By Wire Reports

Published: Friday, November 30, 2012, 9:35 p.m.
Updated: Friday, November 30, 2012

New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith and linebacker Jonathan Vilma attended former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' appeals hearing in the bounties case.

Williams was cross-examined by the players' lawyers for about four hours.

Smith described the hearing as “peaceful” and “not awkward.”

Vilma said it was the first time he had seen Williams since the end of last season.

“We got to hear what Gregg had to say,” Smith said. “We wanted to make sure we were there just to hear him out.”

Bettis, Greene make Hall semis

First-time candidates John Lynch, Michael Strahan and Jonathan Ogden were among 27 semifinalists for the Hall of Fame's 2013 class.

Also among those making the cut were former Steelers Jerome Bettis and Kevin Greene.

Ravens LB Lewis eyes Dec. 16 return

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (triceps) is excepted to return for a Dec. 16 game against the Denver Broncos, ESPN reported.

Lewis, on the injured reserve/designated to return list, is eligible to return to the lineup that day.

Eagles QB Vick, RB McCoy out

Quarterback Michael Vick and running back LeSean McCoy have been ruled out when the struggling Eagles visit the Cowboys on Sunday night. Both are still sidelined by concussions.

Meanwhile, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said it “looks like” injured running back DeMarco Murray will end a six-game absence Sunday.

49ers' Dobbs arrested, won't travel

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Demarcus Dobbs was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana. The team said Dobbs wouldn't travel to play at the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.

Raiders, Bengals players fined

Cincinnati tackle Andrew Whitworth and Oakland defensive linemen Desmond Bryant, Lamarr Houston, Tommy Kelly and Matt Shaughnessy were fined $26,250 each for fighting in last Sunday's game.

Ex-Texans pick sentenced to life

A former NFL player has been sentenced to life in prison for a series of home-invasion robberies and a sexual assault in Sacramento.

Keith Jerome Wright, 32, a former defensive lineman at the University of Missouri, saw little playing time in the NFL after being selected in the sixth round by the Houston Texans in 2003. He also was with the Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions.

Raiders bench LB McClain 2 games

The Oakland Raiders suspended linebacker Rolando McClain for two games for conduct detrimental to the team.

1. Steelers notebook: Slimmed-down Redman optimistic for 2013
2. Steelers quarterback Roethlisberger likes the revamped offense
3. Steelers’ Polamalu trim, fit as he arrives for OTAs
4. Steelers notebook: Less talk, more work is Tomlin’s theme
5. Coach Tomlin, Steelers facing plenty of questions as OTAs start
6. Steelers might be looking at a youth movement in 2013
7. Ex-Steelers QB Batch learns new form of 2-minute drill
8. Steelers ink fourth-round pick Thomas to 4-year deal
9. Steelers rookie moves on after PSU scandal
10. Steelers’ rookie defensive back Thomas doesn’t lack motivation
11. Steelers reach agreement with sixth-round pick Williams

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