Live from the Dome: A former prince returns to the city
The midfield reunion we've long awaited: Arthur M. Blank and Michael Vick. (Photo by M. Bradley)
Michael Vick has returned to the Georgia Dome. He jogged on the field at 11:24 a.m. He received a polite round of applause. (There weren’t many folks in the stands yet.) The first person he approached was Jimmy Cribb, the longtime Falcons photographer. The two embraced.
“He told me I always took good pictures of him,” Cribb said, “and if I got anything good today to send them to him.”
Then came the long-awaited meeting with Arthur Blank. (See above photo, shot by someone much less professional than Jimmy Cribb.) And then Reggie Roberts, the Falcons’ VP of communications, walked over to Vick. More hugging ensued.
Roberts: “He told me he missed being here. He misses the city, misses the Dome. He said he was crying on the bus ride over.”
Along those lines, here’s a snippet of an as-told-to article Vick did with David Fleming of ESPN The Magazine. Here’s Vick speaking his mind on, of all things, the Dome:
“I’m looking forward to going back to the Georgia Dome. I may not do much. I may not even play in the game. But just having the opportunity to be there and maybe have a chance to talk to the Falcons owner, Mr. Blank, before the game — that would be a great thing for me. I spent many a Sunday making that crowd go wild, and I appreciate all those fans. They were great. Man, I miss [those] days.”
In all the furor over Michael Vick, one truth kept getting lost: No matter what he did, the guy’s still a human being. And now he’s again a football player. We don’t know much he’ll play today, if at all. And we don’t yet know — it’s only 11:45 — how the crowd will be. My guess: Warm toward Vick, warmer toward the Falcons.
Speaking of whom: The home side is up against it. Here’s the inactive list: Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Michael Jenkins, Sam Baker and Harvey Dahl. That’s five offensive starters out for what is a game with massive playoff ramifications. (The Falcons and Eagles are tracking the same wild card.) The only consolation, and it’s slim: Philly is missing playmakers DeSean Jackson and Brian Westbrook.
And that’s why a 7-4 road team is a 5-1/2 point favorite over a 6-5 opponent. You never see that in the NFL, but today seems a day where form could take a hike. The Falcons are undermanned, but there’s almost a last-stand element to this one. Meaning: On this given Sunday, the desperate club could just lift itself by its bootstraps.
And I’ll be here to watch and report, as we say in the trade, with one difference: I have permission from AJC.com higher-ups not to make this a live chat, but because the day has started on a bright conciliatory note I’ve decided to open the floor for comments. Should we devolve into our usual volley of back-and-forthing, the live chat will go away and will not re-open. It’s your choice. Thanks in advance.
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1,246 comments Add your comment
Falcons73
December 6th, 2009
2:46 pm
Wow! The four straight runs on the two yard line was reminiscent of Chan the man Gailey. While I completely expected this game to be tough (without several starters), the game plan/play calling has been HORRIBLE. I would like to think that are coaching staff is more than capable of putting together a scheme that gives our Birds a chance…GUH!!!!!
Let’s hope that they can at least open it up in the second half and at least make it a game, otherwise my wife is going to make me watch something on Lifetime.
J.J.M.
December 6th, 2009
2:46 pm
David
I couldnt agree more
Giuseppe
December 6th, 2009
2:46 pm
It is a disgrace for Atlanta fans to cheer a player on an opposing team. Our fans deserve their reputation. That is so demoralizing to the Falcons players on the filed, no wonder they can’t get anything going. I guess the dog killing culture is prevalent in the dome. Write this game off…
Tommy
December 6th, 2009
2:46 pm
Had they tried a pass in that spot, Redman would probably have gotten buried or thrown it right into an Eagles defender.
Maybe some sort of roll-out and flood to one corner would have worked, but with the entire backup offense in today, nothing is given.
It stinks to watch a good team get done in by injuries, but it happens. . . at least Florida lost yesterday
Mableton Bob
December 6th, 2009
2:47 pm
Had the Falcons called a bootleg with TE out Redman would either walk in or pass for TD? 99% of fans could have called a better series. Or should I make the estimate 100%?
jerry
December 6th, 2009
2:47 pm
Who the hell wants to see a running back play qb in the pros? If I wanted to see that I would watch GT.
Truth Serum
December 6th, 2009
2:47 pm
Atlanta Falcons ARE NOT ferocious birds of prey!
JSS
December 6th, 2009
2:47 pm
Did anyone see that Washington INT/New Orleans touchdown sequence? Oh come on!
Danielle
December 6th, 2009
2:47 pm
I love Michael Vick because he is a great player!The haters will
will continue to hate but Mike has a great future ahead of him.I miss
Mike in Atlanta!
Rod
December 6th, 2009
2:48 pm
DJ Shockley should highly be considered if we lose and Ryan cannot play anymore this year.
LantaFalcons
December 6th, 2009
2:48 pm
“This game isn’t about Vick. This game is about the Falcons – or at least that’s what you would think the “Atlanta” Journal Constitution should focus on.”
There wasn’t a lot of frenzy so the AJC wanted to change that. That’s why there’s Vick pictures all over the place as well as links about “Vick Updates” and an ENTIRE article about Vick’s 2 snaps.
Must be a slow day for the AJC
Big Ray
December 6th, 2009
2:48 pm
Ah yes, fair weather fans. Wheel must’ve popped off the bandwagon again.
You’d think we had a veteran team instead of a second year rebuilding project.
You’d think we were at full strength with Pro Bowlers at every position, instead of playing with backups and guys who are a half step removed from the practice squad.
You’d think we were currently 2-9 instead of 6-5.
That’s what you’d get for thinking….
Mableton Bob
December 6th, 2009
2:48 pm
Celebrating Bama becoming the dominant SEC team could be disingenious.
Once "Recent" Reader
December 6th, 2009
2:48 pm
Was it that SD preferred Rivers because Brees had an injury . . . . . . .I’m pretty sure it wasn’t because of Game Stats.
Sonny Clusters
December 6th, 2009
2:49 pm
Urban was hospitalized for dehydration. Was he crying, too?
80sFalcon
December 6th, 2009
2:49 pm
I’ve watched other teams do slants.crossing patterns, etc. Why can’t we do ANY of that. It seems as soon as the ball is snapped, panic sets in.
bigdave
December 6th, 2009
2:49 pm
WE NEED A STRONG SAFETY… I REPEAT… WE NEED A STRONG SAFETY…
pilgrim
December 6th, 2009
2:49 pm
The Eagles’ front is too quick. I’d be more upset but Spiller wore me out last night.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 6th, 2009
2:50 pm
Big Ray
December 6th, 2009
2:34 pm
Going to the playoffs twice, getting beat by Philly both times, never producing back-to-back winning seasons. Somehow I think Brees will do better than that, and it will start with this season….
“How many back-to-back” winning seasons does Brees have?
How many Championship games? I do believe one also.
How many Pro Bowls? I do believe Vick has 3.
Regardless, the current qb is supposed to be the savior and regardless, your team, 3 years later, still SUCKS
preston
December 6th, 2009
2:50 pm
and concerning the two losses to Philadelphia……….did u even watch the first game? I recall a very close games were all of the calls went phillys way……and philly pulling the game out in the 4th quarter, but they really recieved some home cooking from the refs to pull it out…….and who knows what Vick might have accomplished at this stage of his career had he not made his careless mistakes.
Mark Bradley
December 6th, 2009
2:50 pm
Eagles with the ball. Moving again. Getting penalized again. That makes six on the day.
Mr Charlie
December 6th, 2009
2:50 pm
Danielle, I love Michael Vick because he WAS a great player. I have seen nothing from him in Philly that suggests he will ever be that good again. Just keeping it real
J.J.M.
December 6th, 2009
2:50 pm
i forgot we had mike peterson
Truth or dare
December 6th, 2009
2:50 pm
Vick is so good, how come McNabb still has a job? Thought so
SRF
December 6th, 2009
2:51 pm
bigdave – I could not agree more !
Mark Bradley
December 6th, 2009
2:51 pm
Short of the first down. But across midfield. I’d go for it. And Philadelphia is going for it.
bigdave
December 6th, 2009
2:51 pm
3 defenders there… and they wait for the TE to come to them instead of attacking and stopping him well short…
rabiddawg
December 6th, 2009
2:52 pm
People, how good did you think we would be? No starting QB, No starting RB, and half the O-line out. I mean how bout some perspective. Also, can’t everyone just let the MV stuff go. He ran his course in the ATL. Let it go.
Mark Bradley
December 6th, 2009
2:52 pm
First down. I think Andy Reid is getting tired of fooling around.
David
December 6th, 2009
2:52 pm
We couldn’t get one yard on three plays. They did it on one. Ugh….
Big Ray
December 6th, 2009
2:52 pm
bigdave ,
Yeah, we do. As soon as William Moore gets healthy and gets his chance, you’ll see one. I’d rather see him in the backfield with Erik Coleman than Thomas Decoud. Nothing against Decoud, but I’m not all that impressed.
Steven
December 6th, 2009
2:52 pm
Big Ray – Mighty big of you to assume that you know people. We have every right to be dismayed at such an obvious DECLINE from last year. Voicing our opinion doesn’t make us “fair weather.” Quite the opposite. I believe the true definition of “fair weather” would result in no comments. Get over yourself.
Mark Bradley
December 6th, 2009
2:53 pm
McNabb stood tall on that throw.
David
December 6th, 2009
2:53 pm
Would it be possible for the Falcons to trade up in the draft and get Eric Berry? He’d help this awful pass defense, and would also help plug the run.
bigdave
December 6th, 2009
2:53 pm
our blitz packages are decades late…
Mr Charlie
December 6th, 2009
2:53 pm
Preston, in the NFL, you are what your record says, so the Falcons lost in the 4th quarter, that is when 90% of NFL games are won. And of course, had Vick not funded a dogfighting ring, sure, but he did, and that is why he was a bad long term choice. Having a long term career requires talent and good decisions.
J.J.M.
December 6th, 2009
2:53 pm
wow did yall see the D line
BugKiller
December 6th, 2009
2:53 pm
On the same field that is littered with Tebow’s Tears, Mike Vick heard the cacophonous sound of booing raining down on his animal torturing head.
Seems to me, Mikey boy, that this aint’ “my city” anymore, is it?
You want to know just how little Vick feels any remorse, just read what the moron says. See the massive ago in the words he says without his mentor around, or Eagle’s PR staff around, to tell him what to say.
Some people want to buy his b.s. remorse act because of liberal white guilt.
Others, because they placed far too much of their own selves into his success on the field.
Pity those people.
I’m just happy to have seen and heard EXACTLY what I said would happen today:
LOUD BOOS raining down on that sick man’s head.
Mark Bradley
December 6th, 2009
2:53 pm
Redman was five of 15 in the first half. With three passes deflected.
JTH
December 6th, 2009
2:54 pm
My biggest concerns is the poor playcalling and the worse tackling. Getting a break down in the basics today. Not good this late in the season.
rabiddawg
December 6th, 2009
2:54 pm
The offense should struggle. The defense on the other hand is awful. Don’t forget, the eagles lost to the Raiders..
Mark Bradley
December 6th, 2009
2:54 pm
There’s a screen. The Eagles will run a screen, by way of conspicuous contrast.
J.J.M.
December 6th, 2009
2:55 pm
eagles make it look easy
81Dawg
December 6th, 2009
2:55 pm
Philly puts it away now.
bigdave
December 6th, 2009
2:55 pm
Ray…
im not impressed with anything drafted in 09′ and im not banking on William Moore a Big 12 defensive product being any better…
but if we’re going young might as well see what he has.. but doubt he’s a long term answer…
Big Ray
December 6th, 2009
2:55 pm
Funny….I’m not hearing one word about McNabb having a “noodle arm”, and he’s throwing almost nothing but short passes….
Jamie
December 6th, 2009
2:55 pm
We are making Weaver look like LT. What a joke!
BC
December 6th, 2009
2:55 pm
When is the last time the Falcons forced a turnover? Chris Houston could honestly be one of the worst players I can remember watching.
Manny
December 6th, 2009
2:56 pm
Vick is in the game.
treaddawg
December 6th, 2009
2:56 pm
We got Shockly available. He can do what Vick could do in wildcat type scenarios. Plus, he’s smarter, more accurate, almost as quick as MV7, and can be counted on to scramble towards the opponents end zone and not his own. They ought to utilize him in some capacity with all the injuries. I will take a healthy, operating on all cylinders, Shockly over Vick any day.