AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2007 > July > 30 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USVick makes radio appearance
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In case you haven’t seen or heard it yet, Falcons quarterback Michael Vick appeared on V-103 FM today and spoke with host Porsche Foxx about the support he’s received and his possible future with the Falcons.
Here’s a sample of what he said in a taped interview, in which Foxx was asked by Vick’s lawyers not to ask Vick about the federal dogfighting charges he’s facing.
“Hopefully I’ll see y’all again,” Vick said. “It remains to be seen, but that’s what I’m working on.
“I just want to thank all my fans and all my support and all the people that are praying for Mike Vick and are in my corner right now. It’s a crisis situation for me but I’m going to get through it and I feel, by the grace of God, that’s the only way. I believe in the outcome at the end, and that’s why I put my faith in the man upstairs. It pains me not be down there right now because I know so many people want to see me and I want to be there.”
As for his future with the Falcons, Vick said, “Hopefully, under the right circumstances, I think it can work. I know I put the city through a lot, my owner, Arthur Blank, who I love, sincerely; I put him through a lot. It hurts me to put him through this situation.
“A lot of things would have to be worked out for him to put his faith and trust back in me. But if I had the opportunity…if it wouldn’t be a problem I’d like to come back, under the right circumstances.”
As for the team that’s trying to move in without Vick, who’s been banished by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Joey Harrington seems to be handling his new job as the starter relatively well. He’s making the throws and receiving support from coaches and teammates. The question will be how he’ll respond come game time.
It doesn’t appear if anyone has taken a lead in the battle for the backup QB job. Coach Bobby Petrino said D.J. Shockley and Chris Redman have taken turns performing well and performing below standard.
As has been the case the past two training camps, Roddy White has been impressive. The 2005 first-round pick is making tough catches in traffic and looking like a first-rounder should.
Some of the movers so far including tight end Martrez Milner, wide receiver Laurent Robinson and linebacker Orlando Huff.
Comments
By SC
July 30, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this
Steve, I heard that Fells has looked very good so far. I heard that he has been shown solid blocking skills on at least some days, which would seem like a change. What’s your opinion? What’s Petrino’s opinion? He talks up Milner, but we haven’t heard much about Daniel.
By T-Dette
July 30, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this
I think Mike said what he needed to. He’s showing remorse to his fans, team-mates and owner. The trial outcome and his willingness to restructure his contract will be the primary determinants whether he remains in Atlanta. I hope the facts play-out to his benefit and he learns from this.
By Phoenix
July 30, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
Mike Vick is still my quarterback. Without him, the Falcons are one of the worst teams in the NFL. I hope Blank doesnt mess up and allows Vick to play. The Commissioner needs to let him play.
By Dennis
July 30, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this
I don’t think Vick can count on “the man upstairs” looking kindly on his dogfighting operation for the last six years, which the feds say included drowing, hanging, electricuting and body slamming God’s creatures to death. Vick is fishing for a second chance, something his dogs that weren’t agressive enough never received. Vick is pure evil and should be shunned by every human being with a conscience.
By L'il Bow Wow
July 30, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this
This upcoming convicktion is only going to give Vick more “Street Cred” with those who still worhip him.
This would lead to an increase among Vick-related merchandise sales….if any manufacturer is still willing to peddle wares with his likeness.
By CD
July 30, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
I just read Taylors plea and it brought up three key points.
It says Vick gave the up front money to start Band Newz Kennels BUT all gambling winnings were split by Taylor, Phillips and Peace. NO MONEY GIVEN TO VICK!! Could it be he just gave these guys some start up money to start a business and was just a special guest spectator at these fights? Either way, if he did new about it he did not profit from it.
On page 5 the plea list what happend in the summer of 2002 when new dogs were “rolled.” Taylor says he killed two underperforming dogs admitting to the henious electrocution of one. Taylor says Peace killed a dog by shooting it. Taylor says Phillips killed a dog by shooting it. The next section then begins. TAYLOR ADMITS VICK KILLED NO DOGS!!
Bad Newz Kennels dogs were very successful, winning every fight mentioned in the indictment. The Federal witnesses are listed as unknown but were persons representing the LOSING dog. A case of sour grapes maybe??
I hope your report this.
By Davis
July 30, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this
Vick will play again, but not with the Falcons. Unfortunatey, we’ll have to watch him win a Super Bowl with some other team while, at the same time, watching the Falcons play before a half-empty Dome.
By Bleu_Bayou42
July 30, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
Can we move on?
By Diogenes
July 30, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this
What I’m STILL not hearing is a claim of innocence. Oh well. Incidentally, I almost wet myself today laughing so hard about the NAACP complaining the media was unfairly rushing to judgment on Vick. This is the same organization that immediately demanded blood at Duke? Oh Lord, the priceless irony (a concept I doubt they understand, anyway). And where DO these people come from that were out picketing in front of the Dome yesterday to support Vick? “Black Man [sic] Don’t Forget”??? Are these people for real? Holy cow… . to quote Forrest Gump, “That’s all I have to say about that” … … oh geez, sometimes I laugh so hard I can’t breathe … .
By Kyle in VA
July 30, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
Vick may or may not be guilty that’s not for us to determine. However, a avid Hokie fan and a MAJOR Falcon fan, here’s my thoughts. IF Vick is guilty with a major emphasis on Vick. Why would anyone want to ban him from the NFL for good. He is arguably the most noticable/recognizable faces of the NFL what good would it do ANYONE if Vick was put in JAIL and/or banned from the NFL. If Vick is guilty I say let him work, restructure his contract and let him pay 10’s of millions to agencies such as PETA and ASPCA this way more animal can be helped and saved. Let’s face it, most of these agencies are underfunded and could really use the money I know as a pet owner, a pitbull owner I am very disturbed at what may/may not be true but I don’t think even as dispicable as the charges are, that you should elevate an animal the level of humans such as the media has and has this man tried, convicted, and ready for execution. If you take football you essentially kill him
By Poor McKay
July 30, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
Maybe I missed it with all of the non-field news, but exactly what was Gibson’s mistake that led to him being cut so early in the training camp? Also, Steve, what’s the early word on the offensive line?
By Jim from Green Bay.
July 30, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
You people in Atlanta are dopes. He is going to prison for two years, and is never going to play in the NFL again.
By Chris
July 30, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
Free Michael Vick!
Free Quanis Philips!
Free Pernell Peace!
Free Tony Tay…oh, wait. Nevermind.
By Chris
July 30, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
Hey Kyle, you essentially kill him like the dogs that were killed because of him?
According to you, people with money should be able to avoid jail time by paying out, while those with less money have to serve the time. Is this correct?
By gdg73
July 30, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this
CD, you brought up some good talking points. I wonder why the AJC won’t dissect the indictments with the same fervor. This thing is about to get real interesting. It’s sad that a limp Arthur Blank and Roger Goodell buckled under the weight of a stiff PETA.
By realist
July 30, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this
CD, I bet he was framed just like OJ was… right?
By goes to show
July 30, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this
This comes from a post I saw on another blog..Came from Rip2137.
The thing I find odd about all this.
It was completely concieveable that Wayne Gretzky didn’t know his wife, who lived in the same home as him, was part of a gambling ring. Wayne said he didn’t know, she said he didn’t know, and thats all there is to it. No one questioned it.
It was completely concieveable that Patrick Kerney had no idea that this group of people came in his house and one of them was rape by another. All while he was IN the house physically at the time of the attack. He said he was sleep and the police said the victim said he had nothing to do with it, and everything was just fine. No one questioned it.
But it is completely unconcieveable that Mike Vick could not know what was going on in a house thousands of miles away that he bought for a cousin. There is absolutely unbelieveable.
You know what I blame? Cornrows. I can’t even say black and white, because when Kobe was charged with RAPE every story was someone talking about how Kobe could never do this, or the girl was obviously crazy, or how much of a strong person he was for being in court in Denver and playing a game the same day. The league was APPLAUDED for not suspending him, after he was indicted. On a RAPE charge. Vick has been called irresponsible for wanting to play through it, and people are applauding the commish and blank for suspending the guy when he is charged with dog fighting.
I think Dog fighting is wrong and guilty should be punished, but how in the world is a rape charge less serious to than a dog fighting charge in the eyes of the law. Its the cornrows i tells ya! I don’t even want to get into the portrayal of Allen Iverson in the media.
With Vick, they pretend that A: it was proven he gave some lady herpes because he setteled out of court. I guess that means Peyton manning is guilty of those sexual harrassment charges that got settled out of court…that never get talked about B: he was flipping off falcons fans. It was New Orleans fans in the Georgia dome. Get it right. Its not like he was flipping off home fans…like Jake Plummer did…but that never gets mentioned. C: He wasn’t proven innoccent in the water bottle incident. There were no drugs in the thing. That was proven. This is a fact. But they continually bring it up as instances of bad judgement or criminal judgement by Vick.
I don’t know if he is guilty or innocent. He says he is innoncent and I have no reason to believe that he isn’t as of now. If he is proved guilty, then kick him off the team, out the league for all I care.
But the sad thing is, if he is found innocent, no one is going to care. They have made him guilty in the media already and a innocent verdict will just still be looked at as “He just got away with it” by far to many people. Sadly I think he has played his last game as a Falcon, despite his innocence or guilt and that is sad.
By Big Ed
July 30, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
The NAACP’s endorsement of Vick is about 2 weeks too late. This smells like his lawyers strategy to pre-trial prejudice. Vicks lawyers would like nothing more than the trial to become an issue of race rather than an issue of guilt or innocence. This would make it more difficult to find an unbiased Jury. Although the Al Sharptons of the world have come out and spoken against the torture of animals by trial time he will be nowhere around. In fact when the Duke case blew up nobody that tried to take the LaCross players down were there to help them back up. If you or I were charged with the same crime we would be fired by our employers. Conduct and character are essential to the business world and the Falcons are showing that they are a business no different than Coke, AT&T, or Wachovia. The irony here is the same people prejudged the Dukies and are now asking not to prejudge Vick.
By DMC
July 30, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this
Green Bay…..words can not express how stupid and dumb you sound! There have been people out there that have done worst but it is not being shown on the 6’oclock news as this is. I would like for EVERYONE TO READ THE PLEA and see if it ever states MICHAEL VICK KILLED OR HURT ANY DOGS?
By kyle
July 30, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this
Why should they ban Pete Rose from baseball and keep Micheal Vick or Barry Bonds? What Rose did is not nearly as despicable as what these two have done. Cheating to break a record of someone (Hank AAron) who earned it fair and square is despicable, as well as injuring and killing innocent dogs, even to the point of sharpening their teeth to cut into the other dogs flesh better. Imagine how filing their teeth must have hurt. I can see that Micheal Vick has not lost any of his inflated ego. What makes him think so many people still words) want to see him? (His words.) He hates to deprive them of seeing him. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAH. I hate to burst his egotistical bubble but the reason poeple want to see his is to BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
By Thane
July 30, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
The thing that I don’t see mentioned much is the fact that Bad Newz Kennels fought Pitbulls.
This is where I feel conflicted. I love dogs, but hate Pitbulls. Had Vick & company been fighting Boxers, Collies, German Sheppards, etc. I’d be a lot more choked up about it. However, I think you could round up every single Pitbull in America and drown them all, and I wouldn’t care. Those dogs are a menace.
By jean
July 30, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this
this is to diogenes and you jim green bay obviously don’t have a clue so let me enlighten you! you say you do not understand “black man do not forget” you have forgotten that your forefathers hung and lynced black men for sport sound familiar, dog eletrocuted, slammed, black man burned, murdered, falsely accused think about it sounds like we are more alike than different.peace
By Dearborn
July 30, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this
Well, I wondered how long it would take Vick to “get religion” & now I know. The Grace of God & The Man Upstairs doesn’t ring true coming out of Vick’s mouth. Sounds like PR to me & maybe he’s entitled to a little spin - I’m just now buying anything he’s selling - including his jersey!
By Wes
July 30, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this
Kyle in VA…are you serious? If he’s guilty why ban him from the league? Dude, you just said it yourself…he’s the most noticable/recognizable face in the NFL. Do you really want the biggest star in the league to be a convicted criminal? Do you realize what that says to every 10 year old child that wants to grow up to be an NFL quarterback?
By old timer
July 30, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this
The naacp has to jump on every thing they can in order to get millions of dollars. every one of them is a card holder.
By Vick Supporter
July 30, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this
Diogenes, can we protest too? You people complain about everything, idiot. If you read the Taylor indictment, It says nowhere on that document that Vick killed a dog. that’s a huge part of the case and it just isn’t there. And don’t worry, we’ll be there the 1st preseason game doing the same thing…. you know you love it. I’m sure you white folks will be happy though, then you’ll have every team to yourselves. If the man play’s and WINS you’ll be supporting him, because that’s what white people do, ride bandwagons. Have a good day sir!!!!
By Frank
July 30, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this
Mr. DuBose’s comments today at the Georgia NAACP press conference were totally absurd. While I agree that Vick should not be judged without due process, it is ridiculous to say the media coverage is racist. Come on, don’t you know that everytime you play the race card that you make it much more difficult to address actual race issues. Shame on the NAACP.
By Bart Anvil
July 30, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this
I have nothing against a man who relies on his faith to get through a crisis — but Vick finds himself in a crisis of his own making. To pull out the “faith card” rings blatantly false, a lame attempt to try to win sympathy and to manipulate people into believing that he’s a misunderstood man of integrity. Give us a break, Mr. Vick — cause we ain’t buying it!
By keep it real
July 30, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this
It’s good to hear Vick is talking to God. put your trust in God not in money, are what any man may say or do with you. Get your soul right and repent to God not man. He will make you shine like the noonday sun. He will let your haters your foot stool. grace any mercy come from God. pray works, Watch God work!!!! Man is about the law not Grace and mercy. pray for Vick to repent of his sins. And that goes for any body else reading this repent and ask God to save you and he will. And mean what you pray for , God know’s your hearts he made us!
By JohnGTFan
July 30, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this
First, I’m really getting tired and annoyed with the morons (yes, you’re football morons) that think ATL will be one of the worse teams in football b/c Vick isn’t going to play. Vick wasn’t even a .500 QB the last 2 seasons. I would bet the farm that Harrington, or d@mn near anyone under center, will put up better numbers this year, than Vick has in any season with ATL. Better completion %, more TD’s, less turnovers, and hopefully more wins. All this die-hard Vick fans think he is ATL. He’s not even close!!!!! I believe the city has a world championship in baseball and has been to a superbowl long before he ever arrived.
As for his radio interview. You can really tell the pressure is starting to mount on him. GOOD.
By peace713
July 30, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this
I am one that had convicted Mike and have had a change of heart. Not that I am for dogfighting, and being an animal lover, it is cruel. He deserves his chance in court. There was another case of dogfighting in Surry Va. Where was PETA then. My inlaws are from that area which kept me abreast on that case. I am praying for Mike and his family. It is hard to believe he would have put himself in that position. Give Mike his day in court. He has been made an example of, in front of the entire world. Dogs deserves to live and be loved too.
By Boots
July 30, 2007 6:53 PM | Link to this
All of this BS about prejudging Vick makes me laugh it’s so illogical. Everything that has happened to Vick, so far, is because he exercised unbelievably poor judgement and embarrassed the league and team. Not only did he embarrass his league, team and owner, he became a distraction that had to be dealt with.
If for no other reason, Vick should be fired because of his stupidity!
By Dude
July 30, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this
Yo CD,
Read the indictment again…”Vick retreived $23,000 from a book bag” to pay the winners when his dog lost.
If Vick is being framed by his homies I’ll be the first to say he should get an apology from the team, NFL, media, etc…but it isn’t likely. I feel sorry for him, because it’s a really sad situation for him. But if he did what the indictment says and is found guilty I believe he should be punished.
I will pray for him though, because for all his talent and the advantages it has given him, he is still a product of the environment he was raised in. Unfortunate, but life doesn’t choose where we are born and how we are brought up. I look at my dogs and wonder, how could anybody selfishly take their life when all they want to do is love me unconditionally.
I think Bobby P. will make do just fine with Joey Harrington. I think Vick is done in Atlanta, guilty or not.
By WTF
July 30, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this
I love Vick’s comments. This clown is as guilty as OJ! I just read the indictment online this afternoon, and he is toast. Why would the feds make up all this stuff if it was not true? Makes no sense…..Bye Bye Mike!
By Michael
July 30, 2007 7:39 PM | Link to this
The guy is a typical representative of the low life that makes it big with sports. Look at how many black stars commit all kinds of crimes. This guys behavior should not be a surprise.
I guess he can go down to Florida, take up golf, and hang out with OJ. They can walk the green while b*** how their persecutions were a racist thing.
It’s a good day when this low life dumb sheet got busted. Would have only been a matter of time before he killed his girlfriend or business partner.
By Michael
July 30, 2007 7:42 PM | Link to this
Pitbulls are useless and a menace, as you say. Only people who own them are low lifes in the ghetto.
They should ban those dogs and make them illegal to own.
By TheTruthHurts
July 30, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this
HEY CD,
Stop making excuses…I doubt your views override a grand jury. Your just wishing your boy was not the thug and punk that he really is. Now that his boy has turned on him, he willl FRY as he should. That now makes 5 WEitnessess against him….oh but wait…they musty ALL be lying…right?? Vick is a terrible human being and now payback is gonna be hell!!! Fry Vick Fry!!!!!!!LOL I love this!!
By TheTruthHurts
July 30, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this
Hey Than.. based on your thinking…..
The other thing I dont see mentioned is that Vick is a Classless Thug. Its not like he has any class like Joe Montana, Jogn Elway, or Dan Marino. Therefore who cares if we ban him from the NFL and he kills himself…I mean this is Michael Vick…not anyone with class like the other quarterbacks just mentioned…
Oh and the ony reason pitbulls kill and mame is because of thugs like vick who train them to do so…get a clue you fool
By Fred G. Sanford
July 30, 2007 8:06 PM | Link to this
Mike Vick sounded just like a punk thug on the radio interview. His ebonics came through loud and clear! Hey Mike, since you will have lots of time on your hands, before and after your conviction, why don’t you hire a speech coach to help you so the white public can understand your “ghetto speak”? All you blacks are sticking with Ron Mexico just because of skin color. If this was Peyton Manning you would not give a ratsazz! Vick is a hood-rat and nothing else. He will be conVICKted and sent to big boy prison and I will be laughing my whiteazz off!!! Joey Harrington rocks!!! hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
By A-ville Ranger
July 30, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this
I’ve been a Falcon fan since I was a kid.I lived in Colorado when the Broncos won two rings (one against Atlanta) and never wavered in my support for my hometown team.I can’t support a team who would allow Vick back though.I’m hoping Blank does the right and I believe smart thing and finds a way to move away from this sorry chapter in the team’s and city’s history.
By Vick Supporter
July 30, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this
Fred G. Sanford & Michael, what would you do if it was Peyton Manning? Please explain, be honest. Would you react like this? I bet a million you wouldn’t. Vick, keep your head up. It’s a shame you have to play in this racist a* city. White folk, read these blogs and see how racist you sound. You wanna see him go down so bad. That’s what “you people”, as you used to refer to us, are so filled with hate. If it were Manning you would be protesting for his innocence, just like we are so shut up and let the man have a trial. Let him be proven guilty, then enjoy yourselves. I guess you can’t wait that long. Go back to your Meth labs.
By morris
July 30, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this
I find it funny when blacks claim that all whites forefathers inslaved and lynched black people. Go back and do some real research on history and you will find that the majority of southern whites during the time peroid of slavery were poor dirt farmers. Just like the captains of industry today all slave owners were the elite few rich who owned large plantations. My family was from north georgia and they were poor rural farmers who subsisted off small farms and absolutely owned no slaves. And of course when the war broke out most of the soldiers were from poor white families and not the big rich plantation owners. Thats the real truth.