Bystanders: When DeAngelo Hall was involved in that shoving match on the Falcons sideline and Atlanta coach Mike Smith was trying to get at him, Hall's defensive mates didn't exactly rush to his aid. Might tell you something about the make-up of the Redskins - or what they think of Hall.

MINNEAPOLIS  A federal appeals court is backing the judge who ruled against the NFL and let quarterback Michael Vick keep more than $16 million in roster bonuses from the Atlanta Falcons.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today affirmed Judge David Doty's order saying Vick had already earned the bonuses before his dogfighting conviction, so the money wasn't subject to forfeiture.

By TERESA M. WALKER

Memphis owner Michael Heisley says he is not sure of what Allen Iverson's future plans are, though he hopes Iverson returns to the Grizzlies soon.

Heisley granted the 10-time all-star permission Saturday for an indefinite leave to deal with a personal matter. The Commercial Appeal newspaper reported Monday that Iverson is contemplating retirement.

Marvin Mitchell is as big a fan of quarterback Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints' NFL-leading offense as anybody. "They've got so much good personnel," said Norfolk's Mitchell, a special-teams scrapper and back up linebacker for the 7-0 Saints. "You can see them each and every day in practice, but you're still impressed when you see them on game day."

PHILADELPHIA Don't be hypnotized this year by the perennial NFC East hype. Halfway through this NFL season, the typically tough, chain-rattling division remains long on reputation, but it's conspicuously short on performance. That's why some of us take the Philadelphia Eagles' 40-17 Sunday drubbing of the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field with a lot more than a single grain of salt.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. Minnesota Vikings rookie receiver and return man Percy Harvin is listed as questionable for the game Sunday against Baltimore with an injured left shoulder.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. Minnesota Vikings receiver Percy Harvin has a shoulder injury. Harvin didn't practice Wednesday. The team won't say which shoulder he hurt, but Harvin appeared to hurt his left shoulder in Sunday's win at St. Louis.

The Associated Press PHILADELPHIA Roughly two months after facing criticism for signing convicted dogfighter Michael Vick, the Philadelphia Eagles are making good on a pledge to support animal welfare groups.

The top half of this week's Pilot NFL Top 10 - a blog staple we'll bring to print occasionally through the season - is chalk, as they say. Five undefeated teams, the most in NFL history through five weeks, still stride the earth. Their order?

By Rob Maaddi
The Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA
Michael Vick knows how to hand off. He still has to work on his blocking and route running.
Two games into his return to the NFL, Vick hasn't done a lot for the Philadelphia Eagles. The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback was expected to add a new dimension to an already potent offense. So far, he's been a decoy.