Saints' suspensions upheld by NFL

Sean Payton's one-year suspension has been upheld, opening the door yet again for Bill Parcells' return to NFL coaching.

Commissioner Roger Goodell did not alter the suspensions of Saints coaches and executives under appeal, announcing Monday that he will stand by the terms of their discipline for "continuing violations of the league's anti-bounty rule that endangered player safety over a three-year period." That means Payton, the head coach of the Saints, will serve his one-year suspension beginning next Monday.

It also means Parcells' phone could be ringing with a call from the Saints asking him to take over the team. In a text to Newsday Monday afternoon, Parcells said he had not yet heard from the Saints.

Parcells is considered one of the men most likely to replace Payton for the 2012 season if the sides can agree to terms. Last month Parcells told Newsday that if friend and protégé Payton asked him to step in and coach the Saints, he likely would do it.

The Saints also have to comply with the league's Rooney Rule, which demands that they interview a minority candidate for their head-coaching job.

Besides Payton, general manager Mickey Loomis and assistant head coach Joe Vitt will be suspended for eight and six games, respectively. Their suspensions will begin at the end of the preseason. Payton, Loomis and Vitt had meetings with the league Thursday to appeal their punishment, which had been announced last month.

Former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL. He did not appeal his punishment.

The team previously was fined $500,000 and docked second-round draft picks this year and next. The league said Monday that if all parties cooperate, Goodell will consider lessening the financial and draft-pick penalties.

"The club and the individuals will be expected to cooperate in any further proceedings and to assist in the development and implementation of programs to instruct players and coaches at all levels on principles of player safety, fair play, and sportsmanship," the league said in a statement.

"If they embrace the opportunity and participate in a constructive way, commissioner Goodell said he would consider mitigating the financial penalties on the individuals. In the case of the team, the commissioner would consider whether there are factors that would support modifying the forfeiture of the team's 2013 second-round draft choice."

The league later clarified that there still would be some punishment levied in the 2013 selection process.

The NFL's initial report on the bounty program also found that between 22 and 27 Saints players participated. The league is expected to announce any discipline against players in the coming days.