Michael Vick should be allowed to keep nearly $20 million in bonus money even though his NFL career is on hold because of his role in a dogfighting operation, a lawyer for the players' union argued Friday. The NFL Players Association asked a federal judge to overturn a special master's decision that Vick should forfeit the bonus money because of his guilty plea. The former Atlanta Falcons' star faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced Dec. 10. Dogfighting wasn't the issue at Friday's hearing. Instead, the arguments turned on interpretations of the NFL collective bargaining agreement. Union attorney Jeffrey Kessler argued that Vick's "roster bonus" should be treated the same as a "performance bonus," which can't be forfeited under the collective bargaining agreement. "A roster bonus is a performance bonus," Kessler said, explaining that Vick earned it simply by being on the Falcons' roster in 2005 and 2006 and that the money a player earns can't be taken back under the contract.

Despite a third straight non-winning season, Dave Wannstedt's future at Pittsburgh appears safe. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported Friday that the university will announce a contract extension for Wannstedt, possibly as early as Saturday.

Cedric Benson, who underwent surgery Thursday to repair the fractured leg, could miss out on nearly $4 million in bonuses and escalators in his contract. Had he been more productive earlier in the season, or had he been injured a week later, he likely would have earned a sizable windfall. But by finishing the season with 674 rushing yards, Benson fell 27 shy of triggering a conditional roster bonus worth $1.73 million. While some already have labeled the No. 4 overall pick in 2005 a bust, the king's ransom he has received has been exaggerated. Even if he returns healthy in 2008 and jump-starts a career that looked to be stalling before he was hurt, Benson never will approach the $29.96 million maximum value of his five-year rookie contract. Through this season, Benson will have pocketed almost $13.8 million, a fortune of McCaskey dollars for 1,593 career rushing yards and 10 touchdowns but far less than the amounts that have been published.

Darren McFadden will have plenty of time to think about the NFL draft -- after the season is over. For now, the Arkansas star isn't saying much. "For me, it's something I'm going to sit down with my family at the end of the season, sit down with my family, coaching staff and try to weigh out my options," McFadden said Thursday. If McFadden turns pro, it won't be much of a surprise. The junior is a Heisman Trophy candidate for the second year in a row. He's rushed for a school-record 1,725 yards this season, breaking the mark of 1,647 he set in 2006. McFadden's mother told ESPN.com's Pat Forde in August that her son would play his last year of college football this season before turning pro.

Few Nebraska football fans are going to argue with Tom Osborne's decision on an interim head coach. Already the interim athletic director, Osborne declared himself the coach until he hires a successor to Bill Callahan, allowing Nebraska's beloved former coach to visit prospective recruits and try to prevent the program from slipping during the recruiting contact period.

USC and UCLA may have shared the Coliseum for decades, but the Bruins moved out 25 years ago. However, the prospect that the teams might once again become roommates -- this time at the Rose Bowl -- worries fans on both sides. "I heard about it, and I almost fell off the chair," retired USC professor and season ticket holder Peter Dyck of La Ca?ada Flintridge said Wednesday as he walked around the Rose Bowl. Nearby, UCLA fan Nancy Loder, dressed head to foot in blue and gold, also dismissed the idea. "That's why UCLA left," said Loder, 50, of Tarzana. "We didn't want to be near them." USC officials, frustrated by stalled negotiations to renovate the Coliseum, say they are considering relocating games to the Rose Bowl beginning next season.

LSU Athletic Director Skip Bertman confirmed Wednesday night through spokesman Herb Vincent that his Michigan counterpart Bill Martin has officially requested permission to speak with Les Miles about becoming the next coach of the Wolverines. Bertman requested that the meeting not take place until after LSU plays Tennessee Saturday for the SEC championship. Martin told Bertman he will comply.

Still in disbelief of his childhood friend's shooting death, Arizona Cardinals cornerback Antrel Rolle vowed Wednesday to make sure Sean Taylor is remembered. He added he did not believe the killing was part of a burglary gone sour, and that Taylor had many enemies on the streets of Miami. "He really didn't say too much," Rolle said, "but I know he was pretty much scared every time he was down in Miami."

Joe Namath was larger than life. He was a highly-touted high school prospect who starred for Bear Bryant at Alabama, took New York City by storm and led the Jets of the upstart AFL to a Super Bowl victory he had brashly guaranteed. Sounds like a good idea for a movie. Good enough that Universal Studios will make a movie about the Hall of Fame quarterback, with Jake Gyllenhaal playing Broadway Joe, according to reports.

The Broncos were not notified Tuesday by the NFL of any decision on Travis Henry's possible one-year suspension for a positive marijuana test the running back has disputed. Henry had his appeal hearing Nov. 16 in Phoenix with Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league officials. No word means if the Broncos and Henry aren't notified of the outcome Wednesday, the first day of on-field preparations for Sunday's game, a decision would come next week at the earliest. Henry also has an ongoing lawsuit against the NFL regarding portions of the drug-testing policy the league has told him is unrelated to its discipline schedule. Because Henry was suspended for four games in 2005, he is facing a one-year suspension this time.