Upper Deck pulls Vick items, will spike card

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jul 29, 2007

CARLSBAD -- Upper Deck has removed all Michael Vick autographed memorabilia from its online store and will remove the indicted quarterback's trading card from NFL sets that are scheduled to be released in October.

The announcement by the company came a day after Nike suspended its lucrative contract with Vick and Reebok took the unprecedented step of stopping sales of his No.7 jersey. Another trading card company, Donruss, announced it was pulling Vick's likeness from any new packs.

Items pulled from the online store include autographed footballs, helmets, jerseys and the company's line of "Breaking Through" pieces.

The latest hit to Vick came two days after the Atlanta Falcons quarterback pleaded not guilty to federal dogfighting charges in Richmond, Va. In the indictment, he was accused of sponsoring a gruesome operation that often shot, hanged, drowned or electrocuted losing dogs.

Dolphins sign

Courtney Anderson

DAVIE, Fla. -- Tight end Courtney Anderson was acquired off waivers by the Miami Dolphins from the Oakland Raiders. To make room on the roster, the Dolphins waived safety David Lofton. The son of Hall of Fame receiver James Lofton signed as an undrafted college free agent in May.

In three NFL seasons, Anderson has made 28 starts and has caught 62 passes for 763 yards and six touchdowns. Last year the Raider made 11 starts and had a career-high 25 receptions for 285 yards and two TDs.

Around the camps

-Tampa Bay Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Brooks sat out camp practices with a hamstring injury the Buccaneers don't believe is serious.

-The Cincinnati Bengals signed first-round draft pick Leon Hall to a five-year deal that guarantees him $8.2 million and could be worth $13.6 million overall, his agent said. Hall, a cornerback from Michigan, was taken 18th overall.

-New England Patriots signed their top draft pick, defensive back Brandon Meriweather, the 24th overall pick from Miami. Terms of the deal were no disclosed.