Reinstatement for Vick is only step one
Michael Vick is free to be an NFL player again, but what happens now? (AP photo)
Note to Michael Vick: This wasn’t the hard part.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has conditionally reinstated Vick and, as expected, he likely will make him sit out the first month of the regular season. But finally getting the league’s blessing to resume his career is only the first hurdle Vick has to overcome.
Initially, the biggest thing working against Vick is the calendar. NFL teams open training camps this weekend. The league’s coaches are notorious control freaks when it comes to atmosphere. General managers are similar when it comes to the roster. The league’s owners are trying to sell tickets and sponsorships in a depressed economy. The last thing anybody wants to deal with right now is the kind of stir that a Vick signing is going to create — just before training camp.
Nobody wants demonstrations. Nobody wants helicopters flying over head. Nobody wants the media circus.
Do I believe a team will take a flier on him? Yes. (Early guesses: Redskins, Raiders, Dolphins, Rams, Saints). But this isn’t going to be an easy leap for some franchise to take.
Understand something: If this was February, a team could take the initial PR hit in the winter and have it likely die down (somewhat) by late summer. Now, if Vick is signed right away, the storm will follow his team through training camp, the pre-season and into the regular season. What also needs to be weighed is what kind of positive impact the former Pro Bowl quarterback can have on a team this season? Vick obviously won’t have time to fully digest a playbook or work with an offense. So his contribution could be limited (goal-line situations, etc.).
The question: Given the backdrop, will that be worth it for a team? After nearly two years, Vick will need time get back in shape and acclimate himself to public life again.
In a statement released to the Associated Press, Vick said: “As you can imagine, the last two years have given me time to re-evaluate my life, mature as an individual and fully understand the terrible mistakes I have made in the past and what type of life I must lead moving forward.”
Let us hope that is the case.
I’ll repeat what I’ve said before: I hope Vick rehabilitates himself, not merely for his career but for his life and his children. But reinstatement from Roger Goodell is only step one.
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129 comments Add your comment
Falconfan
July 27th, 2009
4:28 pm
I’d take a shot on him as a potential 3rd down QB that can run or threaten a deep pass at any moment, Washington and Miami should give him a try…..
DHD
July 27th, 2009
4:31 pm
AJC: All Vick, all the time. Sick.
Fish Bisch
July 27th, 2009
4:32 pm
I love Michael Vick
Fish Bisch
July 27th, 2009
4:33 pm
Hopefully he will play in the Wildcat with the falcons
Jacquelyn
July 27th, 2009
4:34 pm
I am so happy that he has been reinstated. I just hope people realize that he has completed his sntence and deserves the right to move forward. Thanks NFL for giving him another chance! Now Mike it’s your turn!!!!
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 27th, 2009
4:35 pm
I think Goodell has handcuffed any team from taking a chance on Vick.. Who wants to sign a guy who can’t play till the middle of Oct. All the team’s you named will be out of the playoff race by then. Did you really say the Saints. I’m pretty sure Drew Brees is an ok QB or are you banking on an injury.
Dave
July 27th, 2009
4:36 pm
I’m glad I don’t have a son to explain this crap to. On a happier note, my 7 year old daughter did ask me this weekend why Michael Jackson tried to make himself look like a woman. By the way, the Braves are picking up steam.
Reid Adair
July 27th, 2009
4:36 pm
It almost seems as if Roger Goodell waited this long on purpose. You’re right that coaches, general managers and owners are not looking for distractions at this time of year. And, despite what they may have said, you can rest assured than when Michael Vick signs with an NFL team, PETA will have its minions out there, parading around for any and all television and still cameras.
The worst is certainly yet to come for Vick. I guess we’ll see just how much he has “matured.”
Ralph Jones
July 27th, 2009
4:43 pm
Most likely he will end up violating his parole, and end up kicked out of the league. Roger Goodell let Pac Man Jones back in the league and look how well that turned out.
Bandwagon Falcon fan
July 27th, 2009
4:45 pm
I wish Vick the best. What he did was horrible but he did pay his price. I see the Bufallo Bills taking a chance on him. Vick and T.O would sell tickets.
brave1
July 27th, 2009
4:48 pm
I’ll be interested how the contract negociations go.
The first comment says he’d be interested in Vick as a 3rd down QB. How much does that pay? Is Vick humbled enough to take mediocre money or is the agent and himself going to have too much pride (and perceived value)?
michaelgee
July 27th, 2009
4:51 pm
Will you guys ever get off Vick’s thang? Sheesh, what a bunch of small town sports guys. We do actuially have the Rookie of the Year, the greatest TE ever tp pplay the game, the best RB in the NFl and much more as well a potentially great team here. Why must the ajc wallow in the convicted crimnals waste forever? Cover the team or go write for a tabloid.
Pete
July 27th, 2009
4:53 pm
The Raiders will sign him. No doubt. I feel EXTREMELY confident about this…
Russ
July 27th, 2009
4:53 pm
That would be hilarious if Vick was ever the starting QB on a team with T.O. Owens threw relatively accurate passers (Garcia, McNabb, and Romo) under the bus for not getting him the ball enough. Can you imagine how he’d react to Vick’s passes that would constantly be sailing over his head or bouncing at his feet. Priceless.
dan
July 27th, 2009
4:54 pm
Yay a full years worth of Michael Vick stories! ugh!!
Tide Rising
July 27th, 2009
4:56 pm
I see that the AJC today has an article on a big finch fighting ring that was broken up. Finches and canaries.
If Vick gets booted from the NFL again then maybe he can take up the illegal but burgeoning finch fighting circuit.
Bandwagon Falcon fan
July 27th, 2009
4:58 pm
Russ good point. Think about the blame game after a loss with those two guys. Still I would tune in to the game.
al
July 27th, 2009
4:58 pm
Who gives a bleep about PETA?
Trainwreck
July 27th, 2009
4:58 pm
Good Luck MV
db
July 27th, 2009
5:02 pm
The timing is strange. I feel the same that no team wants the media circus right now because they’re trying to build team chemistry and any distractions are bad. Raiders may be willing though as they need some good press. How is Jamarcus Russell doing? If I recall he has struggled, and if so, that would make Vick more appealing.
Paul H
July 27th, 2009
5:04 pm
All depends on which team is desperate enough to be willing to deal with the publicity nightmare. The biggest problem is no one wants to be the “first” team. Once he is signed with someone, other teams will jump on later.
Mac
July 27th, 2009
5:04 pm
He’ll be a Carolina Panther by the weekend.
Elmo
July 27th, 2009
5:05 pm
The bottom line is that it’s a business and there are really not any good back-ups that can match his talent. He is Al Davis kind of people. “Just Win Baby” (before I croak)
cawren
July 27th, 2009
5:05 pm
By taping the mouth shut of a defenseless puppy or stray dog is how they teach the pit bulls to fight. So they can get a taste of blood with out getting hurt. .Mr. Vick is a piece of refuse that so happens to be an athlete. The only way that the NFL wouldn’t let one of their golden boys play is if they killed another football player and even that is debatable. No wonder our young people are confused between what is right and wrong. This nasty human will now make millions of dollars in front of a cheering crowd. So it must be OK to participate in the cruel crime of dog fighting. In our society money is reward, lets give a standing ovation to the low life.
Vick's 5-STEP Program
July 27th, 2009
5:06 pm
STEP 1: Reinstatement
STEP 2: Gain Literacy
STEP 3: Put Down the Crack Pipe
STEP 4: Learn How to Decipher an NFL Playbook
STEP 5: Failing STEPS 2-4, Retire in Disgrace
I hope Vick plays. . .
July 27th, 2009
5:07 pm
the Falcons twice this year. It will translate to two wins for the Falcons. Let Vick disappoint another team.
I hope Vick plays. . .
July 27th, 2009
5:08 pm
P.S.: I don’t care about the crime(s) you committed. I thought you were overrated and glorified for no reason in your “prime”.
Nostradamus
July 27th, 2009
5:22 pm
Vick = The ANTI-Hank Aaron, The ANTI-Matt Ryan
Vick has repeatedly demonstrated he is too stupid to behave himself, stay away from vermin and simply OBEY THE LAW!
This disgrace of the entire sport of football and human life will be back in prison orange before he is ever back in an NFL uniform.
You can take THAT to bank, Vick Lovers!
bali smith
July 27th, 2009
5:26 pm
Everybody deserves a second chance,. Seems Mr Vick has had about a dozen already. Maybe prison has matured Mr vick, I hope so. Just wish 4 or 5 years ago i could have signed a 120 million dollar contract. WWonder if I would have tried to set up a dog fighting Empire with the Money., Do not think so. As momma said stupid is as stupid does…………….. No wait Forest said that
Wink
July 27th, 2009
5:27 pm
The best scenario would have Vick playing for a team in the South that has a dome over their practice facility.
No media circus, just properly credentialed journalists, no helicopters to hover over field, no PETA protesters would be allowed inside. The team & Mike could just concentrate on football. Team could plan an exit strategy from the practice field, conducted by NFL security, which will be assigned to follow him anyway. Once on the street, Mike will be responsible for Mike, just like the rest of the team.
Away games already have team security stategy for entering & exiting the playing field. Fans in the South may be more forgiving, as most follow SEC football, and just rabid fans of football, so once the game starts, it’s just football. As for fan booing, that happens to most players, not just Mike Vick. As for signage, that up to stadium security upon entering the stadium.
So teams that can prevent, or eliminate practice distractions will benefit from the services of Mike Vick. Here’s hoping there really is not a Black Ball List amongst the NFL owners.
Gerald Lewy
July 27th, 2009
5:33 pm
In Roman times it was the Lions against the Christians. Now I believe it should be the Dogs against the Vick. I’ll bet on the Dogs.
Todd Tibbetts
July 27th, 2009
5:36 pm
Vick has a lot of potential at more than just football. I encourage everyone to give him a second chance. Everyone makes mistakes. Leaders grow from their mistakes and learn not to make the same mistake again. Vick is a leader with a lot of potential to positively encourage kids who will grow up in the next generation. Let’s see if he can do something good.
M W Tan
July 27th, 2009
5:37 pm
Michael Vick has given half hearted meaningless apologies for the horrific manner in which he tortured and killed numerous dogs for years. I have heard nothing which indicates that he is rehabilitated. Although news articles indicate that Vick has agreed to do anti-dog fight education for HSUS and ASPCA, their web sites do not indicate that he has actually done any such work. This decision for reinstatement is all about money for the NFL and has nothing to do with justice or even common sense.
DARNELL
July 27th, 2009
5:39 pm
I CANNOT BELIEVE ALL THIS BIGOTRY AND HATE FOR A SINGLE MAN WHO DID ONE LITTLE THING WRONG AND NOW EVERBODY THIS TOWN WANT TO MAKE HIM SUFFER LIKE NO MAN EVER HAS AND DESTROY HIS WHOLE NFL CAREER!!! YOU HATERS WILL NOT BE HAPPY UNTIL THEY GIVE MIKE VICK THE DEAF PENALTY OVER A BUNCH OF SORRY WORTHLESS DOGS!!!!!! WHAT ABOUT THAT HOKEY PLAYER HERE IN ATL THAT KILL HIS TEAM MATE AND DID NOT SPEND A SINGLE DAY IN JAIL???? YEAH!! THATS WHAT I THOUGHT!
whizbang
July 27th, 2009
5:41 pm
He must separate himself from his “boys” and leeching family. If he doesn’t I put his chances of making it at nearly zero.
OneFreeMan
July 27th, 2009
5:42 pm
Good Luck Mike!
Jfreak
July 27th, 2009
5:42 pm
Some think NO team would like the media attention that will come with Vick but I disagree! Take a team that isn’t going to the playoffs anyway and ask yourself what do they really have to lose? Maybe the only way that get people to buy over priced tickets is for chance to see Vick make some crazy play??
He won’t start at QB no matter he goes but he would be a good 3rd string QB in the beginning and it would be nice to have that kind of speed on special teams running kicks back?? Vick presence on a good team probably wouldn’t make sense but on a team that isn’t going anywhere he “could” provide some interest from fans that wouldn’t otherwise bother??
As far as PETA is concerned they are nut cases and should be ignored. Where are they when late term abortions are taking places?? Where? Don’t give me this garbage about a dog when in this country we don’t value the lives of children!
I hope Vick can get things turned around. He gave this City some amazing moments and that should be worth something??
Larry A
July 27th, 2009
5:42 pm
When no one else will take him, I think the Falcons should take him as their backup. We are helping our former star get a new lease on his career. Matt Ryan IS going to get hurt this year, teams are going to come after him and MV is better than any of our other QBs. Worse that happens is he can’t hack 2nd string (or 3rd) and they cut him.
Barry Hardy
July 27th, 2009
5:43 pm
Thank god he is not our problem any more! I hope that LYING P.O.S never plays again maybe he will get mauled by a gang of pit bulls!
Hey Darnell
July 27th, 2009
5:45 pm
Learn how to post without using all caps.
lee
July 27th, 2009
5:47 pm
i wonder what its like to read stories about real atlanta falcon players!! and what the team is team is going to do this year!!! O i am sorry that is a strange concept to expect when I look at the Atlanta Falcon’s sec of the the Ajc!!!!!! so i will look forward to Vick stories the whole football season telling, and hearing comments how he was such a victum of such an unfair world, or what he can or can not bring to a football team!!!! O BOY!!! i can not wait to for this years season and reading all of the wonderful football season!!! i just Baseball could last year round!!!!
Vick Sucks
July 27th, 2009
5:48 pm
Please… I hope whoever picks him up plays my boys… that would be a couple easy wins. Vick in his “prime” sucked… and post prison, will be Mike Tyson like hyped… and blow even worse! Please let him play on every team but mine… in every position, as he should be used to from his sentence.
tyler
July 27th, 2009
5:48 pm
I wish Michael success. And I believe any team that signs him, greatly increases their oppurtunity for a Super Bowl. This young man’s dues are paid, and as far as I am concerned, the haters arguments are personal and bitter, if not racsist.
Welcome back to society and your second chance Mike. You deserve it!!!
I hope you run with it, and I beleive you will.
Curious
July 27th, 2009
5:58 pm
When this issue is boiled down to its basic elements, no one will care about publicity, protests or playbooks. What really matters is getting to the Super Bowl. For some teams, the Mike Vick factor could make the difference.
WHAT UP!!!
July 27th, 2009
6:00 pm
I think it is soooooo FUNNY!!! BWAA HA HA!!!!! He won’t be signed by an NFL team. Maybe UFL.
doggit
July 27th, 2009
6:03 pm
Vick’s 5-STEP Program
hahaha – right on
Paddy
July 27th, 2009
6:10 pm
Darnell.. he didn’t go to federal prison for dog fighting. Dog fighting is not a federal crime. Did you not read the indictment?
Ron Mexico
July 27th, 2009
6:11 pm
MV is smoking a blunt and beating a bulldog.
Falcon Devil
July 27th, 2009
6:15 pm
These media people are so dumb when it comes to predicting where he’ll go. New Orleans? Miami? Vick will not be a wildcat QB, he will be a starting QB by years end. Miami just drafted Pat White geniuses. You don’t bring Vick to a team with a solid QB (Drew Brees) and create controversy. The teams that need him have crappy QB situations : Oakland, San Fran, St. Louis, Buffaloe, Washington, Denver, maybe Jax, maybe Min, maybe Hou.
Archie
July 27th, 2009
6:15 pm
I hope he gets a shot, but I just can’t imagine anybody picking him up. He’s better than half the QBs in the NFL, but he’s not ENOUGH better to make it worth their while to put up with the media circus that will follow him around.
old fart
July 27th, 2009
6:26 pm
The Braves are in the wild card hunt.
Roddy
July 27th, 2009
6:27 pm
Roger Goodell said he will make a decision on full reinstatment BY week 6 which means he may reinstate Vick to play opening day. Just wanted to point this out about all the misleading articles that say he wont play until week 6.
Jon
July 27th, 2009
6:31 pm
Michael Vick absolutely deserves a second chance. What he did was wrong, and he was punished for it. Whether people like it or not, facts are facts, and the fact is…he has been reinstated. It is up to Vick to make the most and best of that. Everybody in this world has been given a second chance at one time or another in their lifetime and should not be so quick to condemn or judge another human being. Remember, he who has never sinned may cast the first stone…and nobody in the world is a saint, so nobody should be casting any stones. Love him or hate him, Vick is being given a second chance by the NFL.
GBu
July 27th, 2009
6:36 pm
Vick (aka Mr dog torture) should not be allowed back in the NFL ever, he’s a shame to mankind. The only place where he should go is a dark jail where he should perish in silence, throw some of his dogs in there, make sure they have not eaten for a week, that they are very hungry
Charles J. Budde
July 27th, 2009
6:51 pm
How about publishing the crime or for that matter list of crimes for which a conviction would prevent a person playing professional football? We know that murder, assault, child rape and animal abuse are not on that list. Just how bad does a person have to be for them to be excluded from ‘America’s Game’?
Darnell types in all caps
July 27th, 2009
6:51 pm
I don’t think I’ve ever heard of the “deaf” penalty. Sounds horrifying unless we have to listen to you, then it might be a blessing in disguise!
a mother's love
July 27th, 2009
7:05 pm
What is the big deal about the BIG LIE? ALL people tell lies. I GUESS it depends on who you lie to in order to save yourself . My GOD, if we were held accountable for all the lies we have told, and we apply for a job and they ask you to tell the truth, how do you respond? Goodell has accepted his apology and let’s move on.
Jon, thanks for your humanizing comment.
Barry, stop the Hate and move on.
Origional Fan
July 27th, 2009
7:07 pm
As a convicted felon…no jail time, just probation… for leaving the scene of an accident I didn’t even know occured, I can sympathize. However, I have been denied employment , legally, on numerous occations because of it. Vick was no better at his job than I was at mine. It is called accountability. A deterent if you will. I suffer from it and I killed no one. Is that fair? The race thing has nothing to do with it. Racism is a major crutch for not doing the right thing.
Jo
July 27th, 2009
7:15 pm
Boy the hatred expressed on this site is just as criminal as the acts Michael Vick went to jail for. Hatred needs to have it’s own sentencing period, some of you would serve a life sentence. If this were your family member you’d be defending him saying he’s served his time. According to our justice system, which we know for a fact is sooooo equitable and fair for all Americans, you do the crime you serve the time. He has served his time and now it’s time for him to move on with his life. HATERS or racists, whichever best describe you, get over it. He’s Back and I hope he becomes a REDSKIN. Go Skins!!!!!
a mother's love
July 27th, 2009
7:17 pm
GBU I am saddened and sick about your hateful comment. Please watch the Black America documentary on CNN and just maybe you will see that your hateful comment reflects how people were treated that were sent from Africa as slaves. Please use your time researching the history of dogs from England and slavery in America. You just might gain an understanding of the value of human life.
a mother's love
July 27th, 2009
7:23 pm
Jeff, why did you edit my comment. Does the truth real hurt your blog?People write hurtful things and you let them print. NO MORE COMMENTS AND GOOD BY to my AJC SUBSCRIPTIONS BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT FAIR. Where is my freedom of speech?
Chuckles
July 27th, 2009
7:29 pm
Two Words – Jacksonville Jaguars.
David Granger
July 27th, 2009
7:31 pm
Once he served his sentence, he should be allowed to do anything he can be hired to do, in my opinion. I do expect Vick to get in trouble again, I’m sorry to say. He’s got a lot of “punk thug” in him, and that’s always close to the surface. (His hitting the strip club with Allen Iverson, the absolute DEFINITION of “punk thug”.) If he doesn’t change his friends and his hangouts, he’ll get “dissed” somewhere and go ballistic. And he won’t get another chance, I don’t think.
Roddy
July 27th, 2009
7:42 pm
David Granger, you sound like a moron. Are you the only person on the planet that thinks he was at a strip club with AI?
lee
July 27th, 2009
7:42 pm
can we talk about something more important than vick????? PLEASE!!!! i mean there are so many other more important things to talk about!!! the Taco Bell Dog died the other day!!!
Roddy
July 27th, 2009
7:46 pm
Some really sick freaks in here. —–>GBU
Larry
July 27th, 2009
7:48 pm
“Larry A” wrote:
“I think the Falcons should take him as their backup.”
Thank you for adding the “A” to your name! I have a reputation here and I do not want to be confused with an idiot and only an idiot would suggest the Falcons add such a distraction to their team and promising new QB!
Larry
July 27th, 2009
7:51 pm
“a mother’s love”
Yes, slavery was horrible, but you talking many, many years ago. Get over it!
Plus, how many white men died for your freedom? Think about it!
The Commies
July 27th, 2009
7:52 pm
People who can’t spell should get the “deaf penalty.”
Suckers.
chipdip
July 27th, 2009
7:56 pm
WHO CARES…MJ IS A THUG..NO TEAM WILL PICK HIM UP ANYWAY…SO OVER RATED…HOPE HE FAILS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tim
July 27th, 2009
8:39 pm
Good grief, the guy couldn’t play when he was playing. Overhiped, overpaid thug. Was I the only one who thought during the postgame press conferences he looked more like he just did a “drive by” than played a football game? The guy is what he is, TRASH!
Michael Bicknell
July 27th, 2009
8:54 pm
Kinda hard to deny the man the right to make a living. He did his time. His name will forever be linked with animal cruelty. You know someone is going to take a chance on him and he’ll probably be real good. If they keep him out of a West Coast Offense he’ll probably be great.
Maybe cleveland could use him. That would be poetic justice. He could play in the ‘Dawg Pound’.
Paddy
July 27th, 2009
8:58 pm
Charles Budde… I will give you a crime that MV came within an eyelash of be accused. This will make your list of crimes the NFL would not tollerate:
Can you say, RICO?
Ralph
July 27th, 2009
8:59 pm
UFL first as a ticket draw (and probably last).
NFL only if he shows something, and probably not as a QB.
Jeff Schultz
July 27th, 2009
9:10 pm
Fish Bisch – not going to happen.
Dave – did you have an answer for your daughter.
Mac – Carolina? Doubt it. They’ve had enough PR problems to overcome through the years. Have one guy in jail for murder.
A mother’s love – Don’t remember. I edit a lot of comments. But if you have to ask, the answer’s probably yes.
Chuckles – Possible.
Chris
July 27th, 2009
9:27 pm
“A Mother’s Love”, you are a moron. Gee I wonder what part of town you live in. Vick is a thug and like all of them, will screw up again and be out of the league in no time. He was not even that good to start with. Matt Ryan is ten times better. I know you thugs hate him because he is white but DEAL WITH IT.
Navigator
July 27th, 2009
9:48 pm
I love it Jeff Schultz, you pulled a MVick so early in the year. I’m amazed there isn’t a 1000 postings, or maybe folks around here are tired of talking about it. My guess is Oakland too (for the many who said this before me), as that owner doesn’t care or maybe is looking for the bad publicity. He needs someone else to be in the bulls eye beside himself.
Scott Anderson
July 27th, 2009
10:02 pm
Vick absorbing a playbook is like a Eskimo kissing lips. It aint happening. That was part of the problem with Vick. He only knew three plays, Vick run left, Vick run right, Vick bounce ball off Crumplers helmet again. Any team that takes a chance on him will regret it. I still remember him faking injurys, pulling up lame with his hammy only to be back in the next series. Reeves got it right when he gave Vick the book on leadership and Vick threw it in the nearest trash can. Vick dont need no leaders. Vick do it on his own.
Are we going to have to read about this in the AJC for the rest of the season. Articles on Vick should be dropped and concentrate on the Falcons players, not the has been QBs of the past.
GO FALCONS !
DrJ
July 27th, 2009
10:04 pm
Vick…the best of luck to you, but it’s like trying to quite nicotine, and they will have a defensive back spying on you, again.
Vick Links | The Blog of Champions
July 27th, 2009
10:06 pm
[...] This is step one for Vick. [...]
Justice Pro
July 27th, 2009
10:20 pm
MV is more that a thug…he is trash, the NFL doesn’t need him at any place he goes there will be organizations that will raise so much hell with the management and the press it will be great to watch. MV said in one comment that I read that Tony Dungy was a mentor, how could Dungy ever support him, I lost my respect for Pro Basketball a few years ago and the NFL is sinking fast.
Vick Supporter
July 27th, 2009
10:22 pm
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=4359449
Its time
dan
July 27th, 2009
10:23 pm
To those that say Vick sucked in his prime, that’s just stupid. He was great in 2002, was awesome after his ankle injury in 2003, and solid in 2004 when the Falcons won the division( even though the NFC was EXTREMLY weak that year). When Vick was in the zone, man no one could stop him!
But in 2005 and 2006 he wasn’t the same player for multiple reasons. Some of that blame falls on him( his work ethic, being distracted by things off the field).Some of it can be attributed to defensive coordinators learning how to defense him. Some of it falls on the coaching staff (notably OC Greg Knapp) for not using him effectively in the offensive game plan. Some of it falls on Rich McKay for not giving him receivers to help him out or an offensive line to block for him. And some of it falls on Arthur Blank for enabling him when he should have kicked him in the ass.
Hopefully Vick can get it together, but as a Falcon fan, I rather focus on what we are instead of what we are not.
SY
July 27th, 2009
11:12 pm
ALL U PPL HATE MIKE VICK Y?? JUS BECAUSE HE DID SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE IN THE WORLD HAS BEEN DOING FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS?? ITS NOT LIKE HE RAPED A LITTLE GIRL OR KILLED SOME ONE… IM SUR 97% OF THE PPL ON THIS BLOG HAS FOUGHT A DOG BEFORE I DNT CARE WHO YOU ARE OR HOW MUCH MONEY YOU HAVE
Brian Jones
July 27th, 2009
11:31 pm
Yes,he is an incredible athlete,he can throw,he can run and for a few short years made watching the oft basement dwelling Falcons exciting to watch{in person and the nationally televised games} but the Falcons have moved on to bigger and better things and I would like to think so has my country and the NFL Let this Idiot go..let him consume himself,he will.
stendec
July 27th, 2009
11:55 pm
Roger Goodell can roast in Hell! Rhyme unintentional. The guy is not fit to be commissioner of a pay toilet let alone the NFL. He can f#ck off! Damn MF. So a son of a betch dog killing thug bestard will soon be back on NFL fields. If there is ANY justice, which, this shows, there is not, then Michael Sick will sustain a career ending injury on the first snap. Snap? Has nice sound to it. Keep the oxygen waste away from Uga! Of course, if Ron Mexico did anything to the University of Georgia mascot, he would no longer be a consideration to anyone! Man that has a nice ring to it. To all animal haters who support this pervert: F#CK OFF! Good night.
Gorilla Glue
July 28th, 2009
12:35 am
Some of these posters are acting stupidly.
Jonny Justice
July 28th, 2009
12:40 am
Michael Vick’s only talent was being able to run like he was trying to escape a lynch mob.
Which, ironically, is what he deserves. He was mediocre QB and is a totally pathetic excuse for a human being.
Can any NFL team be so stupid as to hire this monster? Let him crawl back into the ground and be rid of this pestilence once and for all! Impressionable children don’t need to be exposed to this disease-carrying, dope-using, lying psycopathic killer!
p hawes
July 28th, 2009
1:21 am
WHAT happened to the hockey player that was racing (alledgedly drunk) for fun and killed his best friend. His friend was a HUMAN being and he was not even given a pat on the hand AND the press stopped reporting about it. Why was he allowed to keep his career after what was clearly a homicide. Vic however gets 2 years and people are still trying to take his career.
Palin can proudly boast about moose killing for FUN, SPORT and RELAXATION but I haven’t heard a word from PETA about prosecuting her for that. Are moose and humans less important than dogs?What gives?
clyde
July 28th, 2009
1:59 am
Another of the flotsam and jetson crowd that people want to see get another chance.Why?He’s already blown more chances than most people will ever see.Why can’t we concentrate our efforts on someone that doesn’t need another chance.Someone who’s going to succeedd on the first one?
r martin die hard braves fan
July 28th, 2009
2:31 am
MV HAS PAID HIS DUES LET HIM PLAY IF HE CAN…….. HE DESERVES A CHANCE.
Football Fan
July 28th, 2009
3:48 am
Do people forget Mike Vick was an All-Pro Quarterback? Beyond maybe Peyton Manning, I think he could start anywhere. It’s about MONEY. Mike Vick will generate MONEY for the NFL. Especially if the Football Gods make it so whatever team Mike Vick is on, plays the Falcons in the Super Bowl.. Dolla, Dolla Bills Ya’ll…Always follow the money.
Bruce Farmer
July 28th, 2009
5:46 am
I’ts amazing how stupid people like Jeff Schultz think. Mick Vick is a great player and will not have any problem getting back in the N F L I bet he already has been talking to teams and will chose the best fit for himself. people in the media are so stupid sometime and the only circus intown will be the stupid media (CLowns).
chris
July 28th, 2009
6:12 am
Can we stop blaming (even partially) Vick’s on-field problems on the receivers? Ryan threw to basically the same set of guys last year.
There is a reason why run-first quarterbacks never win Super Bowls. Football is 11 on 11. The only advantage the offense has over the defense is that the offense knows what the play is. When you have a run-first quarterback like Vick (and early Cunningham and early Steve Young), the plays often break down into a scrambling free for all. At that point, the offensive players have no more idea what is going to happen than the defense does, so they lose their one advantage. Sure, some plays go long and spectacular, but an equal number go wrong and spectacular. So, you can’t win consistently enough against good opponents to make it through the playoffs and Super Bowl.
Paddy
July 28th, 2009
6:21 am
SY….. I doubt I can keep this up much longer with you folks. DOG FIGHTING IS NOT A FEDERAL CRIME. He went to Federal prison for committing Federal crimes; felonies that sent him to one of the toughest prisons in America. There are no dog fighters in Federal prisons, never has been and never will be unless they change the law. He will get his chance to play in the NFL soon. His suspension is a result of his lying to the Commish. (my guess) or something very few have written about, running a gambling ring across state lines.
Former Falcons 365 Employee
July 28th, 2009
6:21 am
Lots of virtual fans on here! Love to pretend they hate Mike Vick. They LOVE MIKE VICK! I know, these virtual numbnuts haven’t supported the Falcons in 2 seasons where it counts…with their wallets!
hop
July 28th, 2009
6:27 am
i do not think mv is a very good qb,but he is a great athlete!
he deserves the opportunity to play and i do not think the commish did the right thing by dissing him for a possible six games.
i hope and pray that he has changed ,but we will soon know whether he has or not,but we all should be hoping and praying that he has since he has a family to take care and support!
Tonye
July 28th, 2009
7:32 am
I think those that get to express their views on a national level, like Jeff, make a lot of personal assumptions about the future of someones direction in life. Those assumptions become the truth to so many people that can’t think for their self. Jeff wants us to believe that because of groups like PETA, that teams will be affraid to sign him because of a proceived possibilty of large demonstrations. Jeff ,if your going to guess, guess to yourself. I’ve read some your stories in the past, you were given a second chance. Vick deserves that same chance..
Top Dogg
July 28th, 2009
7:43 am
Darnell is no doubt one of Atlantas public schools sucess stories.This is not a black or white issueit is however about right or wrong.I hope Mike does what he needs to do to put this all to rest once and for all.Death is not spelled Deaf dumbass.
TD Jakes
July 28th, 2009
7:43 am
Are all of the Vick Supporters thumping their chests yet over the return of their “Messiah?”
The Lake of Fire awaits you, Michael.
Tink
July 28th, 2009
8:12 am
I wish I could commit a felony and have my job welcome me back with open arms and pay me ridiculous amounts of money.
“Paying his dues” would be having done to him HALF of what he put those animals through. Pitts already have a bad reputation (undeservedly so) and his actions didn’t help.
He is NOT a role model. He’s a cautionary tale of how stupid people get over being able to run and throw a ball-without any sort of character.
A Realist
July 28th, 2009
8:22 am
I just don’t believe that Vick will be able to stay clean for the 3 years of probation. Hopefully he will, BUT I DOUBT IT !!!!
Which NFL team is going to be willing to take on all the distractions that he’ll bring to the team????
Based on how many articles the AJC continues to write about Vick, you can bet that the national sports media will be hounding him all year if he finds another job in the NFL. I’d like an official count as to how many stories the AJC sports writers have written about Vick since his release from the Falcons. It’s an everyday thing…move on!! Even ESPN hasn’t written as many articles.
No chance!
July 28th, 2009
8:25 am
Can anyone imagine an NFL owner; GM, or coach standing at a podium a welcoming a dog-murdering; gambling running, ex-convict to its team and community? The backlash from PETA alone will be withering!
A Realist
July 28th, 2009
8:32 am
NEWSFLASH: For those of you who are touting Vick’s Pro Bowl experiences as proof of his abilities, the Pro Bowl is a popularity contest.
Otherwise John Abraham would have been in last year’s Pro Bowl. It has never been solely based on the accomplishments of a player but primarily on NAME RECOGNITION.
Lawyers; bankers, and creditors
July 28th, 2009
8:36 am
When are WE going to get paid?
Retired on the Lake (formerly cityofdecatur)
July 28th, 2009
8:37 am
DARNELL
July 27th, 2009
5:39 pm
I CANNOT BELIEVE ALL THIS BIGOTRY AND HATE FOR A SINGLE MAN WHO DID ONE LITTLE THING WRONG
is your head up your rectal cavity one little thing wrong the list is too numerous to go over. get a life and drop the caps lock.
Retired on the Lake (formerly cityofdecatur)
July 28th, 2009
8:38 am
violates probation within 6months. 10 tops!
al tennis
July 28th, 2009
8:50 am
I applaud commissioner Godell for making a decision that will enable a young man to rebuild his life. It has to be acknowledged that what he did to the dogs was reprehensible but it has to be acknowledged also that they were animals not humans .It must be pointed out also that we all have made mistakes ,bad choices or errors in judgement.So why are we overr-crucifying this man.People gain some sense of perspective.
eplayerj
July 28th, 2009
9:20 am
No matter what, I can come here and read all about the many jilted, frustrated and just don’t know when to quit Vick haters. Talk about comedy. Some of you deserve your own show.
oneydjacks
July 28th, 2009
9:26 am
I remember you! You’re the guy who said that blacks should get over slavery and forget about reparations. Yeah you said forget about those little girls that got blown up in the church. It didn’t bother you about a man being dragged to death behind a pickup truck did it? Still got that rebel flag on your truck don’t you. Funny how you can’t get over that dog thing
getalife
July 28th, 2009
9:37 am
oneydjacks – The race card getting pulled everytime someone speaks out about someone that happens to be black is getting old and tiresome. It has nothing to do with the fact that he is a black man. It has to do with the fact that he is pure scum.
Abraham
July 28th, 2009
10:43 am
Why do the same Vick Supporters who wanted John Rocker banned from baseball for life for merely saying stupid things about New Yorkers and minorities now DEMAND that drug user, convicted felon & animal abuser Michael Vick be allowed to make millions playing football with no further penalty?
You all better recognize.
Petition Request
July 28th, 2009
10:52 am
Anyone for signing a petition at the first preseason game that will be sent to the AJC’s management requesting that ALL the Vick articles end (enough already!!)
…please line up here-> -> Falcon’s Landing
deerstand
July 28th, 2009
11:07 am
did i miss something. did the falcons resign Mike Vick. why cant these sport writers concentrate on current players. we get enough Vick coverage from the national media, arent you guys creative enough to write about anything else. i realize there isnt much going on on the falcons news, but enough about Vick.
oh yeah shultzy, dove season is just around the corner. picked you out a field yet.
Dan
July 28th, 2009
11:14 am
The libertarian in me says he did his time, let him play, the fan says sure but not on my team, 1 because I could not root for him and 2 because he is simply not that good a QB. at least not worthy of the top salary in the league. Lets remeber though, these people are football players but the reason they get paid so much is largely because they are public figures. It’s about image perception and brand name. They get tons of accolades and cash before they have earned it and as with anything else in life, that which is cheaply obtained can be easily taken away. Having said that the one comment attributable to Vick by a friend that seemed to me a revelation that he may have learned something was that he realized he didn’t take advantage of his opportunity, didn’t work hard to get better and understand the game, that he simply relied on his gifts. All of which was obvious to the casual fan, so maybe he did learn something
deerstand
July 28th, 2009
11:22 am
oneydjacks, im not against Vick playing again. but the fact is this is falcons country, he isnt a falcons. i get tired of opening a falcons web site and the head line is Vick. what about some news on where the falcons stand on getting Peria Jerry signed, now that would be news.
and enough of the race card. i would say there are plenty of black players on the falcons team. i love em all, well maybe not Houston he gets toasted too much, but i hope he turns it around. i would love to spend the day fishing or hunting with norwood, i bet he’d be a blast to hang out with. this isnt a race thing it a “my team thing”
Randy
July 28th, 2009
12:09 pm
I hope Green Bay signs Vick and assigns him number 4. It would be a fitting slap in the face to Brett Favre, the most self centered player in sports.
Gatorzone
July 28th, 2009
12:19 pm
Lots of stupid comments on here from both sides. Bottom line, he served his time and deserves another chance.
For all of you guys who can’t wait for him to get his revenge on the Falcons, for what?
They gave him a $130 million dollar contract
He chose to run a gambling ring
He went to prison
where do the Falcons become liable?
Cera Lawrenceville, Ga
July 28th, 2009
12:44 pm
Okay, it is time for PETA and America to move on. Michael Vick has paid his debt to society, is in reform mode and trying to put his life on a positive track. Get over it! We all may have some love for animals, but remember we also eat animals, shoot some of them down from helicopters with high powered rifles. Dog fighting was considered a sport much like hunting, although illegal. It does not make it right, but if you were raised in that type environment, it seems a natural thing to do even if it is illegal.
He got busted, he did his time; so do we now penalize him for life or offer forgiveness, redemption, and a chance at making a better life for himself and his family? Why do the likes of PETA feel compelled to drag this out further can be linked to one other factor; RACISM!
numero1fan2000
July 28th, 2009
12:49 pm
I just saw you can buy individual tickets for all of the games befor they go on sale to the general public through the Georgia Aquarium website. They have a $55 Falcons ticket and a $27 Aquarium ticket for $50. The big games are only $65 but a great deal and before they go on sale to everyone else. Saw it on the Special Offers page on http://www.georgiaaquarium.org.
Experts Beg The Differ
July 28th, 2009
1:12 pm
Jeff check this out:
http://www.usaplayers.com/news/2009/nfl/july/odds-are-out-on-what-team-michael-vick-will-join-10527.html
Matt Ryan
July 28th, 2009
1:14 pm
I want a blog too! HELLO – I am the face of the franchise guys!
Mississippi P
July 28th, 2009
1:51 pm
What gives anyone on this blog the right to judge someone.Please take alook at the man in the mirror first, are you perfect? I don’t think so, all we can do is ask for forgiveness for our on sins and wish the best for others. I am sick of hearing race issue, referring to MV7 as scum or any other negative saying. he has paid his price in prison.Let him live his life and all of yu live yours.if you are so upset, don’t read about, if he gets with a team don’t watch if it bothers you so much. As for PETA what an organization searching for the lime light.If they are who they say they are, why aren’t they protesting in Southwest Texas, where the government is planning on banning all Pit bulls and Rots due to the violence these dogs have caused on children and innocent cittizens. If they love the dogs so much, why aren’t they there in an uproar. I know why, “they are a joke”.I guess it’s no headlines for the Texas case. Only God will be judge and jury. If you don’t have anything good to say keep it to yourself. We don’t need you spewing hate and negative comments on this issue. I wish MV7 the best, hope he gets his life to together, in the mean time. “GO Falcons”
PITT BULL BAN TX
July 28th, 2009
2:13 pm
“WHERE IS PETA” ,Issuing a statewide Pit Bull Ban in Texas
by Monokaryotic » Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:23 pm
WHAT’S CAUSING ALL THIS? MITCH LUCAS
Normally here in this space, I have a little fun, talk about sports, things going on in the world and the like.
Today, it’s not going to be fun. There’s not going to be any stupid jokes. I want to be completely serious and bring up a topic that is going to turn a lot of heads.
It’s time to do something about pit bulls. It’s time for somebody to take a stand. And that somebody — or more than one person — should be our state senators and representatives.
In Kilgoround on page 1A of today’s paper, you can read what our publisher, Bill Woodall, has to say about why people own pit bulls, which I believe are basically living, breathing time bombs waiting to explode on someone.
I walked into Bill’s office on Wednesday afternoon to tell him my intent of mentioning this in my column, and he was already working on the Kilgoround discussing a similar topic.
This was, of course, all brought about by feelings after a tragedy.
Early this week, 10-yearold Justin Clinton — by all accounts a precious young man — was attacked, then killed by two dogs identified by several media outlets as American bulldogs, a member of the pit bull family. Right now, both the Clinton family and the family that owned the dogs are dist raught about this tragedy, and understandably so. It’s something they’re going to have to live with for the rest of their lives.
The owners of the dogs, who bought them together back in February, have said this week the animals had not shown any propensity for violence at all, let alone something like this.
My heart goes out to these families, and my prayers are with them.
Justin was, by everything I’ve been able to learn in the days since his death, a sweet child, a child that loved baseball and was preparing to be on the KBBA 9-and- 10 year-old American League all-star team, coached by Jeff Tubbs. Justin was to be on a fall ball team with my son, Jacob. He literally had almost his whole life in front of him.
Reports of pit bull attacks, maulings, and even deaths are a regular instance in this country. There were two more locally in the days just before and since Justin was attacked.
I’ve been here in East Texas for about seven years, and just in that time frame, I can think of nine or 10 instances where I’ve seen local coverage, in our paper and in other area media outlets, of children and adults being attacked by pit bulls. Even if those were the only ones, that’s nine or 10 too many.
Can anyone reading this tell me the last time, if ever, when you saw a story on pit bulls that had to do with something other than an attack?
Anyone who knows me knows that I’m about as conservative a guy as one can be. A friend of mine once liked to say that I’m somewhere to the right of Rush Limbaugh. I don’t like what’s happening in our country right now with the takeover of General Motors, government bailouts, government intervention in our lives, the potential overhaul of the health care system — I don’t like big government, period.
But let me be the first to call — no, to demand — our state representatives, Mr. Tommy Merritt and Mr. Chuck Hopson, and State Sen. Kevin Eltife, all good men, to do something about this right now. Don’t wait. It’s not a question of if the next pit bull attack will happen. it’s a question of WHEN.
I understand there’s a legislative session upcoming, and that would be the perfect time to bring this up. Introduce legislation to either put tough, tough restrictions on ownership of pit bulls, or ban owning the animals altogether.
Here are a few ideas of my own. I’m sure someone smarter than me can do better, but this is a start.
• Upon purchasing one of the dogs, have potential owners prove they will have the animals in a secure place. Do that by making permits to own pit bulls mandatory.
• impose a fee of like $500 that anyone who purchases a permit to own a pit bull must pay (that will discourage their ownership) and let that fee go to the humane society for upkeep.
• Have animal control officers make regular checks on these residences where pit bulls are held, and if the dogs’ restraints are not adequate, fine them heavily — like $1,000 — and confiscate the dog until the restraints are deemed to be adequate.
Or, like I said, ban pit bull ownership outright, which would be what I would favor.
I thought long and hard about this before writing this column. Anybody who’s known me for very long will tell you that I’m a blunt guy, and if asked (sometimes even if not), I will tell you what I think. Over the years in this column, I have never been known to pull punches. I figure this column will bring coals upon my head. But it’s been a very emotional week around here, and a young man lost his life. A woman in the Tyler area was attacked trying to protect another child from a pit bull attack, and a 4-year-old girl in Henderson was attacked as well. I felt these things needed to be said.
I know everyone has opinions, and I doubt everyone will agree with me. Anyone who wants to rail on me for calling for new state laws on pit bull ownership can do so.
I’m not that hard to find. You can e-mail me at sports@kilgorenewsherald.com.
You can phone me down here at (903) 984- 2593, or you can come by the office — it’s 610 East Main.
But before you do, you’d better have an outstanding argument other than “this is America” and “I can own and do what I want.”
Could you make that argument right now to the family of Justin Clinton, and to anyone who has a family member that has been the victim of a pit bull attack?
Source: http://www.kilgorenewsherald.com/new…ports/037.html
GOTech610
July 28th, 2009
2:22 pm
Raiders will take him probably. Good for him too, he’s sure to lose their like the loser he is.
Vick is garbage.
AJC for the love of god, he is not an Atlanta Falcon anymore. Who the hell cares about this joke. Really, it’s getting old. The same comments every time. The same people every time. I for one am not commenting on another Vick post again.
VIEWERS WHO DO NOT WANT THIS CRAP ANYMORE LET US JUST NOT POST ON HERE. THE BLOG WILL BE DEAD AND THE AJC SHOULD BE FORCED TO MOVE ON AT THAT POINT. IF WE DON’T DEMAND THEY WON’T SUPPLY.
dwayne
July 28th, 2009
2:35 pm
Falcons are a good team. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Just aint as fun as talking about Vick…haha
Desde el palco: Vick, Sanders, Tebow - Mexbowl
July 28th, 2009
3:41 pm
[...] firmar con Washington, Oakland, Miami, San Luis o Nuevo Orleans. Schultz comenta lo siguiente en su columna del día de hoy: “No será un paso fácil para cualquier franquicia el arriesgarse con Michael Vick. Si esto [...]
SeasonedBelle
July 30th, 2009
1:23 pm
The entire NFL is nothing more these days than the National Felons League. There’s more press on their motives than their moves. *sigh* I miss Joe Namath and the Jets.
Rumors of Vick deal actually make sense now | Jeff Schultz
August 11th, 2009
11:31 am
[...] issue from an NFL coach’s perspective: Training camps will begin to shut down next week. As noted in this space before, football coaches are control freaks. They don’t want distractions at any time — but they particularly [...]