Bounty players' bans overturned

[raptorsfan29]

http//espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8349080/suspensions-jonathan-vilma-smith-scott-fujita-anthony-hargrove-overturned-appeals-panel

Just thought i was pass this on.

And for those with a link clicking impediment.

"NEW ORLEANS -- The suspensions of Jonathan Vilma and three other players in the NFL's bounty investigation were lifted Friday by a three-member appeals panel, and the league reinstated those players a few minutes later.

While the ruling allows Saints linebacker Vilma, banned for the 2012 season, Saints defensive end Will Smith, Cleveland linebacker Scott Fujita and free agent defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove to play immediately, it does not permanently void their suspensions.

Still, the ruling comes just two days before the first full slate of NFL games this season and is a setback for commissioner Roger Goodell and the league.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Goodell would "make an expedited determination of the discipline imposed" for violating the league's bounty rule.

"Until that determination is made, the four players are reinstated and eligible to play starting this weekend," Aiello said.

League sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that Goodell is likely to reach a new decision in the coming weeks, but it will not be before this weekend's games.

Vilma tweeted: "Victory is mine!!!! -stewie griffin."

Added Fujita: "I'm overwhelmed with all the support. Thank you so much everyone. Can't tell you how much it means to me."

The ruling does not affect New Orleans coach Sean Payton (suspended for the season), interim coach Joe Vitt (six games) or general manager Mickey Loomis (six games).

If Vilma, Smith and Fujita are now on their respective teams' rosters Sunday, their salaraies will be guaranteed for the 2012 season. Hargrove was released by the Packers in the preseason.

"I think it is an extremely strong statement that a three-judge panel unanimously ruled to lift the suspensions," Saints quarterback Drew Brees told ESPN's Ed Werder. "It makes you feel like they took a very hard look at all the evidence there and saw that we were in the right. ... Today makes you feel like justice has been served."

While the panel did not address the merits of the NFL's bounty investigation, it said Goodell overstepped his authority in hearing the players' appeals of their punishment for their roles in the Saints bounty program that paid cash bonuses for hits that injured opponents.

The panel's decision states that special master Stephen Burbank, not Goodell, should discipline players for receiving money from a pool that paid for big plays. Goodell's role, the panel said, should be limited to whether he can prove the players intended to injure opponents, which would fall in the category of conduct detrimental to the game. Players and coaches implicated in the bounty pool have testified under oath in a related federal court case they never intended to injure opposing players.

"Whether the commissioner tries to readdress the situation or not is his call," said Peter Ginsberg, Vilma's attorney. "We are certainly hoping the appeals board has made it clear the commissioner tried to grab jurisdiction and impose penalties over an area he does not have oversight. ... The factual record in the court makes it clear he has acted in a biased and inappropriate manner."

The Saints open their season at home against Washington on Sunday, while the Browns host Philadelphia.

Earlier this week, Saints interim head coach Aaron Kromer said Smith, who participated in training camp and the preseason before he began serving his four-game suspension on Monday, would be ready to play against Washington if available.

Vilma's status was not as clear. His season-long suspension began before training camp and he has been trying to work his way back from offseason surgery on his left knee.

Saints players had recently finished practice when they received word of the panel's ruling.

"It's huge," said Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins, a defensive captain. "Those are two huge leaders we've got. They're great players. We've got a talented team, but you add Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma, our talent level goes up that much. For our team, it's a break."

Even if Vilma could not play right away, Jenkins said his presence in the locker room and meetings would be valuable.

"Great news and exciting to hear," Saints linebacker Scott Shanle told Werder. "It's been a long process that didn't involve a lot of facts. These guys have stood strong and stood by what was right. Glad it paid off with this ruling."

A team source previously told Werder that Vilma planned to attend Sunday's season opener against the Redskins, but believed he was at least a week or two from being ready because of a knee injury.

The Browns were notified by the league that Fujita was eligible. They were also issued a roster exemption, which will allow them to carry 54 players.

Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson was sure the 33-year-old Fujita would be able to come back and have an immediate impact.

"I'm confident Scott has been keeping his conditioning up and he knows the system," Jackson said.

"He's got what, 12 years in? He'll be fine. If he's able to come back there will be a lot of excitement in this locker room."

Fujita was barred from Cleveland's training facility this week, but he stayed in town and worked out on his own at nearby Baldwin Wallace University in the event the suspension was lifted. Fujita, who serves on the NFLPA's executive committee, had expressed confidence he would be on the field in Week 1. His return is welcome news to the Browns.

Hargrove, docked eight games, was released last month by Green Bay and is not currently with a team.

The panel consisted of retired federal Judge Fern Smith of San Francisco, retired federal Judge Richard Howell of New York, and Georgetown professor James Oldham. It met in New York last week to hear arguments from the NFL Players Association, which appealed Burbank's ruling that Goodell had the authority to hear and rule on the players' appeals of their suspensions. NFL attorneys had asked the panel to affirm Burbank's ruling, but the panel sided in large part with the union.

[Landshark]

Looks like there is someone who can stand up to Kim Jong Goodell

[tubba marxxx]

Looks like there is someone who can stand up to Kim Jong Goodell

I'm partial to Goodell Castro...but I like what you did there

[bsmooth]

"I think it is an extremely strong statement that a three-judge panel unanimously ruled to lift the suspensions," Saints quarterback Drew Brees told ESPN's Ed Werder. "It makes you feel like they took a very hard look at all the evidence there and saw that we were in the right. ... Today makes you feel like justice has been served."

He should stick to throwing passes as he is completely wrong. This is not an acquittal...only a ruling that someone else needed to make the decision.

[fyo]

He should stick to throwing passes as he is completely wrong. This is not an acquittal...only a ruling that someone else needed to make the decision.

And a ruling that Goodell actually has to present the evidence, which is the real kicker.

[Landshark]

And a ruling that Goodell actually has to present the evidence, which is the real kicker.

This is exactly what I was alluding to up above.  This is America.  You are innocent until proven guilty.  Apparently Kim Jong Goodell doesn't understand that.  But he is about to learn.

The personal conduct policy can get you suspended if you get arrested for whatever reason, even if you're not convicted.  Also, I think Goodell overstepped his bounds big time suspending Tyrell Pryor who committed no wrongdoings whatsoever as an NFL employee.

[EKnight]

Isn't it a possibility- in fact, a LIKELY one- that Goodell presents the evidence, the players get re-suspended, and end up looking more foolish when irrefutable facts are presents against them? -EK

[Landshark]

Isn't it a possibility- in fact, a LIKELY one- that Goodell presents the evidence, the players get re-suspended, and end up looking more foolish when irrefutable facts are presents against them? -EK

Still, that's the American way.

[fyo]

Isn't it a possibility- in fact, a LIKELY one- that Goodell presents the evidence, the players get re-suspended, and end up looking more foolish when irrefutable facts are presents against them?

Maybe, but Goodell has presented at least SOME evidence to and it didn't deter the players from proceeding with the case (and winning it). Add to that the complaints from Goodell that the involved players have refused to cooperate and, basically, rat each other out, and I'm just not convinced the evidence is there.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

The ONLY thing this ruling does is affectively end Sean Payton's career.

Goodel has all the evidence he needs in Payton's and Willaims admissions and confessions.  Their reinstatment as coaches is conditioned on their cooperation.  Which means that in the next hearing they will need to publicly name names.  If they don't they will be permanently banned from the league.  If they do they won't have the locker room when they coach.   

[Tenshot13]

The ONLY thing this ruling does is affectively end Sean Payton's career.

Goodel has all the evidence he needs in Payton's and Willaims admissions and confessions.  Their reinstatment as coaches is conditioned on their cooperation.  Which means that in the next hearing they will need to publicly name names.  If they don't they will be permanently banned from the league.  If they do they won't have the locker room when they coach.  

There is no way they permanently ban Payton. The fallout would after that would be disastrous.

[EKnight]

The entire organization is apparently in a sh*t storm for covering up Vicodin use by employees. Once the DEA is involved stuff gets serious. -EK

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

The ONLY thing this ruling does is affectively end Sean Payton's career.

Goodel has all the evidence he needs in Payton's and Willaims admissions and confessions.  Their reinstatment as coaches is conditioned on their cooperation.  Which means that in the next hearing they will need to publicly name names.  If they don't they will be permanently banned from the league.  If they do they won't have the locker room when they coach.   

I was pretty close.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/17/nfl-tells-vilma-williams-confirmed-you-put-a-bounty-on-favre/

Once Williams is reinstated he will never have the support a locker room.  And Vilma will be suspended, in due time.