The Defamation suit against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was dismissed, a former head coach took an offensive coordinator position, another coach was hired and a former high draft pick ran into some more trouble over the last couple of days.
A judge dismissed New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma's defamation lawsuit against Goodell, the NFL said on Thursday. U.S. District Court Judge Ginger Berrigan criticized how Goodell's disciplinary procedure against the New Orleans Saints players that participated in the injury bounty program. However, Berrigan ruled Vilma's claims did not strengthen his own case.
"While the Court is extremely disturbed by the fundamental lack of due process in Goodell's denying the players the identities of and the right to confront their accusers, that was substantially rectified later in the process," Berrigan said. "So while the process was initially procedurally flawed, the statements were ultimately found to have enough support to defeat the defamation claims."
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said neither Goodell nor he would have any comment about the ruling at the time.
Vilma was suspended for the whole 2012 season for participating in the bounty program but appealed the suspension, which allowed him to play during the process. One Saint (Will Smith) and two former Saints (Scott Fujita and Anthony Hargrove) all had shorter suspensions for their own roles in the program. However, former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue vacated the players' suspensions after hearing a final appeal from them.
The Arizona Cardinals hired Bruce Arians to be the new head coach of the squad, says a Los Angeles Times report. The story goes on to explain how Arians could end up winning the NFL coach of the year award for his role as interim coach for the Indianapolis Colts. He filled in as head coach while Chuck Pagano underwent cancer treatment. (Arians began the season as offensive coordinator.)
The Colts notched a 9-3 record and a playoff berth while working under Arians after a 2-14 season in 2011.
Former San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner was hired as part of the Cleveland Browns staff late Thursday, ESPN reports. Turner was named the team's offensive coordinator.
Turned has been fired from three different head coaching positions in the NFL. His record at the helm of his respective teams is 114-122-1.
Former #2 NFL Draft pick Ryan Leaf was put back in jail after violating the conditions of his rehabilitation program, the Seattle Times said.
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