Saints LB Jonathan Vilma, NFL lawyers in court

FILE - This June 18, 2012 file photo shows New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma arriving at the National Football League's headquarters in New York. Vilma is asking a federal judge for a hearing Thursday on his bid to block his season-long suspension stemming from the NFL's bounty investigation. In a court filing Monday, July 16, 2012, Vilma's attorneys ask U.S. District Judge Helen Show caption
FILE - This June 18, 2012 file photo shows New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma arriving at the National Football League's headquarters in New York. Vilma is asking a federal judge for a hearing Thursday on his bid to block his season-long suspension stemming from the NFL's bounty investigation. In a court filing Monday, July 16, 2012, Vilma's attorneys ask U.S. District Judge Helen "Ginger" Berrigan to hear their request for a temporary restraining order before the Saints' training camp opens on July 23. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN
Associated Press

August 01, 2012

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma and lawyers for the NFL arrived at federal court Monday for a settlement conference in Vilma's lawsuit seeking to overturn his season-long suspension in the Saints bounty investigation.

Flanked by his attorneys as he headed into federal court, Vilma said he was" hoping we can get something accomplished."

The conference was closed to the public.

Vilma and Saints coach Sean Payton have been suspended for the 2012 season for their roles in a bounty program the NFL says targeted opposition players for three seasons.

Vilma wants a federal judge to overturn his suspension. He also has filed a defamation lawsuit against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

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