Saints suspensions to start on time

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The NFL will uphold its original ruling on the length of New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis' bounty-related suspension, a source told ESPN's Ed Werder.

Loomis and Saints interim coach Joe Vitt both are scheduled to begin their suspensions Monday.

The Saints had hoped to shorten or delay Loomis' eight-game ban in light of Hurricane Isaac's effects on New Orleans and the surrounding area, according to a recent report by FoxSports.com.

But Loomis' suspension will last the full eight games and will run through New Orleans' contest against the Denver Broncos on Oct. 28, the source told Werder.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell issues an open letter to fans Friday in which he reiterated the league's stance on bounties.

"Let me be clear: there is no place for bounties in football," Goodell said in the letter. "No exceptions. No excuses. Bounties are an affront to everything that competitive sports should represent. Everyone in the NFL is responsible for adhering to these rules and we are all accountable for protecting the safety of our players -- present and future."

Vitt, who received a six-game suspension, took on head-coaching duties when Sean Payton's season-long ban began in mid-April. Vitt is expected to resume those duties when he returns, which won't be until Week 8 because the Saints have a bye in Week 6.

The Saints have tabbed offensive line coach Aaron Kromer as Vitt's temporary replacement.

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