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Thu, 23 May 2013 11:34:13 -0700
New Orleans Saints DE Kenyon Coleman (undisclosed), LB Jonathan Vilma (undisclosed), LB David Hawthorne (undisclosed) and FS Malcolm Jenkins (undisclosed) did not participate in team drills during organized team activities Thursday, May 23. Head coach Sean Payton said none of the players are dealing with serious injuries.
Tue, 21 May 2013 09:00:25 -0700
New Orleans Saints LB Will Smith lined up at outside linebacker for the first time as the team transitions to a 3-4 defense during OTAs Monday, May 20. "That's where we'll start him," head coach Sean Payton said, noting that outside linebackers often play pass-rushing roles in a 3-4 scheme. "We can play him right and left, but I think initially that right outside position would be very similar to what he's played for us in the past." LB Jonathan Vilma is expected to be one of the two inside linebackers in their new defense.
Thu, 02 May 2013 06:19:31 -0700
New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma has been the talk of the weight room and seems to be the front-runner for the second inside spot.
Wed, 13 Mar 2013 06:56:38 -0700
New Orleans Saints DE Will Smith and LB Jonathan Vilma took significant pay cuts in order to remain with the team. Smith's $1 million roster bonus and $150,000 workout bonus for 2013 remain, but his salary has been reduced to $3 million, a $6 million pay cut that lowers his cap number to $8.502 million for the upcoming season. Vilma, meanwhile, was scheduled to earn a $1.1 million roster bonus, along with a $100,000 workout bonus and $4.8 million salary for a 2013 cap number of $8.6325 million. Under the renegotiation, Vilma's roster bonus was erased and his base salary was reduced to $1 million. The team doubled his workout bonus to $200,000, all of which results in Vilma having a 2013 cap number of $3.8325 million, a reduction of $4.8 million for the upcoming season.
Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:51:52 -0800
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton said he envisions DE Will Smith, Jonathan Vilma and SS Roman Harper being on the team next season but understands roster moves could be made during the offseason. "First off, I do envision those guys in a Saints uniform, and yet I'm also realistic and understand that every year since the beginning of free agency the percentage of players on your roster that turns over is different than it used to be," Payton said.
Wed, 27 Feb 2013 23:01:25 -0800
The New Orleans Saints have offered a reduced contract offer to LB Jonathan Vilma, which would allow him to stay with the team. The two sides are discussing the deal.
Mon, 18 Feb 2013 05:57:42 -0800
The New Orleans Saints will ask LB Jonathan Vilma and DE Will Smith to restructure their contracts.
Wed, 13 Feb 2013 06:58:12 -0800
New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma will likely have to agree to adjust his salary to remain with the team. The Saints are currently projected to be at least $14 million over the salary cap. Vilma has a base salary of $4.8 million with a cap figure of $8.6 million.
Wed, 13 Feb 2013 06:54:20 -0800
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton said he believes LB Jonathan Vilma, a prototypical 4-3 middle linebacker, can make the switch to the team's new 3-4 scheme under defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Vilma is considered undersized to play middle linebacker in the 3-4; however, Payton can envision Vilma playing in a weakside linebacker spot with LB Curtis Lofton staying as a middle linebacker.
Sat, 09 Feb 2013 11:16:34 -0800
New Orleans Saints DE Cameron Jordan, LB Jonathan Vilma and CB Jabari Greer have all expressed their approval of new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. "I am excited to get to work with our new defensive coordinator," Greer said. "We have a lot of work to do, but we also have the men with the desire to get it done."
Thu, 24 Jan 2013 17:05:27 -0800
New Orleans Saints DE Will Smith and LB Jonathan Vilma may not fit the 3-4 defensive alignment the team is switching to next season.
Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:10:41 -0800
A federal judge has dismissed New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma's defamation lawsuit against NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Fri, 21 Dec 2012 19:41:22 -0800
New Orleans Saints DE Will Smith and LB Jonathan Vilma might be salary cap casualties in the offseason. They are the most likely veterans to be released unless the former Pro Bowlers agree to substantial pay cuts.
Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:51:53 -0800
The New Orleans Saints could consider releasing DE Will Smith and LB Jonathan Vilma this offseason in order to gain some salary cap space.
Thu, 15 Nov 2012 12:46:09 -0800
New Orleans Saints interim head coach Joe Vitt said LB Jonathan Vilma will see more playing time moving forward.
Mon, 05 Nov 2012 20:03:29 -0800
The hearing for suspended players in the bounty scandal with former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue will be November 20. New Orleans Saints DE Will Smith and LB Jonathan Vilman, Cleveland Browns LB Scott Fujita and free-agent DE Anthony Hargrove (Packers) will learn their fates then.
Sat, 27 Oct 2012 10:53:09 -0700
Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue has postponed the appeals hearings for New Orleans Saints DE Will Smith and LB Jonathan Vilma, Cleveland Browns LB Scott Fujita and free-agent DE Anthony Hargrove (Packers). The hearings were scheduled to occur Tuesday, Oct. 30, with Tagliabue in charge of the hearings but no reason was given for the postponement.
Tue, 23 Oct 2012 20:03:34 -0700
New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma and DE Will Smith can play in Week 8 against the Denver Broncos before their appeals are heard Oct. 30.
Sat, 20 Oct 2012 11:27:21 -0700
The New Orleans Saints may try to play LBs Jonathan Vilma and Curtis Lofton at the same time during games with one of the linebackers moving to outside linebacker.
Sat, 20 Oct 2012 10:57:55 -0700
The New Orleans Saints have activated LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) from the Physically Unable to Perform list. In a corresponding move, the team has released WR Greg Camarillo.
Sat, 20 Oct 2012 05:02:45 -0700
New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) appears ready to play in the team's Week 7 game. Interim head coach Aaron Kromer said Vilma had been impressive in practice all week. "Vilma looked good all week," Kromer said. "We've got to get together as a staff still, make sure everyone is on the same page, and decide on game day." The team still must activate Vilma from the Physically Unable to Perform list; however, all signs point to them doing just that.
Fri, 19 Oct 2012 08:56:58 -0700
New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) practiced again Thursday, Oct. 18, and there is a chance he could play in Week 7. However, the team has yet to activate him from the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Wed, 17 Oct 2012 14:34:26 -0700
New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) is extremely unlikely to play in Week 7 after returning to practice Wednesday, Oct. 17. He'll likely be eased into action in the coming weeks. Vilma will most likely rotate as an outside linebacker with LB Curtis Lofton entrenched at middle linebacker.
Wed, 17 Oct 2012 12:49:24 -0700
New Orleans Saints WR Lance Moore (hamstring), LB Jonathan Casillas (neck), DE Turk McBride (ankle), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) and RB Travaris Cadet (shoulder) all fully participated in practice Wednesday, Oct. 17.
Wed, 17 Oct 2012 12:30:20 -0700
New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) participated in practice Friday, Oct. 17, and interim head coach Aaron Kromer said he looked good. Vilma is on the Physically Unable to Perform list but his status for Week 7 will be determined on how well he knows defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's scheme. Spagnuolo said he will find a place for Vilma to play when he returns.
Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:05:41 -0700
Updating a previous report, the New Orleans Saints are not sure if LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) will be activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list before their Week 7 game. The team wants to see him perform in practice this week to determine if he would be ready to play in a game.
Mon, 15 Oct 2012 08:35:22 -0700
New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) told a television station that he will come off the Physically Unable to Perform list Tuesday, Oct. 16, and play in Week 7.
Fri, 12 Oct 2012 10:14:52 -0700
New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma, Saints DE Will Smith, Cleveland Browns LB Scott Fujita and free-agent DE Anthony Hargrove appealed the NFL's ruling in the latest twist to the bounty scandal. All four players have appealed asking that commissioner Roger Goodell remove himself from the case because he can't be impartial. All four players are now eligible to play or at least get paid until the NFL rules on their latest appeals.
Tue, 09 Oct 2012 13:54:54 -0700
The NFL re-issued the suspensions to players involved in the bounty scandal, and it has changed from the original ruling. New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma will be suspended for a full season but will still get game checks from his time on the physically unable to perform list; Cleveland Browns LB Scott Fujita had his suspension reduced from three games to one; New Orleans Saints DE Will Smith will still be suspended three games and free-agent DE Anthony Hargrove had his suspension reduced from eight games to seven. All players will have the opportunity to appeal the suspensions.
Thu, 27 Sep 2012 06:57:17 -0700
New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma revealed via his Twitter account Wednesday, Sept. 26, that ESPN is working on a "character study" of Vilma and suspended defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Vilma posted a photo of a letter sent to one of his former teammates with the New York Jets from an ESPN producer asking for an interview about Vilma. The letter said the sports network was preparing a "character study" of Vilma and Williams that would run this weekend.
Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:10:37 -0700
The NFL showed New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma during their meeting Monday, Sept. 17, a sworn affidavit from former New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams that stated that Vilma offered $10,000 to any teammate that can knock Minnesota Vikings QB Brett Favre out of the 2010 NFC Championship Game.
Mon, 17 Sep 2012 14:26:58 -0700
Updating a previous report, New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma met NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for a little over three hours Monday, Sept. 17. Attorney Peter Ginsberg said Vilma did most of the talking during the meeting and it was a productive meeting. Goodell is expected to make a decision on a possible Vilma suspension by next week.
Thu, 13 Sep 2012 07:16:45 -0700
New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma and his attorney Peter Ginsberg are meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell Monday, Sept. 17.
Mon, 10 Sep 2012 15:43:11 -0700
The New Orleans Saints placed LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) on the Physically Unable to Perform list Monday, Sept. 10, with his roster exemption expiring Monday.
Sat, 08 Sep 2012 05:08:48 -0700
New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) is not expected to play in Week 1 and is likely headed to the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Fri, 07 Sep 2012 13:43:25 -0700
Updating a previous report, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to make a new ruling in the bounty case involving New Orleans Saints DE Will Smith and LB Jonathan Vilma, Cleveland Browns LB Scott Fujita and free-agent DT Anthony Hargrove (Packers) in the next few weeks. The four players will be eligible to play Week 1 since the ruling will not come this weekend.
Fri, 07 Sep 2012 12:50:48 -0700
A three-member appeals panel have ruled that the suspensions to New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma and DE Will Smith, Cleveland Browns LB Scott Fujita and free-agent DE Anthony Hargrove (Packers) should be overturned. The four could still face discipline if there is evidence of intent to injure bounties in the case.
Fantasy Tip: This is a surprising development, although it's obviously not over yet. Playmakers Vilma and Smith could prove to be worth IDP roster spots, at least in deep leagues. Vilma would likely begin the season on the PUP list, however; the health of his surgically repaired left knee is in doubt. This would mostly be a positive for the Saints' team defense in non-IDP formats: The reinstatement of some important pieces, assuming that they're in shape, would be beneficial. If the league provides its evidence and still suspends the players, perhaps their suspensions will be for fewer games this time.
Thu, 23 Aug 2012 05:31:07 -0700
The NFL did offer an eight-game reduction in New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma's suspension at some point during discussions between the sides, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. However, Vilma did not accept the offer.
Fri, 10 Aug 2012 10:28:17 -0700
U.S. District Court Judge Ginger Berrigan heard arguments on a motion from the NFL to dismiss New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma's lawsuit but did not make a ruling. Berrigan said he wants to rule in favor of Vilma but is not sure if she can do it legally at this point. She has to wait for an arbiter to decide whether NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has the authority to punish Vilma in this case.
Thu, 09 Aug 2012 06:32:42 -0700
No settlement will be reached between the NFL and New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma regarding his season-long suspension for his alleged role in the team's bounty scandal prior to a hearing Friday, Aug. 10, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation. The sides were involved in court-ordered settlement talks before a hearing in New Orleans regarding Vilma's request for a temporary restraining order that would allow him to return to work until all legal proceedings were complete.
Wed, 08 Aug 2012 19:15:40 -0700
No settlement is expected between New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma and the NFL before the judge rules on the temporary restraining order as early as Friday, Aug. 10.
Mon, 06 Aug 2012 05:18:27 -0700
Updating a previous item, the National Football League has made no settlement offer to New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma regarding his season-long suspension for his role in a "bounty" program despite reports to the contrary, a source close to the situation said Monday, Aug. 6. However, the lack of an offer does not mean a proposal might not be made in the future.
Mon, 06 Aug 2012 04:45:26 -0700
The NFL has offered to reduce New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma's year-long suspension to eight games as part of ongoing settlement talks involving the league, the NFL Players Association and legal representatives for the four players who were suspended for their alleged participation in the team's bounty program from 2009-2011, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The league's offer was made late last week but it is conditional upon Vilma dropping a civil lawsuit charging commissioner Roger Goodell with defamation of character, sources said. Vilma has expressed his strong feelings about his tainted reputation. Settlement talks are expected to continue Monday, Aug. 6, and sources say that the next scheduled appearance before U.S. District Court Judge Ginger Berrigan Friday, Aug. 10, could serve as a soft deadline to reach a settlement.
Mon, 23 Jul 2012 09:39:24 -0700
New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma and lawyers for the NFL arrived at federal court Monday, July 23, for a settlement conference in Vilma's lawsuit seeking to overturn his season-long suspension in the team's bounty investigation.
Tue, 17 Jul 2012 09:30:54 -0700
New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma (knee), who has filed a restraining order that would temporarily block his season-long suspension in order to allow him to rehab his knee injury with the team's training staff, will still be able to work with the medical staff away from team headquarters. "Mr. Vilma is incorrect about the ability of the Saints medical staff to interact with him during his suspension; while Mr. Vilma may not attend the club facility, he can rehabilitate and condition at a private facility and Saints trainers and physicians can monitor and help guide his rehabilitation there."
Thu, 05 Jul 2012 09:29:57 -0700
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has filed a motion to dismiss defamation claims made against him by suspended New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma in connection with the league's "bounty" scandal investigation. The motion filed Thursday, July 5, comes in response to claims Vilma made in a lawsuit filed in May in federal court in New Orleans. Vilma claims his suspension is without merit and that Goodell has made false public comments that have damaged Vilma's reputation and hurt his ability to continue to make a living by playing football and through related endorsement deals. Goodell's motion says Vilma's claims are barred by dispute resolution procedures laid out by the NFL's collective bargaining agreement.
Tue, 03 Jul 2012 14:24:39 -0700
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has upheld the suspension of LB Jonathan Vilma without pay for the entire 2012 season due to his part in the bounty scandal. In addition, Saints DL Will Smith will serve his four-game suspension.
Tue, 03 Jul 2012 13:28:51 -0700
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell upheld the discipline imposed on Cleveland Browns LB Scott Fujita, Green Bay Packers DL Anthony Hargrove and New Orleans Saints DL Will Smith and LB Jonathan Vilma for their role in the Saints bounty scandal.
Mon, 02 Jul 2012 05:53:04 -0700
New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma is suing the NFL in federal court, claiming commissioner Roger Goodell failed to make a timely appeal ruling regarding Vilma's season-long suspension in connection with the league's bounty investigation. The lawsuit also asks for a temporary restraining order to allow Vilma to continue working if Goodell upholds the suspension. The suit contends Goodell has undermined "the integrity of the NFL and the Commissioner's office" by handing down punishments to Vilma and others based on evidence that is either flawed or cannot be substantiated.
Thu, 28 Jun 2012 06:12:55 -0700
Suspended New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma will seek an injunction against his punishment if NFL commissioner Roger Goodell does not overturn his suspension.
