Saints GM could try to delay suspension

New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis could possibly delay his eight-game suspension for a week to deal without fallout from Hurricane Isaac, though it remains unclear if he will opt to do so. Loomis' suspension is scheduled to begin Monday.

A league source confirmed that Saints Owner Tom Benson petitioned the NFL to waive Loomis' suspension for a week since the organization will be facing so many logistical hurdles, as was first reported by FOX Sports' Alex Marvez. The league said it would be willing to push back the suspension but not reduce it.

Neither the Saints nor the NFL would confirm those details. League spokesman Greg Aiello said he is not aware of any changes in the suspension schedule. Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt (six games) and Saints defensive end Will Smith (four games) are also scheduled to begin their suspensions on Monday, though Smith still has some appeals pending that could delay his suspension as well.

Ironically, Smith's uncertain status could be an incentive for Loomis to want to delay his suspension as long as possible. If Smith is returned to the active roster during Week 1, the Saints will have to release a player to make room -- though they will undoubtedly have a plan in place in Loomis' absence. Pro scouting director Ryan Pace will have final say on such roster moves.

The Saints will cut their roster down to 53 players by 8 p.m. central time tonight. And Loomis will still be allowed to work through the weekend while the Saints fill out their practice squad and scour other teams' lists of roster cuts.

The NFL's willingness to delay Loomis' suspension was a nice gesture and the correct move. But it should also come as no surprise that the league was unwilling to reduce it. Though the NFL could have taken this opportunity to throw some goodwill toward the Saints and Loomis, whose lengthy suspension was more than necessary in the first place, that's probably not a precedent the league wants to set when it comes to suspension of any kind. And the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell have repeatedly made it clear that they don't intend to back down from any of their severe punishments against the Saints.

The Saints are flying back from Nashville this morning, though players won't resume practicing until Monday. Stay tuned for further updates.