NFL asks court to dismiss Saints player’s claims

The NFL asked a U.S. District Court judge today to dismiss Jonathan Vilma’s motion seeking to have his season-long suspension overturned. The New Orleans 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 alleged bounty program the NFL says went on for three seasons. The NFL also states that Vilma and three other players suspended refused to defend themselves during the appeals process. Saints defensive end Will Smith is suspended for four games, current Green Bay Packers DE Anthony Hargrove is out eight games, and current Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita can’t play in three games. “By refusing to participate in the merits of the CBA appeal process … the NFLPA and Mr. Vilma have failed to exhaust the dispute resolution procedures available to them,” the NFL’s motion says. “That failure requires dismissal of their actions.” Vilma also has filed a defamation lawsuit against Goodell. The NFL insists that all discipline in the bounties case falls under Goodell’s jurisdiction as part of the CBA.