New Orleans Saints interim coach Joe Vitt will be waiting at the airport to accompany the team home after Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a league spokesman confirmed to NFL.com and NFL Network. Vitt's six-game suspension expires at the conclusion of the game.
Rosenthal: Tagliabue's legacy
By stepping in to hear the Saints bounty appeals, Paul Tagliabue gets a shot to rewrite his legacy, Gregg Rosenthal says. **More ...**
Vitt reportedly flew to Tampa, Fla., on Sunday morning and plans to go to his Saints office when the team arrives home, according to ESPN.com.
Aaron Kromer has been leading the Saints while Vitt serves a suspension for his involvement in the team's bounty program. Coach Sean Payton currently is serving a season-long suspension.
This week, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell appointed former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue to hear the appeals of the four players -- Jonathan Vilma, Will Smith, Scott Fujita and Anthony Hargrove -- at the heart of the bounty scandal. The second appeals hearing will take place Oct. 30.
UPDATE: Fullback Jed Collins tweeted that Vitt did indeed join the team on the flight back to New Orleans: "Got a special guest on the plane ride home Welcome Back Coach Vitt!!! #whodat"