New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilmas defamation lawsuit against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in connection with the bounty case was dismissed by a federal judge on Thursday. U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan in New Orleans ruled in favour of Goodells motion to dismiss Vilmas complaint, which was filed in May and set out 11 claims. Vilma had argued that Goodell made false statements, tarnishing the players reputation, in connection with the leagues investigation of what it determined was a system that offered cash bonuses to Saints players for big hits from 2009-11. "Even though this matter has been pending only since May ... it feels as protracted and painful as the Saints season itself, and calls for closure," Berrigan wrote in her decision. "The Court nonetheless believes that had this matter been handled in a less heavy handed way, with greater fairness toward the players and the pressures they face, this litigation and the related cases would not have been necessary." Goodell initially suspended Vilma for all of the 2012 season -- although he wound up being able to play while appealing -- and three other players received shorter bans: Saints defensive end Will Smith and two former Saints, Cleveland linebacker Scott Fujita and free agent defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove. But Paul Tagliabue, Goodells predecessor as commissioner, heard a final round of player appeals and threw out the suspensions last month. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said neither he nor Goodell would have any comment Thursday about Berrigans ruling. Peter Ginsberg, a lawyer for Vilma, wrote in an email: "We are obviously disappointed, strongly believe that the CBA does not give anyone -- including a commissioner -- a license to misrepresent and to manufacture facts, especially at the expense of another persons reputation -- and are considering our options." Berrigan wrote that "Vilma maintains that Goodell is responsible for the allegedly offending statements in his individual capacity." The judge rejected that as "unpersuasive," saying: "The Court finds that all of the allegedly offensive statements were made by Goodell as Commissioner of the NFL in conjunction with the investigation resulting in the now well-known discipline against Vilma and others associated with the Saints." Vilmas lawsuit pointed to six statements made by Goodell -- including in NFL news releases, memos to the leagues 32 teams, and an interview with the NFL Network. "While the Court is extremely disturbed by the fundamental lack of due process in Goodells denying the players the identities of and the right to confront their accusers, that was substantially rectified later in the process," Berrigan wrote. "So while the process was initially procedurally flawed, the statements were ultimately found to have enough support to defeat the defamation claims." 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Thats why the San Francisco Giants felt so good about picking up their star pitcher on a day he wasnt at his best. Brandon Crawford hit a two-run single for his first RBIs since April and the Giants capitalized on shoddy fielding by St.VANCOUVER -- Geroy Simon became the CFLs all-time receiving leader in dramatic fashion Friday night. The Lions star slotback set the record on a 56-yard pass from Travis Lulay 4:57 into the fourth quarter of B.C.s 33-16 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Simon, a 36-year-old Johnstown, Pa., native was all alone as he hauled in the Lulay bomb along the sidelines and brought the ball to the Winnipeg 23-yard line. Seconds afterwards, Simon was hugged by his 18-year-old son Gervon, who travelled from Johnstown to witness history. He finished the game with 105 receiving yards on five receptions. Simon bettered the mark of 15,153 yards held by retired Blue Bomber great Milt Stegall, now a TV broadcaster, who was on hand for the game. Simons career receiving total is now at 15,192. After Simon established the new record, the game was stopped briefly and he was honoured in an on-field ceremony that included commissioner Mark Cohon, Lions general manager Wally Buono and Stegall. "Congratulations," said Buono. "I know youve got a lot more left in you, by the way." Simon achieved the feat in the same number of seasons -- 14 --- that it took Stegall, who played from 1995-2008, to set his record.dddddddddddd The Lions veteran entered Fridays contest needing just 67 receiving yards to take his place in history. He continued his career-long trend of doing memorable things in games involving the Bombers. He began his CFL career with Winnipeg in 1999. He won a Grey Cup and the leagues most outstanding player award in 2006 with the Lions in the Manitoba capital. Then the Lions beat the Bombers for the sixth Grey Cup in franchise history last November. Approximately 20 of Simons friends and family members were on hand at B.C. Place Stadium for the occasion. He had three chances to set the record in the third quarter. On the first, Winnipegs Jonathan Hefney, the CFLs most outstanding defensive player in 2011, was called for pass interference as he blocked a Lulay pass with his back. On the other try, Simon bobbled a Lulay pass as he attempted to make a diving catch one play after the Lions had made a successful on-side kick. A few minutes later, Simon could not squeeze a Lulay pass over the middle before the ball slipped through his hands to the ground. ' ' '