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
surfdawg
May 18th, 2009
11:15 pm
VS 2 that was the best post you made all day I stand corrected
Vick Supporter
May 18th, 2009
11:15 pm
Jeff, no offense here, but I thought we werew grown ups here. You stopped my post for one word, yet I’ve seen numerous posts that could very well be considered racial. I guess those are the rules. You’re alright with me though, even though you’ve switched from positice things to say about Vick to negative. guess you have to appease your fanbase.
surfdawg
May 18th, 2009
11:18 pm
Vick Supporter Don’t worry about Schultz he will be in bed soon and we will have this thing to ourselves.
Vick Supporter
May 18th, 2009
11:21 pm
surfdawg, i really wish you could have an ounce of understanding in your body to hear someone else’s opinion about Vick without calling him a t word. I have to be careful……we’re being babysitted
surfdawg
May 18th, 2009
11:34 pm
Vick supporter I do have an ounce of understanding for Vick. I posted last night that I was a Vick fan and I thought he paid his debt to society and should be able to play in NFL. I think he will just not with Falcons. Sure Vick played some of the most exciting football I’ve ever seen. I’m just taking up for Matt because VS2 has a warped way of looking at things. By the way what’s the T word
Jeff Schultz
May 18th, 2009
11:36 pm
Surfdawg: If you prefer, I can just ban you now. Your choice.
VickSupporter: Before you go making assumptions about my agenda or “my fanbase” I’ve found been called names from readers of all races. And it’s worth noting that the only person banned (so far) wrote comments (including some sick ones flagged by spam which you never saw) that made him look like a Klansman from the 60s.
Vick Supporter
May 18th, 2009
11:37 pm
surfdawg, you know what it is….you guys new n-word
Jeff Schultz
May 18th, 2009
11:38 pm
By the way, are we the only ones still up? Why don’t the three of us just go out for a beer?
surfdawg
May 18th, 2009
11:38 pm
C’mon you gotta admit Matt did a good job last year
Vick Supporter
May 18th, 2009
11:39 pm
I hold no ill will Schultz. Maybe the AJC shouldn’t have any Vick blogs then. You expect it not to be passionate?
surfdawg
May 18th, 2009
11:42 pm
Sounds good to me.
The beer that is.
surfdawg
May 18th, 2009
11:47 pm
Vick supporter Not to push the issue but I’ve not heard of that word, .Honestly, and I would never disrespect anyone like that . We are all human beings.
Vick Supporter
May 18th, 2009
11:50 pm
surfdawg, I never said that he didn’t. I believe everything was laid out perfect for him….his own offense…minimal expectations due to the state of the franchise at the time. You have to admit, no one really expected this from Ryan..admit it man. When Vick came here, expectations were out of this world, and he met them as Ryan did. Vick was a one man team, and it was proven when he got in trouble. You mean to tell me that managment didn’t make NUMEROUS mistakes with personell decisions? I’m not saying that Vick was the perfect QB, but you can’t say that he didn’t play hard for this city and made the Falcons relevant. Just be honest for once. I give Ryan his props, and I stand by my statement that his arm was “tired”. You watched the games. Another thing…you must not know about players that play with a chip on their shoulder and have something, and #7 had EVERYTHING to prove. I’ve always said that that 130 million contract was a curse. He flat out wasn’t TOTALLY mature enough to handle that, even I will admit that. But he did play well for what he had to work with. i see people always say that Roddy got better when Vick left, which isn’t true. Dude couldn’t catch a cold and he admitted that he didn’t know how to prepare as an NFL WR, which is very common for young WRs. It usually takes the 3-4 seasons, which is what has happened with Roddy. And yes, “Ice”,lol, did do a good job last year. Why don’t you show a little humility yourself.
Vick 09
Vick Supporter
May 18th, 2009
11:53 pm
Schultz, that would be really cool if we could do that. Personally, i would like to know your true thoughts on Vick…nevermind…you’ve already bashed him in your article. Don’t be so pushy man. It’s just talk. I really like your articles
D.Carter
May 18th, 2009
11:58 pm
My problem with most of the comments are that people try to downgrade Vicks Qb skill set by talking about the falcons late season failures his last 2 years, truth be told J.Mora and G. Knapp we horrible as coaches… Knapp was notorious for not allowing his QB’s to audible… Not to mention that the defense was a joke…
You can talk about the dogfighting CONSPIRACY charges all you want… The fact of the matter was that he wasnt convicted of killing dogs if you want to simply state facts….He admitted to the other stuff as part of a plea deal, hell he could have gotten better legal advice from the local public defender..lol
I would just ask to keep this whole conversation away from race and more about a confused young man who has done his time and needs to have his second chance to live his life and take advantage of his god given abilities… And to all the over the top animal lovers who protest and yet hunt deer take a serious look in the mirror
Vick Supporter
May 18th, 2009
11:59 pm
That’s what I thought, surfdawg. No answer. I’m going to bed..I’ve been on the road on business for almost a month and my patience is low. Vick is gonna do it man. You watch and see
Vick 09
Ted Striker
May 18th, 2009
11:59 pm
Jeff Schultz at zero tolerance. That’s akin to asking Jack Bauer if he wants to engage in a headbutting contest, and letting him go first. (Newsreel at 11, Brooke Shields feels as though she’s relevant for the first time since Blue Lagoon).
No, I don’t make any sense. While you guys are talking about going out and having beers I’m knocking them down like they’re water. Yes, I know. I’m your hero.
vuduchld
May 19th, 2009
12:00 am
MV7 has moved on and you clowns need to do the same. As for them poodles, who cares! I mean, let’s be real here. Dumbya and Cheney can ship our men and women overseas to fight in a war they made up and you idiots want to worship them as American heroes. If Vick had to do his time then Bush, Cheney, Rice and the other scumbags need to spend their time – IN IRAQ. Go Vick, I hope you do well!!
Birdy
May 19th, 2009
12:02 am
I would like to see Jeff Schultz answer these questions previously asked:
* “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.”
surfdawg
May 19th, 2009
12:02 am
I agree with the whole post, and once again When Mike came in he made football in ATL fun again. I agree with all the posts that say alot of other people have done much worse than Mike. My whole thing was VS2 makes it sound like Matt did’nt do anything last year when he did.Mind you it was’nt as exciting as
vick did it ,but we still got there
surfdawg
May 19th, 2009
12:03 am
Enter your comments here
surfdawg
May 19th, 2009
12:04 am
I was posting I type slow
Casual Falcons Fan
May 19th, 2009
12:10 am
JSS, you do understand that Jeff Schultz’s column is an editorial piece, not a documentary, right? He’s supposed to “opine.” And that includes discussing hearsay, innuendo, rumor, conjecture, and even speculation. Why not? It’s an offering of opinion. Furthermore, you act surprised by what you’re reading. If I’m reading Vatican Papers, I don’t scream the Heavens above, “This reeks of Catholicism!” Who could have guessed such things?
If Jeff Schultz aggravates you to this level, stop reading. I mean, on some level, you must know that you “enjoy” reading Schultz’s column. Or you wouldn’t do it anymore. And if your gripe against him is that he should be censored or fired or prevented from expressing himself, then that’s disappointing. ‘Cause last time I checked, the 1st Amendment is featured prominently in the “Bill of Rights.” To deny Schultz his say, is Unconstitutional. And it’s un-American. The correct thing to do, is ignore him, if he displeases you. And clearly, I think he does displease you.
surfdawg
May 19th, 2009
12:18 am
VUDU Those American heroes are what allows you to post on this Blog in a free country. Show a little respect for them
Snatchandgrab
May 19th, 2009
12:41 am
I can’t believe people are so heated over this issue. I realized long time ago…If he plays again, or if he never plays again, it doesn’t affect me or my life one bit. Think about it people. Let it go. Be pissed over Leonard Little killing a woman and still playing. There was no outrage over that. I don’t understand people.
intellibird
May 19th, 2009
12:54 am
Falcons will be 10-6 this year. Somebody asked earlier.
BigEasy830
May 19th, 2009
12:55 am
Ted Stryker, I couldn’t sleep, I kept dreaming about that blonde, 34c 24 36.
Great post D. Carter.
Great post VUDU
surfdawg, you know nothing about football. I can’t stand the Falcons and I know more about them than you. It is a widely known fact that the Falcons implemented the Boston College plays for Matt Ryan. It is easier to make the other guys learn the college offense that your 72 million dollar QB already knows especially since you will install a new system anyway. I think the media should stop saying that Vick was convicted of dogfighting. That is like the police stopping a serial killer in a traffic stop, find dead bodies in the car and years later say he was given the death penalty for running a red light. The Dogfighting was a misdemeanor, it was the lesser crime. The felonies were trumped up charges, Interstate commerce and some other bull crap. PETA saw a way to to further their agenda and will not let it go. And people talk about the poor dogs, Pitbulls are vicious animals. Those dogs are good for only one thing and thats attacking something.
BigEasy830
May 19th, 2009
1:01 am
Shultz if your gonna get beer get a pack of hot dogs, some buns and chips too, you know if we start drinking this late were gonna get the munchies to.
vuduchld
May 19th, 2009
2:03 am
Ah surfdawg, it is clearly evident you either did not read my post or can’t read at all. My post was not directed at the troops, but the criminals who sent them there who are now trying to absolve or revise about what happened. MV7 was wrong and paid the price, but there are others(and if you read my post you know who they are) that lied and corrupted our nation. I would love to see some of the posters on here go after them with the same intensity that they went after Vick.
I live in a Loft and come in contact with responsible and irresponsible pet owners on a daily basis. I never see PETA or the Humane society come down on the latter. I guess it’s because they’re not famous enough to grab headlines.
I don’t want to hear another animal loving group talk about Mike Vick. If these folks want to impress me then go after some of these not so famous irresponsible idiot pet owners!!
rich
May 19th, 2009
3:59 am
It seems like it would have been better for MV if he had murdered some people than being involved in and killing some dogs. While his participation in the aforementioned was wrong, certainly it is not “the unpardonable.” When one consider all the evil done to human beings simply because of their race,religion,sexual-orientation,etc. what he did does not, and indeed cannot be compared. But in a country where “DOGS” are worshipped more than “GOD” this type of treatment to a fellow human is
“politically correct. It’s not. America, and all of you who just cannot, or, rather would not let it go. LET IT GO ! America,what Mike did was wrong, dumb, stupid and immature. His actions exposes our inhumane attitude to another human. He that is without sin cast the first stone. Mike is certainly wrong for the way in which he treated those dogs. America, you are also wrong for the way you are treating this human being. Mike keep your head up, for ” TOUGH TIMES NEVER LAST, BUT TOUGH PEOPLE DO ! richlov4u@yahoo.com
.D-Nice
May 19th, 2009
4:21 am
Isnt this the same city that had a hockey player killed by the his teammate? Yes Dany Heatley never has faced the criticism that Mike Vick has and the family of Daniel Snynder actually forgave him. That family is a class act even though they could blame Heatley forever and ever after he was drinking and driving and ended up killing their son down in BuckHead. What MV did was inexcusable and he has paid a huge debt to society but lets give this man a 2nd chance just as we have with Dany Heatley.
I was watching Dr. Phil last nite here in Iraq and the mother of one of the victims in the crash that took the life of the rookie baseball player back in April was on the show saying how she was texting her daughter waiting for a response that never would come. In California last year over 1500 people lost their lives to DUI. I will always weigh a human life more than an animal, for that matter former VP Cheney shot a man in the back and Sarah Palin has pictures of her shooting a moose which is very much an animal like a dog is.
Would we be up in arms if Vick had slaughtered a pig, a cow, a chicken, a frog, a rabbit, etc….. THe answer is no and we as a society need to let this hatred of this man go because their is only one judge and until we realize it things like the killings all over the country, the 5 service members killed her by one of “our own”, will continue to happen and dominate the news versus good works like Dikembe Mutombo opening up 12 new hospitals in africa.
No one is perfect as I can attest to that but lets give this young man a chance to show contrition and do better in life now that he has seen the bottom. So many ex criminals are not given a fair shake and eventually revert back to what got them their in the 1st place. We then are all over saying they are monsters when if we went out to help them become produtive members again then they will be an asset and not a liability to our country. I understand that we cant save everyone but one child saved is worth a hundred hens (dont know where I heard that but it sounds philisophical).
In closing lets bad together as a nation as we have troops over here in Iraq, and Afhganistan that are missing their families, losing their families, some may not even see them again; but we are wasting efforts to criticize this man who by the standards set by our court system has paid the majority of it back minus the 3 years he will have of probation.
Scooter
May 19th, 2009
5:25 am
Vick isn’t the first person in the world to fight dogs. The man has the right to play fotball again and I can’t wait till he sticks it to all yall that dont like him.
Ted Striker
May 19th, 2009
7:41 am
BigEasy, Your secret about the blonde is safe. I won’t breathe a word to your wife when I see the two of you in church
crabapplejoe
May 19th, 2009
8:03 am
BigEasy wrote: “Tookie changed but they still executed him.”
Tookie killed some of your fellow human beings in cold blood. The bast**d deserved to die. I don’t think even MV7 would like to be compared to that worthless POS….and who is “they”?
What!!!
May 19th, 2009
8:51 am
“BIG EASY”830 are you a streetwalker from New Orleans? You said that the Falcons made it easy for Matt and gave him the same playbook he had at college, which made him successfull. Right? So you mean to tell me Matt beat the Bucs, Panthers, and your Saints with college football? Those other teams he beat with “college plays” must feel just as stupid as you right about now. HA!HA!HA!
FalconUGAFan
May 19th, 2009
9:10 am
Well guess I’ll throw my 2 cents in. Man, I loved MV when he was with the Falcons. The guy was exciting! He was a raw talent that needed some shaping and maturity. He tore out a piece of my heart everytime he got in trouble. But he has served his time, and he deserves another shot. I really wish the best for him but with another team. And to be honest, I really don’t think it makes much sense to compare him anf Ryan. They are totally different QBs.
cowboy fan
May 19th, 2009
9:55 am
Get over it scottbravesfan !!! MV will play again and do well !! And for all you haters, get over IT !!!! who has not sinned cast the first stone!!
OFFICIAL MANTRA OF THE UNINTELLIGENT
May 19th, 2009
9:55 am
LET YO HATERS BE YO MOTIVATORS, MIKE !
Schoolingthem
May 19th, 2009
10:09 am
The man have paid enough, I wish that these so call experts tell me how can you measure genuine? How can you meaure sincere? I see espn running these programs with gun man with high power rifles killing animals in their environment, my fault its a sport. Vick was wrong, he paid his debt, let the young fellow along.I’m not a Vick fan wasn’t before and not now, but rest assure I will do my part to help the young man. I pledge to you Vick, I never worn another man name on my back, I will make sure everyone of my family members have a Vick jersey on their back were every you land. Roger Goddell a smart man, as long there is money to make off those young men that play the game of football, he will allow Vick back. One thing I know greed is always forgiving.
cowboy fan
May 19th, 2009
10:11 am
I hope the cowboys pick mike up ? If I was a GM I would give up a 2nd or 3rd RD pick for MV any day!!
cowboy fan
May 19th, 2009
10:17 am
I hope the cowboys pick MV up !! If I was a GM I would give up a 2nd or 3rd RD pick for MV any day. the Falcons still have there ACE in the hole!!
The Dogfighter Returns
May 19th, 2009
10:25 am
America hide your dogs. The dogfighter is going to be out tomorrow. Hide your dogs. I can’t believe they let that gambler out of jail. He was gambling. that SOB was gambling that is a serious crime.
Who exactly does MV7 think he is organizing a gambling ring? Gambling is reserved strictly for the states. That MV7 got some nerve for gambling. Gambling? Dude are you serious.
I am out of here like TMoore.
Hollywould
May 19th, 2009
10:28 am
Yeah Cowboy, we saw how the Pacman, T.O., Tank show went down. Insanity is doing the wrong thing over and over.
What!!!
May 19th, 2009
10:30 am
Cowboy fan, Arthur Blank is a nice man and wouldn’t screw over his friend Jerry like that. You know, Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys. Blank would gladly take a stick of gum and a shoe string for Vick.
Keeping It REAL Real
May 19th, 2009
10:40 am
If someone is a “HATER” of you, could it possibly be because of how you elect to conduct yourself?
Could it possibly be there are “HATERS” of you because you are simply not a very nice human being?
Hmmm?
I typically find that most people have ZERO reasons to “Hate” me until I give them some by being a selfish, self-serving jerk with little or no consideration for others.
Now, go hate on THAT, you victimized-feeling Vick Lovers.
What!!!
May 19th, 2009
10:43 am
Look no team can take Vick until Blank releases him or trades him. We all know no team is knocking on the media nightmare Mike Vick’s door to get him on their team. Vick will not play in the NFL this year and most likely not in the future. Everyone just look at it like you owned an NFL team. If you were the owner trying to get your team to the superbowl, would you really want the distraction that Vick will bring to your team. It’s not worth it. There are alot of fast players in this league that can win games. Teams won before Vick and teams have continued to win with out Vick. One team in particular the ATLANTA FALCONS!!
cowboy fan
May 19th, 2009
10:46 am
Jerry already got screwed !! KB signing !! Jerry knows he has to sell tickets for the 100,000 thousand seat stadium !! MV will do that !! and for the stick of gum !! Blank maybe !! But the Falcon GM is to smart to take a stick of gum for MV!! GET OVER IT HATERS !!
Hollywould
May 19th, 2009
10:55 am
I think he would take the wrapper/ forget the gum. I wish Dallas would take him. My buds and I already have our rooms for the Oct. 25th showdown in Dallas. perhaps I will take my Vick jersey there as I could not even get a bid on EBAY. Don’t get me wrong/ I think he should have another chance. He has paid enough but just because a lot of us don’t care for him does not make us racist or haters. We have had enough
of the clown actions.
cowboy fan
May 19th, 2009
11:02 am
And for the dog lovers, the humane society kills more dogs and cats in one day that would blow your mind!! so why don’t you protest at your community Dog pound???
1eyedJack
May 19th, 2009
11:02 am
I hope someone IS stupid enough to give the Falcons a 2nd or 3rd rounder for MV. (Probably more like a 7th or Free agent when the Falcons release him) I saw him on the news the other day and the back of his neck looked like a pack of hot dogs. What are they feeding felons at Leavenworth? He’s definitely out of football shape and I gaurantee he will not come close to a 4.3 forty time. I always thought he was an exciting player and may have become a really good QB if Arthur had not fired Dan Reeves. But I just don’t think he has enough between the ears to be great at QB. I mean, come on, what idiot given 130 million would risk that by trying to take tainted water bottles with hidden compartments through airport security. What idiot would trust his homey’s from the hood not to screw up and drag him down with them. What sadistic b@$t@rd enjoys watching one poor trusting animal slowly kill another. These type of judgements are not what you want your team leader to have.
Now, having said that, I do beleive MV has paid his debt to society and deserves to make a living just like you and I. However, he should be put on a “short leash”, and one more mistake and he’s banned for life.