by Chris Mooney
ESPN reports Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to federal dogfighting charges. CNN reports the federal plea agreement recommends Vick spend 18-36 months in jail. “After consulting with his family over the weekend, Michael Vick has asked that I announce today that he has reached an agreement with federal prosecutors regarding charges pending against him,” Vick attorney Billy Martin said in a statement. “Mr. Vick has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to those charges and to accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made. Michael wishes to apologize again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter.
Related to the Vick situation, The Washington Times reports the Atlanta Falcons are believed to be talking to the Redskins about a trade for QB Mark Brunell.
The Sun-Sentinel reports in an attempt to speed up the installation of the team’s new offense, the Dolphins named QB Trent Green the starting quarterback for the Sept. 9 season opener against Washington. HC Cam Cameron spoke to all his quarterbacks Monday and announced his decision, which ended a training camp battle between Green and QB Cleo Lemon, who has spent the past two seasons as the Dolphins No. 3 quarterback after previously working with Cameron in San Diego. “We’re at the point where we’re putting this offense together and the one thing this offense needs is leadership. Trent brings that,” said Cameron, the former Chargers offensive coordinator who is embarking on his first season as a head coach. “Cleo’s time is coming, it’s getting closer and closer . . . But he’s got a lot of room for growth, especially in the area of leadership.”
Brandon Jackson Nearly a Lock to Win Starting Job – - - The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports……
Packers rookie RB Brandon Jackson has started both exhibition games, and after posting a respectable 13-carry, 54-yard, one-touchdown performance in the Packers’ 48-13 victory Saturday night over the Seattle Seahawks, there’s little reason to think he won’t be No. 1 on the depth chart the rest of training camp. Jackson’s main competition, RB Vernand Morency (knee), isn’t ready to return to the field, and so the rookie from Nebraska will go into the third exhibition game poised to handle most of the running duties. GM Ted Thompson said he thought rookie RB DeShawn Wynn (thigh) was still day-to-day and was not guaranteed of returning for the Jacksonville game Thursday, leaving Jackson, rookie RB Corey White and veteran RB Noah Herron to handle the rushing load. It was supposed to be a two-man race between Jackson and Morency, but it has turned out to be no race at all. “Right now, he’s definitely way ahead because the other guy unfortunately hasn’t competed at all,” offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. “There’s really no comparison at this stage.”
The Beacon Journal reports Browns RB Jamal Lewis continues to look strong rushing the ball showing a nice mix of speed and power.
The Houston Chronicle reports RB Ahman Green and RB Ron Dayne are secure as the Texans’ first two running backs. RB Samkon Gado (eight carries for 29 yards) and RB Wali Lundy (eight for 26) are competing for the third spot. “We need to watch them work and see what happens over these last two weeks of preseason,” HC Gary Kubiak said. “In that last preseason game, those guys are going to play a ton.”