The National Football League raised eyebrows earlier this year by filing a motion to block Judge David S. Doty from continuing to preside over the settlement of the landmark antitrust lawsuit, which spawned the current free agency and salary cap system.

On Tuesday, Judge Doty declined the motion.  He also refused to overturn his prior decision that the Atlanta Falcons will not be permitted to recover millions of dollars in roster bonuses paid to Michael Vick prior to his conviction on federal conspiracy charges relating to dog fighting.

The ruling is not a surprise; Judge Doty wasn’t likely to change his own mind on Vick, or to acknowledge in writing that he has a bias in favor of the NFL Players Association.  The mere fact that the NFL would make such an accusation was, and still is, the stunning aspect of this, given that Judge Doty will continue to be the primary judicial officer in charge of resolving certain issues that come up regarding the interpretation of the settlement agreement/Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The NFL will now have 30 days to file a notice of appeal, and a three-judge panel ultimately will review both questions.  If there’s an appeal. But, surely, there will be.