AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 10 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USVick hurts Falcons now and later
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On the day his team plays its next to least home game and makes its final 2007 appearance on Monday Night Football, former quarterback Michael Vick, wore a black and white striped prison suit, stood in front of a judge and received a 23-month prison sentence.
His role as the main financier of a Virginia-based dogfighting ring, a failed drug test after reaching a plea deal on dogfighting charges, and lying to authorities wrought the nearly two-year incarceration. Vick lying to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, and to Falcons owner Arthur Blank months earlier also factored into his indefinite suspension from pro football.
While this sordid chapter reaches closer to conclusion, the team Vick left behind will try to work through another distraction tonight against the New Orleans Saints.
The feel-good story of Chris Redman starting in Vick’s place will be a nice story line, but the tone has already been set by this morning’s events. Players will be distracted. Maybe not when they step on the field, but all day, a guy most of them knew as a competitive teammate received punishment none of them expected.
As for Vick’s future, who knows? He might return to the NFL but not with the Falcons. They won’t say it, but there have been way too many hurt feelings for him to ever wear the uniform again. Some team might give him a shot when he’s out but nobody knows if he will even want to play football anymore. He says he does now but things could change.
Regarding the Falcons, they are still on the hook for $20 million in salary cap space over the next two seasons for signing Vick to that 10-year, $130 million in 2004. The NFL won’t give them any type of exemption because of these unforeseen circumstances. That’s why Atlanta is suing to get that money back.
Even if Atlanta wins the grievance, there’s no telling if Vick will cut it a check. And, by rule, there will be no salary-cap credit unless a check from a player is received.
Vick’s absence has hamstrung the Falcons already and his cap charges over the next few years could hamstring them even more.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By tp
December 10, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
I certainly feel badly for all those involved in this saga either intimately (the dogs, family members, teammates) and from afar (Falcons fans), but I don’t feel sorry for Arthur Blank.
He signed him to the contract; he coddled him; he looked the other way. He’s going to have to live with his mistakes and suffer the consequences.
By Don't hold your breath
December 10, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
I would be shocked if the Falcons get any money back from Vick. He appears to have little, if anything, socked away.
By mj
December 10, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
Its just a shame that someone like that can effect a sports team that other people enjoy. I’m just taken still by the ignorance and stupidity that Vick acted with and caused the ATL Falcons to suffer for the upcoming three years. I guess him being a broke thug and in jail for 23 months will give him a lot to think about. It’s time for Blank to man up and get the character type football players in this town and winning will follow. Character brings class and class will win in the long run.
By The Chances
December 10, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
From most likely to least likely:
By md
December 10, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this
The fact that owners and coaches look the other way when their players commit crimes against others is the primary reason I don’t go to games or watch football any more. I choose not to provide monetary support to thugs who think they are above the law.
By Steve Richards
December 10, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
I think the NFL ahould make some kind of exemption for the Falcons. It is not fair that they have to suffer the next three years because of this idiotic thing Vick did. You can say what you want about Blank, but when Vick beat the Packers at Lambeau in the playoffs, you loved him to.
By mj
December 10, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this
If the ruling favors the Falcons concerning the bonus money, the commissioner shouldn’t allow another NFL team to sign Vick without paying back the money owed to the Falcons. I know 23 months is a long time, however it was for the crime concerning the animals. What about the damage done to our football team. That certainly should not be ignored by the NFL office. No way he should be allowed to step in a NFL stadium as a player until we, the Falcons, are made whole.
By NASCARfan
December 10, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this
I’m totally not surprised that many Falcons fans have no idea about personal economics.
Look, the issue is simple. If the Falcons are granted the right to take back that $19.97 millions dollars, then even if Vick can’t pay it back, it’ll come off the cap.
Why? Because Vick will be compelled to pay the money back or take his only other lawful course: declare bankruptcy. Yes, the bankruptcy rules aren’t as lenient as they once were, but it will be his only “out.” And if Vick declares bankruptcy, the money comes off the cap automatically.
So basically, if the judge decides that Vick purposely defrauded the Falcons by signing that contract while knowing he was dealing in felonious activities that could possibly lead to his incarceration if ever found out (which we all know is true), then the Falcons get the money, whether he gives it to him or he declares bankruptcy.
No matter what, that money comes off the cap. So it’s all in the judge’s hands right now.
By charlieinforysth
December 10, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this
If you read T. Moore’s column you might have noticed two things. One, Moore had to say the judge was white and a Bush appointee and the reason for that was? And two, there was no way to comment on his column like there is here. Why was that. Michael Vick is just plain stupid and I was one of his biggest supporters. Folks, he got what he deserved.
By Dale
December 10, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this
From espn…
Shortly after Vick’s sentencing, Blank told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen he has not shut the door on the possibility Vick could play for the Falcons in the future.
If the question is whether can I see a set of circumstances in which Michael [comes back to the team], the answer is yes,” Blank said. “That being the case, we’re moving forward as if he will not be back. I have learned you never say never but we’re planning as if he will not be here. We are resolved to get this franchise on the rebound and become one of the most successful in the NFL.
Blank said he spoke with Vick “about six weeks ago,” shortly before Vick entered prison to begin serving time. “He was still remorseful, he felt badly and he told me he loved me,” Blank told Mortensen. “I wish him well and I hope he has a positive, productive life ahead of him.”
By shane #1
December 10, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
the shame is that vick had the ability to be one of the best nfl qbs in the history of the game.however,physical gifts are not enough to make one great in the nfl,or in any big league sport.todays pro athletes are all physically gifted,the pros that invest the time,hard work,study,and CONCENTRATION on there craft become great.tiger woods,micheal jordan,larry bird,kobe bryant{yes,believe it or not}kobe bryant,magic johnson,peyton manning,and the list goes on and on of famous sports stars known for the hard work they put into perfecting their games.these people don’t have time to”hang”with their buddys,smoke dope,and run illegal gambling operations.dog fighting is just that,besides being cruel and inhumane.
By A sign of things to come
December 10, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this
Falcons arent getting any money back from Vick. Vick will file bankrupt and the Falcons will suck for 2 more years until he’s off the books. It will get much worse before it get’s better. Strap up ladies because it’s going to be a wild one.
By Vick Supporter
December 10, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this
What a sad day for sports. #7 had it all, and he was my favorite player. I wish he would have just stopped and paid attention to what he was doing. I guess when you have money like that, you become blinded. #7 is in my prayers and I beleive that God will bring him back to play QB again. God has ways to get our attention, and maybe this is what he needed, unfortunately. #7 will be back
By jrod
December 10, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this
I am rooting for vick to make it. Everybody realizes he made a mistake. Right now people are just shuffling dirt on him. I really wish america had the same feeling about what happen to the kids in Jena,LA as they do about these dogs.
But it is what it is. He will be ok. And whatever teams brings him back will definitely get my money.
By Bigtiminit
December 11, 2007 7:36 PM | Link to this
I knew this was going to happen! I told my brother Sunday that I did not think he was going to be back next year; he listened to the fans about what quarterback to put in, what head coach does that? Honestly, Byron Leftwich is the only QB on the roster with success as a pro. I also want to say that the situation the Falcons find themselves in has little to do with Michael Vick. If you don’t believe me look at the years MV was the starter and went down early in the year, the Falcons looked pretty much like they do now. On a side note, it amazes me to see and hear all of this mindless banter about how Vick was not a good QB and that the Falcon’s are better off without him. Look at their record without Vick, they suck. And there is a reason for that, they are not, nor were they, even with Vick, a good team. Anybody ever wonder why the Falcon’s have NEVER gone to the playoffs in consecutive seasons? It’s because they suck, and they let a little bit of success fool them into thinking that they are good. In the NFL, and most pro leagues, teams that make the playoffs get the harder schedules. Teams that don’t make the playoffs have the easiest schedules. This could explain why the Falcon’s go to the playoffs one year only to miss it the following season. When the Falcon’s make the playoffs, they actually act as though they only need minor adjustments in the off season instead of looking at how many times Vick had to run because the line could not hold a block, or how the receivers could not get open and when they did they would drop the easiest balls to catch. The Falcon’s are in this situation because this is truly what they deserve. They are not a good team, never really have been. Even when they went to the Super Bowl, it was the same team that miss the playoffs the prior season. On that note I want to tell all of the Vick haters to give the man a break, he led the Falcon’s farther into the playoffs than any other falcon’s QB who did not have a record breaking running back and the best receiver in franchise history.No PERIOD.
By Mike
December 11, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this
Right you are, charlieinforysth. Moore playing the race card speaks more to his own racism and bigotries than anyone he was trying to impugn. Vick’s punishment is the result of a racist GWB, just like James Byrd was in that grotesque political attack ad the NAACP aired in Texas back in 2000?
For the record, Mr. Moore, I, a white man, have had the pleasure of working to get several black candidates elected to public office. And comments like yours make you out to be a little, little man who is far more worthy of scorn and contempt than GWB. And that’s saying a lot. Vick got what he earned, nothing more, nothing less. When losers like you play the race card where it isn’t based in reality you help forfeit the right to be outraged when true racism shows its face. You forfeit credibility and hurt people who have true grievances when the public tunes them out because of comments like yours. But racists like Mr. Moore and David Duke can’t help themselves, regardless of the race they harbor hate for.