Current, Former Saints Players Appeal Suspensions

Current New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma and defensive end Will Smith, and former Saints linebacker Scott Fujita and defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove have officially appealed their multi-game suspensions for violating the league's anti-bounty policy.

The four players had until Monday to file their appeals.

Vilma was suspended without pay for the entire 2012 season, while Smith received a four-game ban. Hargrove, who now plays for the Green Bay Packers after spending last season with the Seattle Seahawks, was suspended for eight games. Fujita, currently with the Cleveland Browns, received a three-game suspension.

Vilma's suspension was to begin immediately, while Smith, Hargrove and Fujita will be allowed to participate in their team's off-season programs, training camp and preseason games before their suspensions take effect at the start of the regular season.

Late last week, the NFLPA filed a grievance with Vice President of Labor Arbitration and Litigation W. Buckley Briggs and Special Master Stephen Burbank, contending that the conduct from the 2009 and 2010 seasons should not have been considered as the league released all players from punishment for conduct that took place prior to entering into the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Additionally, the union contends that a Non-Injury Grievance Arbitrator, not NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, was authorized to preside over the matter.