A guy with the money Vick has can purchase enough legal power to bring practically any court to it's knees. This isn't any court, though. This is the Federal Government of the United States of America, and you can bet that prosecutors at that level take every case very, very seriously, and will use every resource at their disposal to attain a conviction, or at the very least, a plea bargain that is much more satisfactory to them than the defendant. Plus, Vick has been charged with conspiracy, which opens a whole new can of worms. He doesn't even necessarily need to be convicted, but if one of the indicted co-conspirators is convicted, Vick loses, too. Mike is flat stuck between Scylla and Charybdis. BornIcon, the NFL has been moving toward more of an international presence for years now. Believe it or not, there are literally billions of people around the world who have never heard of the NFL before. They're damn sure hearing about it now, and their immediate association is not with sports, but apparent barbarism and cruelty practiced by a man who is one of the public faces of the league. Mike Vick's personal problems be damned, he is hurting the NFL, in the last place they want to be hurt: the burgeoning international market.
literally billions of people around the world who have never heard of the NFL before...and their immediate association is not with sports, but apparent barbarism and cruelty Yeah, but dogfighting is very popular in many countries around the world.
Scylla and Charybdis. I went out for dinner last night and had a glass of Scylla, and my dinner companion had a 1/2 litre of the Charybdis. Both vintages were delightful, amusing, with fruity textures, and had delicate bouquets.
Goodell invalidated his own conduct policy, made his authority as commisioner irrelevant, and called into question the integrity of the entire league in one single act. Vick's federal indictments carry much more weight and have much larger consequences to the accused than Pacman's local level probation violations. Here was an opportunity for the NFL to send a clear message to all the players and fans that no one is above the rules, but Goodell's nutsack shrivelled under pressure.
I'm pretty sure the NFL isn't danger of being brought down by the International Association of Dogfighters or some other crap. I just like the idea that a high profile NFL quarterback might be a dogfighting kingpin. This story needs Steven Segal before it can properly reach its true potential.
dogfighting is very popular in many countries around the world. Name 2 the NFL cares about.
Careful, Mars- your logic sounds a slight hop away from, "pit bulls attack defenseless children and other people all the time"; therefore, it's OK to hang, drown, slam etc them to death... Goodell dropped the ball on this one by being inconsistent, but I can't fathom Blank's wait and see stance on this whole thing. The LAST thing I'd want as an owner going into training camp is the media circus/locker room cancer that having Vick on hand would bring- If it was me, I'd pull a Titans/Steve McNair and tell Mike he was not welcome at the facilities until he gets his sh*t in order... The Falcons would probably win more games this year with Harrington/Culpepper and no distractions to the team anyway...I know it's not fair to lock Vick out for only an indictment, but if you think about it, we're dealing with twilight zone situations in the NFL to begin with- I mean, how fair is a 35 million dollar signing bonus given to a kid who hasn't proven himself, just to play a game?
Mars, you can try it again without "All you idiots..." being the first three words.
Mars, I agree with a small part of what you say. Mere accusations should not sink someone. But this is different than taking the word of a drug-addicted stripper against him. This is a federal indictment. And the point many people here have made is that Goodell did not let Pacman Jones have the benefit of waiting for the legal process to play out. As for your last "argument," are you now saying that even if Vick did it, the dogs had it coming? Surely you aren't that depraved and illogical. You might want to stop and consider that the reason there are so many pit bull attacks on people is that people like the ones who ran the disgusting operation on Vick's property intentionally breed the dogs to be that way. If the dog doesn't seem violent enough, they kill it. So whether the dogs deserve what they got or not, many of these attacks you decry are on the heads of the fighting-dog breeders.
dogfighting is very popular in many countries around the world. So are suicide bombings, so does that make it right?
"Sure, I'd do anything I could to help Mike," Reeves said. "I think he's basically a good person. Unfortunately it just seems like he's made some bad choices over the years with the company he keeps." -Dan Reeves Isn't that part of what the college experience, growing up, being a man is all about? Finding out what direction you want to go in life and as a result leaving behind the things that bring you down. I am not lifelong friends with every person I hung out with as a child. I learned to walk away from things that can bring you trouble. Vick (and every other athlete) owes nothing to the people he grew up with just because he was friends with them back in the day. He made a decision to go to college, play football and make a better life for himself and his family. He betrays no one by going in another direction. He owed no one a thing, other than some friendship for those that deserve it and continue to earn it. The fact that he now says everyone including his family took advantage of him and let him down is a major cop out. He is the one that experienced the college life, the NFL sessions and coaches, Union and commisioners teaching him how to take care of himself. He had the tools to do better and he still screwed up in a big way. He has only himself to blame in this situation.
Exactly how does the media/courts address Vick now? Is it Michael? Mike? Mr. Vick? Mr. Michael Vick? Ron Mexico? Godfather of All Dogfights? Ookie?
Vick will go down in history as ONE of the most OVERHYPED players in the history of the NFL. Mark my words.
..."Who Let The Dogs Out" (which I heard the league may ban from NFL P.A. systems during Falcon road games)... Perhaps we can substitute Patti Paige singing How Much is that Doggie in the Window? tommytrump, every time I drink Scylla, I have a hangover like I had 2 heads. Charybdis makes my stomach feel like there's a whirlpool inside. I really don't think Goodell has much choice other than to let events take their course before suspending Vick. The previous incidents were certainly indicators that we were not dealing with one of the "character guys" in the league, but even taken together in their worst light, they are not enought to cause the current situation to result in a suspension. That being said, I agree with all those who say that Vick's prospects are not good. You can bet that a federal prosecutor, looking to make a name for himself, given all of the resources he has, will be able to reduce Mr. Vick to a whipped puppy.
So are suicide bombings, so does that make it right? Seriously??? Are you really equating what Michael Vick is accused of with sponsorship of a suicide bombing against human beings?
I am not comparing the two- the response was to dogfighting is very popular in many countries around the world.. There are a lot of things in other countries that are popular/acceptable and it doesn't make them right. Sorry I didn't list them all. It got your attention though didn't it? However I wouldn't feel as strongly if Mike Vick put himself in one of his dogfighting sheds, took a couple of his "weak" dogs and blew himself up with them. At least then more dogs wouldn't have had to suffer.
And before a "human life vs. dog life" response is posted- YES, knowing what I do now, I would rather see one dead Michael Vick than 60 to 100 dead dogs. That is how Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy and many more (mass) murderers, who got jaded by killing dogs then went on to humans, got started.
Vick to still play? Not quite, anymore.
I am glad that the commish made the decison, however delayed. I will still not shop at Home Depot- I will make do at Lowe's and other home improvement stores since Arthur Blank thinks his investment in Vick is more important than what made him the money to purchase Mr. Ookie's contract in the first place. He had the chance to sever ties before the NFL made its wise decision. My guess is that Ookie never plays another down in the NFL again. Unless the Raiders pick him up in 2012 or so. GOOD RIDDANCE!
bperk- did you even read the rules that you linked on the NFL Personal Conduct Policy? Prohibited Conduct It will be considered conduct detrimental for Covered Persons to engage in (or to aid, abet or conspire to engage in or to incite) violent and/or criminal activity. Every clause contains criminal and/or violent conduct. It never states CRIMINAL only and never states who or what the violence needs to be applied to.
The NFL said Vick would still get his preseason pay... But of course he will, loves.
The league is going to take time to look into all the allegations against Vick, and I wouldn't be surprised if, after that, the Falcons bid farwell to Mike (release him).
bperk- did you even read the rules that you linked on the NFL Personal Conduct Policy? Every clause contains criminal and/or violent conduct. It never states CRIMINAL only and never states who or what the violence needs to be applied to. Of course, I read it. It never mentions anything about the kind of standard you were applying based on the amount of bad publicity generated by the incidents. That's why I posted it.
This is a damn shame! Ok, Mike Vick is probably going to be 'banned' from attending training camp, does that make him guilty? No. I am a huge dog lover and had a pitbull a few years back (he since passed) and let me just say this, he was more of a lovable, playful dog than the tiny, shit pekingese that I have now (It must be a Napoleon complex, who know's). My point is that Vick is guilty in so many people's eyes without him even given a 'fair trial'. I know, I know, this isn't a court of law but it is called the 'court of public opinion', isn't it? It's totally inhumane if in fact Vick was involved with any of these allegations but that's all they are at this time, allegations. Yes, it's a Federal investigation and all but that still doesn't mean he's guilty, it just means that every nook & cranny will be looked at and every stone will not be left unturned. Just let these people do their jobs and we'll soon all know what's really been going on. I know that we can all sit here, judge and snub our noses at Mike Vick for what's being alleged of him but let the chips fall where they may and the truth will eventually be revealed. It's called due process but let me just say this, Vick looks guilty as hell considering that this is a house he purchased for his family but saying that, it just doesn't mean that he was involved with any of these allegations. Haven't we learned anything with the Duke lacrosse case? Granted, they're two different cases (this one being a Federal case and all) but it still left a lot of people with their foot in their mouths (Nancy Grace anyone?)
Yeah, BI, I was just thinking that if the NFL is keeping Vick from camp, I hope they know he is guilty. The training camp with a new coach is crucial and Vick and the Falcons are going to be at a huge disadvantage with him not attending camp.
The NFL would look completely stupid if they were to allow the Falcons' camp to turn into the ridiculous media and picket hotbed (all for reasons outside of actual football) should the allow Vick to attend. There are still a lot of players on the Falcons who need to get ready to play football, make the team, and for some, it's their very first NFL camp. They're entitled to doing their jobs, too. Vick is still getting paid, and at this time, that's all the employer is required to do. Haven't we learned anything with the Duke lacrosse case? Granted, they're two different cases You're right, they are completely different. The fact remains, though, that Vick needs to think clearly for once in his life and realize he should focus on proving his innocence (if that's even possible) right now and not football. His track record for using common sense doesn't lead me to believe he'd come to that conclusion on his own. In my estimation, he owes it to his team to step back and allow them to move ahead.
The training camp with a new coach is crucial and Vick and the Falcons are going to be at a huge disadvantage with him not attending camp. The experts on ESPN (and I agree) all said it is the best thing that could happen for Falcon training camp. Mr. Mexico would be in Richmond for most of the week, then back to Atlanta for games once his trial begins. His overall status once the season starts is unknown- suspension/leave of absense more likely than not. They need to get Harrington and the rest of the offense ready by having him take as many first team snaps as possible. Splitting time in training camp with Ookie would hurt the team more than help. The Falcons can now focus on football as much as possible. Of course until Arthur Blank's nuts drop I could care less about the Falcons and how it impacts them.
I just saw the Atlanta Falcons Press Conference and retract what I previously said about Arthur Blank. Upon reading the indictment he was ready to suspend Vick the maximum amount of 4 games without pay under the collective bargaining agreement. The NFL told him to hold off on action. He is ready to "divorce himself from the player". It seems very unlikely that Vick will ever be in a Falcon jersey again. Hopefully he will never play in the NFL again. I keep hearing about the legal process taking its course. While I agree with that in most cases, this is not most cases. Ookie purchased the property, built it to his specifications, to house sheds used for keeping dogs, built a fence to screen its visibility, has promoted "Bad Newz Kennels", been photographed wearing the gear. Dead dogs found on his property, kept company with the same thugs that were caught trafficking drugs in his car and stole a Rolex from a man in Atlanta airport while travelling with Vick. Lying to the commissioner and his team owner. He is in deep doo-doo and I couldn't be happier about it.
He is in deep doo-doo and I couldn't be happier about it. As one that's been trying to defend Michael Vick, I have to agree with just about everything you just said, except for that last part. I am so disappointed in what's going on and do hope that all of this is just not true. I am not a Falcons fan but I have enjoyed watching Vick play. He may not have been the prototypical QB but he has been fun to watch. It's just so sad to see an individual with so much talent throw it all away for the sake of the people he considers to be his family or friends. I cannot understand why do professional athletes keep the same company around them knowing full well that they do not have his best interest at heart. I guess it true what the late, great Biggie Smalls once said, "Mo' money, mo' problems".
I couldn't agree more, B.I. I'm not at all happy about Vick's situation because it is ugly and yet another black-eye to the NFL, and athletes in general. He is a great athlete, though, and it's a real tragedy he can't seem to realize how much he's likely throwing away. The money really does become a problem, though, especially with these guys who were probably around this stuff while growing up (before they had any money at all). It's nothing for someone like him to be the big-shot and bankroll this type of endeavor, just like some of the guys he probably thought were all-that while growing up.
BI- good point. I was just reacting to what Vick did with the dogfighting business. I would actually be much happier if this whole situation never happened, if he never put himself in this situation. I am just glad that he is facing the repurcussions of his very bad choices and it wasn't just glossed over.
I am just glad that he is facing the repurcussions of his very bad choices and it wasn't just glossed over. Absolutely. Anyone that commits a crime, no matter what their status is in the 'elite' world of celebrities and/or professional athletes, deserves to suffer the same consequences as anyone else that is not part of that world. People are entitled to make mistakes in life but when it leads to someone or something being maliciously murdered, no one should look the other way.
Today Vick entered a not guilty plea. He said that once he is found not guilty he will spend the rest of his life looking for the real dogfighting kingpin.
