The NFL suspended New Orleans Saints defensive captain Jonathan Vilma without pay for all of next season and gave shorter bans to three other players for their leading roles in the team's cash-for-hits system that knocked key opponents out of games from 2009-11.

Defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove, now with the Green Bay Packers, was suspended for the first half of the 16-game season; Saints defensive end Will Smith was barred for the opening four games; and linebacker Scott Fujita, now with the Cleveland Browns, will miss the first three games of 2012. Like Vilma, they were suspended without pay, costing each hundreds of thousands of dollars.

TAMPA, Fla. — Paralyzed defensive tackle Eric LeGrand was signed by the Tampa Bay Bucs.LeGrand broke two vertebrae and suffered a serious spinal cord injury on Oct. 16, 2010 during a kickoff return against Army. His coach at Rutgers then, Greg Schiano, now is coach of the Bucs.Schiano called the signing a “small gesture ... to recognize his character, spirit and perseverance.”

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bodemeister was made the early 4-1 favorite for the Kentucky Derby, with Union Rags a close second choice at 9-2 in a full field of 20 horses for Saturday's race. Gemologist is third at 6-1 followed by Dullahan at 8-1 and Hansen, the near all-white colt who won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in November.

MONTREAL (— The Montreal Canadiens hired Marc Bergevin as general manager.Bergevin, 46, served as assistant GM for the Chicago Blackhawks this season.