Friday around the NFL

Saints coaches begin appeals

The agent for the Saints’ Joe Vitt says his client has decided to appeal his NFL suspension for his role in New Orleans’ bounty system. David Cornwell said he and Vitt “discussed our concern that his appeal be consistent with the association’s view that coaches also coach sportsmanship and fair play.” The NFL suspended Vitt for six games. Earlier Friday, Saints coach Sean Payton appealed his season-long suspension.

Concussion lawsuits

What began last summer as a couple of cases with a handful of plaintiffs is growing week by week, and soon perhaps more than 1,000 former football players will be suing the NFL in federal court in Philadelphia.

They say the league didn’t do enough to inform players about the dangers of head injuries and protect them from concussions in the past, and it isn’t doing enough to care for them today.

Giants RB suspended

The NFL suspended Giants running back Andre Brown for the first four games of the 2012 season for violating the league policy on performance enhancing substances.

Tebow unsure he’ll ever start

Tim Tebow says he is “not sure” if he’ll ever be a starting quarterback again, and that thought doesn’t concern him right now. The Jets’ new backup quarterback told 1050 ESPN Radio his only plan is to help his new team win games and “be the best quarterback, best teammate, best football player I can be and just be someone that adds something to that locker room.” Coach Rex Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum have repeatedly said Mark Sanchez is the unquestioned starter, with Tebow serving as the backup but having a significant role in the offense.

News and notes

Eagles Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters has ruptured his right Achilles and is expected to miss the season. … Linebacker Manny Lawson has decided to stay with the Bengals. The unrestricted free agent agreed to a new contract Friday. Lawson started 16 games for Cincinnati last season, his first with the Bengals. … The Panthers traded running back Mike Goodson to the Raiders in exchange for offensive tackle Bruce Campbell. Goodson, who ran for 501 yards and three touchdowns in three seasons with Carolina, became expendable after the team signed free agent running back Mike Tolbert earlier this offseason.

Associated Press