briefs

The Associated Press reported yesterday that embattled Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael… The Associated Press reported yesterday that embattled Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was indicted on two Virginia state charges.

The grand jury indicted Vick with one count of unlawfully torturing and killing dogs and one count of promoting dogfights.

The grand jury chose not to indict Vick and his three co-defendants on eight counts of animal cruelty, which could have led to as many as 40 years in prison, the Associated Press reported.

In federal court, Vick pleaded guilty to charges of bankrolling a dogfighting operation. The sentencing date for Vick’s federal charges is Dec. 10.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward is listed as doubtful for the Steelers’ game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, the Associated Press reported. Ward sprained his knee in the third quarter of the Steelers’ 37-16 win over San Francisco last Sunday.

Ward was seen walking without a limp on his way to a team meeting, the AP reported, but was on crutches at the end of the day.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t rule Ward out of Sunday’s game, and on Monday, Ward told reporters he was “fine.”

If Ward misses time, second receiver Santonio Holmes would be targeted as the main receiving option, with Cedrick Wilson and Nate Washington seeing considerable time as the second and third receivers.

The Pittsburgh Pirates hired Neal Huntington as their new general manager yesterday, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. Huntington, who is 38 years old, worked as the assistant general manager in Cleveland before taking an altered scouting role with the same club.

His official title was special assistant to the general manager, which meant he was an advance scout and responsible for making personnel recommendations and strategic planning, the Post-Gazette reported.

Huntington is charged with revamping a franchise that has suffered 15 consecutive losing seasons. The Major League Baseball record for consecutive losing seasons is 16.

Newly hired Pirates president Frank Coonelly announced Huntington’s hiring today, and hoped Huntington’s arrival would renew Pittsburgh’s love of baseball.

“Neal is extremely intelligent, analytical and driven to succeed,” Coonelly said at the announcement press conference. “He shares my vision on how to transform the Pirates into an organization that can consistently compete.”