Football Saints' Jonathan Vilma suspended for 2012 season

**bevischief** · 05-02-2012, 10:37 AM

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d..._breaking_news

New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma has been suspended for the 2012 season, as the NFL handed down its player discipline Wednesday for the Saints' pay-for-performance "bounty" scandal.

Three other players -- Scott Fujita, Anthony Hargrove, Will Smith -- in addition to Vilma were notified that they have been suspended without pay for conduct detrimental to the NFL as a result of their leadership roles in the "bounty" program that endangered player safety over three seasons from 2009-2011.

“It is the obligation of everyone, including the players on the field, to ensure that rules designed to promote player safety, fair play, and the integrity of the game are adhered to and effectively and consistently enforced,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “Respect for the men that play the game starts with the way players conduct themselves with each other on the field.”

The discipline breaks down, per a league release, as follows:

• Linebacker Jonathan Vilma of the Saints is suspended without pay for the 2012 NFL season, effective immediately per league policy for season-long suspensions.

• Linebacker Scott Fujita (now with the Cleveland Browns) is suspended without pay for the first three games.

• Defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove (now with the Green Bay Packers) is suspended without pay for the first eight games.

• Will Smith of the Saints is suspended without pay for the first four games.

The players will have three days to appeal the punishments.

“In assessing player discipline,” Goodell said, “I focused on players who were in leadership positions at the Saints; contributed a particularly large sum of money toward the program; specifically contributed to a bounty on an opposing player; demonstrated a clear intent to participate in a program that potentially injured opposing players; sought rewards for doing so; and/or obstructed the 2010 investigation.”

“No bounty program can exist without active player participation,” Goodell added. “The evidence clearly showed that the players being held accountable today willingly and enthusiastically embraced the bounty program. Players put the vast majority of the money into this program and they share responsibility for playing by the rules and protecting each other within those rules.”

On April 16, sources close to the linebacker told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora that Vilma was bracing himself for a suspension ranging anywhere from two to eight games.

Vilma was the only Saints player involved in the "bounty" scandal to see his name released to the public after the details emerged of a program in which then-defensive coordinator Gregg Williams orchestrated a pay-for-performance system from 2009 through 2011 that rewarded players for cart off and knock-out hits.

Williams already has been suspended indefinitely by the league, while Saints head coach Sean Payton is suspended without pay for the 2012 season and general manager will miss the first eight games of the season. Assistant coach Joe Vitt, suspended six games for his role in the scandal, will serve as the team's interim head coach in Payton's absence.

According to a Sports Illustrated report from March, Vilma allegedly offered $10,000 to any player who could knock out then-Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre from the 2009 NFC Championship Game. During that game Favre endured a number of gruesome hits, and he suffered a nasty ankle injury late in the game.
Smith: Five rookie predictions
The draft is behind us. Who landed in a favorable spot? Which guys are doomed? Jason Smith offers rookie predictions. More ...

The Saints spent a portion of their offseason bolstering their linebacking corps, possibly in preparation for Vilma's punishment. The Saints signed middle linebacker Curtis Lofton away from the Atlanta Falcons in March, and later added former St. Louis Ram Chris Chamberlain.

Frankie · 05-02-2012, 10:41 AM

The Saints are on our schedule, no? So the more suspensions the better.

vailpass · 05-02-2012, 10:42 AM

at Green Bay.

You knew these were coming. Goodell can not allow the NFL to be exposed to law suits from bounty hunting.

**Rain Man** · 05-02-2012, 10:42 AM

Fujita, Fujita, Fujita...where did we go wrong?

**The Franchise** · 05-02-2012, 10:43 AM

Hopefully Brees won't be with them in week 2 as well.

**bevischief** · 05-02-2012, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Hopefully Brees won't be with them in week 2 as well.

We can only hope...

vailpass · 05-02-2012, 10:46 AM

Glad to see Tracey Porter didn't get hit.

Direckshun · 05-02-2012, 10:48 AM

Awesome.

This game is getting closer and closer to winnable.

Hoover · 05-02-2012, 10:51 AM

We will have three running backs rush for 100 yards in this game! I hear we might not even play Cassel. Charles and HB, Hillis and FB, and McCluster at QB

Coogs · 05-02-2012, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Hopefully Brees won't be with them in week 2 as well.

Kind of sad when we want to play the opponents JV team? Not bagging on you either Pestilence, it's just the prevailing thought that if the other team is at full strength... we are probably in trouble. Can't wait until those days are behind us.

scho63 · 05-02-2012, 10:57 AM

I am stunned by this-Roger Goodell doesn't fuck around!

Garcia Bronco · 05-02-2012, 10:58 AM

Dude...the saints could sign Joe Mo in his prime and they are still going to get abused this season.

Skyy God · 05-02-2012, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scho63

I am stunned by this-Roger Goodell doesn't fuck around!

Ginger Hammer'd.

Hammock Parties · 05-02-2012, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Awesome.

This game is getting closer and closer to winnable.

Don't be reeruned.

They still have Drew Brees, we still have Matt Casshole.

It's game ****ing over.

**Iowanian** · 05-02-2012, 11:15 AM

Brett Favre should text Vilma a pic of his pickle.

05-02-2012, 10:37 AM
bevischief .... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somewhere Kansas Casino cash: $8659352 VARSITY	Saints' Jonathan Vilma suspended for 2012 season http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d..._breaking_news New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma has been suspended for the 2012 season, as the NFL handed down its player discipline Wednesday for the Saints' pay-for-performance "bounty" scandal. Three other players -- Scott Fujita, Anthony Hargrove, Will Smith -- in addition to Vilma were notified that they have been suspended without pay for conduct detrimental to the NFL as a result of their leadership roles in the "bounty" program that endangered player safety over three seasons from 2009-2011. “It is the obligation of everyone, including the players on the field, to ensure that rules designed to promote player safety, fair play, and the integrity of the game are adhered to and effectively and consistently enforced,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “Respect for the men that play the game starts with the way players conduct themselves with each other on the field.” The discipline breaks down, per a league release, as follows: • Linebacker Jonathan Vilma of the Saints is suspended without pay for the 2012 NFL season, effective immediately per league policy for season-long suspensions. • Linebacker Scott Fujita (now with the Cleveland Browns) is suspended without pay for the first three games. • Defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove (now with the Green Bay Packers) is suspended without pay for the first eight games. • Will Smith of the Saints is suspended without pay for the first four games. The players will have three days to appeal the punishments. “In assessing player discipline,” Goodell said, “I focused on players who were in leadership positions at the Saints; contributed a particularly large sum of money toward the program; specifically contributed to a bounty on an opposing player; demonstrated a clear intent to participate in a program that potentially injured opposing players; sought rewards for doing so; and/or obstructed the 2010 investigation.” “No bounty program can exist without active player participation,” Goodell added. “The evidence clearly showed that the players being held accountable today willingly and enthusiastically embraced the bounty program. Players put the vast majority of the money into this program and they share responsibility for playing by the rules and protecting each other within those rules.” On April 16, sources close to the linebacker told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora that Vilma was bracing himself for a suspension ranging anywhere from two to eight games. Vilma was the only Saints player involved in the "bounty" scandal to see his name released to the public after the details emerged of a program in which then-defensive coordinator Gregg Williams orchestrated a pay-for-performance system from 2009 through 2011 that rewarded players for cart off and knock-out hits. Williams already has been suspended indefinitely by the league, while Saints head coach Sean Payton is suspended without pay for the 2012 season and general manager will miss the first eight games of the season. Assistant coach Joe Vitt, suspended six games for his role in the scandal, will serve as the team's interim head coach in Payton's absence. According to a Sports Illustrated report from March, Vilma allegedly offered $10,000 to any player who could knock out then-Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre from the 2009 NFC Championship Game. During that game Favre endured a number of gruesome hits, and he suffered a nasty ankle injury late in the game. Smith: Five rookie predictions The draft is behind us. Who landed in a favorable spot? Which guys are doomed? Jason Smith offers rookie predictions. More ... The Saints spent a portion of their offseason bolstering their linebacking corps, possibly in preparation for Vilma's punishment. The Saints signed middle linebacker Curtis Lofton away from the Atlanta Falcons in March, and later added former St. Louis Ram Chris Chamberlain.
Posts: 27,731

05-02-2012, 10:41 AM	#2
Frankie Banned Join Date: Jul 2001 Casino cash: $10004900	The Saints are on our schedule, no? So the more suspensions the better.
Posts: 26,959

05-02-2012, 10:42 AM	#3
vailpass Psycho Bag Of Squanch Join Date: Sep 2001 Casino cash: $9594244	at Green Bay. You knew these were coming. Goodell can not allow the NFL to be exposed to law suits from bounty hunting. __________________ “Education is a weapon whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.” Joseph Stalin
Posts: 69,591

05-02-2012, 10:42 AM	#4
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3288491 VARSITY	Fujita, Fujita, Fujita...where did we go wrong? __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,461

05-02-2012, 10:43 AM	#5
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $3075047	Hopefully Brees won't be with them in week 2 as well.
Posts: 92,192

05-02-2012, 10:46 AM	#7
vailpass Psycho Bag Of Squanch Join Date: Sep 2001 Casino cash: $9594244	Glad to see Tracey Porter didn't get hit. __________________ “Education is a weapon whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.” Joseph Stalin
Posts: 69,591

05-02-2012, 10:48 AM	#8
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4343447	Awesome. This game is getting closer and closer to winnable.
Posts: 59,282

05-02-2012, 10:51 AM	#9
Hoover Rufus Dawes Jr. Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $1628179	We will have three running backs rush for 100 yards in this game! I hear we might not even play Cassel. Charles and HB, Hillis and FB, and McCluster at QB
Posts: 17,363

05-02-2012, 10:57 AM	#11
scho63 Politically Incorrect Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Casino cash: $2741110	I am stunned by this-Roger Goodell doesn't fuck around! __________________ *"The only difference between sex for free and sex for money is that sex for free costs you a WHOLE LOT more!"* ~Redd Foxx~ ~~2018 2019 2020 20212022 2023~~ 2024 Adopt a Chief - Clark Hunt and Brett Veach "The men who drafted Patrick Mahomes"
Posts: 50,542

05-02-2012, 10:58 AM	#12
Garcia Bronco No Keys, No Problem Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Denver Casino cash: $5253136	Dude...the saints could sign Joe Mo in his prime and they are still going to get abused this season.
Posts: 30,865

05-02-2012, 11:15 AM	#15
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $4748454	Brett Favre should text Vilma a pic of his pickle.
Posts: 61,534