Jonathan Vilma tries to tackle me on Twitter (missed)
Just because Jonathan Vilma can fly doesn't mean can get away with everything.
It’s not pretty when a person becomes so desperate and is caught up in denial that he turns delusional. That appears to be the case with New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma.
Earlier today, I sent out a link to ex-Saint Anthony Hargrove’s declaration to the NFL that he was told to lie by assistant coach Gregg Williams and Joe Vitt in 2010 about the existence of the team’s “bounty” program.
That three page declaration, obtained by Yahoo, is listed below. It clearly illustrates the dishonesty and coverup in the Saints’ organization about the program, and as we’ve learned lies and coverups can lead to greater penalties that the crimes themselves might have resulted in.
Anyway, the one thing I didn’t expect to happen was that Vilma and I would get into a back-and-forth on Twitter. Vilma has been suspended for the entire 2012 season. He and NFLPA consider this NFL investigation a bunch of hooey. I’ve weighed on that here.
Meanwhile, back to the Twitter debate . . .
• Poking Tweet from @JeffSchultzAJC: Hey NFLPA and @JonVilma51, check this out (via Yahoo): http://yhoo.it/ISiYn0
• Response from @JonVilma51: he denied the existence of a bounty program…wats ur point. Nowhere does it say there was a bounty program. Ur reaching.
• Me again (imagine flabbergasted look): It says he was told to lie by coaches. Why would he be told to lie about program that didn’t exist? Can’t wait for your answer.
• Reader @Clete27 is among those who chimes in: Rea@JeffSchultzAJC @JonVilma51 If it didn’t exist, why was he instructed (repeatedly) to deny its existence?
• Vilma responds again: @Clete27 @jeffschultzajc I’m sorry if by responding to u, u thot I cared wat u think. U make no decisions in my world Idc wat u think
My role here is not to try to make sense of Vilma’s response, but merely to mock.
Hargrove, who now plays for Green Bay, was suspended for eight games. He admits to lying to the NFL back in 2010 when asked about the program the first time and recently came clean.
Here are two excerpts from Hargrove’s declaration that I find particularly interesting:
• Coach Vitt also told me that I should deny the existence of any bounty or bounty program, and he told me to remember that he was the person who “brought [me] into the League and brought [me] to the Saints.”
• The meeting lasted approximately 30 minutes, and during that time both Coach Williams and Coach Vitt told me that I should deny the existence of any bounty or bounty program to the NFL. Williams and Vitt repeatedly stated that they “care about me and … if we all stay on the same page about this, it will blow over.” They told me that when the NFL asked me about any bounty or bounty program, I should “just play dumb.”
The meeting was held on or before Feb. 24, 2010. Hargrove’s declaration was signed and dated April 13, 2012.
I’ll let you know if there are any updates on this Twitter debate.
But I can’t promise anything. Unlike Vilma, I actually have a job next season.
By Jeff Schultz
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261 comments Add your comment
Kevin
May 7th, 2012
8:59 pm
I love it!!!!!!!!!!! The real joy comes in looking at the lose column next year to see the lowly Taints down at the bottom. It doesn’t get any better than this!!!
Kevin
May 7th, 2012
9:01 pm
Correction before I get blasted, it’s the loss column and …………… I can’t freaking wait!!!!!’
Am I missing something
May 7th, 2012
9:07 pm
This is easy. Schultz called out Vilma by using his twitter name in the post…So this story could be summed up as “Schultz provokes a response from someone”….is it that odd for Vilma to respond?
Hugh Jass
May 7th, 2012
9:13 pm
Greg, this is why Roger Goodell did not dignify James Harrison with a response to his stupid quotes in “Men’s Journal.” Vilma got caught and lied and is basically going to attack anyone who accuses him of lying. The way to deal with this is to not dignify Vilma with a response. I agree with one of the original posters that you should not get into a verbal touche match with Vilma. He is wrong, you are not. If you dignify him by a Twitter battle it is lending at least some semblance of credence to his position.
Hugh Jass
May 7th, 2012
9:16 pm
P.S. I used to live in Louisiana and I am a Falcons fan. I saw Saints fans wear bags on their heads because their team was terrible. Their team is a winner now and won a Super Bowl based on what the league has uncovered was an environment of cheating. I would rather have the Falcons never win a Super Bowl and do things the right way than cheat to get one.
Hugh Jass
May 7th, 2012
9:17 pm
P.S. 2, I call Jeff Schultz “Greg” due to his strong resemblance to my good friend Greg.
Sid
May 7th, 2012
9:53 pm
Hugh Jass May 7th, 2012 9:17 pm
P.S. 2, I call Jeff Schultz “Greg” due to his strong resemblance to my good friend Greg.
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I keep thinking he might be Gregg Allman incognito.
Sid
May 7th, 2012
9:54 pm
WHO DAT GIRL May 7th, 2012 8:49 pm
SeenThisB4 keep giving them hell they can’t mess with you.
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Actually, yes we can.
Nativebird
May 7th, 2012
10:05 pm
This is even more evidence of the pure co$&02ker that this Williams truly is. This guy truly doesn’t deserve to walk the sideline of any football team at any level again.
Sid
May 7th, 2012
10:05 pm
JustOneThing May 7th, 2012 7:49 pm
Just because it may be outside the scope of legal tender from salaries doesn’t make the Saints any less of a winner.
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Really?? You get the dumb ass stupid comment of the year award.
Sid
May 7th, 2012
10:18 pm
Kevin May 7th, 2012 8:59 pm
I love it!!!!!!!!!!! The real joy comes in looking at the lose column next year to see the lowly Taints down at the bottom. It doesn’t get any better than this!!!
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Loss – Lose………….who cares, ain’t it great. Taint fans wallowering in their gutter filled own stench. What the organization didn’t understand is to be a champion isn’t about one trick play that goes your way. It’s about class, intergrity, principles, and honor. Thank you Falcons for the organization you are!
Contractor
May 7th, 2012
10:36 pm
I’m very impressed with Vilma’s ability to type and spell. I guess the University of Miami had an easy time greasing this genius through the program for three years. If his lack of ability to dodge evidence was not good enough, then his vocabulary and spelling skills should be a clear indicator that he’s a freaking moron and incapable o telling the truth, especially when FACTS are presented to his face. He must be a Liberal.
Boo Brees
May 7th, 2012
10:36 pm
@Sid 10:05 pm- LOL
Coach
May 7th, 2012
10:41 pm
Schultz is a journalist and daily blogger for ajc. 7 hours later and 170 comments for one daily blog means mission accomplished. Unnecessary personal attacks, negative opinion and juvenile name calling aside, he has done his job. It’s what he does, boss is happy. A Bradley Kudos to you Jeff. Just would like to see more AJC blogs stay on topic and not be PO rant fests.
Sid
May 7th, 2012
10:43 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG02pYVVfBM&feature=related
Rest In Peace “Iron Man”
JBone
May 7th, 2012
10:44 pm
You may have a job next year, but Vilma’s already made more money than you’ll make in a lifetime. Nice attempt at trying to kick a man when he’s down though.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
May 7th, 2012
10:45 pm
Hey Jeff can you teach CHOKE how to tackle a playoff win?
Coach
May 7th, 2012
10:46 pm
Another my daddy has a bigger gun than your daddy argument….. Priceless
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
May 7th, 2012
10:47 pm
Whats the odds of CHOKE going scoreless in the playoffs again? Or…..
Are those odds higher than him CHOKING in the playoffs for the 4th straight time?
Hurst
May 7th, 2012
10:48 pm
Thank you Falcons for the organization you are!
And what kind of organization is that? Soulless, lifeless, perennial losers (with a fan base to match), whose organization is about to bilk Georgia taxpayers for hundreds of millions for a completely unnecessary stadium.
Coach
May 7th, 2012
10:49 pm
Choke, Jeff probably can’t but hopefully the new staff additions can teach the whole team to. If not, NFL means “Not For Long”. Professional sports is a results driven industry.
Contractor
May 7th, 2012
10:52 pm
JBone,
Let’s come back to your comment in another 5-6 years and still see if all that money he has made is still in his possession, or even a 1/4 of it. Nice attempt, but a pretty lame post on your behalf.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
May 7th, 2012
10:57 pm
LOMBARDI COUNT:
Saints 1
Falcants ZERO
Jealousy is not a good policy to live by
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
May 7th, 2012
11:00 pm
Why are Falcants always in the news for everything except winning in the playoffs?
Sid
May 7th, 2012
11:01 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan May 7th, 2012 10:57 pm
LOMBARDI COUNT:
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A competent and self-confident person is incapable of jealousy in anything. Jealousy is invariably a symptom of neurotic insecurity.
Robert A. Heinlein
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
May 7th, 2012
11:02 pm
@WOW
Then why were all you Falcant Fans so upset when Vick signed that 130 million dollar contract?
I mean based on your logic, the money didn’t come from their pockets.
Nice try though
Coach
May 7th, 2012
11:03 pm
This life is not about the amount you make, it’s about the difference you make.
Hurst
May 7th, 2012
11:04 pm
The point, Wow, is Vilma has earned his $, which is more than what anyone can say for tripe that Jeff posted here.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
May 7th, 2012
11:04 pm
Sid
May 7th, 2012
11:01 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan May 7th, 2012 10:57 pm
LOMBARDI COUNT:
*****************************************
A competent and self-confident person is incapable of jealousy in anything. Jealousy is invariably a symptom of neurotic insecurity.
Robert A. Heinlein
_____________________________________
Did he write anything about the Lombardi count?
Wilbo
May 7th, 2012
11:08 pm
The AJC’s twin headed homer goober sports blogger has the mental acuity for “Chipper’s a first ballot HOF’er!” and “Matty Ice is a winner!” but if you’re looking for any better than that trim your expectations.
Sid
May 7th, 2012
11:18 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan
May 7th, 2012
11:00 pm
Why are Falcants always in the news for everything except winning in the playoffs?
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You’re right, we’re just waiting for something not so unscrupulous.
Sid
May 7th, 2012
11:20 pm
OPEN YOUR EYES May 7th, 2012 11:07 pm
STARING AN ALLIANCE YOU WANT IN???
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Staring won’t make your team any more honorable.
Sid
May 7th, 2012
11:26 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan May 7th, 2012 11:04 pm
LOMBARDI COUNT:
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Don’t come at me like you are the Pittsburgh Steelers………you got a lucky bouce on a trick play and cheated your way to a “tainted” Lomardi. Give me some crap when you have a real one.
Boo Brees
May 7th, 2012
11:27 pm
@OPEN YOUR EYES- a big WTF ever to that post. LOL seriously??
Sid
May 7th, 2012
11:28 pm
Hurst May 7th, 2012 11:04 pm
The point, Wow, is Vilma has earned his $, which is more than what anyone can say for tripe that Jeff posted here.
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Well, he ain’t gonna earn any this year.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
May 7th, 2012
11:31 pm
@WOW
I forget….would you please remind me who was the winning qb in the Falcants last playoff?…ha ha.
Hell, with your logic CHOKE robbed Art Blank. At least Vick won 2 playoffs games while fighting worthless dogs…..ha ha
WOOF WOOF Sucka
sect236
May 7th, 2012
11:31 pm
Can any Falcon fans explain how this makes Atl any better? I cant wait to see the look on your faces after the Saints win the division-AGAIN
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
May 7th, 2012
11:41 pm
If the last playoff game my team has won, now has the franchise qb on a team that is better I would not show my face and talk trash
In fact if it has been 8 seasons since the last playoff win, that is just plain LAME
birddawgbill
May 8th, 2012
12:00 am
Love how reality check comes on a falcon blog with all these other saint fans and says falcon fans are obsessed with the saints. I don’t think its us on your blog. And it cracks me up some of the stuff choke says. Yes the saints cheated. Yes they were given preferential treatment. Anyone who says otherwise is just lying to everyone including themselves. And if Buck is so much better than Ryan why has Ryan got four straight winning seasons while Vick never even had two in a row. Though I never considered Vilma a dirty player he has gotten what he asked for. As for evidence Williams has admitted it, they have the video from the documentary, they have a saints player on the sidelines saying pay me the money after they hurt Favre. Seems like plenty to me and I bet they have more than that.
BooBoo
May 8th, 2012
12:02 am
The NFLPA supporting a team of goons trying to maim and end the careers of other dues-paying members of the NFLPA is why the NFLPA should be disbanded, unless all players sign an agreement that rids them of agents and individual bargaining rights. If they want collective bargaining, so be it, but buyer beware. They are so corrupt that they will support any player having down any crime, just because it looks good. The owners should put some money in a pot and do a bounty on the peopple running the NFLPA and really get into a twitter war.
Boycott the NFL until the players are locally hired, and make scaled union wages, with benefits negotiated. Then Congress can get involved and put in price controls, so Joe Fan can go watch a game live and in person for $2.
Vilma should be banned from ever playing in the NFL again, as should all the rest who took part in putting up money, who said nothing about it, and who won the pots for sending a player out of the game, or on IR. It is worse than the Black Sox scandal. The Saints should be penalized the number of players involved, regardless of how many players suspended now play on other teams. Suspend them too, but tell the Saints not only is Vilma suspended, you cannot replace him on the roster. For those who signs with other teams who are suspended, the Saints will not be able to play that number of players that number of weeks. Make the Saints play with 48 (from 54), or whatever the number is on an active roster. Make the Saints forfiet every game Williams was coaching for them, and if that means taking away a Super Bowl championship, so be it. Let the league hold the tropy as unclaimed, just like USC had to forfeit for having ex-Saint Reggie Bush.
If not that, then have the league start Rifle Day programs. A free rifle with one bullet for the first 20k fans paying over $20 per ticket. Build a cage around the field and make the players play with groin towels, and no uniforms.
OPEN YOUR EYES
May 8th, 2012
12:11 am
JEFF, WILL YOU PLEASE TELL CHOKE TO RESPOND TO MY “OPEN INVITATION”. HE KEEPS IGNORING ME AND IT’S MAKING ME LOOK SILLY!! ALL I CAN DO IS USE OTHER PEOPLES NAMES AND HAVE MY OWN CONVERSATION. BASICALLY I’M SITTING AT MY COMPUTER TALKING TO MYSELF. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE JEFF? THIS MAY BE THE CLUE TO UNLOCKING THE MYSTERY OF WHY CHOKE WON’T JOIN MY ALLIANCE.
Sid
May 8th, 2012
12:13 am
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan May 7th, 2012 11:31 pm
At least Vick won 2 playoffs games while fighting worthless dogs
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There are NO bad dogs, just bad owners……………….like Benson………….c’mon, you think he didn’t know what was going on……!!!!!
Sid
May 8th, 2012
12:16 am
OPEN YOUR EYES May 7th, 2012 11:43 pm
NOBODY GETS THE SARCASTIC FAIL JOKES YOU ARE SO GRACIOUSLY TRYING TO IMPART.
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Yeah they do, especially when they relate to you.
Sports Fanatic
May 8th, 2012
12:19 am
Great work Jeff! Keep the pressure on these idiots. Vilma is a fish out of water trying to defend himself and the Saints against you.
OPEN YOUR EYES
May 8th, 2012
12:22 am
CHOKE SAID ” IN FACT IF IT HAS BEEN 8 SEASONS SINCE THE LAST PLAYOFF WIN, THAT IS JUST PLAIN LAME”
I AGREE, YET YOU SWEAR VICK IS THE GREATEST QB EVER.
Sid
May 8th, 2012
12:24 am
Hurst May 7th, 2012 10:48 pm
Thank you Falcons for the organization you are!
And what kind of organization is that? Soulless, lifeless, perennial losers (with a fan base to match), whose organization is about to bilk Georgia taxpayers for hundreds of millions for a completely unnecessary stadium
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So I take it you are more related to the transmission than the family.
OPEN YOUR EYES
May 8th, 2012
12:40 am
REMEMBER BACK AT 11:43 PM WHEN CAME OUT ALL HARD TALKING LIKE I WAS ABOUT TO DO SOMETHING…… ON A BLOG? BUT NOW I’M A LITTLE DISTURBED AT THE TONE OF MY RECENT POSTS. I GOT ZERO BUCK IN MY TONE, NEVERMIND THE ALL CAPS THATS JUST SOMETHING STUPID I DO. ITS LIKE I CAME ON TO THIS BLOG AND GOT STRAIGHT HANDLED. AM I NOT AS BAD AS I THINK I AM. THIS ISNT LOOKING GOOD FOR MY ALLIANCE.
Jeff Is A Dumb Beat Writer!!
May 8th, 2012
1:39 am
Why is a lame Atlanta Beat Writer questioning a player from the Saints…Stay in your lane and report what’s going on in Atlanta, which obviously is always slow and really nothing to report…hawks, falcons and braves suck all day…First of all, it was later found Jeff that the NFL and your hero Roger Goodell rephrased and twisted the words of Anthony Hargrove decleration to fit the words the nfl was looking for to prove their side of story and the nfl also rephrased and twisted Gregg Williams interview confession as well…Gregg Williams never admitted to a bounty program ever existing and he didn’t name any players involved…NFL and Goodell lied to the media and the public…Hargrove never admitted any program existed, but good ole dictator “slick” goodell rephrased his words to admit a program existed…The NFL and Goodell are liars and if Jeff was a good beat writer, besides showing his hatred of Saints which clouded his tiny brain, than he would’ve waited until all evidence from both sides were presented before making his one sided post against an nfl player…this fool actually had a twitter spat of words against an nfl player and he started it like a kid…very professional Jeff…Just weak and lame like most turd bird fans…except the few real falcon fans here in Atl…
Strange Murphy
May 8th, 2012
1:56 am
Vilma has the intelligents of the average Aint’s fan. They are dishonest and stupid. They deserve each other.
Coach
May 8th, 2012
6:51 am
Jeff, have you read this blog since about 11:00 last night? You can not professionally allow this to continue to happen. I know a guy has to sleep so just shut it down. Same thing, same people, over and over. Happens in all blogs you and Bradley and sometimes DLed put on here.