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Fleur-de-Links: October 13, 2012

Your daily collection of New Orleans Saints news and opinion. TODAY'S HEADLINE: Jonathan Vilma could return Sunday vs. Bucs

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TWEETS:

The official scheduling of the players' appeals hearings also means the league has cleared the way for Vilma to play next Sunday.

Would be more fun if PA took it as acceptance MT NFL hasn't responded to request for RG recusal. PA taking silence as rejection

The NFL hasn't responded to players' requests for Goodell to recuse himself. Union source said NFLPA is taking that silence as a rejection.

S/O to Bell Foods Distributors for putting on an excellent food show at the Ritz in Nola

When asked if momentum from win will carry through bye week, Kromer: 'We control our own momentum.'

The appeals hearings for all four bounty players -- Vilma, Fujita, Smith and Hargrove -- has officially been scheduled for next Tuesday.

Kromer wouldn't say that Vilma would be taken off the PUP list.

Kromer "I think Vilma could play anywhere (on the field)".

Vilma: Goodell's new suspension based on "farcical review"...

NFLPA argues in its filing that Goodell conducted "A Sham Arbitration" and that the court has authority to appoint a neutral arbitrator.

Ain't that the damn truth. RT : Kromer on Will Smith: "Nothing has changed."

Kromer: "I thought (players) came back with the energy and focus that they needed"

If I were ranking cities where I'd think fans would be in danger in the parking lot, SF would be near the bottom of the list. Unbelievable.

One silver lining to bounty litigation. It gives the NFL & NFLPA a chance to say nice things about each other in court. (Yes, I kid.)

NFLPA: "No rational interpretation of the NFL Const & Bylaws...could support RG's brand new, manufactured charge against Mr. Fujita"

The NFLPA has filed its motion to vacate the bounty suspensions, on behalf of Will Smith, Anthony Hargrove and Scott Fujita in La court.

NFLPA has filed motion to vacate suspensions. Accuses NFL of being "a repeat offender in playing 'gotcha' with the careers of NFL players"

Also, from Vilma's appeal letter to Goodell: "If you decline to recuse yourself...we will consider seeking immediate relief from the court."

Vilma asked for the NFL to provide "the 18K documents" and compel Jeff Miller, Joe Hummel, Gregg Williams, Mike Cerullo to be at the appeal.

Also in the court filing is what appears to be the full ledger that the Saints employed, and the NFL used as evidence in the bounty case.

Some comedy too -- Gregg Williams enjoys the term "horse(bleep)". Ex: "4/46 YAC yards! Horse(bleep)! Pad level inconsistent!

... The last line of said Gregg Williams page: "Last 2 drives had too many communication errors! Horse(bleeping-bleep)!!"

More seriously, these exhibits clearly work to pin blame on the coaches. Another Williams-ism in here: "Trample the Weak, Leap the Dead"

In the court filings from Vilma, there are the sworn declarations from Gregg Williams and Michael Cerullo.

Motion to vacate suspension seeks "to put a halt to the ongoing & fundamentally unfair treatment of Jonathan Vilma by ... Roger Goodell."

Jonathan Vilma told WVUE-TV that he will come off the physically unable to perform list on Tuesday and play Sunday vs. Tampa Bay.

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BOUNTYFARCE 2.0:

Saints’ Vilma cleared for practice | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA
METAIRIE — Suspended Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma will be able to begin practicing with the team on Wednesday, defensive coordinator St…

Vilma could soon return for Saints
New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma reportedly could return for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay.

Vilma files to overturn suspension | wwltv.com New Orleans
Jonathan Vilma is again asking a federal judge to overturn his suspension in the NFL's bounty probe of the New Orleans Saints.

Saints' Jonathan Vilma plans to make 2012 debut Sunday
With season-long suspension again under appeal, Saints linebacker eyes Week 7 return.

Vilma files motion in court to vacate his suspension | ProFootballTalk
Among other things, Vilma will be attempting to delay the suspensions pending resolution of the court proceedings.

New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma files motion to stop suspension once again - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
Motion asks the Court to stop the suspension once the NFL appeal process is complete

Jonathan Vilma to Suit Up This Week vs Bucs
New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma will be allowed to play versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week seven.

New Orleans Saints' Jonathan Vilma says he's coming off PUP list Tuesday - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
Jonathan Vilma tells WVUE-TV he'll be allowed to practice this week and play at Tampa Bay

Shockey to Vilma: 'Tell the world I'm not the snitch'
Former New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey had a little fun with former University of Miami and teammate Jonathan Vilma on Twitter Sunday afternoon.'@JonVilma51 great seeing u last night buddy!! Pls

Suspended players may choose not to pursue CBA appeal | ProFootballTalk
When the internal appeals panel issued its final ruling regarding the question of whether Commissioner Roger Goodell stayed within his lane of jurisdiction under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the reasoning arguably created a minefield for the Commissioner the second time around, forcing him t...

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THIS WRITER IS AN IGNORANT MORON, warning: This article will piss you off:

Drew Brees is overstepping his likeability lately
Drew Brees is likeable - practically affable - when he's just being a top quality quarterback and genuine friend of the community.

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BYE WEEK ENDS, SAINTS BEGIN PREPARING FOR BUCS:

Steve Spagnuolo: The Focus is on Tampa Bay
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo met with the media following practice on Monday to discuss Sunday's division contest against the Buccaneers

Aaron Kromer: Team Is Energized, Focused After Bye Week
Offensive Line/Running Game Coach Aaron Kromer met with the media after practice on Monday to discuss returning to work after the team's bye week

New Orleans Saints return to practice rejuvenated after their bye - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
Saints return to practice in preparation for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay

Ranked last in league, Saints wondering what fixes can be made on defense
When veteran linebacker Scott Shanle looks around the locker room, he sees many of the same productive players who helped the New Orleans Saints play winning-caliber defense the past few seasons.

Saints Nation: Games Following a Bye Week for Saints in the Sean Payton Era | October

Is New Orleans Saints defense really that bad? | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

Which New Orleans Saints defensive player are you counting on most this season? - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
Safety Malcolm Jenkins is one of many candidates for post-bye turnaround

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LAGNIAPPE:

Saints part-time receiver Camarillo understands, accepts his role | wwltv.com New Orleans
When Greg Camarillo got his walking papers from the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 31, he figured out pretty quickly what his 2012 NFL season was going to be like. On a roster one week. Off one another.

Herm Edwards, Joe Horn have taken Saints’ road to playoffs | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA
NEW ORLEANS — Herm Edwards has seen it happen before. So has Joe Horn, or at least something close to it. Edwards was the coach of the 2002…

Saints still No. 32 in total defense - NFC South Blog - ESPN
The New Orleans Saints didn’t give up a yard or a point over the weekend, but they still have the league’s worst defense.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis out for the season with triceps tear - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
The 37-year-old Lewis, in his 17th season with the Ravens, is 13 time Pro Bowler

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VIDEO:

Malcolm Jenkins Interview 10/15/12

Junior Galette Interview 10/15/12

Scott Shanle Interview 10/15/12