The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ... Player discipline was handed down Wednesday in relation to the New Orleans Saints pay-for-performance "bounty" scandal. Four players -- Scott Fujita, Anthony Hargrove, Will Smith, and Jonathan Vilma -- were notified today that they have been suspended without pay for conduct detrimental to the NFL as a result of their leadership roles in the New Orleans Saints' pay-for-performance/bounty program that endangered player safety over three seasons from 2009-2011.
Diehards Line:The discipline breaks down as follows: Vilma (still with the Saints) is suspended without pay for the 2012 NFL season, effective immediately per league policy for season-long suspensions. Fujita (now with the Cleveland Browns) is suspended without pay for the first three games; Hargrove (now with the Green Bay Packers) is suspended without pay for the first eight games; and Smith (still with the Saints) is suspended without pay for the first four games. ... All four players are expected to file appeals and the NFLPA is likely to take legal action against the league in this matter. We will follow up as needed.