Vick’s return will illustrate division in Atlanta
Except for this 34-yard run against Chicago, Michael Vick has been a non-factor for Eagles.
As you might have read, Michael Vick expects, “to get a great reaction from the crowd. It’s going to be a standing ovation,” when he returns to Atlanta next Sunday with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Well, I will agree with him to this point. He will get a reaction.
When Vick was at the top of his game, he united this city more than any other athlete. But when he declined and then train-wrecked his career and the Falcons’ franchise with his off-field issues, he divided Atlanta. Those hard-core Vick fans who bought Falcons season tickets, more to see him than the team, have defended him throughout and blamed others for his faults, even when he admitted guilt. Others have refused to let go of their hatred, saying Vick should never have been allowed back in the NFL.
Loading ...Neither group should surprise anybody. This is sports. Sports is emotional. Emotion often clouds judgment and objectivity.
A divide still exists and Sunday’s Falcons-Eagles game will illustrate that. Some will stand and cheer their hero’s return. Some will stand and hurl insults at the man they’ll never forgive. Others will ignore the whole thing and spend more time on the hot-dog-or-nachos debate.
Of all the “returns” sports has experienced, this will be one of the strangest. Vick has been a non-factor for the Eagles. Coach Andy Reid has struggled to work the “wildcat” offense into the game plan, and Vick has admitted he’s not thrilled with it anyway. He makes cameo appearances in games. He’s only 3-for-9 as a passer and has rushed for 65 yards, with 34 coming on one carry against Chicago two weeks ago.
When Vick returns to the Georgia Dome Sunday, he’ll mostly watch Donovan McNabb run the Philadelphia offense. He’s an afterthought for Reid. I’m guessing once the game begins, he’ll become an afterthought for most fans — at least until he makes an appearance. Then there will be noise. Lots of noise. We’ll hear and see the division.
How will you react? I realize any Michael Vick blog is combustible. But I’ve got a poll up asking which side of Vick fence you stand on (boo, cheer, don’t care), and feel free to weigh in with your thoughts.
One final request: It’s OK to be passionate with your debate. But please keep commenting clean and free of obscenities and racial overtones, otherwise I will quickly close the forum. Thanks.
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558 comments Add your comment
Look before I leap
November 30th, 2009
1:12 pm
@You There Jeff???: I never claimed to understand what it is like to be black in America. I took umbrage that some fool assumed I was ignorant of black history in this country simply because I am white.
ATL Observer
November 30th, 2009
1:18 pm
Here are some observations on the matter:
1) Arthur Blank, like him or not, was the first man to make Michael Vick a millionaire (not the other way around). Vick lied to the owner’s face. In doing so, he also put the long-term plans of the Falcons’ team in jeopardy. This might come as some shock to people, but sports owners don’t idly sit by while their players are in jail and waste millions on someone that can’t produce wins on the field. Blank owes Vick nothing. He cut Vick loose, Vick did his time and found another job and the Falcons have found another plan. So Vick no longer owes Blank anything either. The slate is balanced on that front.
2) Comparing Ryan to Vick is difficult because Ryan’s career is young. At this point, Ryan is a little behind in that Vick scored a playoff victory in his first full season whereas Ryan didn’t (albeit Ryan took control of a more moribund team). My impressions of Vick when he was in Atlanta was that he was never as good as his touters made him out to be nor as bad as his critics suggested. The man was a three-time Pro Bowler with a 40-30-1 record…that’s gotta count for something. But let’s not make him out to be Brett Favre either, people. He got to one conference game (and was woefully overmatched in it).
3) Did I read someone earlier in this thread refer to Vince Young as a loser? Are you watching the same Vince Young the rest of us are watching?
ATL Observer
November 30th, 2009
1:20 pm
4) The person who accused Ryan of “choking” for leaving the game due to injury is an idiot. Stafford came back FOR EXACTLY ONE PLAY with that separated shoulder…..then played like utter horsecrap on Thursday. Here’s a newsflash, genius: WHEN YOU GET TURF TOE FIVE MINUTES INTO THE GAME, IT’S PRUDENT TO LEAVE SAID GAME! Or maybe Vick was a choke artist for not finishing out that exhibition game in 2003…..
5) This idea that the black community should somehow rally behind Vick as their icon amuses me. The NFL is filled with African-American players. Heck, Vick’s not even the best African-American QB *on his own team,* let alone in the league. This idea that the whole representation of blacks in football rises and falls with Vick is ridiculous. Vick is one of hundreds of NFL players– black, white, etc. If he fails, it has nothing to do with “blacks being bad QBs.” If he succeeds, it’s not proof that “blacks are better QBs than whites.” Judge the man as an individual and leave this race iconography out of it.
6) If you’re a Vick fan and upfront about it, fine. But don’t call yourself a Falcons fan while cheering the Eagles in the Falcons’ biggest game thus far “just because they have Vick.” That’s bogus. You’re a Falcons fan or you aren’t. Figure it out.
7) Most importantly, this is the game of the year for the Falcons thus far regardless of who suits up for the Eagles. The wildcard race is the real story here.
ATL Observer
November 30th, 2009
1:20 pm
4) The person who accused Ryan of “choking” for leaving the game due to injury is an idiot. Stafford came back FOR EXACTLY ONE PLAY with that separated shoulder…..then played like utter horsecrap on Thursday. Here’s a newsflash, genius: WHEN YOU GET TURF TOE FIVE MINUTES INTO THE GAME, IT’S PRUDENT TO LEAVE SAID GAME! Or maybe Vick was a choke artist for not finishing out that exhibition game in 2003…..
5) This idea that the black community should somehow rally behind Vick as their icon amuses me. The NFL is filled with African-American players. Heck, Vick’s not even the best African-American QB *on his own team,* let alone in the league. This idea that the whole representation of blacks in football rises and falls with Vick is ridiculous. Vick is one of hundreds of NFL players– black, white, etc. If he fails, it has nothing to do with “blacks being bad QBs.” If he succeeds, it’s not proof that “blacks are better QBs than whites.” Judge the man as an individual and leave this race iconography out of it.
NEWsouth!
November 30th, 2009
1:21 pm
Look before I leap. You still don’t get it! Go VICK!! Go Eagles!! Hope Matt has a good game!
Jeff Schultz
November 30th, 2009
1:22 pm
JSS — Wish I could be in Catalina right now … Back in rainy Atlanta .. and in process of cleaning up some of these comments. (not your’s)
NEWsouth!
November 30th, 2009
1:22 pm
Look before you leap! Whats your take on Vick?
AlternateReality
November 30th, 2009
1:23 pm
Which Vince Young? The October/November version or the previous edition?
Jeff Schultz
November 30th, 2009
1:24 pm
Thanks for the love, J. And if you don’t believe it’s news that Michael Vick is coming back to Atlanta this week, you’re deluded.
Michelle
November 30th, 2009
1:27 pm
I absolutely loveeee Michael Vick. He will once again lead a football team as the starting quarterback. One thing about it, is that God is a forgiving God, even though man is not.
Jeff Schultz
November 30th, 2009
1:30 pm
Hello Jeff! — We’re cleaning up comments now … I had to write another blog, then get on the highway to Flowery Branch.
XYZ
November 30th, 2009
1:33 pm
You dog lovers love your dogs more than you own “human” family members. Probably because a dog can’t talk back and tell you how stupid you are.
james
November 30th, 2009
1:38 pm
I have one thing to say about this article. The statement “Those hard-core Vick fans who bought Falcons season tickets, more to see him than the team, have defended him throughout and blamed others for his faults, even when he admitted guilt.” is false and does nothing more but causes more friction, people were not blaming others for what he did, their argument was with the punishment and the reaction for what he did. So before you write an article make sure your facts are correct.
TPM
November 30th, 2009
1:40 pm
I do not know why this is a story. Michael Vick has been invisible in Andy Reid’s offense. As far as I concerned he is still out of football.
Cannonball Butler
November 30th, 2009
1:41 pm
XYZ-love my dog more than I love Vick? Yes. I think you “get it” now.
Jeff Schultz
November 30th, 2009
1:44 pm
James — Thousands of fans bought tickets to watch Vick, not the Falcons, and then sold them when he was gone. The numbers back that up.
Little Tike
November 30th, 2009
1:44 pm
I will cheer for Michael Vick not because he’s Black but because he’s a young man that made a stupid mistake…AND HAS PAID FOR IT. Just like everyone who has made mistakes, he deserves the opportunity to better his future; I am praying that he continues to make good choices in life that will be for the benefit of his family! It really doesn’t matter what others think of you because some people are so vile and full of hatred that they will never forgive!
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 30th, 2009
1:47 pm
ATL Observer
November 30th, 2009
1:18 pm
Here are some observations on the matter:
1) Arthur Blank, like him or not, was the first man to make Michael Vick a millionaire
“Wrong as usual” Vick made himself a millionaire, but it was the Rankin Smith family that signed the pay check, not Blank. Blank signed his second contract.
Get your facts straigh “dude who stole my car”
pmuckle
November 30th, 2009
1:47 pm
get ready falcons you will loose with or without Vicks appearance. you should had not won on yesterday but it is all good, the road to playoffs ends on Sunday.
Sean
November 30th, 2009
1:49 pm
I will cheer for this man. He committed a crime, admitted it, accepted his punishment, did his time, and for the most part, he has handled himself as well as anyone could ask. Author Blank made hundreds of millions of dollars off this man alone, so showing a little respect is absolutely in order. Blank bought this Falcon franchise for 545 MILLION dollars and now the franchise is worth a little over a BILLION dollars. What I don’t understand is, if this is a sports event, then why are people commenting on this man’s PERSONAL LIFE when its about his PROFESSIONAL CAREER that we should be judging him on. Funny how ALL the athletes PERSONAL LIFE is fair game, WHEN THE ATHLETE IS BLACK. After vick shows the falcons that he his back at full throttle, after he breaks a 40-50 yard run for the game winning touchdown, HE SHOULD WALK OVER TO AUTHOR BLANK AND AUTOGRAGH THE GAME BALL AND GIVE IT TO AUTHOR SO HE COULD KNOW WHAT A WINNER LOOKS LIKE.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 30th, 2009
1:50 pm
TPM
November 30th, 2009
1:40 pm
I do not know why this is a story. Michael Vick has been invisible in Andy Reid’s offense. As far as I concerned he is still out of football.
“And the CHOKE has been too visible” in opposing team’s secondary (22 PICKS in 25 games)
Atlien
November 30th, 2009
1:50 pm
Jeff, I assume you was not responding to James @1:38pm with that comment you posted at 1:44pm since you didn’t address what he wrote there.
Mel
November 30th, 2009
1:51 pm
It was only a matter of time before someone mentioned RACE…..I have seen people of all races wearing Vick jerseys, so with that being said, cheer for the team that you want to win and be done with it.
Human Party
November 30th, 2009
1:51 pm
All I want to see is Vick score a wonderful touchdown that propells the Eagles to a victory and keeps the Falcons sinking in the playoff race!
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 30th, 2009
1:52 pm
A “True Franchise Quarterback” leads his team on the field and not the sidelines…………..
The CHOKE proved yesterday how small his heart is………
“DUMP THE CHUMP”
KiknUNdanutz
November 30th, 2009
1:54 pm
Hey Rob. I think you forgot to include DOUG WILLIAMS in your list of “winners”. That makes YOU a loser. Loser.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 30th, 2009
1:57 pm
WILD CARD RACE:
Cowboys 8-3 (Owns tie breaker)
Eagles 7-4 (Will own tie breaker)
Green Bay 7-4
Giants 6-5 (Owns tie breaker)
Falcons 6-5 (Owns no tie breakers)
Their done, once again and 2004 will be a measuring stick for the CHOKE to measure up to and it won’t be duplicated this decade……………Sorry dudes and dudettes
“DUMP THE CHUMP”
RedTornado
November 30th, 2009
2:03 pm
I will boo him. Just like I would D.Hall and now you can add Brooking to my boo list. If you were a respected long time falcon I would not boo. But, if you hurt the franchise, disrepected the fans,team or the game I will boo you. It’s all part of the game. IF you are getting booed , you still mean “something” to us. You’re recognized in our hearts good or bad. Unfortunately, I will be labeled one thing for “booing” him. Oh well, I still will be sitting in my season ticket seats enjoying the spectacle.
Jean Shonay
November 30th, 2009
2:07 pm
I will be there Sunday cheering for Michael Vick. I will have a couple of signs too. Look for me on TV. As far as the haters and the ones that think so “highly” of themselves that they can’t do no wrong, if you are at the game Sunday, make sure you “come down a stair or 2″ or you may get pushed down.
uga_b
November 30th, 2009
2:07 pm
@Sean It was his personal life that got him suspended for 2 1/6 years from his professional life, which directly impacted this team. To ignore that is childish. The man ran a multi-state criminal enterprise for years; it was not one mistake like running a red light. When white players or black players get suspended from their profession for their personal conduct, discussion of the impact is not only topical but appropriate. Mike Vick is nowhere near the football player he could have been right now since he lost 2 years in prison where he couldn’t practice or study film. Obviously personal choices have professional consequences…
RedTornado
November 30th, 2009
2:09 pm
ps. maybe Vick will show the atlanta fans he’s #1 again. At least show us one finger.
Rob
November 30th, 2009
2:13 pm
I dunno Barnacle Bill, maybe not a billion, but I read in Forbes that the Falcons are worth $798 million and Blank DOES run that. Close enough to a billion for ya?
EricADawgFAN
November 30th, 2009
2:14 pm
I am a supporter of Vick. As long as he was winning games for the Falcons, people loved him to death. When he fell, there were hardly any TRUE fans to pick him up. The man has PAID HIS DEBT TO SOCIETY…. Leave him alone if you can’t support him. He has definitely taken the Falcons to places that hardly no other Quarterback has done…. I will ALWAYS be a Michael Vick supporter, and to the fair weather Falcons fans I say to you this: Lets see if Ryan out do Vick’s tenure at the Falcons. GO Michael Vick…….
Juno
November 30th, 2009
2:15 pm
YES, WE LOVE YOU MICHAEL VICKI.
Those that hate are evil and non-forgiving. You did your crime and time. Time to move forward and do better.
neutral
November 30th, 2009
2:16 pm
While we all have much to say. The only words that matter are from the guy that’s paying Vick. LOL (whether he’ll play or not, or even have an extended career in the NFL).
Im a football ball… and clearly i agree with a comment further up!
That atlanta just escaped a team with ONLY ONE win 24hours ago! And you all are concerned about someone that has not been a vital threat to any opposing franchises. LOL
TWO WORDS! DESEAN JACKSON: while i’m not a big fan of his cockiness.
No one can run with this kid! including the FACLCONS SECONDARY let alone a wannabe offenseive weapon in ROWDY WHITE!!!
hopeful the Falcons can focus on getting a so called top ten receiver(which the record clearly speaks for itself) the ball.
And a WIN! Wake up atlanta it’s ur team! Not an opposing player!
Andrew
November 30th, 2009
2:20 pm
It’ll be a 50/50 split. Some people will cheer him because of his career with Atlanta, the winning percentage (I think he had a 60% winning percentage when he started), the exciting plays, and the fact that he’s pretty much paid his punishment for losing 2 seasons, lost property, money, etc. And then there are those who simply cannot forgive him for his participation in animal abuse, even though it happens all over the place…it just so happens that a high-profile person got busted doing so.
Funny how 3/4 of the people who will boo him basically cheered him when he played here, so it’ll clearly expose the divides that are present. I wonder if Leonard Little (he of the Rams who killed someone and only got suspended for 8 games) played here formerly, how people would respond? And it shows how some peoples’ priorities aren’t quite there. Killing an animal is a travesty, so I guess none of us should eat meat of any kind. And clearly an animal’s life is worth more than a human being’s…
Free Mike Vick!
November 30th, 2009
2:20 pm
The falcons need to bring back Vick next season if Ryan doesn’t get it done. Ryan had 1 lucky year and it doesn’t look like the falcons will make the playoffs—Vick gives Atlanta a better chance and he’ll be available for only a few mil per year in the offseason—blank needs to make the move and bring him back!
JASon
November 30th, 2009
2:24 pm
You can’t just put Vick in the game every now and then and expect him to have a ton of success. It is pointless to have him on your team and not use him.
how2fish
November 30th, 2009
2:26 pm
Jean Shonay your not saying your going to be pushing folks down steps are you tough guy?? This argument is a fine example of the old Southern saying ‘You can’t fix stupid” move on folks..here is a guy who 1) left under a cloud and 2) will be in the other team’s uniform…cheer him?? For what?
A Good Sister
November 30th, 2009
2:26 pm
I am excited to see Mr. Vick’s return to Atlanta the upcoming weekend. I hope Philadelphia Eagles kick some butts!!!!! That’s just the way it is!!!! Get over it!!!!!!!
EricADawgFAN
November 30th, 2009
2:27 pm
I am a Falcon Fan… But I am also a VICK Fan………. I will never forget how well he played for the Falcons organization…… You never know who your friends are until you all down on your luck…..
Najeh Davenpoop
November 30th, 2009
2:27 pm
I bought tickets to this game the day Vick signed with the Eagles, knowing fully well that his role in their offense would likely be limited, just so I could cheer when he gets on the field. Here’s why:
1. In the four years Vick was a starter here (2002, 2004-2006), he SINGLE-HANDEDLY made the Falcons competitive and nationally relevant. From 2002 to 2007, the Falcons won 58% of their games when Vick started and 23% of their games when Vick was unable to start. More importantly he did this with a coaching staff (Jim Mora, Greg Knapp, Ed Donatell), GM (Rich McKay) and key teammates (Alge Crumpler, Peerless Price, Michael Jenkins, Warrick Dunn, TJ Duckett, Ed Hartwell, Jason Webster, Demorrio Williams, etc.) who have by and large accomplished absolutely NOTHING since Vick left. To be able to single-handedly keep your otherwise subpar team competitive in the ultimate team sport is nothing short of incredible.
2. You can criticize his practice and preparation habits, but the man gave 110% nearly every time he stepped on the field. He took shots from opposing defenders, played hurt, and always tried to pick up every extra yard.
3. I don’t give a sh*t what he or any other player does off the field. It may sound cold, but from my point of view pro athletes exist for my entertainment… what they do with their personal lives is irrelevant. If you are allowing your children to idolize and emulate people who have become successful playing games, you deserve to be disappointed.
Finally, I can’t speak for EVERY Vick fan, but I’m sure there are plenty of us who feel the way I do about the current Falcons and Matt Ryan. Many of us who have a hard time supporting the current Falcons have a problem with the fact that the Falcons consistently refused to put Vick in a position where he could succeed and maximize his talents, but by contrast have done this for Ryan since day one. Vick’s Falcons didn’t hire a GM like Dimitroff from the league’s most successful organization. They didn’t hire a coach like Mike Smith who has coached a top-10 unit at every stop as a coordinator. Vick’s Falcons didn’t hire an offensive coordinator with a track record of developing young quarterbacks like Mike Mularkey, and they certainly didn’t change the language of their playbook to match what Vick had in college the way Mularkey has done for Ryan to ease the transition. The Vick Falcons never spent first-round draft picks on offensive linemen like Sam Baker to protect their QB, instead choosing to trade their picks for failures like Peerless Price or often-injured players like John Abraham. Vick’s Falcons never bothered to institute a blocking scheme that worked in short yardage or acquire a running back like Turner who could move the chains when a few yards were needed, nor did they put Vick in a pro-style offense where he could get time in the pocket to throw and build timing with his receivers.
And it’s not like these were some great mysteries that nobody could see either. Fans like me constantly complained about these shortcomings of the team the entire time Vick was here, only to see McKay and Mora make blunder after blunder. Many of us Vick fans just wish Vick was able to develop in the surroundings Matt Ryan has, and yeah, we hold a grudge towards the Falcons for not giving Vick that opportunity.
For the record, not that it matters, but I’m not black and I’ve been a Falcons fan since Jerry Glanville was the coach.
EricADawgFAN
November 30th, 2009
2:28 pm
ALL VICK FANS, LETS ATTEND THE GAME AND WEAR NUMBER 7 JERSEYS…… THAT WILL SEND OUT A MESSAGE……
EricADawgFAN
November 30th, 2009
2:30 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
I AGREE WITH YOU
how2fish
November 30th, 2009
2:32 pm
EricADawgFAN
November 30th, 2009
2:28 pm
ALL VICK FANS, LETS ATTEND THE GAME AND WEAR NUMBER 7 JERSEYS…… THAT WILL SEND OUT A MESSAGE
Sure will and that message will be ‘You can’t fix stupid” and it will show something else..You NOT FALCON fans your VICK fans..
EricADawgFAN
November 30th, 2009
2:33 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
I WAS A FALCON SINCE LEEMAN BENNETT WAS HEAD COACH, AND THEY WEREN’T WINNING BUT EVERY NOW AND THEN.
HAPPY AS HECK
November 30th, 2009
2:34 pm
@EricADawgFAN
I am with you on that one .. I will have my Michael Vick Jersey on gooooooooo
Philly!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mariah
November 30th, 2009
2:35 pm
All I know is that we were one game from the Super Bowl with the guy. In a land known for forgiveness, we seem to be pretty unforgiving with regards to this guy. What did he do to merit this bitterness. As an Atlanta sports fan I was floored about his off the field failures but certainly I have witnessed worse(ie murder, drugs, spousal abuse)from other NFL players. When Vick was shining he was a super nova and when he fell it was as fast. I appreciated his time here and I currently enjoy seeing the new guy, Ryan. To say that we are better off without him will be resolved in time. If we make it to the NFC championship game or to the Super Bowl the argument will cease – nothing like a ring to solve the problem
EricADawgFAN
November 30th, 2009
2:35 pm
how2fish,
IT SHOWS THE REAL SUPPORT THAT VICK SO WELL DESERVES… ALL OF YOU BAND WAGON JUMPERS SUCH AS YOURSELF… GET A LIFE SIR / MADDUM….
how2fish
November 30th, 2009
2:38 pm
Mariah you made some good points!