Michael Vick is edging ever closer to the NFL. Rather than moving from prison to a humble halfway house, he could be headed to home confinement instead – due to a lack of bed space at halfway houses in Newport News, Va.

Vick still has four homes left (for now), according to bankruptcy proceedings. He would be confined to his 3,538-square foot place in Hampton for two months.

The Falcons hope to trade him to another team, but the remaining $45.11 million on his contract will be a stumbling block. So will the rust he has accumulated while sitting behind bars. So will his inability to flourish in a structured passing game.

Also, pet lovers figure to give the convicted dog-fighting entrepreneur a really rough ride.

MYSTERIES OF THE UNIVERSE

Questions to ponder while waiting for Tony La Russa and John Mozeliak to get on the same page this spring:

• Now that rookie Patrik Berglund has ended his scoring drought, can he find his second wind and finish the season strong?
• With the Blues just three points out of the playoffs Friday morning, will John Davidson look to buy rather than sell at the trade deadline?
• Will anybody watch the Accenture Match Play Championship now that Tiger Woods is headed home?
• Will the Rams lock up free-agent center Jason Brown when he makes his Rams Park visit?

TOM BRADY: OFF THE MARKET

From the wires:

Tom Brady has added to his collection of rings. The New England Patriots quarterback and supermodel Gisele Bundchen, his girlfriend of three years, married Thursday in Los Angeles, Us Weekly reported on its Web site.

The ceremony was “very small and intimate,” Us Weekly reported, with the guest list mostly consisting of immediate family. Brady’s son with ex-girlfriend Bridget Moynahan was also in attendance, according to the report.

Here is a Gisele romantic recap:

QUIPS ‘R US

Here is what some of America’s leading sports pundits have been writing:

Jerry Greene, Orlando Sentinel: “I was really hoping  Tiger Woods would have grimaced and clutched his knee after his first drive. No telling how many Tour executives would have fainted.”

Jeff Schultz, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “Really, it’s OK to be fat, lazy and stupid as an NFL draft pick. But the trick is to not let anybody know about it right away. Even past Falcon flops like Aundray Bruce were smart enough not to act the part until AFTER they were drafted and signed a contract. But Alabama tackle Andre Smith might’ve blown as much as $24 million by: 1) getting suspended from the Sugar Bowl for retaining an agent; 2) eating the state’s supply of Ding Dongs; 3) not working out; 4) pronouncing at the NFL Scouting Combine that he would not run drills; 5) changing his mind about running drills, only to leave Saturday without telling anybody. He has gone from a potential early first-round selection to a possible second-round selection, or maybe Burger King. Young kids make dumb mistakes all the time. But to make so many so early in such a short amount of time with so much on the line is not great foreshadowing. And by the way — what has his agent done other than get him suspended from the Sugar Bowl?”

Steve Rosenbloom, ChicagoTribune.com, on Bears quarterback Rex Grossman: “The Vikings appear ready to sacrifice a draft choice for Sage Rosenfels rather than wait for Grossman to become a free agent. And if that doesn’t work out, the Vikings are fine with Tarvaris Jackson. Tarvaris Jackson, do you hear me? So, it’s not just Bears fans who are booing you, Rex.”

Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle: “As Roger Goodell cuts his $11 million salary by at least 20 percent, Bud Selig humbly accepts a raise to $18 million. Some say the hardest thing to do in sports is hit a baseball. I say the hardest thing to do is justify Selig’s salary.”

D. J Gallo, ESPN.com, on quarterback prospect Mark Sanchez’s work at the combine: “Sanchez performed well in all the measurables and even took part in passing drills, pleasing many scouts by throwing a very ‘catchable ball.’ Too many young quarterbacks today throw a ball coated in grease and shards of glass.”

MEGAPHONE

“Until I do it. I don’t think people want to hear me make excuses. Man, I stunk.”

Tigers pitcher Dontrelle Willis.