NFL | Falcons beat Bengals in exhibition

ATLANTA — There were plenty of Falcons fans wearing No. 7 jerseys at the Georgia Dome. They got a chance to cheer for Michael Vick's replacement.

Joey Harrington made a good first impression on Atlanta fans by throwing two touchdown passes Monday night in a 24-19 exhibition win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

The day began with Vick pleading guilty to federal dogfighting charges in Virginia. A short time later, Falcons owner Arthur Blank said he won't cut Vick immediately — mainly because of salary-cap issues rather than any desire to bring him back in the future.

Against that unusual backdrop, Harrington and the Falcons (2-1) played their first home game of the exhibition season. Small groups of dueling protesters faced off outside the stadium, and hundreds of fans showed their support for Vick by wearing his jersey.

Harrington, who played for the Miami Dolphins last season, was sacked on his first snap. But he completed his first six passes, left with a 17-13 lead in the third quarter and finished 13 of 21 for 164 yards and a 118.0 passer rating.

Of the massive coverage of the Vick story, Harrington said, "I would be lying if I said I didn't [see any of it]. Between the Cartoon Network and NFL Films, I stopped by CNN once or twice."

The Bengals (0-3) had the league's worst pass defense last season. Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer was 15 of 22 for 136 yards.

Bears' Briggs is charged

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs was charged with leaving the scene of an accident after crashing his Lamborghini and leaving it alongside an expressway on the city's North Side, Illinois State Police said.

After meeting with police, Briggs also was cited for failure to give immediate notice of an accident and improper lane usage, said Master Sgt. Luis Gutierrez. Briggs was released after posting $100 bond. He is scheduled to appear Oct. 4 in a Cook County court.

"As a result of interviewing Mr. Briggs, it was determined that he was the driver of his 2007 Lamborghini," police said in a statement.

Bears coach Lovie Smith indicated the team will not discipline Briggs, whose "spirits were good for being in a one-car accident." The car has a Kelley Blue Book value of more than $350,000.

Notes

• Among the dozens of players released were former Washington Huskies receiver Sonny Shackelford (by San Diego) and ex-UW fullback Zach Tuiasosopo (by Tampa Bay).

• Players gone for the season because they were placed or will be placed on injured reserve include Arizona offensive tackle Oliver Ross (triceps) and wide receiver Ahmad Merritt (ankle); Detroit safety Daniel Bullocks (knee); Baltimore offensive lineman Steve Edwards (knee); defensive tackle Marcus Bell (knee) of the New York Giants; and San Francisco receiver C.J. Brewer (knee).

• Cornerback Asante Samuel returned to the New England Patriots, moving closer to ending a contract dispute.

• Minnesota acquired quarterback Kelly Holcomb from Philadelphia for an undisclosed 2009 draft pick. The Vikings released QB Drew Henson.

• Ex-Ohio State player Troy Smith, last season's Heisman Trophy winner, is listed as Baltimore's No. 3 quarterback. The Ravens cut ex-UCLA quarterback Drew Olson.