Vick may not be ready for what awaits him
Michael Vick looked grim when he began his prison sentence in November of 2007. Given circumstances, he may not look much better when he gets out. (AP photo.)
Sometime in the next few days, Michael Vick will step outside of prison walls and straight into hell.
He will have supporters. That’s fine. The man has paid his debt to society, slept on a cot in Leavenworth for several months and took a bigger hit to his status, his reputation and his income than possibly any athlete in history.
He will have detractors. That’s also fine. Because for as much as Vick has every right to resume his football career, you have every right not to like it. It’s why so many NFL executives are sitting alone in the dark today, weighing that risk-reward thing.
But Vick’s ability to return to football will be based on something far more impactful than the strength of his legs or arm. A New York Times story this week included a common but equally bizarre assumption: “Vick may still be better than half the quarterbacks on NFL rosters.”
If this were all about skill, Vick never would have been in jail to begin with.
This isn’t 2001, when he was embraced by a punch-drunk franchise in a lampooned sports city. This isn’t 2004 when he brought the Falcons to within a victory of the Super Bowl and was given a $130 million contract.
In 2009, Michael Vick is not a hero or a marketing centerpiece. He is an ex-felon and a marketing pariah.
He will be vilified by half the fans in the city he plays in and most fans everywhere else. He will have every move scrutinized by a public and media ready to pounce and mock and an NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, who didn’t like being lied to.
He will be in a locker room where most teammates will say the right thing, something like, “He’s served his time. If he can help us win, I support him.”
But those same players will then step outside and see the picket signs, the news crews, the elephants, the 17 clowns trying stuff themselves into a Volkswagen and maybe that same plane that two years ago circled the field at Falcons’ training camp with a banner reading: “New Team Name: Dog Killers.” And they will think, “I don’t need this. We don’t need this. I wish he was someplace else.”
The success of any pro athlete, particularly an NFL quarterback, is not fast legs or a strong arm. It’s all of those things Vick failed miserably at: leadership, work ethic, resolve, toughness, maturity, teamwork, character.
Michael Vick’s failure as a quarterback had very little to do with his passing accuracy. It had almost everything to do with the intangibles. Vick must come by them in the worst of circumstances. He must come by them when our last memory of him was looking feeble in a season-ending game at Philadelphia, accepting no responsibility for going 2-6 down the stretch and losing 14 of his last 24 starts. He once reacted to the pressure by giving the middle finger to fans at a home game. He all but threw his coach, Jim Mora, and teammates under the bus after that loss to the Eagles. Then he began his off-season with a suspicious water bottle at the Miami airport, was eventually let go by police and rather than breathe a thankful sigh of relief, he suggested maybe somebody was trying to frame him.
Leaders don’t do that. Any of that.
If Vick can return, if he can endure the taunts and grow up and flash any semblance of the magic he once showed us on a football field, this comeback story will top all others.
Unfortunately, the backdrop suggests otherwise. And at least in prison, there has been solitude.
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451 comments Add your comment
Todd
May 18th, 2009
12:36 pm
And out former present went to war on a blatant lie; many people on both sides dies and continue to die. The current President is in a terrible spot. Bring the troops home and is’s not patriotic; leave them there and he’s not doign what some want him to do. Mike Vick was involved in dog fighting and even killed, at least one dog. He’s seen as the lowest of the low, EVER.
Some of you who think extremely bad of Mike Vick should blog from the entrance of George HW Bush’s Crawford Ranch entrance.
Casual Falcon Fan
May 18th, 2009
12:38 pm
Do the Falcons still own Michael Vick’s rights? If so, can they be traded? And if so, does Vick’s salary still count against the Falcons cap.
Todd
May 18th, 2009
12:38 pm
Wink from Lithonia, great post. You are on the money.
The opinionator
May 18th, 2009
12:41 pm
To add to my previous point I saw someone state that because animals can’t fight back, because they are at the whims and mercy of their human master, watching how a human treats their animals reveals the true character of a person. I think that with Michael Vick’s ongoing brutality towards dogs and dog fighting his true nature was revealed.
dave
May 18th, 2009
12:41 pm
30 arrested for Cockfighting in SC recently maxium penalty is $1000
fine!! where was PETA I guess none of them are Millionare athletes guess chickens are not as important as Dogs!!!!!!!
San
May 18th, 2009
12:43 pm
If a dogfighting, weed smoking, water bottle carrying “thug” can get voted to 3 probowls….what do you expect from a clean cut, drug free, P!SSED OFF athlete STILL running at least a 4.3???
That’s your fear…you don’t LOVE pitpulls THAT much…do you?
savannah falcon
May 18th, 2009
12:50 pm
Look at all of the so call good NFL players: Players getting arrested for drugs (jamaal anderson), Cory McIntyre (sexual exposure), Lynch, DUI’s, weapons violators (Tank), and even Bobby Cox assualted his wife years ago. Everybody needs a second chance. The odds are very good that Ryan won’t survive next seaon without injury. Always have more than one explosive quarterback. We have 3 sorry back up quarterbacks on the roster. Ryan and Vick can make an explosive duet in the back field. We paid good money over the years to see Vick. We are still waiting for a return on our investment. Keep Vick on the roster.
bobby363
May 18th, 2009
12:51 pm
Thug? Who has Vick robbed or beaten. I live in ATL and I have never heard of Vick “making it rain” or involved in shootings at night clubs. Really this guy was very low key that is why there were no signs. Shooting somebody the bird? Everybody on this blog has done that at sometime in their life. I’m certain that he has used weed but it has not been “verified” but 99.9% of peolple on this blog has tasted the bud at least once and if not best believe one of your parents have, especially if they grew up in the 60’s. So if the combination makes you a Thug then there are lot of people on this blog with Thuggish parents. I know many physcians to this day, and I am speaking of in their 60’s, still take a hit. The only thing remarkable about this guy is that he financed and participated in dog fighting. (very grewsome and unattractive hobby)
Some of you wright that he can never be forgiven and shouldn’t and no matter what he does not how much good he does that he will always be a THUG! I got news for you buddy. I don’t know about other religions but if you are Christian or Jew then there are a lot of Thugs in the Bible that became Saints after they “Saw the light”.
Those same once “Thugs” especially in the old testament are looked upon highly and regarded as great holy men today.
By no means am I comparing Vick to becoming a Saint; the point is that murderers and sometimes mass murderers are to this day are being glorified after redemption. I think dog fighting is just a little below mass murder
– Just put this situation in perspective–
I bet some people hate Vick worse than Osama Bin Laden!
Hollywould
May 18th, 2009
12:54 pm
San, Your rationale is the prob. He might can run a 4.3 but his passing is a 0.0. Some team, PLease take him!!!!
AtlSouthside
May 18th, 2009
1:00 pm
If Jeff is a journalist and realizes all of the obstacles and resistance that Vick will face upon release from prison, what makes Jeff assume that Vick’s (high-priced)lawyers haven’t already mentally prepared Vick for what he will face?
To say that he isn’t ready, is strictly an assumption based on speculation.
Atlhawkeye
May 18th, 2009
1:01 pm
This continues to be one of the most ridiculous debates on record, be it Michael Vick or anyone else.
I don’t even know why they bother to let people out of jail, because no matter what time is spent there, what apologies are made, or life changes that the individual will “attempt” to make upon release – people still tend to want that EXTRA pound of flesh from the felon. He has served his time for the crime committed. Whether you like him or not, he has followed through with the punishment handed to him by the courts.
“There but for the Grace of God go I…”.
When someone pays the penalty for their crime, what is the issue? When a person is released from prison, are they not allowed to have a career regardless of the profession? To make the attempt at re-building their lives without a crowd yelling “Stone him!” every waking moment?
It is this constant hypocrisy in our culture that justifiably sends those who commit crimes to jail/prison, and upon release, continue to denigrate the individual for the rest of their lives. While at the same time patting ourselves on the back, wrapping ourselves in the american flag and espousing our “Christian” values as we brand the scarlet letter on whomever is the despised individual of the moment.
I don’t care of MV succeeds or fails in whatever attempts he makes to resurrect his NFL career. But he at least should be allowed to live his life pursuing those goals without the mob treating him as if he was Jeffrey Dahmer.
Sick Falcons Fans
May 18th, 2009
1:02 pm
What these hateful backwoods tea baggers are so petrified of is Vick coming back with his new team to the Georgia Dome and hearing the sold out crowd go crazy when he hits the field. Now that’s what they are afraid of, watching Vick come back and dominate in the Georgia Dome the same way Deion did. It will be really funny to see that #7 jersey all OVER the Georgia Dome and a standing room only crowd – and poor little backwoods tea baggers will be sullen and sulking and mad and probably calling up 680 or 790 to vent their frustrations. LOL! But Arthur Blank will be happy, because that will be the one game that helps the rest of the season to BREAK EVEN.
AtlSouthside
May 18th, 2009
1:04 pm
I agree San, I think there are a number of “experts” who fear Vick’s return to the NFL.
All I'm Saying Is...
May 18th, 2009
1:06 pm
The Opinionator:
1) Some of us learned a long time ago to not believe as Gospel everything we saw on television
2) Tavis Smiley does not represent all black people. and
3) Do you know that there are 40 million African-American people in this country? Are you telling me that you have met over 20 million of them? Because unless you have, you have no idea about anything regarding black people “…as a general rule…” and your comment “And while there are certainly black people who humanely care for their beasts as a general rule blacks simply view animals differently and do no care for them in the same way white people do. I’m sorry if it sounds racist but it is what it is.” Is not only racist but one of the dumbest things I have ever read—-by your twisted logic, since most serial killers (Ted Bundy, Jeff Dahmer,…) are Caucasian Males “…as a general rule…”, all Caucasian Males have a tendency to be serial killers…
All I'm Saying Is...
May 18th, 2009
1:22 pm
Back to football: Seems to me that since Vick left the game, the “Wildcat” formation has taken off in popularity and is so popular now that teams are even drooling over the idea of Tim Tebow running it in the NFL…hmmm…isn’t this basically an aspect of the offense the Falcons successfully ran with Vick at quarterback?
Funny, how several teams love the idea of having a running back come in and execute this offense. Makes perfect sense to me for a team to sign MV to run this offense, be a slot receiver, situational back (3rd and long receiver or running back) and back-up QB.
In terms of MV and his future, therefore, IF a team takes a chance on him (big if), then all he has to do is say to the media whenever he is asked about his involvement with dogfighting is that “I committed a crime, I lied about which was also wrong but I did admit to it, I went to jail and I paid my debt to society and now I am trying to put my life back together and I have nothing more to say about it.” By saying this repeatedly AND staying out of trouble (big And), attention will turn to his football and eventually people will start asking why is it that the protesters keep after this guy who is simply trying to turn his life around.
What!!!
May 18th, 2009
1:23 pm
The last two years Vick was QB in Atlanta proves that “NO TEAM OR PERSON FEARS VICK COMING BACK TO THE NFL.” Some of you guys think Vick invented the NFL. I know this, there are coaches right now trying their hardest to figure out how to stop the Falcons in 2009. I myself have finally got over the crow I had to eat when I defended Vick time and time again…………………good bye Vick see you on TV next year in the Canadian league, if you’re lucky!
Kelvin
May 18th, 2009
1:25 pm
Let me just say that like it or not the Vick story is still news worthy as evidenced by the large number of posts to this article. Vick still brings out a lot of emotions in people on both sides. I as an African American am not “Vick Worshiper” as a lot of African Americans are perceived. Nor am I a hater of Vick. I believe if The NFL allows Vick back into the league and some team wants to sign him I am ok with it. If the league suspended him for life I am ok with that as well. The bottom line is Vick is in a predicament of his own making. My opinion of him as a QB is that he is more of a pure athlete than a QB. He doesn’t read defenses well; he doesn’t hit Receivers coming out of their break, and he doesn’t put in the extra time necessary to become better. These were things I was saying about him before the dog fighting incident. I am sorry the Falcons had to go through the embarrassment Vick broad upon them and the city of Atlanta, but had we not gone through it we would not have Matt Ryan as our QB. This kid in my opinion is the real deal. I believe Ryan is about a year away from leading this team to a Super Bowl. The defense has to improve and the offensive line has to hold up, but I believe Ryan, when his career is done, will have multiple super bowl titles under his belt. As far as Vick is concerned, I believe he will be back in the NFL this year or next. I don’t believe Vick will be the superstar his supporters are hoping for. A career 50% passer doesn’t get better by taking two or three years off. Once the novelty of his return has worn off, I believe Vick will be released and out of the league within two or three years.
Atlhawkeye
May 18th, 2009
1:25 pm
This continues to be one of the most ridiculous debates on record, be it Michael Vick or anyone else.
I don’t even know why they bother to let people out of jail, because no matter what time is spent there, what apologies are made, or life changes that the individual will “attempt” to make upon release – people still tend to want that EXTRA pound of flesh from the felon. He has served his time for the crime committed. Whether you like him or not, he has followed through with the punishment handed to him by the courts.
“There but for the Grace of God go I…”.
When someone pays the penalty for their crime, what is the issue? When a person is released from prison, are they not allowed to have a career regardless of the profession? To make the attempt at re-building their lives without a crowd yelling “Stone him!” every waking moment?
It is this constant hypocrisy in our culture that justifiably sends those who commit crimes to jail/prison, and upon release, continue to denigrate the individual for the rest of their lives. While at the same time patting ourselves on the back, wrapping ourselves in the american flag and espousing our “Christian” values as we brand the scarlet letter on whomever is the despised individual of the moment.
I don’t care of MV succeeds or fails in whatever attempts he makes to resurrect his NFL career. But he at least should be allowed to live his life pursuing those goals without the mob treating him as if he were Jeffrey Dahmer.
What!!!
May 18th, 2009
1:30 pm
You know, I’ve changed my mind!! I hope Vick does come back and play in the NFL. The NFC south for that matter. I would love to see a guy running around carrying the foorball like a loaf of bread and fumble so the Falcons can improve their turnover ratio. BRING HIM HOME PANTHERS, BUCS,SAINTS!!!
AtlSouthside
May 18th, 2009
1:33 pm
Teams fear him because of his play-making abilities… “Experts” fear Vick’s return because they know that Vick can make them eat their words. There are 32 teams, each with 3 QB spots on the depth chart, which equates to what, 108 QBs in the NFL…
Are you telling me that Vick isn’t better than 75 percent of all NFL QBs?
Experts are so quick to paint rookie QBs as the next so-and-so, without them playing 1 snap in the NFL, yet you have a proven Pro Bowl QB with a winning record as a starter, and so many people wanna say that Vick won’t be prepared…Other folks wanna say Vick should be a RB/WR, when the guy has never played either position…
On top of all that “negative” statistics, Vick has a had a better career than Jay Cutler, who has a losing record as a starter and has no postseason appearances.
gp295
May 18th, 2009
1:45 pm
Black people do not relate to animals, i’m i to suppect caucasian do not relat to human being the way they treat human of other race. Mike Vick is a human being who made a mistake we can’t take it away sh t happen, did it make him a better person. The jury is still out, let hope he is a change man like bob in winder.
leggomyego
May 18th, 2009
2:06 pm
Tacos?
Lt Frank Drebin
May 18th, 2009
2:08 pm
Michael Vick has done his time, and deserves another chance to prove his mettle. If he can succeed in the coming years, despite the whirlwind of controversy, more power to him. I wish him well.
My issue with Vick is his performance as an NFL QB. Definitely not a leader and never did he develop beyond 2002-3. Besides flipping off the home crowd, he also admitted to “giving up” during the tail end of 2005. I can’t speak to his intelligence, but he is definitely lacking in the intagibles of leadership, integrity and accountability. His athletic performance stats are meaningless when it forms the core for a team lacking in leadership.
Lt Frank Drebin
May 18th, 2009
2:12 pm
Also, the whole “Dirty South” theme that permeated the Falcons is long gone, THANK GOD! I welcome the attention to team and the work ethic the Coach Smith and Matt Ryan have brought this team. 2008 for the Falcons was a success due to addition through subtraction.
Good Riddance! Vick, Hall, Crumpler et al.
Sick Falcons Fans
May 18th, 2009
2:19 pm
HA! Well nothing permeates the Falcons NOW “frank dreblin” that’s for sure. Welcome back to 2000! Only the Falcons could actually reverse time and go back to obscurity and irrelevance! Look at your hometown papers coverage! They would rather devote the entire rest of the year to covering Mike Vick than waste time on the Falcons team, do you know why? Because you don’t care about the Falcons frank. The AJC realizes that, just watch how they handle the rest of this year. They know you’ll pay attention to Vick. I certainly don’t blame them! They gotta keep the lights on!
Grammar police
May 18th, 2009
2:23 pm
gp925,
Are you writing as a joke or do you really write that bad? That’s the worst grammar, spelling, and noun and verb singular and plural agreement that I’ve ever seen on a blog. I don’t want to be mean but I can’t tell if you’re trying to be funny or if you need to go back to school to learn how to speak, read, and write proper English.
JournalismIsDead
May 18th, 2009
2:43 pm
Why didn’t the AJC do an expose on the Humane Society of the US and their fradulent campaigns to raise money that doesn’t go anywhere NEAR helping the poor critters they love to cry about on TV? Where was the AJC to point out the hypocrisy of those nuts PETA as they holler about Vick but was mute on Ed Faron’s conviction and sentence – as well as the killing of every ONE of the 100 dogs he owned for his dogfighting ring in NC. Why AJC? Why didn’t you print the story about the crazy woman who was put on federal probation for the letter she sent to Vick’s lawyer that threatened his HUMAN CHILDREN. Why is the AJC so biased in its reporting? Why are you so protective of groups the FBI calls domestic terrorists? Ask those scientists/researchers at UCLA if they think PETA is just a “animal rights” group,see what they say.
Nicole W
May 18th, 2009
2:43 pm
Does Michael Vick Deserve a second chance?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjostWvg9tU
Vicktory to the Underdog
http://strangleholdmerch.com/vicktory-to-the-underdog-p-191.html
“Vicktory To The Underdog” takes an in depth look at world renowned tattoo artist “Brandon Bond” and his dog rescue efforts – particularly rescuing the infamous Michael Vick fighting dogs.
Rather than focusing on the dog fighting problem, the movie sheds light on solutions leading to “Vicktory” for all the underdogs in the movie – tattoo people, pitbulls, parolees and all the other people in this world that society has turned their back on through ignorance and racism.
The movie also examines the life of Brandon Bond and his struggle with balancing fame, fortune and the Rock-N-Roll tattoo lifestyle with a more fulfilling life that focuses on the betterment of both animals and society as a whole.
Featuring celebrities like Debbie and Danny Trejo, Michael Berryman, Pixie Acia and Donal Logue, the movie takes you on an incredible journey you will never forget!
Proceeds for this film will be going to Villa Lobos Pitbull Rescue. http://www.vrcpitbull.com
Otis Elam
May 18th, 2009
2:59 pm
To be sure Michael Vick has paid his debt and some but the media outcry was worse than the public out cry. I am a pet owner and while I cannot condone animal cruelty this “human cruelty” or “hachet job ” that you guys have done to him hurts far worse. We have. My concern is, where are the independent minded thinkers in the media- either print or visual. Either you handle Vick in an “even handed way” that is obviously tilted to his demise or you just villify him and even minimize his accomplishments pontificating about his “accuracy” or some sordid idea about his leadership. I am sure that you could trot out many other “better” quarterbacks but very few of them have led their teams to the NFL Championship game. What are you guys afraid of – getting you credentials yanked. Vick represents a new model for the quarterback position. I’m not crowning Vick a saint but seemingly the media to a man (or woman) has taken a side versus just reporting the saga minus the “hate Vick” spin. This issue has divided Atlanta and all of the hoopla of the new guy at quarterback whose opening contract (one deserved by a proven veteran)reeks with a dark irony. I have lived in Atlanta and other parts of GA and the fans that I talk to will not come to see the Falcons because of the handling of the Vick issue. I have been a Falcon fan since 1972. I see how quickly the team is getting help for the new guy but Vick had to run for his life for years. He did not have the same opportunity to show case his arm except in brief flashes. I will take the guy who lead us to one game from the Super Bowl than the new guy who has many more weapons who didn’t have to win the game but rather manage the game. Again I call for the independent talking heads who are not afraid to go the route of the salmon where there is spawned peace and life on the other side of the turbelence.
JSS
May 18th, 2009
3:11 pm
Don’t worry you bunch of Jeff Schultz apologists, none of my posts were deleted… I knew that by the time I arrived back in the US, the NO TALENT HACK would opine on Michael Vick before the story had a chance to (1) HAPPEN, (2) BE A POINT OF RELEVANCY, and (3) offer supposition INSTEAD OF FACTS.
Way back in the 80’s when I toiled in my final media internship before choosing an honest line of work; my old boss Brenda Hood gave me some sage advice: “You never, ever, have to make up or suppose an opinion to make a well written piece of journalism work!” Since Jeff Schultz was first given a column in the AJC (yes I said given, he certainly did not earn it); he has done those two regrettable things over and over again… Redundant suppositions, hearsay, character assassinations, and innuendo, week after week, column after column, appearance after appearance, it is the same mindless blah, blah, blah!!!
There is a statue in on the backside of Capitol downtown of Tom Watson. He was a leader of populist movement at the end of the 19th century… He could have been a great national figure, but every time he had a chance to separate himself from the narrow minded leaders of his time, he sank to the lowest common denominator to please his masses no matter the cost…
I have said over and over again why I believe Jeff Schultz is a unmediated liar… His few lines about debts having been paid and rights to work just reinforce that point… Once a society (laws presided over by our courts) sets its recommendation, then the community (the law givers and the law abiding) either believes in the rule of law or in anarchy of mob rule… It will be funny to watch how this plays out, especially in the atmosphere that will be be generated by Jeff Schultz and Jon Kincade…. Still, the AJC has a history of loving mob rule. For those who like to sweep history under the rug, go visit the graves of Leo Frank or any the victims of the 1906 Atlanta Race Riot if don’t believe me…
Kenny Powers
May 18th, 2009
3:13 pm
leggomyego, the best tacos in Atlanta are at Taquiria del sol(i know i miss-spelled that, but i am not going to Google it). Neat place, you wait in a big line before ordering and then they come out in like 2 minutes.
Can we actually get something for Vick in a trade or are we releasing him and taking the cap hit? I used to love watching Vick play and he has mad skills…but he treated dogs very poorly(and poorly I mean like a sociopath) so he must be jettisoned.
And I love the people that buy tickets and go to Falcon’s games to boo them, makes sure the game will sellout and be on TV.
Troy in Roanoke,va
May 18th, 2009
3:16 pm
Vick has been demonized like no other criminal in this country. Look at all the ” thug ” football players and what they have done to people in our society, and answer me one question, how can Vick’s crime be worse ?? He has been thrown way under the bus by NFL, Goddell, and most black leaders in this country.
VICK SUPPORTER 2
May 18th, 2009
3:29 pm
“ARIZONA VS ATLANTA” – 2009 PLAYOFFS…………
MATT RYAN “LEAF” WAS WHO WE THOUGHT HE WAS
————————————————————————
MATT RYAN LEAF, THE GREAT WHITE HOPE,
VERSUS ARIZONA, I KNEW HE WOULD CHOKE.
WITH A THROWING ARM LIKE A FAIRY,
A PLAYOFF WIN HE COULD NEVER CARRY.
SINCE DRAFT DAY, I KNEW HE WAS A BUST;
CAN’T CARRY MV7 JOCK STRAP, EVEN WITH THE RUST.
BY THE TIME 2009 SEASON BEGINS,
THE FALCONS HOPES WILL AGAIN END.
“BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE ONE AND ONLY” — VICK SUPPORTER 2
GO FALCONS!
What!!!
May 18th, 2009
3:38 pm
Mike Vick’s record the last 24 games with the Falcons………………..10-14. Vick is not a threat to any team! Heck let him play, gives the opposing team a better chance at a win!
Buddy the Dog
May 18th, 2009
3:40 pm
Well, Mike Vick gets out of prison soon and may play football again.
Good for him.
What about all of my doggie buddies that he and his other thugs tortured, mutilated, and killed?
They don’t get a second chance, do they?
If a team signs Vick, I hope the public boycotts the team and divides the city they are in. Then another team will not take a chance on him.
But perhaps if he first had to get into a pit and fight a monstor vicious pitbull for his very life like my friends had to….
VICK SUPPORTER 2
May 18th, 2009
3:49 pm
WHEN ARE YOU “DOG KISSERS” GOING TO LEARN. NOBODY CARES ABOUT A BUNCH OF STUPID DOGS. THE LAST TIME I CHECKED “WORTHLESS” FURY CREATURES DON’T SELL OUT THE DOME AND OTHER STADIUMS. TEAM OWNERS DON’T GIVE A HOOT ABOUT YOUR WHINING “DOG KISSERS” – GET A LIFE AND MAKE LOVE TO HUMANS, NOT DOGS
GO FALCONS!
Hamad Meander
May 18th, 2009
3:59 pm
Lt. Frank has made a very reasonable point. Here are Vick’s career stats: 71 TDs, 52 INTs, 53.8% completions – that isn’t stellar. Add in also 36 fumbles his last 3 seasons and you don’t have a QB that you can say will elevate your team to another level.
Trade? Ain’t going to happen because Vick’s contract is still in effect, and NO team is going to take on that type of salary on a player that might be a situational or backup player.
Best thing for Vick is to get back to playing football (and if it’s in the NFL it will be another position), keep so clean that he doesn’t even step on a crack in the sidewalk, and repeatedly tell the black community that he was wrong, not that he was wronged.
BubbaDaBaller
May 18th, 2009
4:04 pm
“Hype Myth” is exactly what #7 was and should be his new “Nom Daguerre”…He has the right to play if Sheriff Goodell will let him…But he won’t be but a shadow of what he was, which wasn’t much more than (1) win in Green Bay in the Playoffs…When you tie your cause to a “Face” their actions can take you to the wrong place…I feel for the “Core” ATL Fans who embraced him when he became a Falcon, but as a fomer Falcon he should be an after thought, not a martyr…
What!!!
May 18th, 2009
4:04 pm
Mike Vick an NFL QB again…………HA!HA!HA!HA!HA! wwwwwater boy maybe. Heck no, he’ll fumble the cup taking it to a thirsty player!! HA!HA!HA!
JournalismIsDead
May 18th, 2009
4:09 pm
Haters you can keep wishing that a 3 time ProBowler who every teammate and coach says is a damn good QB will have to play another position, but its not gonna happen. See, you can’t pretend like there aren’t QBs in the league right now that missed 2 seasons with injury – or that there is a QB on the Falcons roster right now that was out for 3 full seasons. You can’t pretend like nobody KNOWS that stuff. Vick is a QB and has been playing that position since junior high, so stop that fruitless wish. It is not going to happen, just like your wish that he never play football again and threaten your false perception of what a QB should LOOK like (kinda like your pathetic and sad perception of what a President of the USA should Look like!) Its 2009 haters. Your nightmare has returned….and now he’s mad.
Edgar
May 18th, 2009
4:13 pm
After the 2004 season I was blinded by an 11 & 5 season and a trip to the NFC Championship game. The next season, 2005, this team took off at the front of the schedule and it looked as if the Falcons couldn’t be stopped. Suddenly the losses started during the second half of the season and by the season’s end we were out of the playoffs. The next season was the same thing. I got real angry because this man quit on his team then threw his coach under the bus. That made the second head coach, Reeves being the first, he went to the owner and blamed. The other things we started hearing about by that time meant nothing to me. The man has got so many issues I wonder if he’ll ever be able to not only play NFL football again but I wonder if he can ever make it in life. I know Tony Dungy has reached out and probably several more prominent personalities will do the same but the first thing he, Vick, has to do is look deep into his own fractured life and deal with it in more ways than Jesus and big personalities can offer. I wish him well even though I watched as he took a good football team and ripped it apart slowly but methodically with his fractured way of living. He’s got a lot further to go to change his life than a job offer from an NFL team.
What!!!
May 18th, 2009
4:21 pm
JournalismIsDead, David Carr’s teammates said he was a good QB tell he was released. So what’s your point. What has MV7 done for the Falcons since 2004? That’s right NOTHING!! Stop blaming everyone and put the blam where it belongs in MV7’s lap.
Hamad Meander
May 18th, 2009
4:37 pm
What!!! – you are my new favorite poster. Funny stuff with the fumbles….and with 36 of them in 2004, 2005, and 2006, it’s true.
Journalismisdead – the only reason Michael Vick was a 3 time probowler is because of his popularity and maybe because people wanted to see Vick run around like crazy on every play. Bottom line is that he got away with being a NFL QB on his athleticism, not is quarterbacking skills.
Vick Supporter 2 – if you truly think Matt Ryan is Ryan Leaf reincarnated, I’m afraid you are too far from reality to even claim some knowledge of the game of football or evaluating a football player’s talent. Matt Ryan in one season accomplished more than Ryan Leaf did in his career – actually surpassing Leaf’s career TDs in one season. Also, he completed more that 61% of his passes, where leaf didn’t make it past 50% at any time @ San Diego! Good Grief!
chiefs fan
May 18th, 2009
4:48 pm
I’ll trade ya Larry Johnson and a cheeseburger for MV, straight up.
JournalismIsDead
May 18th, 2009
4:53 pm
Idiot “what” – actually pretty appropriate….anyway..what did Brooking do for the Falcons? What did Dez White and Woody Danzler do for the Falcons? I’ll tell you what Mike Vick did…he had the NFL still scheduling 3 national games after a 7-9 season. He had the NFL STILL putting the Falcons on Thanksgiving night against the Colts in the Georgia Dome (and it killed the ratings since he wasn’t there)…now here you have the NFL’s Coach of the Year, GM of the Year and Rookie of the Year…and all you got was the normal 2 national games that every team that at LEAST makes the playoffs get…Heck, the Cowboys and the Bears got better coverage than that and they didn’t play past week 17! You have Arthur Blank whining that he lost money and what’s this I hear? Buck Klancade whining that the Falcons lost all this advertising money! LOL For 6 seasons in a row, the total budget from the Falcons marketing office on ticket sales was 0, ZIP, ZERO – NOTHING! Didn’t have to spend a dime because NO NEED, but now I bet everybody here has seen those “the hunt is on!!” commercials at least 50 times and 5 times a day on every local station. HA! GOOD! Let Blank continue to PAY to build his precious team and hopefully you supporters of all things Falcons will do more than just bash Vick, you’ll spend some of your money proving how very much you care about your team! Its May 18th Mr. Blank! Do you know where your season ticket holders are?
What!!!
May 18th, 2009
4:55 pm
Hamad, I just can’t see the love so many are giving Vick as a QB. I defended this guy right to the time he walked into the court room hoping proof would emerge that he didn’t do any of this. I had to eat alot of crow since them from the flack I got from family and friends saying “I told you so.” Boy was I fooled! Glad he’s gone!
All I'm Saying Is...
May 18th, 2009
4:55 pm
The opinionator: Your follow-up comments confirmed what I thought: you’re an idiot and complete waste of vital organs. I am impressed by one thing which is that you can type since that’s got to be hard to do when you drag your knuckles with every step. Moving on……..
Here’s something interesting: IF a team signs him, Peter King with Sports Illustrated (who I rarely agree with) is in favor of MV being reinstated after also serving a four game suspension specifically for repeatedly lying to Blank and Goodell. Makes sense to me.
Thoughts?
Tony
May 18th, 2009
5:03 pm
I hope Mike excels because his future success will provide him with a platform to help more kids than if he fails. With remorse, dedication, respect for the game, respect for himself, and valuable time inspiring our youth to make the right decisions Mike can become not just a game changer, but a life changer for many troubled youth that need inspiration. Mike will be reinstated because too many people want to see how the story ends versus being left hanging.
What!!!
May 18th, 2009
5:05 pm
Journal, my blinded friend. This has nothing to do with any other player but Vickie himself. I don’t give a flying floozie fart what time or what channel the Falcons play. I remember a big monday night game in New Orleans that Vickie lead to a total butt whooping. Remember, we saw alot of those game with Vickie at QB. I can also tell you that no other Falcon player did so much to almost ruin a team and city. Thinks to Blank and company, including MATT RYAM, they are rebuilding with success!!
JournalismIsDead
May 18th, 2009
5:15 pm
Delta!! Oh Delta!! Why you leave now? Huh? No longer think its in your best interest to be a sponsor of the Falcons?? Wait…isn’t Delta HEADQUARTERED HERE?? Gee…..I thought the sponsors where supposed to leave if Vick came back…I guess Delta didn’t get the memo! Or Delta did get the memo and looked at the ratings from last year, which dropped, and looked at the empty red seats in the Dome and said “perhaps, we can best spend our sponsorship dollars elsewhere.” You diehard Falcons fans must not mean that much to the folks at Delta Airlines! Oh look! Another “The Hunt Is On” commercial!