Former Hokies QB Marcus Vick free on bond (AP)
Former Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick’s first court appearance to face a charge of driving under the influence has been rescheduled. The 24-year-old brother of former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was to appear Monday in General District Court, but a clerk said his appearance was rescheduled for Sept.

Falcons reserve safety charged with DUI (AP)
Atlanta Falcons reserve safety Daren Stone has been arrested on a drunk-driving charge. Police said the second-year player was taken into custody early Sunday morning. No other information about the traffic stop was immediately available. Stone, 22, appeared in 12 games for the Falcons last year and was credited with nine solo tackles.

Falcons agree to terms with rookie Douglas (AP)
The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms on a four-year deal with third-round draft pick Harry Douglas, a wide receiver from Louisville. The Falcons also announced the signing of free-agent safety Deke Cooper on Friday. Cooper had three interceptions while starting 15 games for Carolina last season. He also has played for Jacksonville and San Francisco.

Ryan respects Goodell’s point on rookie contracts (AP)
Matt Ryan isn’t apologizing for benefiting from a system that allows top NFL draft picks to receive massive contracts. Even so, he appreciates where Roger Goodell was coming from last week when the commissioner questioned paying millions in guaranteed salary to rookies who have yet to play a down in the league.

Cowboys interetsed in Joe Horn? (Yahoo! Sports)
There were internet reports all weekend that the Cowboys were interested in Joe Horn, the wideout from the…

Popularity: 1% [?]

UGA defensive lineman Lemon arrested
University of Georgia football player Michael Lemon was arrested and booked into the Athens-Clarke County Jail this morning, according to jail records. Lemon was booked at 10:24 a.m. on two charges — aggravated battery, which is a felony, and misdemeanor battery. A $2,500 bond was posted. Lemon, a defensive lineman, allegedly punched DeMarius Jackson several times Saturday at a barbecue at an apartment complex. Jackson, a rising junior at Georgia, suffered a fractured left eye socket.

Braves hoping Diaz can spark lackluster outfield production
While the Braves consider outfielders from other teams who could be available before the July 31 trade deadline, Matt Diaz hopes he can help boost that punchless part of the offense soon. The left fielder could rejoin the Braves before the All-Star break, after spending the past five weeks on the disabled list recovering from a partially torn ligament in his left knee. “I should be back very soon,” said Diaz, who has passed every test in recent days, including sprints, quick cuts, and hitting. “I feel like I’m 100 percent [recovered]. I’m ready to get back out there. It’s been tough not being able to help out.”

Thrashers sign free agent Hainsey
Ron Hainsey might turn out to be two things for the Thrashers: A defenseman who can improve their team immediately and a 27-year-old who will keep getting better in the seasons to come. The Thrashers signed Hainsey on Wednesday to a five-year, $22.5 million contract. He wasn’t the highest-rated defenseman available in free agency, but he might have been the best who would agree to sign with the Thrashers. One day after failing to land top-rated Brian Campbell, who opted for $7 million a year from Chicago, the Thrashers got a less-established guy whose $4.5 million a year still makes him one of their highest-paid players.

Rookie receivers catch on in second year
It’s called a Dino route, but it looks more like something Curly would do when caught in a tough spo…

Focus on: NFC defensive ends
The Super Bowl champion Giants remain the conference’s most potent pass-rushing team with ends such as Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan and Justin Tuck leading the way.

Kansas City to retire Emmitt Thomas’ number
Falcons assistant head coach Emmitt Thomas will have his No. 18 jersey number retired by the Kansas City Chiefs to honor his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Thomas, who will enter the Hall of Fame Aug. 2, will be the ninth Chiefs player to have his number retired by the franchise. Kansas City will honor Thomas in a special ceremony when it hosts the Tennessee Titans Oct. 19. That is Atlanta’s bye week. Thomas played cornerback for the Chiefs from 1966-1978, where he recorded 58 interceptions, still a franchise record.

NFC team reports rundown
Each week, Sporting News correspondents provide insight and analysis on every NFL team. Here’s a sample of what you’ll find in the latest NFC team reports.

Rookie season proves difficult for many receivers
The first season is tough on receivers, but the path to success becomes clearler in the second season.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Rules to signing restricted free agents
Things to know at the start of the NBA’s free agency period where Hawks’ restricted free agents Josh Smith and Josh Childress will garner attention. Key dates • July 1: Teams can begin negotiating with restricted and unrestricted free agents.

Hawks plan to match any offer for Smith, Childress
The Hawks have been pointing to this day since October. They have made it clear that their top priority this summer was signing restricted free agents Josh Smith and Josh Childress, keeping them in Hawks uniforms. The difficulty of that task becomes known Tuesday, the first day NBA teams can negotiate with free agents. Contract terms can be agreed to at any time but nothing can be made official until July 9, after the league’s one-week moratorium is completed.

Trippin’ Tuesday: Pessimistic about Pacman (Yahoo! Sports)
Pacman Jones might finally be ready to turn his life and career around, but I’m just not sold at this moment.

Arkansas linebacker arrested for drunken-driving
Fayetteville, Ark. — Arkansas backup linebacker Freddy Burton faces a drunken-driving charge after an early morning arrest by university police. A police spokesman says Burton, 19, of Morrilton was arrested Sunday after an officer saw his car cross the center line. The spokesman says Burton took a breathalyzer test and had a blood-alcohol level of 0.13. Arkansas’ legal limit is 0.08. Burton was later released from the Washington County jail after posting an $880 bond. He is scheduled for a July 28 hearing in Fayetteville District Court. He also faces a careless driving charge.

Slumping Philly bats feel at home
Whenever the Phillies need a pick-me-up, they know where to go. Turner Field has been like a second home for them in recent years — without as many boos as they hear whenever things go sideways in Philadelphia. The National League East leaders came in lugging cold bats, but the Phillies warmed quickly with five runs in the first two-plus innings against rookie Charlie Morton during an 8-3 series-opening victory. The fourth-place Braves went 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position and lost for the sixth time in seven games against the Phillies this season, falling to five games behind the division leaders.

Uga VI to be buried Monday at Sanford Stadium
Athens — Uga V’s Whatchagot Loran, better known to the world as Uga VI, will be laid to rest Monday at 3 p.m. at Sanford Stadium. The University of Georgia’s pure white English bulldog mascot passed away Friday night of heart failure. He was a month shy of his 10th birthday. Like his five predecessors, Uga VI will be interred in specially-built marble vault built into the side of the south grandstands just inside the main gate of the southwest side of the stadium. According to UGA, it is the only school that buries its mascots within the confines of the stadium.

Georgia officials pay final tribute to Uga VI
Athens — This was a funeral, complete with real tears. Uga VI, the University of Georgia’s beloved bulldog mascot who passed away Friday, was treated to every dignity in death afforded the most respected of human beings. The body of the dog, whose registered name was Uga V’s Whatchagot Loran, was flown to Athens from Savannah along with his master’s family in the university plane. It entered Sanford Stadium from the northeast corner and was carried inside his famous kennel on the back of a golf cart across the field. His entry was accompanied by the song, “The Battle Hymn of the Bulldog Nation,” which is played before Georgia football games.

Phillies continue dominance over Braves
ATLANTA (AP) — Shane Victorino hit a home run and drove in four runs and the Phillies beat the Braves 8-3 on Tuesday night to remain unbeaten at Turner Field this season. Pat Burrell also hit a homer for the Phillies, who improved to 6-1 against the Braves this season. They are 4-0 in Atlanta. The Phillies took three straight wins in Atlanta on June 6-8 but then lost six straight series, including four against American League teams. The Phillies, only 4-11 in interleague play, are 41-28 against NL teams.

Matt Ryan is ready to face NFL pressure (Yahoo! Sports)
His isn’t the easiest of situations, replacing a polarizing and electric quarterback in a town divided, trying…

Falcons release safety Jimmy Williams (AP)
The Atlanta Falcons released disgruntled safety Jimmy Williams on Tuesday, two years after trading up 10 spots to pick him in the second round of the NFL draft. “It’s a football decision,” new Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “It’s a decision we made, and one that we’ve been evaluating.” With only seven career starts in 27 games, Williams made a poor first impression on Smith, who demoted the former…

Popularity: 3% [?]

Greenberg: The Week That Will Be: More cuff stuff in the NFL?
When it comes to players running afoul of the law, the NFL knows no offseason.

Iyer: Falcons‘ burning question: Throw Matt Ryan into the fire?
The Falcons are firmly in rebuilding mode. Their best option this season is to start rookie Matt Ryan from Week 1 and allow him to grow with his teammates on offense.

Falcons agree to terms with rookie Douglas (AP)
The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms on a four-year deal with third-round draft pick Harry Douglas, a wide receiver from Louisville. The Falcons also announced the signing of free-agent safety Deke Cooper on Friday. Cooper had three interceptions while starting 15 games for Carolina last season. He also has played for Jacksonville and San Francisco.

Matt Ryan is ready to face NFL pressure (Yahoo! Sports)
His isn’t the easiest of situations, replacing a polarizing and electric quarterback in a town divided, trying…

Jaguars No.1 pick Harvey may not be easy to sign (Yahoo! Sports)
The most difficult draft pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars to sign might be first-round choice Derrick Harvey, a…

Popularity: 4% [?]

Correction: Vick-Dogfighting story (AP)
In a June 9 story about Michael Vick’s state trial on dogfighting charges being delayed, The Associated Press, relying on information from the prosecutor, erroneously reported that co-defendant Tony Taylor will be tried on July 26. The court administrator says his trial date will be set on July 22.

Popular mascot Uga VI dies of heart failure
The University of Georgia’s beloved and Churchillian English bulldog mascot Uga VI died peacefully Friday night in Savannah of congestive heart failure after serving nine seasons on the sidelines as the Bulldogs’ winningest mascot. Uga VI, owned by Savannah attorney Frank W. “Sonny” Seiler, was the heaviest in the line of six solid-white English bulldogs to serve as UGA’s mascot since Uga I became a Georgia football game fixture in 1956. “He was a good one,” Seiler said in a prepared statement. “What can I say? He had a marvelous record. He was a very strong and healthy dog. He was the biggest of all the dogs, and he had the biggest heart. It just played out.”

Chipper, Escobar not expected till Phillies series
Toronto — The Braves had hoped to have Chipper Jones and Yunel Escobar in the lineup for the Toronto series, but now they aren’t expected back until Tuesday’s homestand opener against Philadelphia. Jones has missed seven starts since reinjuring his right quadriceps muscle. The major-league hitting leader wouldn’t rule out being a designated hitter for today’s series finale against Toronto, but said it’s more likely he would wait to play against the Phillies after an off day Monday. Escobar has missed three starts since jamming his left shoulder when he dived to first base trying to avoid a double play Tuesday. The shortstop was able to take batting practice Saturday for the first time since the injury, but he said the shoulder was still sore and he was aiming for Tuesday.

Trippin’ Tuesday: Legends’ counter closings (Yahoo! Sports)
In what turned out to be grand exits, Michael Strahan and John Elway had disparate post-game reactions.

Matt Ryan is ready to face NFL pressure (Yahoo! Sports)
His isn’t the easiest of situations, replacing a polarizing and electric quarterback in a town divided, trying…

Soriano spends time at home
Toronto — Injured Braves closer Rafael Soriano is back home in the Dominican Republic for a few days for “personal reasons,” general manager Frank Wren said. There was no further explanation. It’s been a frustrating season for the right-hander, who has spent all but two weeks of it on the disabled list for elbow problems that have perplexed him and the Braves. He has had a battery of tests performed that have revealed no ligament or tendon tears. The diagnosis have been general: “tendinitis” or “elbow inflammation.”

Falcons rookie Ryan balances offseason workload
Since a month before the April draft until just more than a week ago, Falcons‘ rookie quarterback Matt Ryan has obliged nearly every voluntary request of his free time while tending to every major and minor mandatory detail of his profession. Radio and newspaper interviews between mini-camp workouts, television appearances after offseason practices, public appearances any time the team asked. The No. 3 overall draft pick from Boston College, to put it mildly, has been a busy man. For the next month, though, “Matty Ice” gets the chance to chill. Offseason workouts recently ended around the NFL and players have the next few weeks to get in their last shot of personal time before training camps start in late August.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Camp countdown ‘08: Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are trying to usher in a new era and reestablish a new image with newcomers such as Thomas Dimitroff, Mike Smith, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and Sam Baker.

Falcons Team Report
PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: The Falcons need to strengthen their interior offensive line. Center T…

Jurrjens, Teixeira lead Braves to road win
Toronto — Jair Jurrjens cursed himself after he slipped on a step June 10 at Wrigley Field and turned an ankle, causing him to miss a start. It now appears that might have been a fortuitous tumble. The Braves rookie has appeared rejuvenated in three starts since — and never more than Friday night when he dominated the Toronto Blue Jays for eight innings in a 4-0 series-opening win at Rogers Centre.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Correction: Vick-Dogfighting story (AP)
In a June 9 story about Michael Vick’s state trial on dogfighting charges being delayed, The Associated Press, relying on information from the prosecutor, erroneously reported that co-defendant Tony Taylor will be tried on July 26. The court administrator says his trial date will be set on July 22.

Falcons agree to terms with rookie Douglas (AP)
The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms on a four-year deal with third-round draft pick Harry Douglas, a wide receiver from Louisville. The Falcons also announced the signing of free-agent safety Deke Cooper on Friday. Cooper had three interceptions while starting 15 games for Carolina last season. He also has played for Jacksonville and San Francisco.

Falcons release S Williams (PA SportsTicker)
The Atlanta Falcons released safety Jimmy Williams on Tuesday.

NFC team reports rundown
Each week, Sporting News correspondents provide insight and analysis on every NFL team. Here’s a sample of what you’ll find in the latest NFC team reports.

NFC rankings: wide receivers
In the latest installment of NFL offseason position rankings, SN’s correspondents break down the wide receivers in the NFC.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Chipper not ready to play
Braves slugger Cipper Jones said he made “slight progress” since Monday, but still wasn’t close to being ready to play. The third baseman has missed four starts since reinjuring his right quadriceps muscle. Manager Bobby Cox said he didn’t expect Jones to play until the interleague series that starts Friday in Toronto, where he would be the designated hitter.

Braves prospect throws 14-strikeout no-hitter
Mark Kotsay went 2-for-3 while playing center field for Class AA Mississippi in his second injury-rehab game, but the big news was a 14-strikeout no-hitter by Mississippi prospect Tommy Hanson (4-3). The right-hander issued three walks in the 6-0 win against Birmingham in Pearl, Miss. Kotsay has been on the DL for one month with a bulging disk in his lower back. Infante injured Utility man Omar Infante left Wednesday’s game after straining his right hamstring running out a double. Cox said the Braves hope to avoid putting him on the disabled list, but won’t know for the next day or two.

NFC rankings: wide receivers
In the latest installment of NFL offseason position rankings, SN’s correspondents break down the wide receivers in the NFC.

NFC rankings: running backs
In the latest installment of NFL offseason position rankings, SN’s correspondents break down the running backs in the NFC.

Camp countdown ‘08: Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are trying to usher in a new era and reestablish a new image with newcomers such as Thomas Dimitroff, Mike Smith, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and Sam Baker.

Ballpark weathers heavy rain
Omaha, Neb. — That Tuesday night’s game almost started on schedule can be credited to a break in the weather and the efforts of the ground crew at Rosenblatt Stadium. A front moved through the area that dumped as much as two inches of rain in parts of the city. The infield at Rosenblatt Stadium was covered with a tarp, but the rain was so heavy that puddles formed in shallow left field and along the dirt portions that run along the perimeter of the field. As the rain slowed, the ground crew began shoving water off the tarp and into the outfield. Stadium officials say the field can handle more than 8 inches of water an hour and still be playable. Crew members spread drying agents and used squeegees to remove excess water.

Falcons release safety Jimmy Williams
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons released disgruntled safety Jimmy Williams on Tuesda…

Fantasy preview: Preseason top 100 rankings
Fantasy Source ranks the top 100 fantasy football draft picks entering the 2008 season.

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NFL rookies get taste of history at hall of fame (AP)
For a moment, Miami Dolphins tackle Jake Long looked like any other visitor at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He handed his cell phone to a teammate, stood next to the bronze bust of fellow former Michigan tackle Dan Dierdorf and smiled for a snapshot. Long, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, and the rest of the NFL’s rookies are touring the Hall of Fame this summer as part of a program aimed at…

Falcons release safety Jimmy Williams (AP)
The Atlanta Falcons released disgruntled safety Jimmy Williams on Tuesday, two years after trading up 10 spots to pick him in the second round of the NFL draft. “It’s a football decision,” new Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “It’s a decision we made, and one that we’ve been evaluating.” With only seven career starts in 27 games, Williams made a poor first impression on Smith, who demoted the former…

Falcons agree to terms with rookie Douglas
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms on a four-year deal with third-round draft …

Trippin’ Tuesday: Legends’ counter closings (Yahoo! Sports)
In what turned out to be grand exits, Michael Strahan and John Elway had disparate post-game reactions.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Florio: NFL’s conduct policy coming up short so far
NFL Roger Goodell instituted a player conduct policy before the 2007 draft. The results so far have been less than stellar.

Dillon: The Freak, Ricky & Mario among stars of NFL spring
A look at 10 players — three of whom are 30 or older — who have impressed their coaches and teammates during minicamps and OTAs.

Sheets, Brewers shut down Braves
If ever there was a night the Braves needed a strong pitching performance from Jo-Jo Reyes, Monday was it. If ever there was a night they needed Chipper Jones in the lineup, Monday was it. The Braves got neither, and got dominated.

Falcons Team Report
PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: The Falcons need to strengthen their interior offensive line. Center T…

Popularity: 7% [?]