No more Baskett catches for Eagles

Michael Vick is overcoming his criminal involvement with dog abuse, but now he's affecting the well-being of a bunny.

The Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday elevated Vick to the 53-man roster, releasing wide receiver Hank Baskett to make room for the quarterback, who remains under suspension for his role in running a dogfighting ring.

Baskett is probably best known as the husband of Playboy model, reality television star and former Hugh Hefner girlfriend Kendra Wilkinson.

The Eagles made the Vick move and signed veteran quarterback Jeff Garcia after quarterback Donovan McNabb cracked a rib in Sunday's win over Carolina.

McNabb hasn't ruled out playing this weekend despite the injury. Vick will start practicing with the team today but isn't eligible to play until Sept. 27.

Baskett caught 72 passes for 1,052 yards and six touchdowns in four seasons with Philadelphia. But clearly, his best catch was Wilkinson.

• HOT FLASHES -- Already hot because the NCAA recently rejected two of his players' bids for a sixth year of eligibility, Kent State football coach Doug Martin suggested that the Golden Flashes "burn the place down" if running back Eugene Jarvis' pending request for a sixth season is denied.

Jarvis, a fifth-year senior from Pittsburgh who has gained 3,268 yards in his career, suffered a lacerated kidney Saturday in the first half against Boston College, ending his season.

If Jarvis isn't allowed to play one more season, Martin told USAtoday.com, "Somebody's not doing their job or the NCAA doesn't care about kids. If this kid doesn't get a sixth year, everybody in Kent should storm the NCAA and we should burn the place down.''

Expect school and NCAA officials to cool off Martin and his threat to be withdrawn.

• CAVMAN BUCKED -- It would seem nothing could get worse for the Virginia Cavaliers on the gridiron than using three quarterbacks and turning the ball over seven times in their season-opening loss to William & Mary.

A bigger embarrassment for the Cavaliers' season came Saturday afternoon, and that was before they were throttled by Texas Christian.

Virginia's caped mascot, Cavman, rode onto the field aboard his trusty steed and was bucked off.

It might have been karma after a video was played the week before at Scott Stadium as Virginia hosted William & Mary showing Cavman facing off against a wannabe American Indian representing William & Mary's mascot, the Tribe.

William & Mary has been searching for a new mascot that can't be deemed offensive.

Perhaps Virginia should be looking for a Cavman who can ride a horse and is not offensive to cowboys.

• HOME CROWD -- With another football season upon us, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel offered this inside tip on fan behavior: "The older you are wearing body paint at a sporting event, the more likely it is that you still live with your parents."

COMPILED BY JEFF WOLF LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL