Fox Sports - Vilma lawsuit puts Goodell on the run.

[RefugeeSaint]

Local rules also allow for an automatic extension of 21 days by ex parte motion unless Vilma files an objection into the record. I would be very surprised to see a motion to dismiss filed before July 1.

Yeah, that's probably a good estimate. Though it's possible that the commissioner may actually want to get it filed earlier. If you're Goodell, the sooner this goes away (if it's gonna go away) the better.

Lawyers, Please explain how "extensions" may benefit Vilma. Is he allowed to join the team? Are you saying Goodell is requesting more time because he has no evidence to disclose? Extension sounds bad if Vilmas at home waiting for a decision?
& Is good news for Vilma good for Payton also or no legal union relation?

 

[Saint Jeremy]

Did Vilma get the courtesy of a meet with Goodell to discuss his role or see evidence against him? If Goodell had done that, maybe things wouldnt be where they are now!

JV wants his rep and his job back! If the case is not dismissed, IMO, Vilma should go full throttle!

I read somewhere that Vilma asked to meet with Goodell before the suspensions came down and Goodell refused.

 

[AARPSaint]

Man...the commenters on that article are WAAAAYYY behind in their information. I mean seriously - why bother commenting on an article that deals with a subject 2 months more advanced than your best understanding?

I give a pass to the reporters to a certain extent. Why would they assume that Goodell is bringing charges when he doesn't really have the goods? It's the prolonged reluctance to back up his charges that has increased the suspicions among the general media.

As Saints fans we've been skeptical from the start, not without a good deal of homerism. But a lot of the things we suspected have come to pass. If you put together a lot of evidence, denials, a lawsuit, the resignation of Joe Hummel, the manipulation of the public by using Mary Jo White, Goodell acting as prosecutor, judge, and appellate judge, etc., etc., Goodell is looking more and more that the autocrat many on this board thought he was.

I'll confess right now that I was very disturbed when these allegations came out initially. Why would Goodell bring these charges if they weren't true or were seriously misrepresentative of the facts? Now I'm disturbed by the NFL's unilateral judicial system and the withholding of evidence on Goodell's part. The motivation to protect the players from injury is laudable, but the dark side consists of protecting the NFL from the lawsuits and singling out the Saints while exonerating other teams who had similar programs and have admitted as much.

Again, however, let's remember that Vilma's suit rests on the statements that Goodell made--not the severity of the penalties. It all hinges on whether or not this gets to a trial. If the suit is dismissed, I'm not sure where we would be. Goodell would still be in total control if I understand it correctly.

 

[superchuck500]

Lawyers, Please explain how "extensions" may benefit Vilma. Is he allowed to join the team? Are you saying Goodell is requesting more time because he has no evidence to disclose? Extension sounds bad if Vilmas at home waiting for a decision?
& Is good news for Vilma good for Payton also or no legal union relation?

No, nothing like that. The lawsuit is a separate civil process that can't itself directly challenge the suspension. They involve some of the same subject matter but are otherwise wholly unrelated.

And the case just started, Goodell hasn't even been served with the lawsuit yet. Under civil procedure on a case for damages, the defendant (Goodell) has to be served and then he has a certain period of time (21 days in federal court) to file his response. What we're saying is that it is common for a defendant to ask for additional time and for that request to be unopposed by the plaintiff and granted by the court.

That's just because the case has just started and while the plaintiff has as much time as he wants to prepare the initial complaint, the defendant only has 20 days to prepare his response . . . seeking additional time is common and reasonable.

So Vilma isnt' sitting home waiting for a decision, the case hasn't really even begun yet. But Goodell is expected to file a motion to dismiss, which is a prelimary motion seeking to end the case before it starts . . . and he's got a fairly good argument for that (though Vilma's counterargument isn't so bad itself).

Expect that motion process to last into August (and a decision could come even later than that). If Vilma survives the dismissal request, the case will then go into discovery, when Vilma can then get access to the bounty evidence. If it isn't settled or disposed by motion through the discovery period, it will eventually go to trial (sometime next year to be sure). And that's only if it isn't dismissed on preliminary motion.

 

[daMixter]

So basically, our legal system does suck if you are innocent, but it's mucho bueno if you're guilty....

 

[superchuck500]

So basically, our legal system does suck if you are innocent, but it's mucho bueno if you're guilty....

I'm not even sure what that means, but innocence and guilt relate to criminal trials.

 

[Blue]

Every day there are more articles questioning the NFL's handling of the so-called BOUNTYGATE scandal. I love it. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I truly hope Vilma's suit forces the NFL's hand. If they can't produce evidence, it's all a house of cards. I can't wait!

 

[TheDeparted]

The problem with houses made of cards - the taller you build them, the more likely they are to fall.

 

[bobad]

Engel will not be getting any interviews with Goodell, or getting a job at NFLN. Good for her!

 

[Marlboro Man]

While I agree with the article and it's slant, I am shocked at the illiteracy of the writer. There are several places in the article that just don't make sense and some sentence structures also don't make sense. Not saying I'm an English major or anything but when did we start lowering our standards for writers in any venue?

 

[RefugeeSaint]

No, nothing like that. 1)The lawsuit is a separate civil process that can't itself directly challenge the suspension. They involve some of the same subject matter but are otherwise wholly unrelated.

So Vilma isnt' sitting home waiting for a decision, the case hasn't really even begun yet. But Goodell is expected to file a motion to dismiss, which is a prelimary motion seeking to end the case before it starts . . . 2) he's got a fairly good argument for that (though Vilma's counterargument isn't so bad itself).

Expect that motion process to last into August (and a decision could come even later than that). 3) If Vilma survives the dismissal request, the case will then go into discovery, when Vilma can then get access to the bounty evidence. 4)If it isn't settled or disposed by motion through the discovery period, it will eventually go to trial (sometime next year to be sure). And that's only if it isn't dismissed on preliminary motion.

Thx SuperChuck 500
A few more questions pls...
1)The civil case doesnt directly challenge suspensions & since we know Vilmas not doing this for $. How do you believe the civil case helps him fight the league suspensions? If he can't even get the civil case to trial after all the motions to extend or dismiss.
2)Sayn Goodell has good argument for dismissal, confuses me when I hear the NFLPA say he has no right to punish for issues previous to new CBA. Im assuming that means Goodell would have to produce extremely damning info that views Vilma as a 2012 current or future threat?
3)If the Vilma case gets to discovery ruling, can Payton use the evidence or lack thereof from trial to reappeal his or enter his own civil case or might he continue to stay quiet since the coaches have no union protection?
4) Can I assume if Vilmas civil case is strong that we'd likely see Goodell settle on lighter suspension so the case cant go to trial & no one can find out he's a phony lying despot? If RG has reasonable evidence & Vilmas case is dismissed or goes to trial for Goodell to defend, Vilmas career this year is done for sure?!