NFL: Saints Bounty Thread

[AsylumGuido]

New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma won't challenge Paul Tagliabue's decision in bounty case

New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma does not intend to challenge former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue's decision to vacate his suspension, according to Vilma's filing in U.S. District Court on Wednesday. But Vilma did ask to lift the stay of the discovery process in his defamation lawsuit against current NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

If Judge Helen "Ginger" Berrigan lifts the stay on the suit and begins discovery, then Vilma's legal team could request all of the evidence the NFL claims to have in the bounty investigation.

"Commissioner Tagliabue's rationalization of Commissioner Goodell's actions does nothing to rectify the harm done by the baseless allegations lodged against Jonathan," Peter Ginsberg, Vilma's lawyer, said Tuesday. "Jonathan has a right and every intention to pursue proving what really occurred and we look forward to returning to a public forum where the true facts can see the light of day.

"We call upon Commissioner Tagliabue to release the transcripts of the proceedings held before him so that they are available as we go forward. Finally, it is regrettable that the NFL continues unjustifiably to attack the New Orleans Saints, an organization comprised of decent and honest people who continue to stand strong in the face of these baseless attacks."