Sports in brief: Vick signs with Eagles

Football: By halftime, the Linc was buzzing: Michael Vick was an Eagle.

Suddenly, no one seemed to care much about the preseason game against the New England Patriots on Thursday night at Lincoln Financial Field. All that mattered to most fans was that the disgraced quarterback had joined their team.

Even though five-time Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb is the man on the Philadelphia Eagles, the team gave Vick a one-year deal with an option for a second year.

Vick, once the NFL’s highest-paid player, has been out of action since 2006. The former Atlanta Falcons star was convicted in August 2007 of conspiracy and running a dogfighting ring, and served 18 of a 23-month sentence in federal prison. He also was suspended indefinitely by the NFL.

“I’m a believer that as long as people go through the right process, they deserve a second chance,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said. “He’s got great people on his side; there isn’t a finer person than Tony Dungy. He’s proven he’s on the right track.”

Commissioner Roger Goodell conditionally lifted Vick’s suspension on July 27. He is eligible for full reinstatement by Week 6 (Oct. 18-19) at the latest.

Golf section: Lake Chelan

Golf: With incredible scenic backdrops and challenging golf holes, the Lake Chelan area is a hot spot for golfers looking for a new playing experience.

Staff writer Steve Bergum visited the Lake Chelan area and reviews the three courses.

Look for that and additional golf stories in the summer Golf Section inserted in today’s paper.

Alamo Bowl lures Pac-10

College football: The Pacific-10 Conference and Alamo Bowl are in discussions that could make the San Antonio game the league’s No. 2 bid behind the Rose and push the Holiday Bowl to No. 3.

A spokesman for the Pac-10 had no comment on a deal, but the Seattle Times reported the conference and the bowl are “on the brink of hooking up.”

The Pac-10 would play a Big 12 team on Jan. 2 starting after the 2010 season.

Holiday Bowl Executive Director Bruce Binkowski said the San Diego Bowl would not be willing to match the Alamo’s reported payout of $3 million per team. The Holiday Bowl’s per-team payout is $2.35 million.

Associated Press