Goodell to hear Saints’ appeal this week

Commissioner Roger Goodell will deliver on his promise of expedited appeal hearings for the New Orleans Saints and the individuals suspended for the team’s bounty program.

League spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed to USA TODAY that appeals for suspended head coach Sean Payton, general manager Mickey Loomis and assistant head coach Joe Vitt would be heard this week. Payton and Loomis, who filed their appeals Friday, will appear at the league’s New York office Tuesday, according to ESPN .com, citing people familiar with the situation.

That is a five-day turnaround for Goodell, who will again pass judgment on the men he suspended, in accordance with procedures agreed upon in the new collective bargaining agreement. Barring compelling evidence, it’s unlikely Payton’s year-long ban will be reversed or amended, though he might learn what is allowable in exile.

Goodell said last week at the owners meetings that Payton would not be allowed to “coach from home” but has not indicated how much if any contact he’d be allowed to have with the team. Speaking publicly on the matter for the first time last week, Payton said specifics remained unclear and he planned on “staying involved as best I can.”

Payton, whose ban was supposed to begin Sunday, has talked to retired coach Bill Parcells about taking the reins for a season, and Payton could have only a few more days to conduct the business of the Saints.

Quarterback Drew Brees expressed his support on Friday for Payton in his appeal.

“The entire team loves our coach,” Brees said . “We’d do anything for him and are with him during this time.”

Former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, administrator of the bounty program from 2009-2011, hasn’t appealed his indefinite suspension.

The nearly two dozen players who the NFL says participated in the program have been told by the players union they could possibly face criminal charges. The Associated Press, citing two people familiar with the case, said the union had hired outside counsel to represent them if needed and suggested they have a lawyer and union rep with them when they are interviewed by NFL investigators.