NFL notebook: Jonathan Vilma urges rejection of Roger Goodell's motion to dismiss defamation lawsuit
BY Associated Press
Saturday, December 15, 2012
12/15/12 at 5:35 AM
Jonathan Vilma urged a federal judge Friday to reject NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's motion to dismiss the defamation lawsuit filed against him by the Saints linebacker.
Vilma's request to U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan argues Goodell acted with "reckless disregard for the truth" when basing initial allegations about Vilma upon one fired Saints assistant, Mike Cerullo, whose testimony has been inconsistent and challenged by other witnesses in the NFL's bounty probe of the Saints.
The motion centers on Goodell's public comments that Vilma held up $10,000 cash in a team meeting in 2010, offering it to anyone who knocked Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner out of a playoff game.
During recent NFL appeal hearings in the bounty case, former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams testified he never saw any money.
Cowboys' Ratliff unlikely to return after surgery: Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Jay Ratliff is unlikely to play again this season after undergoing sports hernia surgery.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said Ratliff had the surgery Thursday in Philadelphia and would be out three to six weeks, meaning he would only have a chance to play if Dallas makes the playoffs.
Garrett said Friday that the club planned to keep Ratliff on the active roster.
RG3 practices again for Redskins: Robert Griffin III is 3-for-3 taking part in practice this week on his sprained right knee.
The league's top-rated passer participated again as the Washington Redskins moved inside their bubble for Friday's practice session ahead of Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.
Griffin looked fine as he stretched with his teammates, again high-stepping and moving well laterally. He then made a few throws during the 15 minutes reporters were allowed to watch.
Tebow might run wildcat for Jets: Tim Tebow might not be done in the wildcat after all.
New York Jets coach Rex Ryan reversed his decision Friday, saying the backup quarterback could actually participate in the wildcat-style offense and on special teams as the personal punt protector at Tennessee on Monday night.
Ryan says Tebow "moved around great" in practice Thursday and looked the best he has in several weeks since breaking two ribs at Seattle on Nov. 11.
Of course, the sudden shift in thinking after one non-tackling practice could merely be an example of gamesmanship, trying to confuse the Titans. Tebow has not played in the last three games.
