The Facts: Following up on a previous item. ... Commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday the New Orleans Saints can hire an interim coach from outside the organization -- such as Bill Parcells, who's in the mix to take over for the 2012 season. "Yes, they can't take somebody from another staff," Goodell said at the NFL Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla. "But they could take somebody who's not employed right now in the NFL."

Diehards Line:Goodell suspended Saints coach Sean Payton for the entire 2012 season for his role in the team's "bounty" scandal. The Saints have yet to name a replacement. Fox Sports insider and NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer reported Monday that Payton and Parcells planned to meet this week to discuss the possibility of Parcells leading the Saints for the 2012 season. Parcells, however, told SI.com's Peter King on Monday that he does not think he "has the coaching bug." Goodell also confirmed the team would have to comply with the Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview minority candidates, before making a hire. If Payton appeals his year-long suspension by an April 2 deadline, he would be allowed to continue working for the Saints until a ruling is administered, Goodell said before adding he would expedite his ruling in the event of an appeal. Payton's suspension is set to take effect April 1.