• NFL files evidence in Vilma case: The NFL on Thursday provided a federal judge with what it says is evidence Commissioner Roger Goodell did not improperly pre-judge the four players suspended in the bounty investigation. The evidence includes a copy of a letter the NFL Players Association sent the league on March 7 asking Goodell to delay punishment of players implicated in the bounty probe. It also includes a sworn declaration from Goodell in which he states he was prepared to hand down player discipline at the same time he announced suspensions for coaches and executives on March 21. Goodell’s declaration states he held off after verbally agreeing to do so in a phone conversation with union head DeMaurice Smith. Attorneys for Vilma, who has sued separately, and NFLPA lawyers representing the three other punished players have argued Goodell showed improper bias with comments he made before sending the players notice of their suspensions on May 2. Attorneys for the players have been given until Friday to file their own evidence and briefs on the matter.
• Cowboys TE Witten hopeful to play in opener: Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten is hopeful that he will be ready to play in the season opener in three weeks. Witten is dealing with a lacerated spleen sustained in the preseason opener. “I’m doing all right. ... Stay optimistic. Take it one day at a time. Get healthy and regroup when we get back to Dallas," Witten said Thursday. “Obviously I would be hard pressed thinking I am not out there for the Giants game. Again, there is no timetable." The seven-time Pro Bowler got hurt in the preseason opener Monday night when he got hit after he caught a pass from a scrambling Tony Romo.
• NFL wants full-time officials, more crews: Full-time on-field officials and adding new crews are at the center of the dispute between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association. The officials have been locked out by the league, and replacements are being used for exhibition games. The NFLRA said Thursday that the NFL wants to add three crews totaling 21 officials without increasing “aggregate compensation." Instead, that would cause a reduction in pay. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says the proposal would allow each official to work fewer games, reduce travel, and allow the league to do more intensive training. As for full-time officials, the NFLRA says the league has not made salary offers, but it isn’t opposed to full-time officials if they are fairly compensated. The league says the proposal “also focuses on improving the quality of officiating long term."