Report: Vilma has no settlement offer from NFL

Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma received "no settlement offer" from the NFL, according to NFL Network, though a proposal could still be made.

Reports first surfaced Sunday night that Vilma could have his season-long suspension cut in half -- to eight games -- if he agreed to drop the civil lawsuit pending in Louisiana court against commissioner Roger Goodell for defamation of character.

Chris Mortensen said the two sides have been holding settlement talks that would resume on Monday.

Vilma was suspended for the entire 2012 season for allegedly being a ringleader of the Saints' "pay for performance" program that put bounties on injuring players. Vilma reportedly offered $10,000 to a teammate who injuried Brett Favre in the 2009 NFC championship game.

Ed Werder of ESPN said Sunday that Vilma feels he has the upper hand entering a hearing in federal court Friday and isn't certain to drop the suit.

Werder said other penalties for players could be reduced, including Packers defensive end Anthony Hargrove, Saints defensive end Will Smith and Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, who were all defensive players for the Saints at least one season from 2009-10.

Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma could have his season-long suspension cut in half -- to eight games -- if he agrees to drop the civil lawsuit pending in Louisiana court against commissioner Roger Goodell for defamation of character, ESPN reported.

Chris Mortensen said the two sides have been holding settlement talks that would resume on Monday.

Vilma was suspended for the entire 2012 season for allegedly being a ringleader of the Saints' "pay for performance" program that put bounties on injuring players. Vilma reportedly offered $10,000 to a teammate who injuried Brett Favre in the 2009 NFC championship game.

Ed Werder of ESPN said Sunday that Vilma feels he has the upper hand entering a hearing in federal court Friday and isn't certain to drop the suit.

-- The Sports Xchange