NFL tells Vick: Stay home, at least for now

Michael Vick was ordered by commissioner Roger Goodell yesterday to stay away from the Atlanta Falcons' training camp until the league reviews the dogfighting charges against him.

"While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the National Football League to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies, including the Personal Conduct Policy," Goodell said in a letter to the quarterback.

The NFL said Vick would still get his preseason pay, and Goodell told the Falcons to withhold any disciplinary action of their own until the league's review was completed.

The review is expected to involve conversations with federal law enforcement officials so the NFL can determine the strength of the case against Vick.

The Falcons open camp Thursday, the same day Vick is scheduled to be arraigned in Richmond, Va., on charges of sponsoring a dogfighting operation.

Members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals demonstrated at Falcons headquarters in Flowery Branch, Ga., yesterday and did the same outside NFL offices in New York last week.

If convicted, Vick and three others charged with him could face up to six years in prison, and $350,000 in fines.

Meanwhile, Atlanta cornerback Jimmy Williams is facing a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession.

Virginia state police charged the Hampton native on June 2, according to Goochland County General District Court records. An initial court appearance scheduled for July 16 was postponed until Dec. 3.

Steelers. Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu signed a four-year extension through the 2011 season worth $30.19 million, making him the highest-paid player in team history (topping Hines Ward) and one of the NFL's top-paid defensive backs.

Dolphins. Quarterback John Beck, a second-round pick out of Brigham Young, has signed a four-year contract with Miami. Ted Ginn Jr., a receiver from Ohio State taken in the first round, remained unsigned yesterday, a day before the first scheduled rookie practice.

Elsewhere. The Buffalo Bills signed tight end Derek Schouman, a seventh-round pick out of Boise State. . . . Cleveland Browns center LeCharles Bentley, a two-time Pro Bowler, received medical clearance to return to the playing field after suffering a career-threatening knee injury on the first play of contact last summer in training camp. . . . New England signed defensive lineman Kareem Brown, a fourth-round pick from Miami, and offensive lineman Mike Elgin, a seventh-rounder from Iowa. . . . Former defensive tackle Chad Eaton, a nine-year veteran of the NFL, was jailed Saturday in Monroe, Wash., for investigation of domestic violence, authorities said. . . . Receiver Craig Davis, a first-round pick of the San Diego Chargers, agreed to a five-year deal believed to be worth about $5.5 million in guaranteed money. Second-rounder Eric Weddle, a defensive back, agreed to a four-year deal. . . . The New York Jets placed veteran receiver Tim Dwight and linebacker Matt Chatham on the physically-unable-to-perform list.