Vick can keep most of bonus, judge rules

Jailed quarterback Michael Vick can keep all but $3.75 million of the nearly $20 million in bonus money he received from the Atlanta Falcons following a ruling Monday by a federal judge.

The Falcons sought to recover the bonuses after Vick pleaded guilty to federal charges in a dogfighting operation. The bonuses were paid from 2004-07.

A special master ruled in October the Falcons were entitled to recover the bonuses. The Falcons argued Vick used proceeds from a contract he signed in 2004 to finance his illicit activities.

But U.S. District Judge David Doty of Minneapolis ruled that recovery of most of the bonus money by the Falcons would violate the NFL collective bargaining agreement. The agreement does not allow roster bonus money to be forfeited once it's been earned, the judge wrote.

Vick received a 23-month jail sentence and entered a minimum-security prison in Leavenworth, Kan., last month. The league has suspended Vick indefinitely without pay.

"It makes no sense that an individual who willfully violates his contract is entitled to be paid tens of millions of dollars even though he is in jail and providing no services whatsoever to his employer," said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello.

Vick's personal attorney, Lawrence Woodward Jr., said Vick was happy with the ruling but understands there could be appeals.

"He's grateful for some good news but he realizes he needs to keep doing all the right things to get back to playing football," Woodward said.

At a November hearing, union attorney Jeffrey Kessler contended Vick's "roster bonus" should be treated the same as a "performance bonus," which can't be forfeited under the agreement. The league maintained the roster bonus should be treated like a "signing bonus allocation," which could be forfeited.

Doty ruled that once Vick made the Falcons' 80-man roster, he earned the bonus money and the team cannot demand forfeiture. However, he wrote, the Falcons can recover $3.75 million of his 2006 signing bonus, which is governed by other rules and is something the union did not challenge.

"The Players Association is obviously delighted with the result," Kessler said. "It vindicates our view that a clear deal was made -- that once players earn their compensation that it is no longer subject to being taken back."

While the distinction about whether Vick's roster bonuses were guaranteed or not guaranteed may be important for salary cap purposes, Doty wrote, "it does not dictate the outcome in a forfeiture context."

Any money recovered would be credited to Atlanta's future salary cap.

Doty also ruled the Falcons may not use state law, even in a grievance procedure, to try to recoup Vick's bonus money.

Atlanta Falcons president Rich McKay said the team is disappointed with the ruling, but it won't affect the Falcons' salary cap for the 2008 season.

"Any potential recovery would have only affected our 2009 salary cap," McKay said. "As to our future legal strategies, we will meet with our legal representatives to more fully understand our options before making that determination."

Pro Bowl carousel: Tom Brady and Randy Moss pulled out of the Pro Bowl on Monday, a day after the New England Patriots were beaten in the Super Bowl.

After throwing a league-record 50 touchdown passes during the season, Brady was battered by the New York Giants during their 17-14 win Sunday. He has been bothered by a tender ankle and was photographed in New York wearing a protective boot two weeks prior to the Super Bowl.

Brady, who first injured his ankle against San Diego in the AFC championship game, was sacked five times by the Giants. He will be replaced by Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson.

Moss, who caught a record 23 TD passes from Brady during the season, had 5 receptions for 62 yards and a TD in the Super Bowl. He will be replaced by disgruntled Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Johnson.

San Diego tight end Antonio Gates and defensive tackle Jamal Williams also decided to skip the all-star game on Feb. 10 in Honolulu.

Browns tight end Kellen Winslow will go in place of Gates, bringing the number of Browns players in the Pro Bowl to six, the club's most since sending six in 1994. Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Casey Hampton takes Williams' spot on the AFC roster, his third-consecutive trip to Hawaii and fourth overall.

The Patriots have not said why either of the Patriots stars' opted out.

Anderson, who began the season as Charlie Frye's backup, threw for 3,787 yards and 29 touchdowns while going 10-5 as a starter. Cleveland was edged out of a playoff spot because of a tiebreaker. In a release, the Browns did not provide a reason for Anderson replacing Brady.

Despite playing on bad knees and with a separated shoulder, Winslow led the Browns with 82 receptions and had 1,106 receiving yards, the most by a Cleveland tight end. He'll undergo another surgery -- his fourth since 2004 -- on his right knee after the Pro Bowl.

Winslow had postponed the operation in anticipation of replacing Gates, who sustained a toe injury during the playoffs.

"We're excited the Browns will have such a presence at the Pro Bowl this year," general manager Phil Savage said in a statement.

Johnson, making the trip to the Pro Bowl for the fifth straight year, made it clear in interviews in Arizona leading up to the Super Bowl, he's unhappy in Cincinnati. The Bengals have said repeatedly Johnson, who has four years left on his contract, won't be traded. Johnson caught 93 passes for a club-record 1,440 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He will accompany teammate T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who was picked for his first Pro Bowl. It will mark the first time a pair of Bengals receivers reached the Pro Bowl together.

Gates is still bothered by the left big toe he dislocated in San Diego's wild-card playoff win over Tennessee on Jan. 6. He was able to play in a divisional win at Indianapolis and the AFC championship game loss at New England.

Williams had been bothered by an ankle injury since December.

Vermeil downplays tricks: Dick Vermeil, who coached the St. Louis Rams to their first Super Bowl championship in 2000, doubts dirty tricks prevented the franchise from winning it all again under Mike Martz in 2002.

Vermeil, in a telephone interview with The Associated Press from his home near Philadelphia, said Monday night that players win games, not schemes. He used the New York Giants' 17-14 upset over New England on Super Bowl Sunday as an example.

"How was that game decided? By a receiver catching a ball on the top of his helmet," Vermeil said.

The Boston Herald, citing an unidentified source, reported Saturday that a member of the Patriots' video staff taped the Rams final walkthrough before the '02 Super Bowl. The Patriots were 2-touchdown underdogs but beat the Rams 20-17 for their first title.

Panthers' Rucker to return: Mike Rucker plans to return to the Carolina Panthers next season.

After spending more than a month contemplating his future, the defensive end said Monday he's decided against retirement and hopes the Panthers want him back.

Rucker, who turns 33 on Feb. 28, ranks second in team history with 553 tackles and 55½ sacks. He becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the month.