NFL clubs may no longer serve alcohol at team functions or on buses or flights, extending a ban that until now applied only in locker rooms. NFL owners and executives were told by commissioner Roger Goodell on Thursday that the rule pertains not only to players but to owners, coaches and guests. "I believe that no constructive purpose is served by clubs continuing to make alcoholic beverages available, and that doing so imposes significant and unnecessary risks to the league, its players and others," Goodell wrote to all 32 teams in a letter obtained by The Associated Press.

When Jerry Porter switched his number this offseason, he said he was ready for a new start and a new attitude after feuding last season with former coach Art Shell. That attitude change has a price, though, and Porter is not willing to pay it. The Oakland Raiders receiver said he would have to pay $210,000 to switch his uniform from No. 84 to 81 in order to reimburse the team and Reebok for the cost of the unsold jerseys. "Man, there's a couple of nice cars I'd like to get for that money," Porter said. "I could buy a nice vacation home, or at least go half on one with someone else."

Informants have come forward saying they can link Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick to dog fighting, the prosecutor in the case said Thursday, and he has turned their accounts and contact information over to investigators. Surry County Commonwealth's Attorney Gerald G. Poindexter said he has heard from about a half-dozen people claiming to have information about Vick's involvement in dog fighting, but he does not know if their claims have proven to be reliable. In a letter, an inmate in a South Carolina prison claimed that he attended dog fights where Vick also was in attendance and saw Vick bet large amounts of money. Another informant provided street names of dog fighters from elsewhere in Virginia.

Denver attorney Colin Barnacle, a fervent Denver Broncos fan and season ticket holder, isn?t one to challenge Mike Shanahan. But when the coach of the beloved Broncos subjected one of his players to a lie-detector test, Barnacle threw the flag. If clients call seeking advice on whether that?s a legal move, Barnacle?s reply is usually no. A federal law bars employers from using the exam in most cases. The Bronco on the hot seat is David Kircus. The receiver said he acted in self-defense in an incident that led to second-degree assault charges against him. Shanahan, instead of simply standing on the sidelines, came up with the idea to grill Kircus with a lie-detector to determine whether he was being honest. The 27-year-old athlete, reportedly eager to sit down and face the interrogation, passed. "If he flunked the test, he would not be with us," Shanahan was quoted as saying.

Baltimore quarterback Steve McNair faces a July 10 court date in Nashville on a driving under the influence charge after his case was re-scheduled.

Former Patriots Chad Brown, a free agent who will turn 37 in July, visited Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, agent Peter Schaffer confirmed. Schaffer added that in terms of a signing, ?nothing?s imminent.? The Pats are already five-deep in starting-caliber linebackers, with Tedy Bruschi, Rosevelt Colvin, Junior Seau, Adalius Thomas and Mike Vrabel in the fold. But more depth would be useful, given their 30-something ages and the physical demands of the team?s gap-control system.

Two law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation have told ESPN.com they believe there is sufficient evidence to indict Michael Vick in connection with a suspected dogfighting ring that was run on property the Falcons quarterback owned in Virginia. The sources, however, cautioned this week that, based on the current evidence, it might be difficult to successfully prosecute Vick, who has denied knowledge of dogfighting at the property in Surry County.

Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter pleaded no contest and paid a $1,000 fine for punching Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Levi Jones after a disagreement at a casino blackjack table. Porter did not appear in Las Vegas Justice Court while his lawyer, Karen Winckler, entered the plea to a misdemeanor battery charge and paid the fine, said a court aide to Justice of the Peace Pro Tem James Gubler. Gubler accepted the plea. Winckler did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

The theme of the offseason in Tampa Bay was to acquire quarterbacks, but Bruce Gradkowski remains optimistic. "I think you have to understand when you come into the NFL, you're going to have competition year in and year out," Gradkowski said. "With the record we had, we had to make changes and look at different things. Nothing is going to be given away around here."

Carolina defensive tackle Kris Jenkins skipped a voluntary team workout, a month after the Panthers failed to trade the three-time Pro Bowl selection. Jenkins was one of only two players -- and the lone starter -- who missed the first day of three weeks of practices. While the sessions are voluntary, players usually attend. "Do we wish he was here? Sure," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said. "It's a voluntary session and he chose not to be here. It's all we can do."