Tagged: nfl

Some of us are old enough to remember when electric football first became one of the coolest toys.

NEW YORK — New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees says he's confident he'll get a long-term deal done with the Saints. Brees acknowledged Tuesday that the offseason of distractions has slowed down negotiations. On the subject of those off-field issues, he says the NFL has produced no proof the Saints' defense engaged in a bounty system. 

The NFL is denying accusations that it covered up retractions made by key witnesses in its bounty investigation, or that Commissioner Roger Goodell has placed gag orders on Saints employees and others who could help punished players clear their names.

Lawyer Peter Ginsberg, who represents suspended Saints player Jonathan Vilma, made the accusations when punished players appeared earlier this week for an appeal hearing, a full transcript of which has been obtained by The Associated Press.

NEW YORK — Former Saints defensive end Anthony Hargrove says it's not his voice saying "Give me the money" in a video used by the NFL as evidence in its investigation of the New Orleans bounty program.

Hargrove spoke Tuesday outside NFL headquarters.

Hargrove, Will Smith, Scott Fujita and Jonathan Vilma each attended appeals hearings for their suspensions with Commissioner Roger Goodell at the league offices in Manhattan on Monday.