NFL notebook: Vick doesn’t attend hearing in Virginia
Michael Vick moved one step closer to being tried on state dogfighting charges Wednesday at a hearing in Sussex, Va., to make sure he has legal representation.
An attorney for the suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback appeared in Surry County Circuit Court and was asked to return Nov. 27 to set a trial date.
Vick did not attend the hearing.
Today, representatives from the Falcons, the NFL management council and the NFL Players Association are scheduled to meet in Philadelphia for a contract arbitration case.
The Falcons want Vick to return up to $22 million in bonus money, arguing his guilty plea to a federal dogfighting charge violated his 10-year, $130 million contract. The NFLPA is expected to argue Vick already has earned the bonus money.
Panthers hold meeting
After a weak performance that left their fans booing and one of their top players calling out his teammates, the Carolina Panthers held a players-only meeting.
The sitdown, called by guard Mike Wahle, came three days after defensive tackle Kris Jenkins said the Panthers had “no heart” following a 20-7 home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“QB Jake Delhomme and LB Dan Morgan were held out of practice as the Panthers began preparations for Sunday’s game at New Orleans. Running backs DeShaun Foster (team decision) and Nick Goings (concussion) also missed the workout.
Jaguar ducks questions
Jaguars left tackle Khalif Barnes dodged questions about his latest run-in with police, refusing to explain how he fell asleep while supposedly driving to a rehabilitation session.
Barnes did acknowledge he was concerned about his reputation following a one-car car accident Saturday morning.
“I always worry about that kind of stuff,” said Barnes, a second-round pick in 2005 who graduated with a criminal justice degree from Washington. “I don’t want to be labeled as a bad guy or anything like that. My family knows me and people who really know me, they don’t see me as a bad guy.”
Barnes, already on probation for a drunken driving charge, drove through a yard, crashed into a tree and then left the accident scene.
Around the league
San Francisco QB Alex Smith learned nothing new about his separated right shoulder, which will keep him out of the 49ers’ upcoming game against Baltimore. The 49ers sent the results of Smith’s MRI exam to Dr. James Andrews for an evaluation and the noted orthopedic surgeon confirmed the team’s original diagnosis of a moderate shoulder separation that won’t require surgery. … Bills rookie QB Trent Edwards will make his second straight start when Buffalo hosts Dallas on Monday after J.P. Losman missed practice. … Tampa Bay RB Carnell “Cadillac” Williams was placed on injured reserve one day after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair the torn patellar tendon in his right knee. The Bucs also placed LT Luke Petitgout on IR with a right knee injury that will require surgery. … Safety Rodney Harrison has returned to the New England Patriots after serving a four-game suspension for using a performance-enhancing substance.