NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has appointed his predecessor to hear the appeals of four playes suspended in the Saints' bounties scandal. Goodell says he has notified Jonathan Vilma, Will Smith, Scott Fjuita and Anthony Hargrove, as well as the players' union, that Paul Tagliabue would be the hearing officer to "decide the appeals and bring the matter to a prompt and fair conclusion." The union and the four players had asked Goodell to recuse himself, contending he could not fairly rule. Their second set of appeals is expected to be heard next Tuesday.
