I just spent the last 10 minutes talking with Saints LB Jonathan Vilma about his defamation lawsuit against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, along with other things related to the bounty issue. For the first time, Vilma explained why he refused to participate in the NFL’s investigation against his team. And he addressed the possibility of sitting out 2012. Here is what I wrote in this NFL.com story: Suspended Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma said he would not cooperate with the NFL’s investigation into his team’s bounty system because Commissioner Roger Goodell would not show him the evidence of his alleged wrongdoing. In an exclusive interview with NFL.com at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, Vilma spoke publicly for the first time […]

Happy Wednesday, everybody. The NFL has handed down the fines for Jonathan Vilma and others today, and today we’re just going to focus on the fantasy implications for those caught in the wake.

As the only Saints player named specifically in the NFL’s news release announcing the punishments of Saints personnel involved in the team’s “bounty” program, LB Jonathan Vilma is likely in line for steep discipline as well.

The Saints are showing interest in former Falcons LB Curtis Lofton, according to league sources.

The time has come to nominate your Pro Bowl players for 2012. Cast your vote for the AFC and NFC’s best players at each position.

It turns out Falcons WR Roddy White is pretty fired up about Monday night’s game against the Saints, and there are a trail of Twitter posts to prove it.

While most of the pre-snap attention goes to Peyton Manning when the Colts have the ball, it is the clever adjustment orchestrated by the Saints’ Jonathan Vilma that is keying New Orleans’ improved defensive play in this game.

The Colts and Saints issued their final injury reports Friday before Super Bowl XLIV. For New Orleans, DE Will Smith (groin), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) and S Pierson Prioleau (quad) participated fully in practice after being limited earlier in the week. They are all listed as probable.

Saints TE Jeremy Shockey (knee), FS Darren Sharper (knee) and LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) seemingly worked in every practice drill Wednesday in Coral Gables, Fla., and looked good despite their injuries, according to Super Bowl pool reporter John Czarnecki.

The Saints and coach Sean Payton will be the first news conference of Super Bowl Week on Monday.

The Saints received good news on the injury front Friday, when CB Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring), FS Darren Sharper (knee) and LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) all returned to practice, albeit in limited fashion.

The official count lists 33 first-timers for the AFC and NFC Pro Bowl squads. None have waited longer than London Fletcher.

The Colts and Saints submitted their first practice reports Wednesday with some important players missing from action as both teams begin preparations for Super Bowl XLIV.

The NFL and broadcast partners CBS, FOX and ESPN are urging football fans to help with Haitian earthquake relief.

New Orleans has some concerns in its secondary, specifically on the outside, heading into the big Monday night showdown against the Patritos.