Vick gets 23 months in prison

[looch17]

Rotoworld:

Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison Monday for financing a dogfighting ring. He also received three years of probation.
Worst-case scenario. That length is a big surprise; five months higher than the recommended maximum of the prosecutor in Vick's case. Since Vick has already served one month, he can be expected to leave prison in October of 2009. Federal sentences are rarely shortened. If Vick was readmitted into the NFL, what Chris Mortensen believes would happen without any additional penalty, Vick couldn't play until 2010. He would be thirty years old then.

[nyrblue2]

Wow.



I mean, I don't mind because doing what he did to dogs is messed up. I'm just surprised they gave him longer than the prosecution asked for...

[gagne21]

so basically there's his career. Thank god SD traded that #1 pick to ATL for their 5th and some other stuff. The falcons are left with a jailed QB, and the chargers have the best back in the league.

[Doctego]

Wow.



I mean, I don't mind because doing what he did to dogs is messed up. I'm just surprised they gave him longer than the prosecution asked for...

I'm sure that this didn't help:

Suspended indefinitely by the NFL without pay, Vick solemnly apologized for his actions before cameras in late August -- only to gain more negative attention when he tested positive in September for marijuana, a violation of U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson's order that Vick stay clean in exchange for being allowed to be free.

[nyrblue2]

I'm sure that this didn't help:
Ah, didn't hear about that, lol.

[Motorcat]

I would of like to have seen a longer sentence ......... hopefully there is no early release.

Wonder if KK is still staunchly defending his innocence - :lol:

[Dubz]

Good....I really hope this helps out the next generation of millionaires to use their powers for good instead of evil.

[Sponge Bong Beer Pants]

wow. he got what he deserves for sure, but I'm a little surprised at the length of the sentence as well. good on them. like somebody else mentioned, maybe these deters these assholes with millions of dollars from participating, encouraging, or otherwise engaging in this sort've messed up behavior.

[snoopzen]

Apparently prosecutors felt that Vick wasn't being entirely truthful in his debriefs with them (his story keeps changing), so they pushed for a stiffer sentence.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3140049&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/petealtra/533daa5a.jpg

[heliosj]

Not enough time. I really hope the state is able to extend his stay.

How can you hurt a creature like this? :nono:

http://heliosj.iddings.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=123&g2_serialNumber=2

[Avaholic]

Not a lengthy enough sentence IMO.

1) Initially lied about his role in the killing of the dogs
2) Tested positive for marijuana AFTER claiming he had accepted responsibility for his actions (and found God, right? Wasn't there mention of him finding God? That usually helps). No time like immediately following an indictment to spark one up, right?
3) Told 2 conflicting stories about when he had used the drugs he tested positive for

I don't want to look it up, but did he have any prior convictions? Wasn't there the marijuana bust at the airport a few years back (SNL did a REALLY?! segment on it)? So he had prior(s), yet gets less than 2 years for this. Interesting.

[Hockeyis#1]

After the persoal hell Vick's life has become, who here is suprised that he's been hitting the bong?

[heliosj]

No, but you don't claim to be reformed and then break the terms of your bail.

[King_Killah]

I would of like to have seen a longer sentence ......... hopefully there is no early release.

Wonder if KK is still staunchly defending his innocence - :lol:

That ended once there was something os substance, other than the "Oh I seen him do it. And I heard he did this." arguments.

He has to serve 85% of his sentence which will put him at 18 months. Then they were saying something that since he went in a month early, you can take a month off of that, plus another month for good behaviour. But he has to do things right. He has to show that he is changed. Likely will have to due charity work for animal organizations and such. There was a whole list of things that will determine his eligibility to be released. The state sentence will likely run concurrent with the federal sentence.

Anyone see any of the Monday Night pregame??? Sure doesn't sound if we won't see the last of Vick in the NFL...and at that, in Atlanta. Arthur Blank seems to be a little wishy-washy recently. He did say that their immediate future will call for a new QB, but when asked if Vick will be back in Atlanta, his response was let the commissioner figure out what he is doing with his suspension and things will go from there. What's going to happen is, since the Falcons won't be able to collect the money they want him to repay, he'll be back in Atlanta, just like the Ricky Williams/Miami thing.

The only other team that I see giving him a shot right now is Oakland. Fly will contest that since "JeMarcus Russell" is the future of the team. We'll see about that!

......and all that said. I hope Atlanta takes Brohm with or without Petrino in town.

[heliosj]

That ended once there was something os substance, other than the "Oh I seen him do it. And I heard he did this." arguments. There was always something of substance - you were just too blind and star struck to see it. That indictment alone outlined non-circumstantial evidence, at the very least... tying him to the money.

[heliosj]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v327/mortisthecat/23months.jpg

[phaneuf6]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v327/mortisthecat/23months.jpg

Nice :lol:

[Doctego]

I think that math is slightly flawed. It seems to be based on 7 dog years per 1 human year, which is actually incorrect.

[heliosj]

Kill joy.

[Doctego]

Kill joy.

:D

[heliosj]

So Mr. Dog Years Expert.. what would be the correct formula?

I always thought it was 7...

[Sponge Bong Beer Pants]

7 per 1 is a pretty common belief.

I've got two rotties and two frenchies (bulldogs) but none of them will confirm

http://www.snopes.com/critters/wild/dogyears.asp

[heliosj]

No wonder my dog is so slow and forgetful... she's over 30!






:D

[Dubz]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81067dba&template=without-video&confirm=true

Looks like hes reformed....hey I might get some flack for this but im a big sucker for people that have changed. I see him back in the NFL as soon as Goodell permits.....if he permits?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d810575bc&template=without-video&confirm=true

"Once Michael has concluded his legal proceedings, I will sit with Michael, his representatives and other professionals to understand all the circumstances," Goodell wrote in an NFL.com chat last month (http://chat.nfl.com/front/archived_chat/213).

[Doctego]

Ultimately, if he serves his sentence (and once Goodell is done suspending him), I don't see how he can be stopped from pursuing a career in the NFL if that's what he wants to do. That said, I never thought that he was a great QB before this shit went down. I'm sure that he will be blackballed for a while but someone will take a chance on him eventually.

[ih8music]

Well, whether he's really "reformed" now or just coached well by his attorney/agent is impossible for us to know. I suspect the latter, but can understand wanting to give him the benefit of the doubt. He's served his time, after all.

I'm sure he will get another shot at being in the league (say hello to the new backup QB of the oakland misfits!) - and if he returns to form and works his way into a starting role, you can pretty much bet that fans of whichever teams he lands will put aside his past and cheer for him like nothing ever happened.

[Spartan]

Ultimately, if he serves his sentence (and once Goodell is done suspending him), I don't see how he can be stopped from pursuing a career in the NFL if that's what he wants to do. That said, I never thought that he was a great QB before this shit went down. I'm sure that he will be blackballed for a while but someone will take a chance on him eventually.Agreed, the big question is that of speed. If he has lost his speed then his career is over. There are plenty of guys out there that can't read defenses and fumble too much.

Well, whether he's really "reformed" now or just coached well by his attorney/agent is impossible for us to know. I suspect the latter, but can understand wanting to give him the benefit of the doubt. He's served his time, after all.

I'm sure he will get another shot at being in the league (say hello to the new backup QB of the oakland misfits!) - and if he returns to form and works his way into a starting role, you can pretty much bet that fans of whichever teams he lands will put aside his past and cheer for him like nothing ever happened.True our society tends to be forgiving, especially if it helps win games.:evilgrin:

[snoopzen]

I'm sure he will get another shot at being in the league (say hello to the new backup QB of the oakland misfits!) - and if he returns to form and works his way into a starting role, you can pretty much bet that fans of whichever teams he lands will put aside his past and cheer for him like nothing ever happened.
True our society tends to be forgiving, especially if it helps win games.:evilgrin:I dunno about this one. Whichever team picks up Vick is in for a firestorm of controversy and picketing, boycotts and just general negative publicity right out of the gate. Whether Vick ends up helping out the team or not might not even matter in this case.

Athletes have come back from convictions/incarcerations before, but I've heard it said that flat-out hatred for Vick is quite unprecedented. There have been DUI's, drug convictions, weapons charges, but apparently nothing sticks like animal (particularly dog) cruelty.

Remember, for owners winning is in fact not everything. The bottom line is.

[King_Killah]

I dunno about this one. Whichever team picks up Vick is in for a firestorm of controversy and picketing, boycotts and just general negative publicity right out of the gate. Whether Vick ends up helping out the team or not might not even matter in this case.

Athletes have come back from convictions/incarcerations before, but I've heard it said that flat-out hatred for Vick is quite unprecedented. There have been DUI's, drug convictions, weapons charges, but apparently nothing sticks like animal (particularly dog) cruelty.

Remember, for owners winning is in fact not everything. The bottom line is.

Not entirely true...

There are a lot of people lobbying to get Vick back in the NFL. There are a lot of forgiving people ever since it was released that he is helping the fight against dogfighting. Whether he is legit and true to that or is just doing it to get back in good graces, I don't know. He'll be back in the NFL...and could be as soon as this coming season. I still won't be shocked if he came back and ended up in Oakland. ESPN was doing a piece on him about coming in possibly not as a starting QB but a component for teams to utilize the freakin' Wild Cat. We'll see what happens.

[ih8music]

I dunno about this one. Whichever team picks up Vick is in for a firestorm of controversy and picketing, boycotts and just general negative publicity right out of the gate. Whether Vick ends up helping out the team or not might not even matter in this case.

Athletes have come back from convictions/incarcerations before, but I've heard it said that flat-out hatred for Vick is quite unprecedented. There have been DUI's, drug convictions, weapons charges, but apparently nothing sticks like animal (particularly dog) cruelty.

Remember, for owners winning is in fact not everything. The bottom line is.

If he gives believeable lip-service to the fact that he's changed and now realizes that dogfights are wrong and what he did was wrong, etc... AND if he delivers on the field, I guarantee you that fans will support him again.

Perhaps not all NFL fans (he'll be an easy guy to boo on the opposing team), but you can bet fans of his team will cheer if he's scoring touchdowns and being an all-around stud again.

[b_illin]

Listen, I love animals and I am against dog fighting, etc., but it amazes me that guys rape or beat women (can't think of anyone...but I am sure it has happened), kill ppl (Ray Allen), get busted for drugs, get busted with hookers, get into fights, shoot themselves, etc. and it's no biggie, but Vick gets in trouble for being involved/funding in a dog fighting ring and it's like he's the fucking devil.

Double standard say what!?!?!

[snoopzen]

Listen, I love animals and I am against dog fighting, etc., but it amazes me that guys rape or beat women (can't think of anyone...but I am sure it has happened), kill ppl (Ray Allen), get busted for drugs, get busted with hookers, get into fights, shoot themselves, etc. and it's no biggie, but Vick gets in trouble for being involved/funding in a dog fighting ring and it's like he's the fucking devil.

Double standard say what!?!?!This situation is easier for people to identify with, and therefore be outraged by.

For example, earlier in the thread Jeff posted a picture of (I assume) his favourite dog. I doubt that (in the case of one of your examples) Jeff would post a picture of his favourite hooker.

One assumes. ;)

[heliosj]

http://www.themovieness.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/pretty-woman-roberts_l.jpg

:heart:

[dw13]

kill ppl (Ray Allen)

Listen, I don't like Ray Allen either, but I'm pretty sure your thinking of Ray Lewis. His charges were dismissed (although I agree, something was up with it, thats neither here nor there.)

[b_illin]

http://www.themovieness.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/pretty-woman-roberts_l.jpg

:heart:

:lol::lol::lol:

Listen, I don't like Ray Allen either, but I'm pretty sure your thinking of Ray Lewis. His charges were dismissed (although I agree, something was up with it, thats neither here nor there.)

Haha, brain fart....why on earth would I say Ray Allen....the nicest guy ever...who plays basketball.

And yeah, I know the charges were dropped...but my point was more that this outrage towards Vick is laughable...especially given past examples of others questionable behaviour and the lack of outrage directed towards them.

[dw13]

Haha, brain fart....why on earth would I say Ray Allen....the nicest guy ever...who plays basketball.

And yeah, I know the charges were dropped...but my point was more that this outrage towards Vick is laughable...especially given past examples of others questionable behaviour and the lack of outrage directed towards them.

I agree completely, and someone already posted it. When/if Vick returns, played good, all will be forgotten.

As Arthur Blank said, he has paid his debt to society.

[b_illin]

I agree completely, and someone already posted it. When/if Vick returns, played good, all will be forgotten.

As Arthur Blank said, he has paid his debt to society.

Totally. I didn't even think to mention that til you did - the dude actually did time and lost a shitload of stuff unlike others. Leave the guy be!

[heliosj]

If a city is willing to accept him on their team.. then I say all the best to them. But he better not come to Tampa. I will not and could not root for him or a team that hires him. I'll find myself a Jaguars jersey faster than you can say dog fight.

And yes, the things we choose to care about in our society is.. silly. I can't deny that, but both of my dogs were severely abused before I got them and I can't fathom how someone can be so cruel to a defenseless animal. It hits too close to home for me -- and if that's self absorbed or lacking the right priorities, so be it.

[ih8music]

If a city is willing to accept him on their team.. then I say all the best to them. But he better not come to Tampa. I will not and could not root for him or a team that hires him. I'll find myself a Jaguars jersey faster than you can say dog fight.

And yes, the things we choose to care about in our society is.. silly. I can't deny that, but both of my dogs were severely abused before I got them and I can't fathom how someone can be so cruel to a defenseless animal. It hits too close to home for me -- and if that's self absorbed or lacking the right priorities, so be it.

Respect your feelings, Jeff - I just think you'd be in the minority in this case. Much like I'm sure a lot of rape/domestic abuse victims can't "forgive" athletes for their past crimes in those areas, while the majority of fans (who do not share a personal connection to the crime) seem to easily be able to ignore/forget the athlete's past. Not saying it's right or wrong, just seems to work that way.

[Dubz]

Looks like the Hmane Society is on the same page as I. Although sceptically.

You may have seen the news that Michael Vick has been released from prison, and that The Humane Society of the United States is going to provide an opportunity for him to get involved in some of our anti-dogfighting outreach programs. Animal advocates might be skeptical, as I was, about whether a man who committed such horrible acts to dogs could do anything positive to help animals. But I want to give him the chance to be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem. If he is serious -- and we’ll soon find out -- then Vick can help HSUS reach young men in urban communities and tell his story about dogfighting being a dead end. Our on-the-street programs teach at-risk kids that pit bulls are friends, not fighters. I wanted to share with you my blog which I've just posted today (https://community.hsus.org/ct/fpN7qQd16S1W/), which elaborates on my thinking.
Sincerely,

Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
The Humane Society of the United States
Trouble with links or images? Want to share this email? Use this link:
https://community.hsus.org/humane/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=33627965 (https://community.hsus.org/ct/tdN7qQd16S1n/)
https://img.getactivehub.com/an2/custom_images/humane/campaign_alert_masthead_08_animalfighting.jpg (https://community.hsus.org/ct/fpN7qQd16S1W/)https://img.getactivehub.com/an2/custom_images/humane/4x9_spacer.gif https://img.getactivehub.com/an2/custom_images/humane/4x9_spacer.gif May 20, 2009 https://img.getactivehub.com/an2/custom_images/humane/4x9_spacer.gif https://img.getactivehub.com/an2/custom_images/humane/4x9_spacer.gif https://img.getactivehub.com/an2/custom_images/humane/4x9_spacer.gif https://img.getactivehub.com/an2/custom_images/humane/4x9_spacer.gif What's Next for Michael Vick?
https://img.getactivehub.com/an2/custom_images/wlt/wlt_nl_9x9_spacer.gif https://img.getactivehub.com/an2/custom_images/humane/281x144_youngboywithdog.jpg (https://community.hsus.org/ct/fpN7qQd16S1W/) https://img.getactivehub.com/an2/custom_images/wlt/wlt_nl_9x9_spacer.gif The HSUS End Dogfighting program mobilizes community members. ©The HSUS

There was nobody tougher on Michael Vick than The Humane Society of the United States. After sufficient facts came to light about the happenings at Bad Newz Kennels (https://community.hsus.org/ct/v1N7qQd16S1I/) in Surry County, Virginia -- the sometime residence of Vick that had morphed into a dogfighting staging ground
-- The HSUS urged state and federal authorities to prosecute him and we made a key confidential informant available to federal authorities, which proved vital to the case.
We also campaigned, along with others, to urge the Atlanta Falcons to drop Vick, the NFL to suspend him (https://community.hsus.org/ct/f1N7qQd16S1b/), and his corporate sponsors (such as Nike) to sever their ties. All of that happened, and the fuel that drove all of these actions was the rage and disgust that so many millions of Americans felt once the details came out.
Vick and the other three individuals at the vortex of the criminal network at Bad Newz should have been prosecuted and punished, and they were (https://community.hsus.org/ct/fdN7qQd16S16/). They did horrible things.
Long before the Vick case, it was The HSUS, working with our allies in Congress led by Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Elton Gallegly, that drove the enactment of strong federal laws to crack down on animal fighting -- banning any interstate or foreign transport of animals for fighting and upgrading penalties with amendments to the Animal Welfare Act in 2002. We worked on a further upgrade of the law in 2007 (https://community.hsus.org/ct/5pN7qQd16S1y/) to make it a federal felony to move dogs across state lines. For years, we had been working with the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture -- the Office of Inspector General -- sharing intelligence on animal fighting crimes, emphasizing the corrosive impact of animal fighting on our communities, and urging them to be more aggressive in investigating cases. When the Vick case came to light, these federal authorities grabbed the torch, especially after they saw the Surry County prosecutor failing to take action. For their leadership, we honored federal prosecutors and investigators in 2007 (https://community.hsus.org/ct/57N7qQd16S1U/) at our annual Law Enforcement Awards ceremony.
For The HSUS, dogfighting had long been a priority concern, and we knew it was an epidemic problem, especially in urban communities (https://community.hsus.org/ct/5dN7qQd16S1E/). But most people considered it a relic issue -- a settled matter and a rare occurrence. The Vick case synced public sentiment with the scale of the problem, and dogfighting rightly reoccupied a priority slot on the animal protection agenda in America.
The HSUS tried to channel this energy (https://community.hsus.org/ct/f7N7qQd16S1O/) in the aftermath of the Vick case, and we helped to pass a remarkable 21 new laws against animal fighting, including a third upgrade of the federal law. Thanks to our supporters, we amped up our rewards program and worked with state Attorneys General and other law enforcement agencies to advertise the program. We set up tip lines so we could gather other information. We established community-based programs to do outreach to young people at risk of getting enmeshed in the world of dogfighting. We expanded our training of law enforcement agents in investigation and prosecution of animal fighting crimes.
Last year, we were involved in more than 250 busts of animal fighting operations, both dogfighting and cockfighting.
So with this record of action, I think I'd be the least likely guy to end up sitting at a small table and talking calmly with Michael Vick about his interest in working with us (https://community.hsus.org/ct/v7N7qQd16S1u/).
But when you step back and ponder it, we are actually the most logical place for him to go. We have the most developed programs on the issue, so if he's sincere about making a difference, there’s no better place to land.
I sat with the man (https://community.hsus.org/ct/vdN7qQd16S17/), but I still don’t know what’s in his heart. He told me he did terrible things to dogs. He said he grew up with dogfighting as a boy, and that he never sufficiently questioned it as he grew into manhood.
He said this experience has been a trauma and he's changed forever. And he said he wants to show the American public that he is committed to helping combat this problem. He asked for an opportunity to help. I want to give him that opportunity. If he makes the most of it, and demonstrates a sincere, long-term commitment to the task, then it may prove to be a tipping point in our campaign to eradicate dogfighting. If he demonstrates a fleeting or superficial interest, then it will be his own failing, not ours. Our campaign (https://community.hsus.org/ct/vpN7qQd16S1j/) will march forward regardless. It’s up to him, and we at The HSUS reserve judgment until he demonstrates that he's part of the solution rather than a further part of the problem.
Maybe if there had been an intervention program (https://community.hsus.org/ct/51N7qQd16S1m/) in Newport News 15 years ago, a young Michael Vick would have grown to love and respect pit bulls, and he would not have done these terrible things to dogs. For me, it's not about Michael Vick and providing endless punitive treatment. It's about stopping other young people from going down the road Vick took. It’s about having kids today put down their break sticks and destroy their pit bull treadmills.
We've done a lot with the law, and with law enforcement, and that work continues. But the most urgent challenge we face is interrupting the cycle of violence that leads kids down this dead end path, one that's paved with animal misery. They need to see that dogfighters never succeed. They are criminals, and there's no good outcome. Michael Vick's story is a narrative they need to hear.

[snoopzen]

http://www.themovieness.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/pretty-woman-roberts_l.jpg

:heart:That's good. I thought you might have gone this way:
http://homepage.mac.com/mmtz/stcomix/images/misc/uk/tjhooker.jpg

[Doctego]

And yeah, I know the charges were dropped...but my point was more that this outrage towards Vick is laughable...especially given past examples of others questionable behaviour and the lack of outrage directed towards them.

That's a problem that we have as a society. We are constantly checking everyone's inventory and comparing things. We can compare what Vick did to everyone else, we can compare his punishment to everyone else, and we can compare the outrage to everyone else until we're blue in the face but that serves no purpose. We could also just look at what he did and the punishment that he got and realize that he didn't really get a raw deal here. What did he serve?? 19 months?? Not that bad, IMHO, when you consider everything that he did. I am not concerned with the lost wages because, when you go away for that amount of time, you're gonna lose your job.

[keyboard]

I think abusing animals is stupid, but I have nothing against hunting. I think people who risked their lives to save stranded animals while NO was sinking were stupid, but that's just me. Either you care enough about animals that you think Vick is a monster, or you don't. Animals are used, abused, and eaten. That's just the reality of the situation. For people to say you shouldn't hurt dogs and then they go out and eat a burger or spend hundreds/thousands on a dog instead of getting one from a shelther, I think that's laughable. Way, way too many animals lovers are annoyingly self-righteous. Most need a reality check.

I'm not defending Vick here, I'm just saying animal abuse is one of the last reasons I'd ever have to stop watching the NFL/follow a team/follow a player.

[King_Killah]

Will Brinson, of SportsRadioInterviews.com, reports former NFL head coach Dennis Green, who now is a coach in the United Football League, said during a radio interview that he believes Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick could play in the new league this season if no NFL team decides to sign him.

Take it down a notch Dennis... I believe Goodell will bring Vick back to the NFL and I do believe that he will sign somewhere. It is just a matter of when and who. However, if for some reason Goodell holds off and suspends him for a year or whatever and he does go to the new UFL, he would easily be the biggest star in the league from the beginning and help boost attendance.

[King_Killah]

Vinnie Iyer, of the Sporting News, reports that San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders, Washington Redskins, and Seattle Seahawks are all seeking to talk to QB Michael Vick.

Goodell will rule within the next two weeks or so on Vick's return. Why am I not surprised to see the Raiders on this list?? Skins could use a back-up, the 49ers could use him as a starter, the Phins I am surprised with, the Jags would be a nice fit, the SeaFrauds he could start - F* hASSelsnatch.

[dw13]

Jacksonville radio has ben talking about him and possibly coming to the area. Some agree, some don't, and I can't see it happening. But again, they gave that money to Drayton Florence and Jerry Porter last year, they were not just horrible on the field, but even worse in the locker room. Vick wouldn't be a bad locker room guy, and god knows Jacksonville needs fans in the stands.

[Dubz]

That's good. I thought you might have gone this way:
http://homepage.mac.com/mmtz/stcomix/images/misc/uk/tjhooker.jpg

Snoops you da man:lol:

I think Vick has done all the right things from admitting (after he was ratted on) to advocating for the Humane Society. I think he will be back.

[Kyle]

At the end of the day these dogs are vicious and mean by the time they fight/die and as cruel and disgusting as some of them die, its not the same level of suffering that an abused house pet has to go through. These dogs are borderline rabbid.

As much as I despise animal abuse (I made it about 30 seconds into that one popular 4-5 min video with the animals being skinned alive) with a passion, and as angry as I was over a profession athlete fueling and contributing to dog fighting, he served his time, I'm not gonna overblow what he did, and its been time to move on for a while now.

He was wrong. Even though he probably doesn't sincerely believe it and is just playing his part, I think we can all rest soundly knowing he isn't dog fighting anymore. He won't from 20+ mill a year in a mansion to 19 months in a jail cell. He paid a decent price and should be thinking twice about ruining his good fortune on nonsense like dogfighting again. Let the man play.

[King_Killah]

Jason LaCanfora, of the NFL Network, reports that he's heard the Bengals, Jaguars, and Raiders mentioned in scouting circles when discussing possible landing spots for free agent Michael Vick. Mike Lombardi also said Jacksonville could emerge as a serious bidder for Vick on the NFL Network.

More chatter... I can see and understand both Cincy and Oakland because they are very lax on character, I would be surprised with Jacksonville, but they could use an upgrade over Garrard.

[dw13]

More chatter... I can see and understand both Cincy and Oakland because they are very lax on character, I would be surprised with Jacksonville, but they could use an upgrade over Garrard.

I live in Jacksonville now and listen to alot of radio, and have also watched them in the past. They will not EVER replace Garrard with Vick. They would bring him in as a backup and gagdet guy. They just paid Garrard and Garrard/MJD are two people who keep the few fans in the stands. Vick would pretty much be a guy who puts asses in their seats, because they CANNOT fill them. They aren't even able to air their home preseason games on tv.

I could see Vick in Jacksonville for that reason alone.

[FlyGuy78]

I've also heard that teams may be interested in Vick for more than just at QB. I read on NFL.com that some teams may use him for special teams and/or RB/WR.

[Sponge Bong Beer Pants]

At the end of the reinstatement letter he sent to Michael Vick today (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AiO6KDZz2G2CJvV.Uu0PeCw5nYcB?slug=txvick reinstated&prov=st&type=lgns), NFL commissioner Roger Goodell advised the former Atlanta Falcons (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/atl/) quarterback that he was responsible for his own success. That's true, to a degree, but the rest of the message makes it distinctly clear that Goodell is the one who will ultimately decide Vick's fate.

Taking great pains to remind Vick (and the public) that he's the final arbiter in this matter, Goodell laid out a highly-specific plan that Vick needs to follow in order to get back in the good graces of the league (aka Goodell)."Apart from [the terms of your supervised release], you have submitted to me a written plan concerning your proposed living arrangements, how you will manage your financial affairs, counseling and mentoring plans, and your proposed work with the Humane Society and other groups. You have committed to me that you intend to abide by this plan, and as I said when we met, you are accountable for doing so."
It sounds like Michael Vick (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5448/) just got himself another probation officer. Maybe micromanaging Vick's NFL comeback is the right move and maybe it's not. But it's strange that Goodell seems to want to rehabilitate Vick himself, rather than oversee the player's growth. Why hire Tony Dungy is Goodell is intent on doing all the legwork himself?

Goodell's letter also speaks of sweeping changes. It's almost as if he expects Vick to transform his life by Halloween. It's an admirable goal, and I respect the commissioner for offering the quarterback help in doing so, but isn't that a bit unrealistic? Why do all these things need to happen at once? It will be hard enough for Michael Vick to get back on the playing field, let alone to do so while worrying about making sure he's letting Roger Goodell knows about his mentoring plans.

Update: Goodell's plan sounded much better during his press conference today. He played up the role of Tony Dungy, discussed his desire to see Vick succeed (and seemed sincere) and spoke candidly about when Vick lied to him two years ago.

[Spartan]

Dungy is a fool for associating himself with Vick.

[dw13]

Dungy is a fool for associating himself with Vick.

You really think that?

[FlyGuy78]

This world confuses me......one league will reinstate a guy who bankrolled a dog-fighting scheme while another league won't reinstate a guy who gambled on some baseball games. :rolleyes:

[Dubz]

This world confuses me......one league will reinstate a guy who bankrolled a dog-fighting scheme while another league won't reinstate a guy who gambled on some baseball games. :rolleyes:

I seen a little about that on TSN...It seems that the Baseball guy (Seleig? sorry guys lol if you want, I dont do baseball) has a dislike for Rose. Its deeper than just the facts is what I sort of got out of it.:dunno:

[Spartan]

You really think that?Yes I do. Its shameless self promotion as a motivational speaker or whatever the hell it is he does now. He could easily back someone that has a family and wants a second chance in life not just a guy returning to a million dollar lifestyle.

This world confuses me......one league will reinstate a guy who bankrolled a dog-fighting scheme while another league won't reinstate a guy who gambled on some baseball games. :rolleyes:Read the Dowd report. Rose deserves no quarter, he is a piece of shit.

[eff1ngham]

I've also heard that teams may be interested in Vick for more than just at QB. I read on NFL.com that some teams may use him for special teams and/or RB/WR.

I still think he'll play QB for some team in the future, there's enough teams out there with QB issues that could take a chance on him. But for this season, I could easily see him playing some WR (he's still faster than most WRs in the league). But even better, I bet some team will line him up in a modified "wildcat" type of formation. He'd be way more dangerous than Ronnie Brown in that sort of role. I could see him having success being used the way the Steelers should have used Kordell Stewart back in the day.

This world confuses me......one league will reinstate a guy who bankrolled a dog-fighting scheme while another league won't reinstate a guy who gambled on some baseball games. :rolleyes:

I think being arrested for tax evasion was also part of the reason. Still stupid though...

[dw13]

Yes I do. Its shameless self promotion as a motivational speaker or whatever the hell it is he does now. He could easily back someone that has a family and wants a second chance in life not just a guy returning to a million dollar lifestyle.

I really don't think Dungy is out for any self promotion. He is helping out an individual that was/is in major dire need of it. He has an association through the National Football league with Vick.

Vick's second chance in life is his return to football. The NFL is a business just like everyone elses. To even get on Dungy's case for helping Vick out seems really odd to me. Vick is in such a vulnerable state right now and could possibly never be fully reinstated with one slip up. Dungy is making sure that doesn't happen.

I give Dungy all the props in the world for going to see Vick in prison, for wanting to be there for him and showing him the way to get his head completely straight.

[Kyle]

Yes I do. Its shameless self promotion as a motivational speaker or whatever the hell it is he does now. He could easily back someone that has a family and wants a second chance in life not just a guy returning to a million dollar lifestyle.

.

Or he could back nobody up and who the fuck would we be to judge him for it? Attacking a guy cause hes not helping the right guy in your eyes? Can't we just appreciate the bit of help being thrown around in this day and age?

It would be wonderful if people would get over these delusions that superstars live worry/care free. How many rich people need to shoot themselves or ruin their lives in some ridiculous drugrage before we realize being accepted into the NFL isn't an instant ticket for a worry and care-free life? Yeah, from OUR perspective it seems like sheer lunacy to not be the happiest men in the world with all that money. Perspectives change though, so treating Vick like somebody who isn't in need of help because he has a lot of money and WE think thats enough for anybody is pretty retarded. No sense in attacking Bungy for this, at all.

Vick clearly payed for his crime, clearly is dying to play football again. Im pretty sure his million dollar lifestyle is a lock either way. Bungy is simply helping the man do what hes dying to do.

To Vick, this is that second chance you described.

Im not trying to sympathize with Vick here as I was one of the loudest against him when it seemed he'd get away scratch-free. I just can't believe you're taking such a cynical view of the whole ordeal, without any legit reasoning.

[two24four]

I agree, good for Dungy for helping out a guy who needs it, I see nothing wrong with it at all.

[Spartan]

Sorry guys print comes off a little different than you intend sometimes. I'm absolutely a Dungy supporter, he is from around here and has been a class act every time without exception. That is why I find it so odd he's supporting Vick, I expected more of Deion Sanders or Michael Irvin types to do this. I've been around long enough to learn that by a certain age people are who they are and don't really change. Don't forget Vick was a piece of shit before the dogfighting incident. Its not like he made a bad decision, it was just the next bad chapter in his life. A lot of guys in sports throw out that cliche of "if it were not for sports, I would be in jail". Well for Vick that is true, so true not even sports could get him out of his own way. Good luck turning that around.

The only way I could reason Dungy involving himself was for an outside reason. Maybe he bet on the wrong dogs and still owes, or is genuinely fond of Vick.:dunno:


FTR: My official stance is Dungy = Good guy / Vick = Bad guy / Dungy + Vick = I don't get but knock yourself out / Vick + Playmaker = Most ideal situation.

[Kyle]

Sorry guys print comes off a little different than you intend sometimes. I'm absolutely a Dungy supporter, he is from around here and has been a class act every time without exception. That is why I find it so odd he's supporting Vick, I expected more of Deion Sanders or Michael Irvin types to do this. I've been around long enough to learn that by a certain age people are who they are and don't really change. Don't forget Vick was a piece of shit before the dogfighting incident. Its not like he made a bad decision, it was just the next bad chapter in his life. A lot of guys in sports throw out that cliche of "if it were not for sports, I would be in jail". Well for Vick that is true, so true not even sports could get him out of his own way. Good luck turning that around.

The only way I could reason Dungy involving himself was for an outside reason. Maybe he bet on the wrong dogs and still owes, or is genuinely fond of Vick.:dunno:


FTR: My official stance is Dungy = Good guy / Vick = Bad guy / Dungy + Vick = I don't get but knock yourself out / Vick + Playmaker = Most ideal situation.

I understand your views on Vick. At the end of the day football is about football and while I agree that hes a terrible person, I'd like to watch him play football again.

[King_Killah]

I live in Jacksonville now and listen to alot of radio, and have also watched them in the past. They will not EVER replace Garrard with Vick. They would bring him in as a backup and gagdet guy. They just paid Garrard and Garrard/MJD are two people who keep the few fans in the stands. Vick would pretty much be a guy who puts asses in their seats, because they CANNOT fill them. They aren't even able to air their home preseason games on tv.

I could see Vick in Jacksonville for that reason alone.

Which would be the reason why, if they brought Vick in, he would end up starting. For one, Vick is the better athlete of the two. Personally, I think Garrard is a piece of shit QB and shouldn't be a starter anywhere in the league right now. Fans will come and see Vick, but they won't come and see Vick stand on the sidelines and come in for a play here and there.

[King_Killah]

This world confuses me......one league will reinstate a guy who bankrolled a dog-fighting scheme while another league won't reinstate a guy who gambled on some baseball games. :rolleyes:

.........and it isn't that he even bet on baseball games being the ultimate problem. The problem occurred when he bet on and against his own team and intentionally called plays to blow games.

It's like say, Mrs. Great One betting $500,000 against the Coyotes, Mr. Gretzky is in a situation to win, and for the last five minutes of the game he NEVER plays his #1 line, instead plays his 4th line. Coyotes get scored on to tie, then gets scored on to win. Although in this circumstance Wayne didn't lay down the bet, but the calls in the game is a direct result of action placed.

If Pete bet against the Royals or bet against the Yankees or whatever, he wouldn't have been in half the shit he was in. He would have gotten a slap on the wrist, maybe both wrists...but for it to come out that he bet on and against his own team... That is shady shit.

[Doctego]

This world confuses me......one league will reinstate a guy who bankrolled a dog-fighting scheme while another league won't reinstate a guy who gambled on some baseball games. :rolleyes:

Vick served his time in prison and is now able to work, assuming that a team will give him a chance. Your failure to simplify each instance is alarming, though. Let's expand:

1. Did Vick involve himself in dogfighting when there was a clubhouse notice that said that doing so would result in banishment from the sport forever??
2. Did Vick put any of his teammates in danger with what he did?? I say this believing completely that Rose put his players in harms way. People are constantly trying to give him a pass because he always bet on his team. So what?? You don't think that he stretched out certain players in order to win $$?? I do.
3. Did Vick become a camera whore and profess his innocence into the mic at every chance for over a decade?? Sure, Vick lied. I get that. Any of us would in that instance. He lost over $100M and any of us would have gone down protecting that. The difference is that, once Vick realized that he was cooked, he came clean. Rose grabbed every opportunity to proclaim his innocence for over a decade.

I loved Rose as a player and I think that, in some way, his accomplishments deserve to be recognized in the HOF. I don't feel bad for him, though.

[Doctego]

.........and it isn't that he even bet on baseball games being the ultimate problem. The problem occurred when he bet on and against his own team and intentionally called plays to blow games.

It's like say, Mrs. Great One betting $500,000 against the Coyotes, Mr. Gretzky is in a situation to win, and for the last five minutes of the game he NEVER plays his #1 line, instead plays his 4th line. Coyotes get scored on to tie, then gets scored on to win. Although in this circumstance Wayne didn't lay down the bet, but the calls in the game is a direct result of action placed.

If Pete bet against the Royals or bet against the Yankees or whatever, he wouldn't have been in half the shit he was in. He would have gotten a slap on the wrist, maybe both wrists...but for it to come out that he bet on and against his own team... That is shady shit.

I stopped giving a shit about Rose some time ago so I might have missed something but has there ever been evidence that he bet against his own team?? I say this thinking that betting on his team to win is bad as well but I never saw anything supporting that claim.

[eff1ngham]

I never saw any evidence that he bet on his own team to lose (giving him a chance to throw games). I'd heard he bet on his team to win, however. But like Doc I haven't paid any attention to it in a long time

[FlyGuy78]

I just heard over the PS3 network that Vick told reporters he was about to sign with a football team. He hurried off so quickly, the reporters didn't get a chance to ask him if it was an NFL team!! hahaha

[snoopzen]

I stopped giving a shit about Rose some time ago so I might have missed something but has there ever been evidence that he bet against his own team?? I say this thinking that betting on his team to win is bad as well but I never saw anything supporting that claim.I know that this is more of a baseball tangent, and this is the Football Discussion forum, but thought I'd throw in my $0.02.

While it's common knowledge that Pete Rose bet on his own team, I don't think it's ever been proven that he bet against his own team. Some people think that Rose was simply "putting his money where his mouth is" and it didn't really affect the integrity of the game.

I couldn't disagree more.

When you are in a betting situation and you have some ability to change the outcome of a game, you are definitely going to do so. Like Doc said earlier, you might stretch a guy out longer than ordinarily in order to get a critical win. You might not give the developing young player on-field time in place of a vet with lower long-term upside but better impact now. Your overriding concern has got to be more for your short-term gambling gain than for the long-term interests of the team.

Secondly, Rose didn't bet on every one of his team's games. Why not? If he bets ON his team with the expectation of winning, then what does it mean if he's NOT betting? That he doesn't expect his team to win? This would give the edge to bookies tracking his betting in two ways... at the most innocent, Rose himself wouldn't have the expectation of winning the games he wasn't betting on, and bookies would react accordingly. It's also not inconceivable that Rose might at some point give a "nod" to other betters and affect the game negatively... with the chance of that ever increasing if the gambling's going badly.

I do believe that Rose should be in the HOF someday, somehow... being the game's all-time hits leader deserves some kind of mention at least. But I do think that his actions affected the integrity of the game and am OK with his ban.

I don't like what Vick did... but he didn't directly break any of Football's rules (other than some code of conduct ones, I guess). He's paid his debt to society, and if the law's done with him then I don't see how football really keeps him out.

Now whether or not a team wants to take the public firestorm that's bound to follow Vick, or whether or not a team wants to reconfigure an offence for a QB that'll only be available for half a season, that's another story.

[FlyGuy78]

Vick may be headed to Seattle to reunite with Jim Mora.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AnSK7rT7_lgOxo3n3uR1sEc5nYcB?slug=ys-nfpvickseattle073009&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

The idea that Michael Vick (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5448/;_ylt=Agte.E.k5wxb3.H1EMmJ5jEZc9AF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5448/news;_ylt=AvCMVB3nSxizxBdWpR5phf8Zc9AF) could land in Seattle has been mentioned to me by multiple league sources over the past couple of days.

From what I’ve heard, new Seattle Seahawks (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/sea/;_ylt=AmLB2xpnEWs6UCyikgg22yMZc9AF) head coach Jim Mora had a great relationship with Vick while the two were in Atlanta – despite the negative reports circulating through the rumor mill right now – and that he actually “cares” about the former Falcon and his future. I’ve also been told that, from a public relations standpoint, Seattle would offer Vick some protection from the media since it isn’t a city that draws the kind of overwhelming national attention as a Dallas or a Pittsburgh.

[King_Killah]

Vick may be headed to Seattle to reunite with Jim Mora.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AnSK7rT7_lgOxo3n3uR1sEc5nYcB?slug=ys-nfpvickseattle073009&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Every day it is something new... Saw last night that New England could be interested in him. What?????

[FlyGuy78]

Every day it is something new... Saw last night that New England could be interested in him. What?????

I read that too, but I don't see that happening. I can understand Seattle though since he had a good relationship with Mora.

[Doctego]

Every day it is something new... Saw last night that New England could be interested in him. What?????

You never know with New England but I blame the media for that 1. Belichik, as he always is, was noncommittal regarding Vick. He just said that Vick was a great player but he was happy with his players blah blah blah. The media looks at that and sees that he didn't flat out deny interest so they ran with it.

[two24four]

If he comes to NE he will be used my guess as a WR behind Moss & Welker, and someone for the wildcat maybe.

[dw13]

He is an Eagle.. and I'm only really surprised by the Two year deal. And I'm glad he isn't in the AFC..

[Sponge Bong Beer Pants]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Michael-Vick-on-60-Minutes-I-deserved-to-lose?urn=nfl,183165

Vick on 60 minutes

[King_Killah]

He is an Eagle.. and I'm only really surprised by the Two year deal. And I'm glad he isn't in the AFC..

Isn't it a one year deal with an option for another year?

[dw13]

Isn't it a one year deal with an option for another year?

When it was first released, it didn't say.. now it is. Not so surprising now! :rolleyes::beer:

[King_Killah]

Looked decent in Eagles debut. Passing, still has a rocket. Rushing, seems to got the legs, just didn't have anywhere to go, and played some WR.