Canal Street Chronicles

Jonathan Vilma Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Roger Goodell

2012-05-17T19:43:01Z

Saints LB Jonathan Vilma reportedly filed a lawsuit today in the Eastern District Court of Louisiana vs. Roger Goodell. You can view a copy of the entire suit HERE. Here's a taste:

By this action, Vilma seeks to recover damages for defamatory statements made by Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the National Football League ("NFL"). Vilma is a professional football player for the New Orleans Saints ("Saints"), a Member Club of the NFL. Goodell, speaking publicly about certain Saints executives, coaches and players, in relation to purported efforts designed to injure opposing players, made public statements concerning Vilma which were false, defamatory and injurious to Vilma’s professional and personal reputation.

This s*** just got real (as if it wasn't real enough already). What do you think, folks? Will this be of any benefit to him or will it just be a waste of energy? Whatever the result, I'm happy to see him do it. People can say what they will against Mr. Vilma, but it seems to me that only a man steadfastly sure of his innocence would do something like this. Will this force Goodell to fully release whatever "evidence" he supposedly has against our no. 51? Can't wait to find out.

Here's more from the lawsuit, including what it says is "The Truth" against Goodell's allegations against the plaintiff:

The Truth

34. Vilma, as a Captain of the Saints defense, was instrumental in leading the Saints to their first-ever Super Bowl championship in the 2009 season and is highly regarded as a player and individual throughout the United States and in the State of Louisiana as well as in the professional football community.

35. Vilma never established, or assisted in establishing, a Bounty Program or any similar program in violation of NFL rules.

36. Vilma never "pledged," made or received payments of any kind encouraging or resulting from an opposing player being carried off the field, i.e., "cart-offs."

37. Vilma never "pledged," made or received payments of any kind encouraging or resulting from an opposing player being unable to return to the game, i.e., "knockouts."

38. Vilma never "pledged," made or received payments of any kind encouraging or resulting from an opposing player being injured.

39. Vilma never "targeted" an opposing player in any manner that would violate NFL rules.

40. Vilma never engaged "in unsafe and prohibited conduct intended to injure players."

41. Vilma never "participate[d] in a program that potentially injured opposing players."

42. Vilma never "embraced" a Bounty Program or any similar program in violation of NFL rules.

43. Vilma never paid, or intended to pay, $10,000, or any amount of money, as an incentive to any player to knock Warner, Favre, or any other player, out of the 2009 Divisional Playoff Game, 2010 NFC Championship Game, or any other game.

44. Vilma never placed $10,000, or any amount of money, on any table or anywhere else as part of a Bounty Program or any other program in violation of NFL rules

Da Chronic's Offseason Survival Series Podcast: Nightmare Scenario Edition

2012-05-17T11:00:38Z

Ralph gives Dave mega-props for getting a shout-out from profootballtalk.com and then the boys discuss Drew Brees calling out the Saints about his contract situation. Kevin lays out a scenario that can best be described as horrible, awful, and it will drive you to drink heavily. Why isn't this deal done and is it time to panic?

After Dave exits to shoot pool, Kevin and Ralph try to figure out the first moment where everyone will realize, "Oh #$%& Sean Payton is gone and we really need him to fix this." Kevin also explains why Morning Call is superior to Cafe Du Monde.

Remember if you want to join the fun, email us at cscpodcast@hotmail.com.

Listen right now below, get the feed right here and/or download it on iTunes right here.

Warning: explicit language and adult content.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Players' Grievance Hearing Ends, No Ruling In Sight

2012-05-16T23:15:57Z

Albert Breer and Steve Wyche of nfl.com, who had contact with "a source with knowledge of the situation," are reporting that today's grievance hearing lasted two and a half hours, but ended with no answers for the Saints and ex-Saints players.

The grievance brought by the NFL Players Association against the NFL in the New Orleans Saints "bounty" scandal was argued Wednesday for two-and-a-half hours before arbitrator Shyam Das at NFL headquarters in New York, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

There was no ruling and there are no further hearings scheduled for this particular grievance, which centers on whether Commissioner Roger Goodell has the power to punish players for the so-called bounty program since it occured (sic) prior to the current labor agreement signed last August.

Apparently, those of us that were hoping for some resolution or any additional information of any real substance about this situation will have to learn to live with disappointment.

More on the scant details after the jump...

According to a knowledgeable source the boys found (I'm glad they have SO MANY of them!), former Saints Scott Fujita and Anthony Hargrove attended the hearing, but Jonathan Vilma did not.

Suspended Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma did not attend today's grievance hearing, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Vilma opted to stay in New Orleans and take part in the team's offseason workouts, but was active on Twitter. Vilma has been suspended for the entire 2012 season.

As noted above, this hearing was dealing with the question of whether the new CBA allows for punishment of actions taken before it was signed last August. That leaves the debate over whether Goodell has the right to hear appeals for on-field behavior still to be argued, and it looks like that will come at the end of the month.

There is another grievance hearing filed on behalf of the suspended players by the NFLPA scheduled for May 30 in front of Special Master Stephen Burbank.

So, another step in the process is completed, with many more to go, and we still have no idea how it will turn out, or when we'll actually know anything. Welcome back to the turmoil that is the Saints offseason in 2012.

Do you have any thoughts, rants, frustrations to share? Drop them into the comment thread!

Drew Brees is Not Happy with Lack of Contract Talks

2012-05-16T22:58:15Z

Drew Brees just finished up an exclusive interview with Deke Bellavia on WWL and boy did he sound unhappy. Obviously the lack of a contract for Brees was the topic of discussion. Below are just a few quotes from Drew during the interview:

"Over last few years I have not said a peep about wanting a new contract or being unhappy...I fulfilled certainly my end of bargain."

"There should be a sense of urgency and yet it seems like there's not."

"We've reached out on a number of occasions and at times I've been frustrated by the lack of response."

"Maybe not as close as people would be led to believe. I would say that the numbers that have been thrown around by ESPN and some of these other places, at times, have been pretty heavily inflated."

"It's been extremely frustrating for me," Brees said. "The negotiation shouldn't have been this difficult."

"I'm not going to get into the numbers but I feel our position is very reasonable and appropriate for situation I'm in."

Fleur-de-Links: May 16, 2012

2012-05-16T21:00:18Z

TWEETS:

Mark Ingram ‏@Mark_Ingram28 Get y'all wristband game up!! #FREESEANPAYTON http://pic.twitter.com/yJ9IrH1p

Jonathan Vilma ‏@JonVilma51 Big day today, one step in the right direction

Jonathan Vilma ‏@JonVilma51I see the haters are up this morning. Wen I win this wat will they say then???

Jerico Nelson ‏@jln006 Getting ready to head to the zephyrs field for an event..

Jedidiah Collins ‏@JedCollins45 When you win, say nothing, when you lose, say less. -Paul Brown I struggle with this but it is #Truth

Drew Brees ‏@drewbrees My new teaser is up! http://on.fb.me/JGX6ay #CountryTime

New Orleans Saints ‏@Saints Yes RT @Terri_Genard @Saints Will the players sign autographs either b4 or after the HR derby & game?

Jermon Bushrod ‏@j_bushrod7475 I need some GOOD crawfish for Saturday... My parents are coming in town and it's been 2 years since they had them

Chase Daniel ‏@ChaseDaniel Hey #WhoDatNation...What do you guys think?? RT: @espn_nfcsouth: Call it: Best NFC South backup QB? http://es.pn/JHkBBd

Jermon Bushrod ‏@j_bushrod7475 lol yea I know all about that "@iAmRaLo: @j_bushrod7475 they will love you today and hate you tomorrow you know that"

Malcolm Beyah ‏@mj_beyah Nap b4 I go to this softball game

Pierre Thomas ‏@Pierre_Thomas Who's coming out to the @HeathEvans_Org Softball Showdown tonight? You already know the offense gon show the D how its done!

Jerico Nelson ‏@jln006 Had a good workout..

Garrett Hartley ‏@GHartley5 Got some great friends http://pic.twitter.com/O2QwoPaC

Mark Ingram ‏@Mark_Ingram28 Here the haters come, I love y'all too!!! #WhoDatAllDayyy

Kellie ‏@NewOrleansLives @Mark_Ingram28 They hating cause they know the Saints are a team on a mission this season....they scared!

Andrew Tiller ‏@BigTill66 Just got done with workouts, about too take a nap and get ready for the Baseball game later on today! About to show these boys a lil sumthin

Jermon Bushrod ‏@j_bushrod7475 So Stephen A. Smith calls lebron soft as putty... Yea ok!! Saturday he was crowned MVP now he soft... That's wack by him

cameron jordan ‏@camjordan94 I eat at the Sunray grill in the warehouse district it's right off the highway headed home, too convenient!

Roman Harper ‏@Harp41 I feel honored today!! A real treat not everyone gets. Icing down next to the only heisman winner in UA history @Mark_Ingram28 roll tide

Mark Ingram ‏@Mark_Ingram28 Why @Harp41 over here tellin lies

Roman Harper ‏@Harp41 When it's the truth people it's the truth. I'm smiling from ear to ear. True BROMANCE. Every bama fans dream. RTR @Mark_Ingram28

New Orleans Saints ‏@Saints Happy Birthday to @GHartley5 - No. 5 turns 26 today!

Mark Ingram ‏@Mark_Ingram28 This dude @JedCollins45 has sum of the most random/funny tweets ever!! Y'all go follow!!

Garrett Hartley ‏@GHartley5 Thanks for birthday wishes ! See y'all at @HeathEvans softball event tonight!!

Johnny Patrick ‏@JohnnyPatrick32 Glad I worked out already... Here comes the rain....

Albert Breer ‏@AlbertBreer The NFLPA, as has been its custom in the past, has brought players to today's arbitration at the NFL office -- Fujita & Hargrove are there.

Albert Breer ‏@AlbertBreer ... Also, colleague @wyche89 reports that Vilma opted to stay behind, continue work with Saints offseason program.

Jedidiah Collins ‏@JedCollins45 When was the last time u "Skipped" somewhere? We used to skip all the time #HumpDayChallange "skip" for 10 feet w/out smiling! #impossible

Jonathan Vilma ‏@JonVilma51 Report: League may eventually release some bounty evidence http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/05/16/report-league-may-eventually-release-some-bounty-evidence/ via @ProFootballTalk

New Orleans Saints ‏@Saints 30+ Saints players will play in a softball game tonight at Zephyr Field to support @HeathEvans_Org http://bit.ly/JGqNJG

Fletcher Mackel ‏@FletcherMackel Heath Evans will not be able to attend his charity softball game tonight at Zephyrs Field. He has family issue (not emergency) to deal with.

LINKS:

Will the Saints embrace 'Us against them' mentality? - NFL.com
The NFL has come down on the New Orleans Saints in wake of the "bounty" scandal but members of the team and the fans have found a way to unite in defiance against the league.

Tupac treatment for Payton may not be all that far fetched | ProFootballTalk
Over the weekend, the folks at Canal Street Chronicles posted a brilliant item suggesting that the Saints would use Coachella-style Tupac technology to simulate the presence of coach Sean Payton on the sidelines during 2012 games.

Darren Sharper added to WWL-TV sports team; Doug Mouton named Sports Director | wwltv.com New Orleans
"This upcoming season will truly be different for all the obvious reasons," Sharper said. "As the best TV sports crew, WWL-TV will make sure we bring in-depth, up close and personal interviews. I will break down the Saints and their opponents each week, giving the viewer added knowledge, understanding, and an insight on the games and players."

Hargrove, Fujita present at grievance hearing | ProFootballTalk
Given that Vilma and Smith play for the team that was hit hardest by the penalties, it makes sense for them to choose to stay at the workouts over attending the grievance hearing. They already believe they’re facing unwarranted suspensions; why make it worse by missing the limited opportunities in the offseason to get ready for the regular season?

Sean Payton needed league approval for office space - NFL.com
The Saints compared Sean Payton's absence this weekend to the 49ers being without Bill Walsh. He won't be forgotten, however, as the team will leave his seat open all season.

Arbitrator hearing set for May 30 in Saints case - New Orleans Saints - SunHerald.com
An arbitration hearing into whether NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has jurisdiction to punish Saints players for the team's bounties program has been set for May 30.

New Orleans Saints could go after two veterans for nickel cornerback position
The New Orleans Saints could go after two veteran free agents for the nickel cornerback position that they say they need.

Ricky Williams doesn’t believe there’s a link between concussions and brain damage | ProFootballTalk
"I don’t buy it," Williams said, via Doug Farrar of Yahoo! Sports. "I’m only speaking from my personal experience, because I haven’t allowed myself to buy it, and I haven’t been affected. Yes, I’m aware that football is a rough sport, but instead of saying, ‘Oh — I’m doomed to brain trauma," I said, ‘What can I do about it?’ And I just started taking care of my body. I found people, places, and things that really helped me — again, I don’t know what’s going to happen to me in 10 years, but I look at the other things I’ve learned about, and the way I see the world.

New Orleans Saints players have appeals hearing set for today - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
The hearing will unfold before arbitrator Shyam Das, who made headlines this week when he was sacked from a similar role with Major League Baseball after he ruled in favor of Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun in an appeal of a positive drug test.

New Orleans Saints staff can function without Sean Payton, but coach's intangibles are already missed - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
Nevertheless, while Payton will be physically absent from the Saints' day-to-day operations, team officials have ensured he'll be with them in spirit. To honor their absent leader, team officials have purposefully left vacant the chairs in the draft room and team meeting rooms. They'll do the same with his seats on the team bus and plane during the season.

Daniel Speaks at St. Philip Neri Sports Banquet

Saints have NFL's smallest rookie pool - NFC South Blog - ESPN
That’s due to the fact the Saints had only five draft picks and none came before the third round.

Appeal in Saints’ Bounty Case Focuses on N.F.L. Contract - NYTimes.com
"It’s important because Jonathan is fighting on two fronts — he’s fighting legally and to get his reputation back," Ginsberg said. "It’s important to get evidence or what Roger Goodell says is evidence."

Report: League may eventually release some bounty evidence | ProFootballTalk
The NFL apparently has heard the concerns regarding the spoon-feeding of summaries, characterizations, and conclusions regarding the Saints bounty scandal to the media, in the hopes that the media will then spoon-feed without scrutiny that same information to the public.

WILDLIFE VIDEO: WHO KNEW TURTLES COULD SPEAK?

Mike Florio thinks Dave Cariello is "brilliant"

2012-05-16T20:13:41Z

Mike Florio thinks Dave Cariello is "brilliant"

Over the weekend, the folks at Canal Street Chronicles posted a brilliant item suggesting that the Saints would use Coachella-style Tupac technology to simulate the presence of coach Sean Payton on the sidelines during 2012 games.

It was obviously a joke, but Dave Cariello nailed the underlying sentiment.

According to Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Saints will devote empty seats all season to Payton, in meeting rooms, on the team bus, and on the team plane.

Sean Payton to rent office space in Benson Tower

2012-05-16T17:53:21Z

Sean Payton to rent office space in Benson Tower

The suspended coach has a new downtown office in Benson Tower, which is essentially right next to the Superdome. Payton required league approval to rent the office. (We're sure Saints owner Tom Benson will give him a good deal.) If Payton wants to talk to a team official about a non-football matter, he has to do so by speaker phone in the presence of Saints legal counsel.

What Up With Dat?: Defense Dominates

2012-05-16T16:00:12Z

Below are my answers to the rest of the reader questions submitted Monday. Special thanks to all those that participated. Feel free to continue the discussion on any of these topics in the comment section below.

Who do you see starting at defensive end opposite Jordan when Smith is suspended? Galette, Romeus, or a surprise player? - Malcolm L.

Actually I think it would be Turk McBride if he stays healthy, and I don't think that would be much of a surprise. He started the first two games last season while Will Smith served his Starcaps suspension. Galette is good and I have high hopes for him this season under Spags but I think McBride is the safer bet and the more likely choice. Anyone who thinks Greg Romeus is going to step up and become an immediate starter is just praying for a miracle.

1) Why is Scott Shanle still on this team? 2) Which WR do you see taking the #4 position on the depth chart? - Ryan E.

1) Because he's good, not great mind you, but definitely good. He plays smart, he plays disciplined and he does exactly what the coaches ask of him. Or he has nude photos of Payton.

2) Tough one. Without having seen anything it's really too early to tell. It should be Adrian Arrington. He's been with the team long enough and should know the system best. But I wouldn't be surprised if Joseph Morgan or Nick Toon shocked us all. That's me being a bit optimistic, though. Courtney Roby makes the squad as well, of course.

How do you feel about our cornerback situation? - Dan K.

Not very good. I'm okay with Jabari Greer and Patrick Robinson as the starting pair, but damn if there ain't a serious drop off in talent after them. I suppose Johnny Patrick is third on the depth chart. All I can say is that I hope this Marquis Johnson guy they just picked up is better than we think, or one of these young guns they've got trying out wows us.

In regards to the Saints pass rush...are they a) placing a lot of hope that Greg Romeus will be a dominant pass rusher this year or b) expecting someone else will be that dominant pass rusher this year under Spags or c) not thinking that having a dominant pass rusher is that important? - Phil W.

As I said above, I really don't think anyone should be relying on Greg Romeus to have some sort of Pro Bowl season. He's young, these things take time. So option a) can be eliminated immediately. To honestly answer your question, I would imagine the coaches are just trying to get the most out of each and every player. Everything I've read about Spagnuolo thus far seems to indicate that pass rushing with the defensive line is a key aspect of his defenses so I definitely think it will be a focus. But I'm sure the Saints will be happy with anyone who wants to step up and become a dominant pass rusher. Hell, why not two!