Source: Saints 'refused' to provide a 'declaration of support' for suspended players

A union source tells CBSSports.com that in early April, the NFLPA requested the Saints send to the NFL a declaration of support for the suspended players who were punished, on the grounds that said punishment was too severe.

Per the source, the Saints refused.

As we detailed earlier today, the NFLPA and NFL are approaching an interesting discovery deadline on Friday, in advance of the appeals for four suspended Saints players on Monday.

The players appealing are attempting to gather as much evidence in their favor as possible. Making matters more difficult for the union is the Saints refusal to come to the players' public assistance in the appeals process.