Report: Vilma brief includes whistleblower email
The legal filing by New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma that asks for Paul Tagliabue's removal from the bounty appeals hearings includes a scathing email from an ex-Saints assistant that restarted the league investigation, according to ProFootballTalk.com.
In a brief obtained by the web site, an email dated Nov. 2, 2011 is included in which former Saints assistant coach Mike Cerullo writes to NFL spokesman Greg Aiello about the team's alleged bounty system.
"So I have info on Saints Joe Vitt Lying to your NFL Investigators on Bounties from 2010, along with proof!!!" Cerullo writes in the email. "I was there, in the cover up meetings, with players and Joe, I love the NFL and want to work there again, but I am afraid if I tell the [sic] truth I will never coach again in NFL. But I was fired for a situation that the Saints encourage. All I want is a Job back in the NFL as a [quarterbacks] Coach anywhere, so If talking to you jeopardizes [sic] that I will have to get back to you, but The Saints are a Dirty Organization. Contact me."
Saints head coach Sean Payton, assistant head coach Vitt, general manager Mickey Loomis and former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams were punished March 21. Vilma and three other players were suspended May 2, had those suspensions thrown out on appeal, then re-instituted Oct. 10 by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Cerullo worked for the Saints from 2007-09. He was applauded by the league last month for coming forward.
