I find it laughable how there is a segment of the NFL - whether it be fans or players - that is actually sympathic toward Jonathan Vilma and the other New Orleans Saints players suspended by the league for their part in the team's pay-to-injure bounty program.
It's kind of like the same defense for a politician when they get caught doing something they shouldn't. Suddenly, it becomes about "snitches" and "they were only guilty of being caught."
Vilma is a terrific player, and being tough and violent is very much a part of being a successful linebacker in the NFL. But that doesn't excuse putting up money to deliberately injure opposing players. That's something that is not only against league rules, but society's rules. People go to jail for paying others to injure another person in real life.
I understand the NFLPA's need to protect the due process of its members, and in general protecting their overall rights. What I don't feel would be appropriate is if the NFLPA plays Vilma as a victim here. Isn't the league, ultimately by ruling harshly in this instance, only trying to protect players? It should be disconcerting to the NFLPA itself on that front. They have to be careful here in their so-called defense of Vilma, and other suspended players, to not sound like they are condoning the behavior.