Tagged: nfl

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Former Saints defensive lineman Anthony Hargove has described how he was told by ex-Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and current Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt to deny the existence of a bounty program to NFL investigators. In a sworn statement, Hargrove acknowledges that he acted on instructions to "play dumb" if asked whether he was aware of bounties being placed on players.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma has appealed his season-long suspension under the NFL's bounty investigation. Vilma was one of four players given suspensions of various lengths in the NFL's bounty probe.

NEW YORK (AP) — A former U.S. attorney hired by the NFL to evaluate its investigation of the New Orleans Saints' bounty program says the evidence shows payments were handed out and received for some hits on targeted opponents. She adds the players always had the option to say no, but didn't.

NEW YORK (AP) — New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma has been suspended without pay for the entire 2012 season by the NFL. He was one of four players suspended Wednesday. Defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove, now with the Green Bay Packers, is suspended for eight games, while Saints defensive end Will Smith is barred for four games. Linebacker Scott Fujita will miss three games and all of the suspensions are without pay. 

The renovation of New Orleans' major convention center may be delayed until the time of the 2013 Super Bowl in the city.

The center's governing board says construction costs are about $1.4 million over the initial contract price and the work is already more than a month behind schedule.

The Times-Picayune reports the projected completion date is Feb. 2 — one day before the Super Bowl and well into the weeklong series of events the center will host for the NFL.

The NFL has reserved the building for the entire week.