Vick can keep most of bonus

Jailed quarterback Michael Vick can keep all but $3.75 million of the nearly $20 million in bonus money he received from the Atlanta Falcons after a ruling Monday by a federal judge.

The Falcons sought to recover the bonuses after Vick pleaded guilty to federal charges in a dogfighting operation. The bonuses were paid from 2004 to 2007.

But U.S. District Judge David Doty of Minneapolis ruled that recovery of most of the bonus money by the Falcons would violate the NFL collective bargaining agreement. The agreement does not allow roster bonus money to be forfeited once it has been earned, the judge wrote.

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Dick Vermeil, who coached the St. Louis Rams to their first Super Bowl championship in 2000, doubts dirty tricks prevented the franchise from winning it all again under Mike Martz in 2002.

Vermeil said that players win games, not schemes. He used the New York Giants’ 17-14 upset over New England in the Super Bowl on Sunday as an example.

“How was that game decided? By a receiver catching a ball on the top of his helmet,” Vermeil said.

Others with connections to the 2002 game were keeping a low profile.

Team President John Shaw issued his second “no comment” through a spokesman and the agent for quarterback Kurt Warner said his client didn’t want to get involved “until things are flushed out.” The agents for Marshall Faulk and Torry Holt did not return telephone messages.

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Tom Brady and Randy Moss pulled out of the Pro Bowl one day after the New England Patriots were beaten in the Super Bowl.

Brady was battered by the New York Giants during the Patriots’ loss Sunday. He has been bothered by a tender ankle.

Brady will be replaced by Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson.

Moss will be replaced by Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Johnson.

The Patriots said Brady and Moss each opted out because of ankle injuries.

San Diego tight end Antonio Gates and defensive tackle Jamal Williams also decided to skip the all-star game, scheduled for Sunday in Honolulu.

Browns tight end Kellen Winslow will go in place of Gates, bringing the number of Browns players in the Pro Bowl to six, the club’s most since sending six in 1994. Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Casey Hampton takes Williams’ spot on the AFC roster.

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Dan Henning was hired as the Miami Dolphins’ offensive coordinator, joining Coach Tony Sparano’s staff.

The 65-year-old Henning has coached in the NFL for 28 years, most recently as offensive coordinator in Carolina from 2002 to 2006.