however, emerged Monday morning from the NFL's media site, NFL.com, in which a source familiar with the negotiations said that the league "has made no settlement offer" to Vilma. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said that the league has made no settlement offer. "Today's report about a settlement offer by the league to Jonathan Vilma is completely inaccurate," Aiello said in a prepared statement. "No such settlement offer has been made. We will continue to respect the court proceedings on this matter and have no further comment at this time." Vilma's attorney, Peter Ginsberg, did not respond to requests for comment. read more Attached Thumbnails

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08-06-2012, 04:26 PM	#6
saintfan Donated Plasma Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 18,556 Blog Entries: 5	Punch his face Jon. Then punch it again. JoanieNTX, halloween 65, kcsaints and 1 others like this.

08-06-2012, 04:29 PM	#7
TheOak 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress Tx. Posts: 19,026	"The truth is Goodell, you're the tyranny of evil men. " saintfan, Rugby Saint II and JoanieNTX like this.

08-06-2012, 04:39 PM	#8
Halo Site Donor MONTHLY Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 20,717 Blog Entries: 45	Originally Posted by saintfan Hell Halo, the site should take up a collection - just a token few dollars to send to Jon for his legal expenses. Maybe we pay for lunch is all, but it'd be a nice gesture. LOL LOL I think neither Vilma nor his attorney need the small pickings we could muster. A $1000 could cover, maybe, half the cost of making copies on some of these filings. LOL If we take a collection, we need to put it into the cost of running this site monthly as a donation from Vilma. We've given him ample, deserved, free press. saintfan and pumpkindriver like this.

08-06-2012, 04:42 PM	#9
JoanieNTX 500th Post Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 825	I am darned proud of JV! He's determined to see this through and get whatever form of justice he can get, and that takes guts! True test of his character and endurance. Geaux, JV!!! Halo likes this.

08-06-2012, 04:48 PM	#10
sharke evil decepticon Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 583	this might make my just purchased "Free Vilma" shirt irrelevant..... Halo likes this.

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