Bountygate suspensions - here come the appeals

The NFLPA has filed a two grievances with the NFL on whether Roger Goodell had the authority to suspend four players for their involvement in the Saints' bounty program.

On Wednesday, Goodell handed down 4 player suspensions dealing with what went on in New Orleans:

• Jonathan Vilma, for the entire 2012 season
• Anthony Hargrove, (Packers), for 8 games
• Will Smith - four games
• Scott Fujita (Browns), who's also a member of the union's executive board, - 3 games

They all had three days to appeal.

The first grievance deals with timing. It argues that Goodell can't punish players for anything prior to Aug. 4th, when the current CBA took effect.

The NFPL grievance says "In connection with entering into the 2011 CBA, the NFL released all players from conduct engaged in prior to the execution of the CBA, on August 4, 2011,"

In the second grievance, they feel that Stephen Burbank, who is the arbitrator for the league and its players' union, has the authority to rule on the players' conduct, not Goodell.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello expects the arbitrators to "reject the union's efforts to protect players from accountability for prohibited and dangerous conduct directed against other players," as well as uphold the disciplinary process which was set forth in collective bargaining last summer.

The NFLPA has requested expedited hearings for both, so we'll hear the judgment soon.

Vilma tweeted Friday: "NFL needs to publicly release evidence of players' bounty involvement if it exists."