It’s been quiet in the bounty case, thanks to the hurricane. But now that things are beginning to get back to normal in most places, developments are happening.
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue has informed the parties that he won’t recuse himself from the internal appeal process.
We reported on Sunday that the hearing will occur at the earliest on Tuesday, November 13. The hearing originally was set for October 30, but it was delayed due to the storm. Last month, Commissioner Roger Goodell stepped aside from the process, appointing Tagliabue as the arbitrator.
Tagliabue’s say regarding his status is hardly the final one. Judge Helen Berrigan currently is considering a motion to disqualify Tagliabue based on his employment with the law firm that represents the NFL in bounty-related matters and Tagliabue’s role as a potential witness in the bounty case.
If permitted to proceed, Tagliabue will determine the outcome of the suspensions imposed on Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, Saints defensive end Will Smith, Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, and free-agent defensive end Anthony Hargrove.