VICK INDICTED
A federal court indicted Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick Tuesday on charges related to an illegal dogfighting ring. According to the Associated Press, Vick is scheduled to appear in a Richmond, VA. court on July 26 for bond and arraignment hearings, after which he should be able to rejoin the team. He faces up to six years in prison and $350,000 in fines and restitution if convicted. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is under heavy pressure to suspend the star, who is slated to earn $6 million in base salary this season. Goodell has made player conduct a top priority in his first year as commissioner. Despite mounting pressure from animal rights activists, he has reportedly decided to let Vick play while the legal process is underway. This does not rule out the possibility that the Falcons will cut him. Fantasy owners should proceed with caution. If Vick plays, he will do so with numerous off-field distractions and the specter of jail-time over his shoulder.
CULPEPPER SHOPPING
The Miami Dolphins released quarterback Daunte Culpepper this week, ending a tumultuous relationship between the two. His release comes a day before the two parties were scheduled to meet after the Players Association filed a breach-of-contract grievance on the star quarterback's behalf. Injuries have limited Culpepper the past two seasons, and he has failed to make an impact since his breakthrough 2004 campaign. Both the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are thought to be possible suitors. The Jaguars alerted quarterbacks Byron Leftwich and David Garrard of the possibility of acquiring Culpepper, who had his best season under assistant coach Mike Tice. Meanwhile, Culpepper met with the Buccaneers on Thursday. Although they already have five quarterbacks on their roster, they lack the kind of marquee star that fills seats and wins games. Plus, they have the cap space to sign Culpepper and stash him on their roster until he is healthy enough to contribute.
FREENEY LOCKED UP
The Indianapolis Colts signed defensive end Dwight Freeney to a six-year, $72 million contract, which included a lucrative $30 million signing bonus. This makes Freeney the highest paid defensive player in the NFL, ahead of San Francisco 49ers Nate Clements who signed an eight-year, $80 million contract during the off-season. Freeney has become a cornerstone of the Colts' franchise, recording 56.5 sacks and 27 forced fumbles in five NFL seasons. Freeney and fellow Pro Bowler Bob Sanders will anchor a defense that was far from dominating last season, but could see noticeable improvement if injuries are avoided. Still, the Colts defense is a waiver wire pick at best.
CHAMBERS LOCKED UP
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chris Chambers was arrested in North Carolina on charges of speeding, reckless driving and driving while impaired, according to The Miami Herald. The 2005 Pro Bowler failed to have an impact last season, but was still considered the No. 2 wideout for the Dolphins. This is the latest incident to hamper the Dolphins — defensive tackle Fred Evens was released by the team in June after being arrested on battery and assault charges while linebacker Joey Porter was arrested in March for punching Cincinnati Bengals' Levi Jones in a Las Vegas casino. Chambers would have been a viable fantasy option. His arrest raises the possibility of NFL suspension.
APPEAL FAVORS ALLEN
The Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen has been suspended for the first two games of the 2007 season and docked pay for an additional game, according to the Associated Press. Allen had previously told the media he was suspended for four games, but an appeal has lowered that number. The Chiefs open the season with three of their first four games on the road and will miss the presence of Allen, who was second on the team with 7.5 sacks last season. Suspension and a tough schedule places the Chiefs' defense at the bottom of the pack. So don't expect them to have an impact.
Lamberti is UPDATE! Editor in Chief.
