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Michael Vick declared “I am not the bad person or beast I’ve been made out to be” and asked for leniency in a letter to the federal judge who sentenced him to 23 months in prison for a dogfighting conspiracy. Vick made his handwritten plea from jail as he awaited Monday’s sentencing by Judge Henry…

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger missed practice again Thursday because of a sore right shoulder, with Charlie Batch running the starting offense in his place. On Tuesday, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Roethlisberger’s problem wasn’t a major one and, “I don’t want to make more out of it than what it is.” The Steelers haven’t…

Arthur Blank looked at the sign on the wall, the one that Bobby Petrino put up in the team meeting room after he was hired to coach the Atlanta Falcons. It lists the traits Petrino wanted out of his players, wrapping up with a most telling word: Finish. “I don’t think quitting after 13 games…

The Indianapolis Colts are planning to be without four starters for Sunday’s game at Oakland. Coach Tony Dungy said Wednesday receiver Marvin Harrison (bruised left knee), defensive tackle Raheem Brock (ribs), safety Antoine Bethea (sprained left knee) and defensive end Robert Mathis (two sprained knees) are all expected to sit out this week.

Cowboys receiver Terry Glenn went through some drills at practice for the first time all season Wednesday, a good indication the already dominant Dallas offense could have another weapon by the playoffs. Glenn, out because of two knee operations, is not expected to play Sunday against the Eagles. He’s more likely to make his season…

Emmitt Thomas waited a long time to serve as head coach of an NFL team. He never could have imagined his opportunity would come this way. One day after Bobby Petrino’s unexpected resignation, Thomas inherited an Atlanta Falcons team eager for new leadership. Thomas, 64, was promoted Wednesday to interim head coach for the final…

The Jacksonville Jaguars placed three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud on injured reserve Wednesday, three days after he reinjured his surgically repaired right ankle. Stroud hurt his ankle Sunday when teammate John Henderson fell on him during the first play of the third quarter against Carolina.

The spy games between the New York Jets and New England Patriots began last season. The Jets were caught videotaping at Gillette Stadium last season and the Patriots had that New York employee removed from the area, according to published reports Wednesday. Jets coach Eric Mangini said his team received permission to film behind both…

The scene repeated itself often. DeShawn Stevenson would make a jumper, then wave his right hand over his face. It’s his customary celebration. It’s also become customary to see teams do that sort of thing when visiting the Miami Heat. Stevenson scored a season-high 26 points, Caron Butler finished with 19 points and nine rebounds…

Dwayne Curtis had 22 points and 10 rebounds and David Huertas hit back-to-back 3-pointers to start a game-changing run as Mississippi beat Winthrop 76-71 Thursday. Curtis, the tallest player on the court at 6-foot-8, hit two key jumpers in the final 5:07 to end two short Winthrop rallies and Trevor Gaskins helped the Rebels (8-0)…

Florida goalie Tomas Vokoun maintained his mastery over the St. Louis Blues. Vokoun stopped 33 shots and recorded his 24th career shutout, helping the Panthers earn a 1-0 victory over the Blues on Thursday night. Vokoun, who has three shutouts this season, improved to 7-0 against the Blues since the 2004-05 lockout.

Dallas Stars coach Dave Tippett has used Mike Ribeiro, Antti Miettinen and Brenden Morrow on a line for two full games. The results say Tippett should stick with the trio a while longer. Ribeiro had two goals and two assists and the Stars maintained their dominance over the Los Angeles Kings with a 4-1 victory…