NFL Wire Notes | Nike suspends release of Vick signature shoe

ATLANTA — Michael Vick's legal situation prompted Nike on Thursday to suspend the release of its latest product line named after the Atlanta quarterback.

Nike has told retailers it will not release a fifth signature shoe, the Air Zoom Vick V, this summer. The shoe was to ship to stores nationwide Aug. 1, at a suggested retail price of $100.

Nike spokesman Dean Stoyer said the four shoe products and three shirts bearing Vick's name will remain in stores.

Vick will be arraigned next week in a Richmond, Va., federal courtroom on charges of sponsoring a dogfighting operation.

Nike issued its toughest corporate statement yet on its embattled endorser, who was indicted Tuesday on charges that could put him behind bars for six years.

"Nike is concerned by the serious and highly disturbing allegations made against Michael Vick and we consider any cruelty to animals inhumane and abhorrent," said the Beaverton, Ore.-based athletic giant in its third statement on the case in the last three days. "We do believe that Michael Vick should be afforded the same due process as any citizen; therefore, we have not terminated our relationship."

Declaring Nike has "not gone far enough," Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, said Nike should halt sales of "Vick Hero" T-shirts for boys that sell at Nike.com.

"Michael Vick is no hero ... This is no moment to tell America's youth to look up to such a man," Pacelle said in a statement.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank issued a statement, saying the team is "working diligently on exploring our options."

ESPN reported Vick called Blank on Wednesday. The network said its sources believed Vick to have been contrite, and he reportedly apologized for the distractions the case has created and thanked Blank for his support.

Patriots sign

ex-Seahawk Brown

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England signed linebacker Chad Brown, who returns to the Patriots after playing for them in 2005.

Former Seahawk Brown, 37, played eight games for Pittsburgh last season.

Brown has 79 sacks in his career, ranking second among active linebackers in the league.

New England released cornerback Antwain Spann, wide receiver Jonathan Smith and tight end Jake Nordin.

Notes

• Free-agent quarterback Daunte Culpepper, 30, met with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, two days after being released by the Miami Dolphins.

The Bucs declined to disclose details of the meeting, which occurred in Tampa — though not at the team's training facility.

• Center Samson Satele, Miami's second-round draft choice, signed a four-year, $2.89 million contract with the Dolphins. The 6-foot-2, 311-pound Satele played college ball at Hawaii.

Miami's top two picks — receiver Ted Ginn Jr. of Ohio State and quarterback John Beck of Brigham Young — remained unsigned. Sunday is the scheduled reporting date for Dolphins rookies.

• Arizona and third-round draft choice Buster Davis, a linebacker from Florida State, agreed to terms on a three-year contract.