Jonathan Vilma hasn't given up hope of joining his New Orleans Saints teammates at training camp next week.
Vilma filed a motion Monday to expedite his requested temporary restraining order against the NFL in the Eastern District Court of Louisiana, according to The Times-Picayune.
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Vilma requested a hearing on Thursday, or as soon as the court's schedule allows. Vilma's attorney, Peter Ginsberg, filed the motion as his client contests his season-long suspension for his involvement in the Saints' "bounty" program.
"The NFL's decision to bar Vilma from participating in the 2012 season, attending team and individual meetings, training at the Saints' practice facility ... and collecting his salary will cause Vilma not only to lose his annual salary but also to miss one of the most competitive seasons of his short professional career," Ginsberg says in the motion. "There is no opportunity to 'make up' this lost time. Vilma will simply never have the ability to participate in these lost games and practices again."
As PFT pointed out, Vilma also contends that the suspension will jeopardize his medical condition as he attempts to recover from offseason knee surgery.
Say what you will about the guy, but Vilma is going down fighting. Of course, this makes sense considering the stakes.