AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > January > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFriendly advice for Mike Vick
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
I’m putting this out for public consumption, but it’s really directed toward one man. I’m saying this to you, Michael, and I’m saying this not as your agent or your publicist but as someone who knows a little about sports and, having hung around Flowery Branch since the day you were drafted, a little about you.
You need to take control of your life. You need to harness every molecule and minute and make this your most productive offseason. You need to give yourself the chance to experience, 12 or 24 months from now, your own Peyton Manning Moment. You need to work harder than you’ve ever worked to show everyone who’s saying you can’t take a team to the Super Bowl that you can.
This isn’t so much about the infamous water bottle and what might or might not have happened in Miami. This is about the bigger picture. From being hailed as the Michael Jordan of your sport, you’re now viewed in ever-expanding circles as a coach-killer or worse. Your wildly lucrative (and once carefully cultivated) career is being cheapened with every headline. When you entered the league you worked hard to say and do the right things, but increasingly you’ve become entangled in bizarre incidents that don’t reflect well on you or your employer.
As the saying goes: You can’t be framed if you don’t put yourself in the picture. I’m fairly certain Tom Brady — likewise single and good-looking — enjoys his social life, but I’ve never heard of Brady getting into a scrape in an airport security line. (For you, this makes twice.) You need to step back and remember your place in the sporting firmament, to recall who you are and what you represent. You once made it easy to believe in Michael Vick. You need to stop making it hard.
For all that, you still have a grand opportunity. This head coach arrives with the express mission of making you better. When Bobby Petrino was with Jacksonville, he’d sit with fellow assistant Dom Capers, ticketed to be the first coach of the expansion Texans, on charter flights and they’d talk about how it would be to have the draft’s No. 1 pick and for that No. 1 pick to be you. Way back then, Petrino was thinking of the plays he’d draw up to utilize your skill set. Lo and behold, here he is.
And what was your first face-to-face encounter with the new man? A “stressful” (Rich McKay’s word) meeting regarding the water bottle. Even the usually understanding front office sounds as if it has lost patience: The Falcons’ three-sentence release Monday didn’t mention you by name. And still missing from all the water-bottle blather is any explanation from you.
For someone so famous, it isn’t enough to be technically innocent. You have to be above suspicion. From this day forward, you need to do everything within your power — and ultimately everything remains within your power — to preclude external stress. If that means staying home six nights out of seven, then stay home. While you’re there, try watching game film. Better yet, call Petrino and ask if he’ll watch with you. I bet he’ll even spring for the pizza.
You’re 26, about to enter your seventh NFL season, and you’ve arrived at a crossroads. You can continue to be the uncertain player you became under Mora/Knapp, a runner one week and a thrower the next, and soon you’ll be 31 and looking to resurrect yourself the way all last-chances do - as an Oakland Raider. Or you can work with this clever coach and immerse yourself in detail and bring your fundamentals to the level of your immense gifts, and then (assuming the rest of the roster holds up its end) you’ll be what you’ve said you dream of being: A great quarterback, a Super Bowl quarterback.
You have the time. You have, goodness knows, the talent. You can get where Peyton Manning is going, but you have to apply yourself. These last few months have made us wonder if you’re as serious about your job as you need to be. Show us you are. Shut us all up. Take this team to the Super Bowl.
Permalink | Comments (59) | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Mark Bradley
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By Rick
January 22, 2007 06:33 PM | Link to this
Damn, Talkin about hittin the nail on the head!
By JD
January 23, 2007 09:57 AM | Link to this
Amen, brother!
By ATLANTA
January 23, 2007 09:58 AM | Link to this
Watch out, they’ll call you a Vick hater soon!
By Big Dude
January 23, 2007 09:59 AM | Link to this
Law suits, Giving a girl S.D., R. Mexico, The Finger, Indecisiveness over a water bottle, Etc. Yep, the perfect man to marry my daughter…
By J
January 23, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
After a speech like that Im ready to play…good speech. I am a die hard Falcons and Michael VIck Fan. He will get us there.
By Dawg Fan
January 23, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
Very Well Put. Someone needs to make sure a copy of this gets to Michael.
By gatordad
January 23, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
For once, Mark, I totally agree with you….You were wrong about the AGtor nation but are so right on about this!
John Trent Marietta, GA
By Bree
January 23, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this
Just another dumb athlete who doesn’t realize where his money comes from. Dump him, Falcons. After all these years and the team finally gets out of the proverbial basement and look who we have hitched our wagon to — another overpaid spoiled thug who thinks getting high is better than going to the Super Bowl. DUMP HIM!!
By jean
January 23, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this
hey mark,you all need to shut up anyway alright you want to give advice that is fine, but first things first. this yopung man was accused of something he did not do! and as usual with certain people of this world, he was found gulity b-4 he could prove his innocence. this does not surprise me and i am sure countless others who really know the deal. so an apology would be in order if your man enough to do that. and that goes for all the other skeptics who blew this out of the water! so b-4 we judge, take a look in the mirror. i am sure you all were the perfect 26 yr olds. i wish a camera could be rolled on some of our lives at this age!!! have a great day.
By gatordad
January 23, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
Spelling error correction regarding previous posting,before everyone pounces on grammar, here… Mark you are right on about this.It is the first time I can recall that I agree with you(maybe because it isn’t about college football or my Gators.) You were wrong about the Gator Nation but are dead on about this…
John Trent Marietta, GA
By MarcusVick
January 23, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this
Come on big brother. This man is right get a hair cut and leave the trouble making to me. After all I might not have a job in a couple of years and I’ll need yu to support me. One of us has to get our act together. Thank you Mr. Bradley for speaking to my older brother.
By Deborah
January 23, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
You took the words right out of my head/mouth. I am sending this to my son, a hopeful future sports writer, as an example he should model in his writing. I am tired of people being so careful about what they say to and about athletes like Michael Vick. Since he obviously doesn’t care about what the fans think, here’s hoping he will listen to people like you and Arthur Blank who are trying to help him grow up. Hopefully the new coach is more mature than Mora, so he can help Vick too.
By memory39
January 23, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
I have mixed feelings about this column: First, it’s condescending self-righteouness is kind of annoying. Second, however, I think Bradley is saying exactly everything that all the frustrated fans want to say to Vick’s face if he weren’t covering it with two bird-shooting hands and a secret-compartmentalized water bottle. Why can’t we Atlanta fans have both a very talented, athletic AND mature quarterback. Something has to change because — at this rate — Vick will never become the leader that Manning, McNabb, and Brady are.
By jcaguilar
January 23, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this
…nothing but true..it is time to show that a man can grow and not remain as a promise only….great article mark
By Jsonic
January 23, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this
Well said! Anyone with an ounce of common sense can recognize Vick’s potenial, on the same token anyone can recognize how immature he is as well. It’s up to Michael Vick now. Does he want to become a joke? or a leader with class? I guess we will know about this time next year.
By Fan
January 23, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this
Get off of Michael Vicks back!!! You don’t play the game you type stories. Maybe you guys just don’t deserve Michael Vick maybe he should go to anthoer team and put you guys right back where you started before he got here. Do you all remember that? It was proven that he did not have any drugs in his water, and I haven’t heard a sorry for any of these people who blasted in out on T V and on the internet. You guys are full of crap!!! You all need to get over yourselves.
By Indy Girl
January 23, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this
Great job Mark!! Thank You for writing this and I too hope Mr. Vick grows up
RE:
I have a good friend who works as a counselor at the Cobb County Youth Detention Center and she is amazed how the gang members look up to the Mike Vicks, Allen Iverson’s and OJ’s of the world. They are hero’s to these kids because they see rich black ballplayers who grew up in the ghetto and have no education, but still are allowed to dress like gangsters and act as teenagers in an adult life without any care or concern other than themselves. It’s like giving the finger to the world saying I make my own laws and rules so step aside. It is this attitude that the gang bangers act upon.
So as a black person, I am appalled that Mr. Vick and so many other black celebrities allow themselves to take such a great opportunity and waste it away by pretending to be a thug and hip hop gangster. It is not cool to do drugs, it is not cool to dress like thugs, it is not cool to carry guns or run with a posse, it is not cool to spread violence in our streets. Before the black community can throw stones at others for their faults, we need to look inside and see what message we are sending young kids if we defend the actions of Vicks of the world.
Our people have to quit defending the actions of thugs and gangsters and speak out against them. We must demand that they set good examples as role models to kids of all races.
Mr. Vick is a sorry excuse for a role model to our community. I do not care for his actions off and on the field.
By klown
January 23, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this
This will be vick’s last year. He’s a great athlete, but he’s as dumb as turd. He and his brother are accustomed to making bad decisions, trade him or cut him. Either way, do not embarrass and alienate the falcons fans by employing somebody of this character. He has been an embarrassment to the fans cause of his lack of character. Something needs to happen, Blank is supposedly really big on image, yet he has a thug as the face of HIS franchise, what a f’n joke.
By A-Town Vet
January 23, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this
Whyis it that the media in Atlanta is soooo critical of Mike Vick. The man is 26 years old. Vick has gotten himself invovled in some stupid and he has been puzzling on the field sometimes but should he take the blame for his brother, or a friend who obviously felt the need to steal someones watch. He flicked opposing fans off who were riding his teammates. For all it is worth it is hard to be the man everybody wants you to be escpecially when you did not have an example to learn from. Vick is finding his path any like everyone else in the world he has hit a few bumps along the way. No other city and the media downs there star athlete like Atlanta does. Maybe it is because so many people in Atlanta now are not from Atlanta buut i am, and I remember the days of blackouts. Before Vick got here. Days when you had to watch every other team in the nfl but your own because we were so sorry.
I do believe Vick needs to grow up or a least be more cautious about his environment but the man is 26 years old with 130 mil in the bank. I think he is doing quite well for his sudden change in class.
As far as his performance, How can so called fans and the media critize Vick about his inaccuracy, completion percentage and other issue and in the same breathe say that the falcons limeman are horrible, the WR couldn’t catch a cold, and the OC is the worst play caller in the nfl. With those three things tacked against him, how the heck would any QB succed?
By lil sis
January 23, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this
hey big dude, your daughter who the hell is she?? is she even worthy of a mike vick??? i dunno??? keep your mind on the issue. your family should not be brought in to this. if you do you will open them up for my opinions. i am sure she is the perfect little princess. remind me to ask her peers.
By Ryder
January 23, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this
that’s ok Big Dude, by this time now you’re daughter’s probably already been knocked up by a thug, since that’s the kind of guys you tell them to stay away from and they date them just to tick off daddy.
Anyway, Bradley nailed it with this article. After I had recovered consciousness over the fact that an AJC columnist actually attempted something POSITIVE to say about Vick, I realized that it’s up to Petrino to reign him in to begin sculpting an offense.
By Wings Of Victory
January 23, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this
Only Thugs and Gangsters will defend Vick for his actions and think he is “cool” and “hip” to act as one of them
The rest of us hard working law abiding citizens of all races will sit back and watch these clowns take two steps back.
Great Job Mark… Nicely done!!
By Jsonic
January 23, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this
Jean it’s obvious you don’t like the truth. The truth is he had something in that bottle and more likely than not it was something he wasn’t supposed to have. Using the excuse that he’s only 26 is pathetic. He’s a man, time to start acting like one. If he is going to make choices that put him in a bad light then it’s up to him to correct the situation and prove to us who hear these reports that they are either wrong or own up to it.
By Just a Fan
January 23, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this
Ok, you have told Mike everything he needs to do, so let me tell you what you need to do. How about an apology for blasting the man before all the facts were out. Are you ready to man up and do that or will you be the ordinary journalist and keep pointing the finger? To me you are less of a man for being a finger pointer. Try pointing it at yourself sometime. No one is perfect……….including you. Sometimes I wish that Mike would get traded and win a championship somewhere else because Atlanta does not know how to recognise, yet alone cherish a winner. Braves win countless pennants, and its quiet as crap in the Ted every game. Hawks were perrennial winners, and we trade Dominique. Now you want to crucify Vick and annoint Schuab the savior and he has not done anything to prove that he is a winner.
Atlanta, I sure do hope you get what you wish for. Im disgusted with these people.
By BUSHWACKER
January 23, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this
All you people out there who say apologize to Vick are missing the point. No body CARES if he gets prosecuted for weed, especially such a small amount.
The problem is if he’s too stupid to get rid of the bottle regardless if there is anything in it or not shows really bad judgement on his part.
Either that or does ot think airport screeners have ever seen a fake water bottle, if so, again poor judgement.
The fact is he is not smart enough to make critical decisions on the football field.
And for all you racists who want to call me a racist, too bad, because I say start DJ over Schaub!
The numbers don’t lie, AJC poll says 76% say dump his dumbass!
By jean
January 23, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
hey gator dad i bet you got the message regardless of the typo thanks for reading. and to bree speak about dumb you obviously did not read the paper,or you cant read!!! the miami police have nothing, dumbo. and you should not worry how arthur blank or any other millionaire owner spends their money, they made it you didn’t. holla back, if your not scared!!!
By Pepe
January 23, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this
Very well put…now make it happen Vick. Win or lose I’m with you Vick, but you have to do what it takes to get us to win, and win consistently.
You’re job is a 12-month a year job (just like the rest of us), so treat it that way and let people see you’re treating it this way.
Prove all the fair-weather fans and racist fools wrong…take us to the Super Bowl!
Go Falcons!!!
By jean
January 23, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
I don’t usually care for Mr. Bradley’s articles but he’s right on. Except, I’m a pessimist (realist?) who doesn’t think Vick will ever change. I hope I’m wrong. But he’s have to make a complete lifestyle change & I don’t think he has the character to do it. He’s never taken responsiblity for anything before, so why would he now? No one around him has ever made him, including the Falcons. I definitely see him as a future Oakland Raider. I’ll admit I’m wrong if he proves us wrong, time will tell. But as the saying goes, a leopard doesn’t change it’s spots.
By Erik Howard
January 23, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this
I think you guys i the media and especially Rich Mckay owe vick an apology and should leave him be he is a human being first and a football player second and the scruitiny that this paper gives him is so full of crap that i hate reading the sports section at times all the blames for what is wrong with this team does not lie with vick. He has hapless recievers a thin line and some of the most wishywashy fans in the league. I really am trying to say get off his jock
By dannyc
January 23, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
you can only lead a horse to water, you can’t make him drink!!
By GT JACKETS
January 23, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
WHEN ATHLETES TURN PRO THEY ELEVATE THEMSELVES INTO A NEW SPOTLIGHT. AND WHEN YOU BECOME THE HIGHEST PAID PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE OR ON YOUR TEAM THEN YOU ARE CONSIDERED A LEADER REGARDLESS OF YOUR RACE, COLOR OR CREED. CASE IN POINT A-ROD, BONDS, LEBRON, KOBE, TIGER AND GRETZKY. THEY ARE ALL UNDER TREMENDOUS SCRUNTINY AND FOR JUST REASON…WHO PAYS THE SALARIES FOR THESE PEOPLE? THE FANS OR SHOULD I SAY EVERYONE WHO BLOGS ON SITES LIKE THIS ONE. AS A FAN AND A FATHER, I THINK VICK NEEDS TO GROW UP AND MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS. NO ONE WHO READS THIS WILL EVER BE SCRUTINIZED THE WAY A PRO ATHLETE WILL BE, BUT NO ONE WILL EVER MAKE THE MONEY THEY MAKE PLAYING A GAME THEY CLAIM THAT THEY LOVE EITHER. IT COMES WITH THE TERRITORY. WITH THAT SAID I HOPE THAT HE EITHER GROWS UP OR GOES AWAY, IT IS NOT GOOD FOR THE FANS OR THE ORGANIZATION WHAT HE HAS DONE WITH HIS PAST INDISCRETIONS.
PS..ANY COMMENTS ON THE RUMOR OF THE RAIDERS INTEREST IN VICK?
By Big Dude
January 23, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this
Hey lil sis and Ryder, You two proved my point exactly. I was just making a point. She married a young man who loves and respects her. As far as being knocked up. She lost a set of twins during pregnancy and now can’t have children. Her and her husband are in the process of adopting a child from over seas. Have a great day….
By Steven
January 23, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this
That was nice Bradley. You spoke from the heart and almost unbiased but It was the BUTT NAKED TRUTH! Let’s Get it together and handle business MIKE VICK WE STILL BELIEVE IN YOU!!
By Warren
January 23, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this
Great comments and they are appreciated. Drew Brees was drafted AFTER Vick(the coach killer) and did not get the megabucks that Vick(the finger man) received. He led a San Diego team to unexpected wins. Then signing with New Orleans he took them to the NFC championship game. And he has not created controversy but praise from a city (or cities) for his embrassing the city. So does Vick (aka Ron Mexico/Mr.Herpes), bid the negative goodbye and “try” to get a city to embrace him? Or he is another footnote in Atlanta? Mark, your words are encouraging to Vick but can you take the “thug” out of classless?
By Bill in VA
January 23, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this
Erik, I owe no one an apology, especially not an idiot & thug like Vick!! Scroll back & read Indy Girl’s post.
By Mr Myogi
January 23, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
Wings OF Victory wrote:Only Thugs and Gangsters will defend Vick for his actions and think he is “cool” and “hip” to act as one of them
The rest of us hard working law abiding citizens of all races will sit back and watch these clowns take two steps back.
Great Job Mark… Nicely done!!
Thugs and Gangsters? I think everyone are so quick to past judgement. He without sin cast the first stone Everyone is entitled to their own mistakes and life lessons. To call him a THUG or GANGSTER is far-fetched and racial profiling. Because he isn’t what you want him to be doesn’t mean that it’s wrong. The way you are living my be conceived as incorrect in other households. Many people aren’t given the lifelong chances of survival as most and the way that they live reflects “Defense” and you can’t change that over night. Tell a KLANSMAN that Minorities are much at home in the US as they are and they will call you all sorts of names after they handle you. So are they at fault for the way they were raised? Because that’s exactly what all these Blogs have turned into. A racial bashing of a Black millionaire and great athlete, who is not perfect like the rest of us.
Mark Bradley great column and he is the ONE that can truly take the FALCONS there.
By Hawk
January 23, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this
Been saying it for years and still say it.Trade him. Trade him now. If the Raiders are offering Porter and their #1 pick, take it and be done with the headache. The 2 guys that we essentially surrendered for Vick, Tomlinson and Brees, are better TEAM players and better citizens.
As far as the water bottle problem, guilty or not, its just another log on the fire.
By macaroni Tony
January 23, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
Atlanta Falcon fines are dump asses, people in general are dump asses. We as people read articles and we have the answers, but this answer was check wrong for all you people who thought the man was guilty without test results. The next time let the lab figure out the results before you dummies do. I don’t care how you dumb asses feel about me, but the man is innocent….. Stop thinking that all black people are thugs, we are different as a people and this man should act the way he want. So when winning games he is the man, but the Falcons lose it’s Vick fault. It shouldn’t be the way. Throw stones at your own glass house.
By G
January 23, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
Please let the rumors be true about the trade with the Raiders. Get Calvin Johnson with the #1 pick! I would love to have a good person for my kids to look up to on the falcons….. not someone who acts like Vick. Vick…. your problem is that the wole water bottle story was believable. If it were Calvin, it would have been unbelievable!
By Gunner
January 23, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this
I suggest trading Vick and let some other team have a go with Mr. Innocent.Maybe we could get two first from Oakland. i hear they need a good Quarter back.
By jean
January 23, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this
jsonic, you would not know the truth if it slapped your face!! the truth is they did not find anything. have you gotten info that the press has not?? you hope, wish that they could find something to make you right. now that is the TRUTH!! your statement it must have been something!!! what do we need to do to get you to understand they have nothing. and i did not use age as an excuse, read again i said i would like to know what you and all the other critics did at 26? i am sure you made all the right decisions. remind me to ask your parents.
By Roscoe
January 23, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
Great column. Now who’s gonna read it to Mr. Mexico?
By Sea Breeze
January 23, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this
I can’t believe what I am reading! Why is Mike being persecuted for an overzealous security agent? Nothing was in the bottle! Some blame should be pointed back to the Miami police for making much to do about nothing. When has the alleged smell of marijuana been a career killer? That could have happened to any of else. I just pray that the rules of law stay with facts and not be swayed by assumptions. I don’t blame Mike for not speaking about this incident. Why should he- so that he can be analyzed to death and called dumb again! He did nothing wrong, but forgot to discard a water bottle.
Mike Vick is a great athlete that has the potential to get better! Also, an athlete cannot kill a coach. Bad coaching is bad coaching. Jim and his father’s big mouths and his inability to coach effectively killed his career in Atlanta.
Also, there is a bigger issue that is under the surface! Mike is a talented athlete who is young, rich and black. He has chosen to be Mike Vick and not Michael Jordan. African Americans also have the right to be individuals and not thrown into what “society” deems to be the acceptable black man or black behavior. Admittedly, Michael is not perfect and because of who he is, he is under a constant microscope! I am waiting for the AJC and other media outlets to take responsibility for their rush to judgment on Mike. He deserves an apology from the AJC.
By Hokie hater
January 23, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this
You might want to use smaller words for Vick and his adoring apologists. He is, after all, a Hokie.
By Donald
January 23, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
For those who attempt to justify Michael’s behavior as youthful indiscretion, I can only say..PLEASE! And I say this in lieu of what I really want to say. Michael has been in this league for seven years now and any 26 year old on a regular or professional job knows what the consequences are for such action. You can’t walk around a professional office and flip someone off and not expect consequences. You can’t be found to have a water bottle with a secret compartment, supicious residue in the secret area and expect you employer to readily open the office for you on your arrival. Also it is folly to suggest that nothing occurred here. Although Michael has received another reprive, he should not take this one lightly, the question remains, ‘What are you doing with a bottle that has a secret compartment in the first place if you don’t intent to hide something? The second important (saving grace) point for Michael to realize and internalize is the fact that he should be glad this did not occur on the other side of those screener, for which he clearly would have fallen under federal jurisdiction. They may not have been so accomadating to Falcon’s officials. P.S. I am a black middle age man who also sees the fallacy in retaining someone who refuses to grow up. GROW UP MICHAEL, you are hurting a lot of children whether you care about them or not!!!
By Don KeBallz
January 23, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this
Hey Big Dude, Do you have another daughter?
By msteven
January 23, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this
Until Michael Vick grows up and take a good look at himself in the mirror, all of us are wasting our breath. Only Michael can change Michael. Each one of us have control over our lives and how we choose to conduct ourselves. Michael is just a prime example of too much too soon too rich too soon. He has been brainwashed into thinking that his (stuff dont stink) he is an NFL superstar spoiled brat monster created by the media and public. What he really needs is a reality check to let him know he is no differnt from the average Joe. He can perhaps run a little faster then the rest of us. but so can a cheetah. The difference? A cheetah is a feline (cat family, but still a cat and acts like a Cat)Michael is a human, a little execptional as far a speed but still a Human. Therefore he Regardless of his Extra talent,He Still is a human First, and has to follow the same Guidelines and laws and rules as the rest of regular humans have to follow and live by. He’s no Better or Lesser then the rest of us he just has an extra skill. Like a cheetah is the fastest land animal with a special skill to run faster then any other cat or animal. Does that make the cheetah Better then the other slower animals? NO. does the speed of a cheetah make him better, smarter then the other cats? NO. so why should it be treated any different. Same with Mike. He has to follow Rules and Laws like the rest of us when he is on and off the clock. Grow the Hell up and start taking responsibilty. He is not 16 anymore. He is 25+. Its high time he and others start acting like responible adults or folks do not need to keep giving them millions of dollars that they clearly does not deserve. I have not given up on him yet. But I want to see a change. Starting now.
By Goolsby
January 23, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this
This is very well written. An awesome recomendation.
By TDub
January 23, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this
There are alot of people in this forum calling Vick a thug. I want to know why that is? Has he robbed a liquor store? Does he hang out at night on street corners and sell drugs? I honestly want to know why he’s being called a thug. And please don’t say it’s because he gave the Atlanta fans the finger, or because he may or may not have given that young woman an STD. And please don’t even go there with the way he dresses. And if you go there with the alledged marijuana use, that’s a sorry excuse as well because we all know someone somewhere that uses it and they are all not “thugs”. So someone please tell me why he’s considered a thug?
By myconju
January 23, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
What has Mike Vick done to make you all so angry. And, Bradley, if you were giving Vick unsolicited advice, please call him up personnally. I don’t want to read it. Let’s stick to football and hope that the new coaches will beef up that team the way Tony Dungy did, so that we can eventually win some games.
By The Cold Truth
January 23, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this
All of the Vick sycophants and apologists that continue to make excuses for his continued idiocy and stupid decision making, are clearly as clueless and big of morons as Vick is.
By Same ole song
January 23, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
I love Georgia and the obvious thought process of the general population of this great state. I also love how things played out when Vick got hurt and everyone I knew were upset that they still had invested money in the season tickets…When Vick gets on a roll (O-line gets strong, people make catches, defense gets a pulse, etc.) I will remember all of the negative posts…they did it to beloved QB in Green Bay before he won…maybe it’s not about race…just less than informed fans…I guess the same people saying “support our troops”…who now are starting to think twice about Iraq…Funny
By Fan01
January 23, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this
It’s an ok article……. nothing special
By Chuck
January 23, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
Monica, just because you don’t like something the way it is, doesn’t mean you should or have to leave. No, if you don’t like something about where you live, but you love to live there, then you work internally to change it. I love living in Atlanta. Is it perfect? No, but I try to make things better in my life in every way I can.
You must be the type that hops from job to job hoping to find greener pastures over someone else’s septic tank. Instead, you should find a job you love and work to make it even better.
Every Falcon fan wants Michael Vick to succeed as QB here. But, what Mark Bradley said in this column is absolutely correct. I would have told him the same thing.
By Roswell Ed
January 23, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
Is it 4:20 yet?
By Gemini
January 23, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this
Nice and to the point. Would have left out the constant references to Peyton Manning though. Noone wants to be constantly compared to somone else even when it’s your older sibling. No matter how good they appear to be to others. Obviously two different personalities at work here but the overall advise was on point.
By Observation
January 23, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this
Vick isn’t a thug as some have portrayed him to be. He’s just really stupid, is a bad decision maker, posseses poor judgement, and is immature.
By Snuffy
January 23, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this
Response to The Fan.
You don’t have to kiss a pig to love bacon. This article is RIGHT ON and its the logic of people like you that would not have found fault with a mass murderer! Get real…..Vick is a highly paid sand lot QB. If he has not found his way in 6 NFL years, DUMP HIM as one of the dumbest QB’s in NFL history.
The Falcons have the “prototype” NFL QB on their bench.
By tiff
January 23, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
Oh, how I love turning on my computer everday and reading all the posts and comments of all the people who think they are so perfect. They love it when people like Michael mess up so they can point the finger and say look at him, he’s the bad guy, or he’s a low life. How I would love to be a fly on the wall at some of your homes. That goes for you too Mark Bradley. Wife beaters, adulterers, under cover homosexuals, drug users, child molesters and embezzelers. None of you have the right to judge this man no matter what he has done. God will do that to all of us in him own time. Just because Michael Vick plays football for Atlanta that does not mean you or this city owns him, he is his own man. I’ve found that the people that make the most noise from behind their computer screen are the ones with the most to hide, messed up lives. This is just a means for them to look perfect to the outside world, you don’t fool me, and you don’t fool GOD. And to Vick no you are not “Peyton Manning” you are a far more superior athlete. :)