NFL Notebook | Vick's bottle raises suspicion

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick reluctantly surrendered a water bottle to security at Miami International Airport that smelled like marijuana and contained a substance in a hidden compartment.

He was not arrested and was allowed to board a flight that landed in Atlanta before noon Wednesday.

Miami police said Thursday it could be weeks before a decision is made on whether to file charges against the three-time Pro Bowl player, who this season became the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank, general manager Rich McKay and new coach Bobby Petrino met with Vick, who left team headquarters without speaking to reporters. McKay described Blank as being "upset" with the quarterback, whose $137 million contract was the richest in the NFL when Vick signed it three years ago.

Under Florida law, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine. First offenders rarely do any jail time.

"We'll do an analysis and see what it is. There's no sense of urgency to it," detective Alvaro Zabaleta said.

Patriots' Harrison returns to practice

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Patriots safety Rodney Harrison, recovering from a knee injury, participated in the opening of practice Thursday. He still was listed as doubtful for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Colts in Indianapolis.

Harrison was hurt in the last regular-season game, a 40-23 win over Tennessee. That kept Harrison out of the playoff games -- wins of 37-16 over the New York Jets and 24-21 at the San Diego Chargers.

Ditka: I'm for Bears

CHICAGO -- Former Bears and Saints coach Mike Ditka now says he is pulling for the Bears and predicts they will beat the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.

"I'm picking and rooting for the Bears, as I have for every game this year," Ditka said in a radio interview. "I thought I'd make that announcement on my show."

In previous interviews, Ditka said, "I never root for anybody, really."

The comments caused an uproar among Bears fans.

Notes

• The Miami Dolphins hope to complete their search for a coach by Saturday, and the front-runner appears to be San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.

• USC offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin joined Trojans quarterbacks coach Steve Sarkisian at Oakland Raiders headquarters in a move that further indicates Sarkisian's being named Oakland's next coach. Kiffin met with Raiders owner Al Davis and other team officials about being Sarkisian's offensive coordinator should Sarkisian be hired as coach.

• The Jacksonville Jaguars locked up another key defensive starter, signing linebacker Daryl Smith to a five-year contract extension worth about $25 million. The new contract, which begins in 2008, includes $10 million in bonuses.

• The New York Giants made Kevin Gilbride their offensive coordinator.