RockyMountainSaint

Tagliabue tells NFL to produce Cerullo, Williams for testimony | ProFootballTalk
When former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue convenes the appeal hearing in the bounty case, two key witnesses will be required to attend and testify.

According to the Associated Press, a document sent by Tagliabue to the parties directs the NFL to produce former Saints assistant Mike Cerullo and former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams for questioning.

Cerullo reportedly has indicated that he’ll attend (after all, he still wants to work in the NFL). Williams reportedly has declined. If, however, Williams wants to ever work in the NFL again, he’ll show up.

If he doesn’t, the NFL should be blocked from relying on Williams’ sworn statement, which curiously was signed in September after an internal appeal board threw out the first wave of bounty suspensions, forcing the NFL to start the process over, from scratch.

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RockyMountainSaint

Tagliabue to finish bounty hearings by Dec. 4, issue ruling quickly - NFL - CBSSports.com News, Rumors, Scores, Stats, Fantasy
In a document obtained Wednesday by the Associated Press, Tagliabue directs the NFL to produce key witnesses in the New Orleans Saints' cash-for-hits program, including former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and former defensive assistant Mike Cerullo.

Four players initially were suspended, but those punishments were vacated and Tagliabue was appointed to oversee new hearings. Meanwhile, Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma and defensive end Will Smith are still playing.

Even as Tagliabue moves the process forward, a federal judge is still considering arguments by players that Tagliabue should be removed as arbitrator because he is biased in favor of the NFL. Based on the schedule laid out by Tagliabue, U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan could choose to rule as early as next week.

For now, only Williams, Cerullo, Vilma, Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt and NFL chief security officer Jeff Miller are the only scheduled witnesses.

They are scheduled to appear in a series of hearings in Washington, D.C., running from Tuesday through Dec. 4. That means Vilma and Smith likely will be available at least for the Saints' next two games against San Francisco this Sunday and at Atlanta on Nov. 29. They could also play at the New York Giants on Dec. 9.

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D_it_up

If Williams doesn't testify to back up his "sworn statement", I fully believe that Tagliabue is going to be a lot more fair in this whole thing than Goodell has ever been. He was never big on suspensions anyway unless it was a last resort. Even if Williams does testify, it doesn't mean that it is a slam dunk for the NFL to win.

Mardigras9

Put up or Shut up

jeanpierre

As a fan, I for one want Cerullo and Williams there and the evidence based on their depositions submitted...

...because, I want them grilled, Voir Dire'd about the evidence and statements provided while Vilma, Fujita, Hargrove, and Smith face them...

I am a Saints fan, but I want the Truth about what happened so I want have any doubt/guilt when I smack a Falcon or Viking b*tch in the mouth about how we cheated....

saintfan

Rugby Saint II

Finally!!!

RockyMountainSaint

I just want the truth.

I CAN handle it.

QBREES9

Saints assistant Mike ( Da RAT ) Cerullo