New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - Suspended New Orleans Saints linebacker
Jonathan Vilma won't be returning to the team anytime soon after a judge
decided against issuing a ruling for a temporary restraining order.
Vilma has asked the court to have a season-long suspension for his alleged
role in the Saints' bounty system overturned.
The NFL wants the suit dismissed, saying such proceedings don't belong in the
courts and should go through the league's appeals system because they were
collectively bargained by the NFL Players Association.
Vilma was hoping for a temporary restraining order on Friday that would have
allowed him to return to Saints training camp while the lawsuit continues.
According to WWLTV.com, U.S. District Court Judge Ginger Berrigan said the two
sides should continue settlement talks. She also didn't want to rule on the
case, although she apparently favors the player's side, before a league
arbitration hearing set for August 30.
Reports have surfaced indicating that the two sides were negotiating toward a
settlement that could reduce Vilma's penalty.
Vilma was among four players who received bans from commissioner Roger Goodell
earlier this year. Defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove, now with Green Bay, was
suspended eight games, defensive end Will Smith was hit with a four-game ban
and linebacker Scott Fujita, now playing for Cleveland, will sit for the first
three games of the 2012 campaign.
All of the suspensions are without pay and stem from the bounty system run
from 2009-11 by former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who was
suspended indefinitely in March. Saints head coach Sean Payton was also
suspended for a year for his knowledge of the program.
The Sports Network