Raiders release lineman Treu

Lane Kiffin's arrival in Oakland has been compared to that of another young, offensive-minded coach, Jon Gruden. But there are no players left who can make a valid comparison.

Center Adam Treu, the last remaining Raider who was around for Gruden's debut in 1998, was released Tuesday. Treu joined the team as a third-round draft choice in 1997 and played under five different head coaches. Apparently, he won't play for a sixth, at least not in Oakland.

"In the excellence of the Oakland Raiders over the last 10 years, Adam certainly made an indelible contribution," team owner Al Davis said in an e-mailed press release.

Treu was never considered a star on the offensive line, but he played in 155 games and started 44 at center over 10 seasons.

His importance is evident when you consider that between 2001 and 2005, he began the season as the Raiders' starting center only once – in 2004, after Barret Robbins' comeback bid ended in training camp. But he wound up as the starter in Oakland's final game each of those seasons. That included 2002, when he stood in for the AWOL Robbins in Super Bowl XXXVII.

Treu's release would seem to signal confidence in Jeremy Newberry, a former Pro Bowl center who is trying to come back from multiple knee surgeries, and second-year pro Chris Morris, who could take over the long snapping duties.

The Raiders also waived fullback Tony Jackson. The rest of the roster is due to report to Napa for training camp Thursday afternoon.

FALCONS ADDRESS VICK ISSUE

The Falcons wanted to suspend Michael Vick. And considering the appalling allegations against their star quarterback, they may not want him back at all.

Under an edict from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Vick is barred from taking part in training camp while the league probes a federal dogfighting indictment against one of its most prominent players.

The Falcons revealed Tuesday they wanted to give Vick a four-game suspension -- the maximum a team can impose -- until Goodell asked them to hold off. He wants to take a further look at the charges issued last week and can dole out stiffer penalties under a new personal conduct policy.

"This sort of behavior is really horrific," Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in the team's first public comment since Vick was indicted. "This is certainly not the player or the person that I knew the last six years."

The Falcons said they considered all options -- releasing Vick among them -- and seemed to signal he will miss at least a fourth of the season even if Goodell doesn't impose his own sanctions.

Most tellingly, Blank said he would encourage Vick to give up any thoughts of playing while the case is pending -- even if it means sitting out the entire season. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, the same day the Falcons open training camp.

"This is not about playing football in 2007," said Blank, joined at a news conference by general manager Rich McKay and new coach Bobby Petrino. "This is a very difficult process he'll be going through over the next couple of months. It's very difficult to do that and focus on football at the same time."

Overseeing the NFL's investigation is lawyer Eric Holder of Covington & Burling LLP, appointed by then-President Clinton to serve as Deputy Attorney General and becoming the first African American to hold that position.

Holder briefly served under President Bush as Acting Attorney General pending the confirmation of John Ashcroft.

COLTS' GLENN RETIRES

Tarik Glenn, a three-time Pro Bowl tackle for the Colts, announced he will retire from the NFL.

The 31-year-old Glenn, a first-round draft pick out of California in 1997, started 154 regular-season games during his 10-year career.

Press Democrat wire services contributed to this report.

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AP-WS-07-24-07 1958EDT

------ AP Sports Writer Howard Fendrich in Washington contributed to this report.

AP-WS-07-24-07 2027EDT