NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reaffirmed the suspensions Tuesday he originally issued on the four players involved in the New Orleans Saints' bounty program. Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma remains suspended for the season but will retain the salary he received while on the physically unable to perform list, defensive end Will Smith remains suspended for four games. Former Saints linebacker Scott Fujita's suspension was reduced from three games to one. Free agent defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove suspended for seven games, reduced from eight games, but he will only serve a two-game suspension if signed by a club after receiving credit for the five games he already has missed. The NFL Players Association said it would consider its options after looking closely at the punishments. "For more than six months, the NFL has ignored the facts, abused the process outlined in our collective bargaining agreement and failed to produce evidence that the players intended to injure anyone, ever," the NFLPA wrote in a release. "The only evidence that exists is the Leagues gross violation of fair due process, transparency and impartiality during this process. Truth and fairness have been the casualties of the leagues refusal to admit that it might have made a mistake. "We will review this decision thoroughly and review all options to protect our players rights with vigilance." Source: NFL.com
