AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 20
Monday, August 20, 2007
NFL suspension likely next week
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Well, Michael Vick’s plea deal assures that he won’t be playing for the Falcons this season and, based on some comments by owner Arthur Blank last Friday night, it appears that Vick won’t ever play for the Falcons again.
Blank didn’t say anything Monday under instructions from the NFL, but I know that he is crushed by everything that has happened.
I’d expect NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to issue a suspension of Vick some time next week, after Vick’s formal guilty plea in court. I’m guessing it would be an indefinite suspension that kicks into effect after Vick serves whatever prison time is levied.
In a statement issued by the NFL, it was duly noted that Vick’s guilty plea meant that he lied to Goodell and Blank.
The Commish, like Homey Da Clown, don’t play dat.
Once the NFL makes its ruling, expect the Falcons to distance themselves from Vick. They might not cut him immediately, because they might want to go after some of the salary cap money they’ve paid him and he needs to be on the roster for that to happen.
However, I’d be shocked if ties aren’t completely severed by the start of free agency in 2009.
I’ll use that to segue into Atlanta’s quarterback situation. We know Joey Harrington is the starter and, with D.J. Shockley’s season ending, left knee injury (torn ACL and MCL), Chris Redman is Harrington’s main backup.
The Falcons are exploring bringing in another quarterback but they could wait until cuts come next week to make a move. Kelly Holcomb and Anthony Wright could become available. There is some speculation that Atlanta might pursue Mark Brunell, but as of Monday, there had been no activity on that front.
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