NFL ROUNDUP \ News and notes

I fought the law, Part One: Jaguars left tackle Khalif Barnes drove through a yard, crashed into a tree and then left the accident scene last weekend, police said. Barnes, already on probation for a drunken driving charge, was cited for careless driving and leaving the scene of an accident. He also was charged with violating a provision of his probation that limited his driving to work purposes. According to a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office report, Barnes reported the accident just after 6:30 a.m. Saturday. When officers arrived, they found Barnes’ 2007 Mercedes crashed into a tree and the ignition key nearby in the grass, the report said. They estimated damage to the car at $10,000.

I fought the law, Part Two: Former Broncos’ wide receiver David Kircus pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a felony assault charge stemming from a fight at a party in suburban Denver. Kircus entered his plea during a court hearing on a charge of second-degree assault for a fight on May 20. His trial is scheduled in Arapahoe District Court on Jan. 28. If convicted, Kircus could be sentenced to 5 to 16 years in prison.

I fought the law, Part Three: Michael Vick’s lawyers will make their first Surry County, Va. court appearance today for state dogfighting charges against the suspended quarterback. Vick, already scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 10 on a federal dogfighting charge, is not expected to attend the Circuit Court hearing, prosecutor Gerald G. Poindexter said. The hearing is to determine whether Vick and three co-defendants have secured legal counsel or need the court to provide lawyers. Trial dates for Vick and the others on the state charges will be set Nov. 27, he said. Tuesday, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals announced Vick completed an eight-hour class in empathy and animal protection Sept. 18 at the group’s Norfolk headquarters. The organization said Vick took the course during his second visit to their headquarters and returned a third time to take a written test. PETA did not reveal his score on the test, which spokesman Dan Shannon said includes an essay and long-answer questions.

Owner supports Vikings coach: The Vikings are 1-3 and their fans are discouraged, but owner Zygi Wilf reiterated his support for coach Brad Childress. “We just feel very comfortable with Coach Childress and with his philosophy, and we’re behind him 100 percent,” Wilf said Tuesday. After starting his first season 4-2, Childress has lost 11 of 14 games in charge of the Vikings. The biggest problem is an unproductive offense, which now features dangerous rookie running back Adrian Peterson but hasn’t done enough to win with a reliable defense. “We’re built to be consistent on the long term,” Wilf said. “We have a commitment to getting a team that is not built for a one-shot affair, so to speak. We want to build a team that’s consistent for many, many years to come. For decades to come. I think that — I know that — the people that we have in place are the right people.” He added: “We’re getting there. I can see it, and the blueprint is definitely there. We’ll get there, and hopefully we’ll get there sooner rather than later.”

Titans receiver apologizes: Brandon Jones called Vince Young and apologized to the Titans quarterback for not catching the pass that might have helped them beat Indianapolis. It wasn’t enough. Not until Jones got back on the field and came through with four catches for 73 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 31-14 victory over New Orleans could the receiver finally relax. “It was very, very gratifying,” Jones said of his best game this year that included a 35-yard TD pass from Young. “I’d been waiting on that all week. I was having some tough times. A couple days I couldn’t even sleep. Throughout the week, I was seeing those plays made in my mind. I was ready to go out and make a play.” With that performance, Jones leads the team with 10 receptions for 136 yards as the Titans (2-1) prepare to host Atlanta (1-3) Sunday.

Moves: The 49ers shook up their struggling offense, waiving No. 3 receiver Taylor Jacobs and re-signing Bryan Gilmore, who held the same position last year. … The Bengals placed linebacker Lemar Marshall on injured reserve, a day after he tore the Achilles’ tendon in his left leg during a 34-13 loss to New England. … Jets linebacker Cody Spencer was placed on the reserve-non-football illness list, ending his season. … The Broncos released returner/receiver Domenik Hixon and re-signed wide receiver Brian Clark, who was waived Saturday. … Eagles starting left guard Todd Herremans had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. … The Falcons switched long snappers, releasing Boone Stutz and signing veteran Mike Schneck. … The Giants signed defensive end Dave Tollefson and placed fullback Robert Douglas on injured reserve.

Associated Press