The NFL showed Jonathan Vilma and his attorney a sworn statement from former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams saying the linebacker placed a $10,000 bounty on Brett Favre.
Vilma met with commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday in New York about his suspension, which has been temporarily lifted. Attorney Peter Ginsberg said they were given an affidavit at the meeting.
“What Gregg Williams said in his most recent affidavit is the same falsity he has previously provided,” Ginsberg said.
“I don’t know what Gregg Williams’ motives are, but I do know that any suggestion by Williams that Jonathan put up $10,000 as an incentive for his teammates to injure another player is absolutely false.”
Vilma tweeted on Monday night that Williams was “bullied to sign the affidavit,” saying Williams signed it on Friday.
Williams is now with St. Louis, though he has been suspended indefinitely.
Vilma, who denied in court that he offered money in exchange for injuring the then-Vikings quarterback, was one of four players suspended by Goodell in the bounty scandal.
“Today everyone was afforded an opportunity to start over,” Vilma said outside the NFL’s New York offices more than three hours after he went in. “It was in our best interest to meet today. We spoke truthfully, honestly, bluntly.”
KNEELING ETIQUETTE
Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano didn’t break any NFL kneel-down rules and still isn’t apologizing for his aggressive tactics of going after the New York Giants when they were lined up in victory formation.
The first-year Buccaneers coach said, “It’s a clean, hard, tough, finish-the-game play.”
He noted that some people disagree with that, adding, “That’s certainly what makes the world go round. Everybody has opinions.”
The coach instructed his defensive lineman to plow into the Giants’ offensive line with Eli Manning lined up in victory formation and sparked a debate on whether the Bucs crossed the line when it comes to kneel-down etiquette.
The NFL said the Bucs didn’t break any league rules and doesn’t plan to take any action against Schiano or the team.
REDSKINS LOSE BRAWN
The early glow from Robert Griffin III’s fast start faded quickly for the Redskins when defensive starters Brian Orakpo and Adam Carriker were declared out for the season.
Two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Orakpo tore the pectoral muscle near his left shoulder, and defensive end Carriker tore the quad tendon in his right knee in the first quarter of Sunday’s 31-28 loss to the Rams.
The injuries rob two players from a team that has allowed 63 points and more than 800 yards in its first two games.
REF UNDER REVIEW
The side judge who was pulled from his assignment about three hours before Sunday’s game between the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers will not be allowed to return as an official until the league completes a review of the circumstances that led to the action.
Brian Stropolo, the side judge, had displayed his unabashed passion as a longtime Saints fan on his Facebook page, which has since been disabled. He also posted Sunday’s game assignment, a specific violation of league policy for its officials.
EXTRA POINTS
Rams offensive tackle Rodger Saffold will be out at least a month with a right knee injury. Saffold was hurt advancing a fumble in the Rams’ victory over the Redskins. … Eagles center Jason Kelce will miss at least four to six weeks because of a torn knee ligament, and it’s possible he could face season-ending surgery. Kelce injured his right knee in Philadelphia’s win over Baltimore. … Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles dinged up the same surgically repaired knee he injured last season season during Sunday’s blowout loss to the Bills. Charles carried only six times for 3 yards against Buffalo and Kansas City coach Romeo Crennel said that the decision was made to rest Charles.
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