NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The NFL has asked a U.S. District Court judge
to dismiss Jonathan Vilma's motion seeking to have his season-long
suspension overturned.
The Saints linebacker is scheduled to have a hearing on
Thursday. But the NFL wants the case dismissed because the
collective bargaining agreement reached last August to end the
lockout gives Commissioner Roger Goodell the authority to punish
players for "conduct detrimental" to the NFL.
Vilma and Saints coach Sean Payton have been suspended for the
2012 season for their roles in the bounty program the NFL says went
on for three seasons.
The NFL also claims Vilma and three other players suspended
refused "to exhaust the dispute resolution procedures" by not
defending themselves during the appeals process.
