Jonathan Vilma wants to look accusers in the eye

Jonathan Vilma wants to face his accusers, former New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and defensive assistant Mike Cerullo, when the pair testify late this month in Washington.

But the Saints game on Nov. 29 in Atlanta will likely preclude Vilma and Saints defensive end Will Smith from attending the NFL bounty appeal hearing overseen by former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. Williams and Cerullo could face cross examination.

Naturally, that doesn't sit well with the Saints linebacker.

"Why would you make it so difficult on us to get there?" Vilma said Friday via nola.com. "Obviously, the intent was not for us to be there when you schedule it the way you scheduled it.

"I'm kind of disappointed in that these are the guys that essentially made the case against me. I would love to be there to see them, hear what they had to say. For whatever reason, (Tagliabue) felt like I didn't need to be there."

The hearing will play out on either Nov. 29 or Nov. 30, and legal teams for Vilma and Smith will be present. Vilma believes he will have his chance to testify on Dec. 3 or Dec. 4. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell excused himself from the Saints' appeals and appointed Tagliabue in October.


(usatoday.com)