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08:05 AM ET 08.06 | New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma may be in line for a reprieve. The NFL has offered to reduce [Vilma's] year-long suspension to eight games as part of ongoing settlement talks involving the league, the NFL Players Association and legal representatives for the four players who were suspended for their alleged participation in the team's bounty program from 2009-2011, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The league's offer was made late last week but it is conditional upon Vilma dropping a civil lawsuit charging commissioner Roger Goodell with defamation of character, sources said. Vilma has expressed his strong feelings about his tainted reputation.

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August 6, 2012 08:14 AM ET

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The Ginger Dictator should stand by the original suspension if he is serious about this. This crap of backing down in the face of a lawsuit tells every thug-player how to get his suspension reduced.

If Vlima has a case, then Goofdell shouldn't have given him a suspension in the first place. If the charges are valid, though, then Vilma has no case.

Debbie Does

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August 6, 2012 08:16 AM ET

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Sounds like maybe Vilma's assertions have some teeth.

TxHeat

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August 6, 2012 08:22 AM ET

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Ban him for life...

twinkiefan

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August 6, 2012 08:27 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:14 AM ET 08.06 by Debbie Does

The Ginger Dictator should stand by the original suspension if he is serious about this. This crap of backing down in the face of a lawsuit tells every thug-player how to get his suspension reduced.If Vlima has a case, then Goofdell shouldn't have given him a suspension in the first place. If the charges are valid, though, then Vilma has no case.

That covers it pretty well, DD.

Melman

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August 6, 2012 08:28 AM ET

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If they do this for Vilma then they have to cut Fujita's suspension as well!

TribeFan4Ever

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August 6, 2012 08:28 AM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:22 AM ET 08.06 by twinkiefan

Ban him for life...

gonna use the Twinkie defense for that comment?

TxHeat

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August 6, 2012 08:34 AM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:22 AM ET 08.06 by twinkiefan

Ban him for life...

Ban Goodell for life? OK with me.

Debbie Does

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August 6, 2012 08:36 AM ET

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Goodell backing down says alot of Vilma's case against the NFL and the evidence they have or don't have, doesn't it?

DCsFinest

Washington, DC

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August 6, 2012 08:42 AM ET

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Both sides should just stand their ground and let it all get out there. Vilma, the same as Goodell. If vilma accepts the deal then he is also saying there is some truth to it all.

50yearfan

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August 6, 2012 08:51 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:14 AM ET 08.06 by Debbie Does

The Ginger Dictator should stand by the original suspension if he is serious about this. This crap of backing down in the face of a lawsuit tells every thug-player how to get his suspension reduced.If Vlima has a case, then Goofdell shouldn't have given him a suspension in the first place. If the charges are valid, though, then Vilma has no case.

Whether he's right or wrong, I don't think Our Glorious Leader can afford to back down now. He's been running over the players over every issue. Once he backs down, his whole house of cards power structure comes down.

DarkArmadillo

San Antonio , TX

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August 6, 2012 09:07 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:14 AM ET 08.06 by Debbie Does

The Ginger Dictator should stand by the original suspension if he is serious about this. This crap of backing down in the face of a lawsuit tells every thug-player how to get his suspension reduced.If Vlima has a case, then Goofdell shouldn't have given him a suspension in the first place. If the charges are valid, though, then Vilma has no case.

I could not have said it better DD

Mangler.

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August 6, 2012 09:11 AM ET

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I do not want to hear vilma take a plea deal and then mouth off year he did nothing wrong. Ya want your day in court, then do it or shuuut up. goodell needs to stand his ground and it was the right call or it was not.

50yearfan

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August 6, 2012 09:11 AM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 08:28 AM ET 08.06 by TribeFan4Ever

If they do this for Vilma then they have to cut Fujita's suspension as well!

Right on!

W_A_M_U?

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August 6, 2012 09:17 AM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 08:34 AM ET 08.06 by Debbie Does

Ban Goodell for life? OK with me.

Replace him with Bob Costas!

W_A_M_U?

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August 6, 2012 09:25 AM ET

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Head Coach Payton and GM Mickey Loomis are the culprits here. They were told to stop it three years ago. They did not and then they lied to the Commish. If they had performed their duties then, then none of this would ever have happened and no one would know.

You do not hear Payton deny any of it.