Saints bounties: Vilma hearing breaks up
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FILE - From left are NFL football players Jonathan Vilma, in 2011; Anthony Hargrove, in 2010; Will Smith, in 2011; and Scott Fujita, in 2011. The appeals hearing for four players suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for their role in the Saints bounty program has begun. On hand at NFL headquarters Monday, June 18, 2012 are all four players: Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who is suspended for the 2012 season; Green Bay defensive end Anthony Hargrove, suspended for eight games; defensive end Will Smith, who has been docked for four games; and Cleveland linebacker Scott Fujita (three games). (AP Photo/File)
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FILE - This May 22, 2012 file photo shows NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell during a new conference in Atlanta. The appeals hearing for four players suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for their role in the Saints bounty program has begun. On hand at NFL headquarters Monday, June 18, 2012, are all four players: Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who is suspended for the 2012 season, and defensive end Will Smith, who has been docked for four games; Green Bay defensive end Anthony Hargrove, suspended for eight games; and Cleveland linebacker Scott Fujita (three games). (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
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FILE - In this Feb. 21, 2011 file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch, left, says goodbye to Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, center, as New York Jets fullback Tony Richardson, right, loads his luggage in a car to leave for the airport, after a mediated labor negotiation between the NFL Players Association and the NFL, in Washington. The appeals hearing for four players suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for their role in the Saints bounty program has begun. On hand at NFL headquarters Monday, June 18, 2012, are all four players: Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who is suspended for the 2012 season, and defensive end Will Smith, who has been docked for four games; Green Bay defensive end Anthony Hargrove, suspended for eight games; and Cleveland linebacker Scott Fujita (three games). (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
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FILE - This June 6, 2010 file photo shows New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Will Smith during minicamp at the club's NFL football training facility in Metairie, La. The appeals hearing for four players suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for their role in the Saints bounty program has begun. On hand at NFL headquarters Monday, June 18, 2012, are all four players: Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who is suspended for the 2012 season, and defensive end Will Smith, who has been docked for four games; Green Bay defensive end Anthony Hargrove, suspended for eight games; and Cleveland linebacker Scott Fujita (three games). (AP Photo/Bill Haber, File)
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FILE - This July 28, 2011 file photo shows New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma answering questions during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, in Metairie, La. The appeals hearing for four players suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for their role in the Saints bounty program has begun. On hand at NFL headquarters Monday, June 18, 2012, are all four players: Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who is suspended for the 2012 season, and defensive end Will Smith, who has been docked for four games; Green Bay defensive end Anthony Hargrove, suspended for eight games; and Cleveland linebacker Scott Fujita (three games). (AP Photo/Bill Haber, File)
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FILE - This Dec. 19, 2009 file photo shows New Orleans Saints defensive end Anthony Hargrove on the bench during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, in New Orleans. The appeals hearing for four players suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for their role in the Saints bounty program has begun. On hand at NFL headquarters Monday, June 18, 2012, are all four players: Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who is suspended for the 2012 season, and defensive end Will Smith, who has been docked for four games; Green Bay defensive end Anthony Hargrove, suspended for eight games; and Cleveland linebacker Scott Fujita (three games). (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)
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FILE - This Aug. 2, 2010 file photo shows NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaking during a news conference at the New Orleans Saints' football training facility in Metairie, La. The appeals hearing for four players suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for their role in the Saints bounty program has begun. On hand at NFL headquarters Monday, June 18, 2012, are all four players: Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who is suspended for the 2012 season, and defensive end Will Smith, who has been docked for four games; Green Bay defensive end Anthony Hargrove, suspended for eight games; and Cleveland linebacker Scott Fujita (three games). (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
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FILE - This Dec. 19, 2009 file photo shows New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith on the bench during an NFL football game in New Orleans. The appeals hearing for four players suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for their role in the Saints bounty program has begun. On hand at NFL headquarters Monday, June 18, 2012, are all four players: Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who is suspended for the 2012 season, and defensive end Will Smith, who has been docked for four games; Green Bay defensive end Anthony Hargrove, suspended for eight games; and Cleveland linebacker Scott Fujita (three games). (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)
NEW YORK (AP) — Saints player Jonathan Vilma has left an NFL hearing to appeal his season-long suspension for participating in the Saints' bounty program, with the linebacker saying the process is not fair.
Vilma's attorney, Peter Ginsberg, says the NFL requested an adjournment to Monday afternoon, but he and Vilma refused. Ginsberg says Commissioner Roger Goodell failed to present the evidence on which he based his decision to impose the player's suspension.
Vilma says he doesn't know how he can get a fair hearing when Goodell is "judge, jury and executioner."
Three other players are scheduled to have their appeals heard later Monday — Will Smith, Anthony Hargrove and Scott Fujita.
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