Pro Football weekly

The NFL is again urging a federal judge to avoid interfering in Commissioner Roger Goodell's efforts to discipline four players for the Saints' cash-for-hits bounty pool.In a response Wednesday to papers the players filed earlier this week, the NFL says its labor agreement gives Goodell the power to handle discipline involving conduct detrimental to football "at his discretion."||||||| U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan is considering the players' request to overturn varying suspensions to Saints linebacker Jon Vilma, Saints defensive end Will Smith, free agent defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove and Cleveland linebacker Scott Fujita.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reduced Hargrove's eight-game suspension previously given to him for his role in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal.||||||| Hargrove, a free agent defensive lineman, will face a two-game suspension once he signs with a team.

The suspensions of four players in the NFL's bounty investigation have been lifted by a three-member appeals panel. The league reinstated those players a few minutes after Friday's ruling.||||||| Hargrove can play immediately, but he must join a team first. That won't happen in time for this weekend's games.

Hargrove, already facing an eight-game suspension for his role in the Saints bounty pool, has been released by the Green Bay Packers.||||||| The 29-year-old Hargrove has denied NFL accusations that he lied to league investigators. Hargrove, with the Saints from 2009-2010, played last season with Seattle. Green Bay signed the 6-foot-3, 287-pound Hargrove on March 29. He was suspended by the NFL on May 2.