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“The ruling gives them the ability to play this week,” Detillier says. “Though, Vilma is likely to be on the physically unable to perform list for a week or two…but it does free Will Smith up to play this week.
Detillier says the ruling that vacates the suspensions handed down by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell a first of its kind.
“It's unprecedented...they've taken the NFL down to the mat. In the years past, the NFL has been the kingpin when it to court rulings, and the broad-based power of the Commissioner. They got brought down two pegs today,” Detillier said.
Saints players and coaches have steadfastly maintained that there was never any intent to injure opposing players. Detillier said that Goodell doesn’t have a lot of options.
“The Commissioner can only appeal the ruling only if he has hard evidence that was not just a pay-for-performance program, but was a bounty issue,” Detillier said. “So, this is a pretty hard smack at the Commissioner and his powers, that he thought no one could touch him….It definitely means a clear-cut victory for the players, and that there never was any hard evidence of a bounty situation on this team. It was always an issue of pay-for-performance, and we all know it has been widespread in the NFL for many, many years. “
