Sports Columnists

By 49ers

January 24, 2007 09:56 AM | Link to this

I do not recall where McKay ever said Vick was guilty of having drugs in the bottle. They only stated they were not happy with the situation because Mike could have avoided the whole incident by not having the bottle in the first place.

Let’s be honest with ourselves here. If Mike Vick would have stood in front of the media, how many of us would have believed he was innocent? Probably not many if you are honest with yourself. So why should he stand there and answer the questions? I would wait until the evidence came back, then be as professional as possible and move on with the situation by putting it behind me. It amazes me how the media stations here say “We are the Official Station of the Falcons”, but then they accused their players of criminal acts before having facts.

Mike Vick is owed an apology by everyone who ripped him before having evidence. This just goes to show you how some races/class of people are treated- Guilty until proven Innocent, not the other way around.

By Joe

January 24, 2007 09:56 AM | Link to this

You have officially taken over Terrence Moore’s position as the most worthless gossip columnist on the AJC. Write an article that matters! Your position on this issue is useless because it’s old news. Miami has dismissed the incident and our starting quarterback is here to stay.

By davidb

January 24, 2007 09:58 AM | Link to this

I hope Petrino can get Vick to realize the opportunity he has. he has the talent but he needs to be a leader.

Sometimes it takes a firm hand, especially with previously coddled athletes. Go Birds.

By Observer

January 24, 2007 09:58 AM | Link to this

Those bottles can be used to hide any type of valuable.

The simple truth is that someone saw a young black man with it, then assumed it was for illegal purposes. That someone then went into a garbage can to inspect it. They erroneously claimed it to be drugs.

The press ran with it, again giving plausibility to it because it involved a young black man.

When the young black man told his white employers that it was not drugs they did not believe the young black man.

They held a press conference, failing to say, “let’s wait until the facts come out, it may not be what is being reported.”

Instead we learn it was a “very stressful” meeting with the young black man being doubted regarding drugs by his white employers. Yeah, there was “stress” in that room, for sure.

Pundits continue to harp and suggest things to sway public perception. There is a concerted effort to slander, to affect their primary purpose: to negatively impact the young black man’sability to earn his large salary.

Many people — particularly white people — resent black men who earn more money than them. It hurts them to the core. Most of this righteous indignation about a bottle that could be used to carry jewelry or cash in luggage is seated in the pervasive jealousy many people have about wealthy people — and particularly wealthy black men.

That’s the bottom line root of all of this whole so-called “controversy.” It is a manufactured, overblown slander job that has legs only due to submerged and overt racial intolerance and jealousy.

By theedge56

January 24, 2007 09:58 AM | Link to this

The combination of events seem strange for sure. People are taking the no charges to mean there is nothing there. Basically there wasn’t enough to press charges and even if that secret compartment was chocked full of weed it still is a minor offense. As the 2 Lives Stews said where there is smoke there is fire on the subject of Mary Jane. All of that aside that is not what the outpouring of emotion is about. It is the poor decision making involved in the whole thing. The original column was on that very subject: decision making. I want Mike to lead this team and his teammates need him to be an unquestioned leader on and off the field. I don’t care how he dresses or wears his hair. He needs to develop that leadership quality and become a person of substance. I know he won’t be traded or much less cut. I want better from the whole team including the front office. From the McKay press conference you can read between the lines and Mike knows he made a mistake. He and God know what he did and it is not my place to judge. Take a hold of this team and lead them to the promised land. The decision not to trade Schaub is another boneheaded move. I think he is going to be a good QB in this league and having him around as insurance is a good idea. Mike’s running makes him susceptible to more injuries than you typical NFL QB. But, if a deal isn’t made for Schaub this year they will lose him and get nothing in return.

By PoliticalMan

January 24, 2007 09:58 AM | Link to this

It seems like the Falcons org is just as inept as their thug QB.

By carman563

January 24, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

When is everyone going to catch on ?, its so obivious, Vick is a circus act, the falcons are a circus team, Blank is a circus owner, everyone loves a circus, Big money in a good circus act, need i say more ?/ thank you !, i feel so much better now !

By bird fanb4mv

January 24, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

I did not jump to conculsions about M.V. and his water bottle. But most of the media in this town did. Including M.V.’s so called supporters i.e. McKay& Blank. Smelling like marijuana and actually being marijuana are to different things. You all owe this man an apology.

By Loafer

January 24, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

If our Thug wins I don’t care if he’s high all year long!! But the deadly combination of losing and being stupid is a recipe for disaster!! I wear a #7 Jersey at every home game but for the life of me, I don’t know how you cure being stupid. Good Luck Petrino!

One more question…….Grossman, Manning, Brady & Brees…what do they have in common?? Yeah, you know!! winners baby!!

By Blankety Blank

January 24, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

The Falcon’s “stakeholders” are owed an explanation of the past weeks events whether marijuana was involved or not. The behavior of Vick and the Falcon’s management is only leading to more speculation. Own up to whatever it is - even if it is just a blotched public relations job - and put this story to rest, Arthur.

By ATLien in Oklahoma

January 24, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

I used to have a similar bottle back in the day. For a while I used it to store my cash, then I realized the possiblities of it.

Vick smokes pot. Vick brought some fine Georgia green to Miami to share with his little brother.

If you honestly believe that bottle was used for something other than Marijuana or Hashish you are probably smoking some when you processed such an irrational thought.

DONE.

By TC

January 24, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

Observer, you’re an idiot.

By honest_abe

January 24, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

this whole vick discussion is futile. both sides are firmly entrenched in their opinion and nothing can be said or DONE that will change their opinions.

unfortunately, SOME people have decided to add the racial element to this issue.

carefully read the rest of the posts here thoughout the day and you will see that the vick apologists are the ones that are instigating fights and bringing up that tired race card. most people here in atlanta don’t give a damn if the quarterback of the atlanta falcons is black. they criticize vick, but these same people have the utmost respect for professional african american quarterbacks such as mcnabb, mcnair, moon, even youngster vince young. it’s not about color folks except for the few moronic people that come on here. it’s about getting a quarterback that is dedicated to getting better as a player and as a LEADER. someone who is maturing and shows his maturity. someone who always looks prepared and like he cares on the sideline. someone who puts thoughts into what he says. someone who thinks about the repurcussions of his actions. someone who not only wants to win but dedicates his life to being a winner both on and off the field.

i don’t care if that guy is black, white, green, yellow or even a girl ( ok maybe not a girl) but you get my drift.

it’s like atlanta has gone back 100 years and now it’s whites against blacks. it’s despicable and every single one of you knumbskulls should be ashamed of yourselves. this country has come along way to keep playing the stupid race card. lets move forward people and lets stop being the laughing stock of america!

By roger

January 24, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

Well, if he didn’t do it, why didn’t the “black man” come forward? Simple is that too, take some initative and speak up for your self, my so called “black man”! Reason is that he thought he was caught and just wanted it to blow over, any idiot can see that, or even a “black man” can see that!

By CQ

January 24, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

Trade Schaub to the Bears fortheir 1st and 3rd picks. Get a safety at #10, OT with the Bears pick, then Irons with the 2nd round pick

By Gene

January 24, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

Since the firing of Dan Reeves, I have watched the Falcons soap opera with the same amusement as I watch “The Office.” From Vick’s well documented adventures, to Mora’s tantrums, to Arthur Blank parading Vick in a wheelchair on the sidelines, the franchise has become a joke, and the latest installment is as absurd as anything Dwight would do on the TV comedy. The US is at war, and young men and women Vick’s age are dying on a daily basis. Airline security is a necessary part of that effort, yet Vick thinks that he is above these regulations that apply to everyone else. He badgers an underpaid security worker who is just trying to do her job. I think that the word is “entitlement.” Some very strange things are going on here that have reflected badly on all parties. The whole problem could have been avoided if Vick had just tossed the bottle in the trash.

By Tom Miller

January 24, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

Carson Palmer vs Mike Vick

The Bangles are trying to out due the Falcons in becoming the Oakland Raiders of the East as a couple of their “gangster hip hop boys” have gotten themselves in little trouble lately. But there is a huge difference in these teams. You see, the QB, or shall we say, the leader of that team, has come out in public and criticized such behavior from his teammates.

However for the Falcons, our QB and so called leader is the one who is displaying such behavior because he happens to be one of those gangster hip hop boys.

Vick is a disgrace to his team, the NFL, the black community and to his family (and I use that word loosely).

After 6 years the “hype” had become a bad joke for the fans.

By Topdog

January 24, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

Hey Jeff Schultz, Let it go. You falsely accused Vick and you were wrong. Now you are trying to justify your mistake by coming up with another out-of-blue story of why he didn’t proclaim his innocent. This is a no win situation for Vick (in your eye) no matter what he does. Jeff Schultz, give it up. Let’s talk about how the Falcon going to win next year……with or without VICK.

By BZ

January 24, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

The reason he hasn’t said anything is that there isn’t really anything good that can come of it. Is he innocent? Legally - yes. Factually - probably not. By that, I mean there had probably been some pot in the bottle at some time, hence the smell.

Thus, he can’t come out and say “I did not have pot in my possession”. If he says “I had pot -it was a mistake, etc.”, then he also does no service to himself or the organization. In fact, the only people that would be served by his statement would be those in the media that make a living by commenting on such things. (No offense intended - I enjoy reading your product.)

Simply put, about the only thing he can do now is just lie low and stay out of trouble. If he can do that, and can work hard to apply himself on the field, then all this will be long forgotten. There’s nothing he can say that really changes things at this point. All that matters are his actions from here on. Time will tell.

By Cruzin

January 24, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

Jeff, very good column. Those being critical are not reading it carefully. Your point that McKay and Coach Petrino were displeased is the key. If Vick had nothing illegal in the bottle, those two would have said that, and would have stated something to effect that we are standing by him. Rather, they indicated their displeasure with Vick. That leads me to the same conclusion. They didn’t feel comfortable with Vick’s explanation, and again your point, why didn’t Vick come out and say he was innocent? He ran making it seem like he was guilty.

By roger

January 24, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this

Quit bringing Schaub in the discussion, it isn’t about him, it is about Vick! Don’t care who the QB is going to be next year, let’s take of the problem we have now, Vick, poor decisions and lack of leadership ability. The Falcons will never get to a SB with him.

By gary

January 24, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this

Try as you will, but this is not a race issue. This is a class issue. Any ordinary citizen, given the same set of circumstances, regardless of their gender,race, or religious preference, given this heightened state of fear, would have been detained, strip searched, and generally harrassed in the name of national security. Here in lies the real problem of today. As Peter Tosh sang “We got to fight this apartheid”. PEACE!!!

By June Jones ran me off

January 24, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

LET IT GO JEFF!

By BUSHWACKER

January 24, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

why are you removing my messages????????????

By Larry J

January 24, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

Schultz, you are pitiful. Last Thursday, you said he should be gone. You said the Green Bay and Minnesota games were “imagined in Fantasyland.” You made comments about Vick getting dime bags in Atlanta. You certainly were doing the very thing you are denouncing here - unjustly accusing him.

Why should he or anyone at the Falcons discuss this - especially with you? It’s a non-issue. Maybe Vick knew that the entire time. Maybe the organization’s “displeasure” was with Vick putting himself in a situation like that rather than anything to do with the possibility of marijuana (which you believed to be fact just a week ago).

You media guys are pitiful. You jump on a bandwagon, and when the wagon gets pulled out from under you, you find something else to whine about.

By BUSHWACKER

January 24, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

Does it make you feel powerful to play with people like this, you post their message for a few minutes then remove it. Wow you are real important,, NOT!!!!

By Peyton Walters

January 24, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

Jeff, you are right. Law enforcement in south Florida saw this was going to be a media circus over a few flakes of pot and decided they did not want to deal with it. It’s as simple as that. The character/leadership issue remains.

There, I’m using my real name and a legitimate e-mail address now. Can I get posted now?

By Topdog

January 24, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

To RON, You are a ‘hata’…………

By EW

January 24, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

I guess when you’re perhpas the most overpiad overrated QB in the NFL this is how you make headlines, unlike Manning who makes headlines by bringing up his team from being twenty-three points behind the Pats and Brady. Atlanta wants a thugged out corn row wearing blinged out urban QB and you have one. But you will NEVER have a superbowl win with him, NEVER. Observer get some cheese to go with all the whine.

By Al

January 24, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

I find it hard to believe that people are still talking about this. I hate to use the race card, but if this were someone of a different race/stature I doubt that it would really even make the news. If it did, when the official statement came down, it would be the true “end of story.” (Look at the Perdue land deal/tax savings issue.) As far as the water bottle is concerned, it wasn’t a contraption created by Vick to hide something, it was a “diversion safe” (feel free to google that). The diversion safe is perfectly legal, and comes in many types. If I were Vick, or someone of that stature, I too would probably use something like that, because I am sure that there are those that would like to get his cash, keys, or his “bling.” We seem to forget that celebrities are not exempt from simple, senseless crimes such as carjacking, pick-pocketing, jewelry/purse snatching, etc. Before we jump to conclusions, we should think about what we do to protect our own valuables.

As far as the silence is concerned, unless my TV, radio (air and satellite), and internet connections have all been taken over by fake spokepersons, I do believe that I heard that Mike Vick has been cleared, no charges will be filed, and no discipline will be administered by the Falcons or the NFL.

If only someone had been willing to look at ALL OF THE EVIDENCE BEFORE PROCLAIMING GUILT, Pete Williams would not have spend 22 plus years incarcerated for a crime he DID NOT COMMIT! Let’s learn from our mistakes!

By laofer

January 24, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

Mike Vick and his huggers have been saying how bad Rex Grossman is…Mike VIck has worse passing stats than rex grossman. please get rid of him, he is a thug and a lousy qb

By SRF

January 24, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

Sharon -

This news flash about Schaub is from 2004.

2004 !!!

He was just out of college and he got into a barfight.

Do you know how many college kids get into a barfight every year ?

The falcons told him “Grow Up” and guess what - he did - no more incidents.

Compare that to the person who keeps popping up in the news…

By jc

January 24, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

OJ got away with it too. He also was not innocent nor exonerated in the minds of the public. I think smoking weed is fine, but unfortunately our teetotalling society thinks it’s somehow worse than legal drugs like alcohol or tobacco that kill exponentially more people every year. Either way Vick has shown a level of immaturity and frankly stupidity that is unbecoming of both a franchise player and a team leader. “Getting away with it” doesn’t cut it when you’re the highest paid member of an offense with the worst passing stats in the entire league.

By VickBeliever

January 24, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

You guys are sad to continue to carry this gossip on. Vick does not owe anybody no apology my goodness he is a football player, not the leader of our country. Give the man a break because all you haters will be back on his jock in August.

By Kudzu

January 24, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

It’s amazing how much Coach Petrino looks like Coach Mora in todays sports page…lol

By Hollabackdumbazz

January 24, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

Mike Vick is the face of the franchise, he’s also the dumbest player in the NFL. What a proud day to be an Atlanta Falcon. 137 million dollars for a crack head loookin’ fool. PEACE

By GT Champ 90-n-4ever

January 24, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

The Observer made a number of points that few will acknowledge as valid for reasons mentioned in Observer’s comment. Where there is smoke there is fire? Does this count for smoke that never existed? Some of you see only what you wish to see - Or what you are told to see. Simple conspiracy theory questions do not justify slanderous words. One should apologize as it is appropriate to do so in this instance.

By Nathan Ballinger

January 24, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

In a dream world, Vick is not talking becuase he has decided to grow up and devote his off time, as all great quarterbacks must, to football, to film, to technique, to being a great quarterback and maximizing his potential.

Alas, we all know the truth… he’s not. Let’s trade him, take the hit and let Bobby P. work some magic with Schaub.

By Loafer

January 24, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

The Schaub article is over three years old. Vick has done more stupid things in the last 90 days than Schaub has in his life.

Vick’s a stupid, drugged up thug who can’t win football games. He quit on us this year and now I’m paying more for my season tickets. About the only other thing that could go wrong is we draft another first round receiver who can’t catch.

By BraindeadQB

January 24, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

Is be da leader of da team, you know whut Im sayin

By blah

January 24, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

Prior to the test of the substance, the following facts pointed to marijuana possession:

(1) He was carrying a bottle with a hidden compartment

(2) The hidden compartment contained a dark particulate

(3) The dark particulate smelled like marijuana

(4) Vick offered no alternative explanation for what was in the bottle. If you’re really innocent why not tell the world what was really in the bottle when you were initially accused and say that you’re confident that the tests will prove you to be innocent.

(5) The photo from Vick’s girlfriend’s myspace page last year showed what looked a hell of a lot like a joint in his hand.

The following facts pointed against marijuana possession:

(1) Would anyone who knew they were carrying marijuana make a big deal about keeping a bottle that contained marijuana? Who really knows. Some people have bad judgment. Nate Newton voluntarily opened the back of his van for police, when he had several garbage bags filled with pot in there.

I think that prior to the test the conclusion that one could draw based on the evidence was that Vick was probably carrying marijuana. This was really the only conclusion one could draw. Any other conclusion would have been poor journalism.

You wouldn’t be thinking too logically if you were to blame the conclusions that reporters drew about the situation on something other than the facts of the case.

By Excuses

January 24, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

To: Observer 9:58 am- get a life you racist! If Vick was a white man it would still be a crime to attempt to slip something like that pass security.

By BUSHWACKER

January 24, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

Apparantley Blank controls the editor of this column and makes him remove comments that are negative about the franchise.

Gutless !!

By theedge56

January 24, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

WHy do people have to go name calling? What is with the hillbilly stuff? Matt Schaub is a thug there you happy. I hope he learned from that incident and makes better decisions. There is no skin color conotation with the word thug. Romanowski is a thug Kyle Turley is a thug. With Schaub it is a non-story NOT because he is white but because in 2004 he was even less than the lowly back up QB he is now.

With the high profile position of QB, the highest salary at the time of the contract, and the francise player more is expected of you and more attention is paid.

It is not front page news when a drunk on the show cops goes off during his arrest but let Mel Gibson do it and we all know about it?

Can a black person be a hillbilly? If not then your are a racist yourself! To remove the speck from my eye you must first remove the log from yours!

By Olde Guye

January 24, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

Thug is an over used word, and used in the wrong context most of the time at that. Besides, in the thug pecking order, Schaub would rate higher than Vick because he has an actual arrest record whereas Vick does not. If Vick were a real thug would he tolerate that? I think not.

By bushwhacker

January 24, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

They’re removing your messages because you’ve been BUSHWHACKED

By Gman

January 24, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

So much for freedom of speech, looks like posting the truth is unacceptable on these boards. A black person can get on this board and call me a hillbilly b/c I don’t like Vick, but if I say not liking Vick as a QB makes me and all other folks that complain abt his performance a racist in the eyes of many black folks, well thats just unacceptable and the message gets pulled……

By Miss KB

January 24, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

SHUT UP ALREADY!

By June Jones is a homo

January 24, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

Falcons need me to come and straighten this team out with my run and shoot up heroin offense.

By vickisick

January 24, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

schultz….you went overboard with the “let him go” discussion. think about the cap hit and the ramifications of trading mike vick. the falcons are of national relevance because of this man. he deserves support from our fans. yes, he needs to be a better leader and mature on and off the field, but bashing him and demanding a trade doesn’t do the falcons organization any good.

asking for a trade will just encourage mike to want to leave, and we’ll be stuck with the same old falcons with chris miller and billy joe tolliver under center. i would rather have the excitement of mike vick.

mike is the best thing to happen to this franchise and intelligent fans realize that. if you run this man out of town, you will not live to see the next season.

By Trade Vick

January 24, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

Season Ticket prices will go down, tailgates will be a thing of the past, Monday and Saturday night games will never happen in the dome again, Falcons Jersey sales will plummet, the team can return to their old 5wins 11 loses formula, and all you redneck b@stards will be happy!

By topdog

January 24, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

Vick has 2 weapons, his arm, his legs and his mind.

By Famuan

January 24, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

Here comes the “weapons of mass distraction” tactic….say it long enough, loud enough…eventually people will believe you. Give it up Jeff, the state attorney’s office did not reveal some sinister plot by Vick to thwart the FAA, Homeland Security and Airtran by putting some novelty water bottle in his carry-on bag. He was not arrogantly arguing with the TSA agent, he didn’t clown about throwing it away. He does not owe anybody an explanation except the people who have already gotten one.

By Topdog

January 24, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

PEOPLE, PEOPLE, why do you dummy keep saying vick will not get to the SuperBowl? Let not forget, he got as close as one game to the superbowl a couple of years ago. It would help to have the right supporting cast at the right timing to get to ‘the’ BOWL. You ‘haters do not understand football. As good as Dan Mareno was, he did not make it to the super bowl. Because you precieve Vick as a ‘THUG’, you say he can not make it to the BOWL. I venture to say that there are 30 more THUGS that won’t make to the BOWL.

By VickBeliever

January 24, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

Roger your comments were dumnb this discussion about Vicks decisions making is ludacris. He made good decisions when he ran for 1,000 yards threw 20 TD’s and pass for 2,300 yards. NO OTHER QB CAN DO THAT…Vick is the man and maybe if you remove your hood you could see that.

By GT Champ 90-n-4ever

January 24, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

Didn’t they said the same thing about Chicago and Grossman? That they’d never make it to the Super Bowl without him.

By DOM

January 24, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

AMEN OBSERVER!! VICK SHOULD ALSO DEMAND THAT MCKAY RESIGN END OF STORY.

WHY DOES BRADLEY CENSOR NON-PROFANE REBUTTALS THAT POINT OUT HIS COVERT RACIAL EDITORIAL (AKA “FRIENDLY ADVICE FOR VICK”) OR OTHER BLATANT SLANDER BY HIS BLOGGERS. ON THE OTHER HAND HE ALLOWS ANTI-AFRICAN AMERICAN SLANDER TO STAY ON THE BLOG. THE AJC IS GULITY OF RACIAL BIAS AND CENSORSHIP.

By maurice

January 24, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

A grown man doesn’t owe another grown man an excuse if that other grown man doesn’t sign his paychecks. Get over yourselves and stop worrying about what Vick does in his private time.

By mike

January 24, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

So much Vick hate in this city. Probably just plain jealousy since the man makes all that money and is a premier football player. Something Jeff and most of the haters will never be. Stop calling Vick a thug since you obviously have no idea what a thug is or where thugs come from and it aint Vick. Isn’t always interesting when someone does not act like someone else thinks they should then they are hding things or acting wrong. Maybe Vick needs some guidance but certainly you haters cant provide any clues. Hey Mick Vick get in your limo and go to the back and count your money while all the haters hate. Keep on trucking, Bro.

By Gene

January 24, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

In spite of all of this racial trash talking, Atlanta fans will embrace Vick when he leads the Falcons to a superbowl. His behavior is no worse than many other players in the league and better than some. Remember the gangsta, “Snake Stabler?” Stabler won, and that shortens people’s memories. Atlanta fans are among the most supportive when their team is winning. Remember the Braves in 1991?

By Fed Up!

January 24, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

I am tired of living in a society where we are guilty until proven innocent. Vick is not the first high-profile person accused but never charged of a possible crime. From my understanding, Vick threw the bottle away, and the Officers recovered it from the trash. Can any one posting a comment here tell me when was the last time someone followed them around the airport, waited for them to throw something away, and brought it to their attention just before you boarding a plane??? If the Officers accused him without evidence, who do you think publicized it? Even print media has a way of only printing enough information to “lead” the public to the conclusion “they” want us to believe. All we know is what we read here in the paper. I think Vick and the Falcons did a great job of not giving power to lies and accusations. Why do we need to defend our innocence and character from the law that is supposed to protect us from real criminals. “Some” of our Officers are more criminal than the ones they are suppose to protect us from. Somebody needs to speak up about the Accusers who are fishing in the trash for a story to publicize.

By CAN ANYONE EXPLAIN THIS

January 24, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

Vick = Never Arrested

Schaub = Arrest Record

FACT….. Who’s the “THUG”

By gthmbt

January 24, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

The sad part for Falcons fans is that you have bought into the Michael Vick myth. The guy flat out cannot play the position. He is not a leader and will never be, plus he just isn’t a good enough quarterback to get the job done. All the other stuff id window dressing. Accept the fact the guy can’t play QB and move on.

By gthmbt

January 24, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

The sad part for Falcons fans is that you have bought into the Michael Vick myth. The guy flat out cannot play the position. He is not a leader and will never be, plus he just isn’t a good enough quarterback to get the job done. All the other stuff id window dressing. Accept the fact the guy can’t play QB and move on.

By maurice

January 24, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

Oh, and THUG? Do you all know the meaning? Seriously, get a dictionary and know the meaning.

By cityofdecatur

January 24, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

IT’S NOT ABOUT RACE IT’S NOT ABOUT POT IT IS ABOUT LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING MICHAEL VICK IS NOT A LEADER HE’S AN ADMITTED QUITTER (see last game of last year) And we have all witnessed HIS POOR DECISION MAKINGALL THE RACE BAITERS NEED TO GET OVER IT AND ENJOY THE CIRCUS THAT IS BLANK\VICK

By howconvenient

January 24, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

Coach Petrino, is it true, you’re considering offers from anywhere but here?

By person

January 24, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

Observer:

Please stop playing the whole “Black man” card. That gets old. The sooner people stop calling eachother white people, black people, etc. the sooner everyone WILL be looked at as equals.

By steve

January 24, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

This team (?) is a non-stop comedic soap opera. The team (?) owner and general manager are laughable and the team (?)leader (qb) is pathetic. I’ll bet a dime to a doughnut the new head coach is wondering what in the hell he got himself into. This franchise is now the laughingstock of the entire NFL. Way to go, you bunch of goobers! If Petrino can make this team a winner he should be awarded an honorary doctorate of psychology degree! What a freakin’ mess…

By Darrin "The Vent King"

January 24, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

After re-reading how the AJC reported this story the first time, I can now see why even the most staunch Vick supporters (like myself) would turn on him or at least be dissapointed in the Miami incident. You guys totally misrepresented the facts and sensationalized the story to either sell papers or achieve what now seems like a personal agenda to have Vick escorted out of town. I read the ACTUAL police report on what happened and it did not sound like the article you guys wrote. And as for you Jeff Schultz, there is no excuse whatsoever for the way you responded with that dispicable “Time for Vick to Go” article last week. NONE! I was dissapointed myself, but have no right to judge him THAT harshly. Who are you? True it is suspicious having a bottle like that in the first place, true Vick must be guilty of something for I can not see how McKay would come out and say Vick was “very sorry” for what happened, but you had absolutely no facts to substaniate how personal you made your column appear. Let them explain that, not come up with your own personal theories, because they will never be unbiased. The AJC just lost points from me for that. I felt mislead the way the info was presented and now feel you all have an agenda against this man. I’ll admit I wish Vick would make some better choices as far who he hangs out with and the percieved lifestyle he carries on with for if no other reason than to prove haters like you wrong. I agree with an earlier poster who placed you right there with that lugnut Terrance Moore as the most biased over the top colunmist at this paper. You all couldn’t wait to rip MV7 and blinded alot of his fans with misrepresented info just to turn us against him too. For that I apologize to Vick because I saw my comments posted in the paper a couple of days later and admit I sipped the “fool-aid” when I wrote that and went along with the condemnation of MV7 and wish I had not done that. I took for granted what I was reading was true and was hurt because I’ve stood up against racist haters/sheep since he came to Atlanta and the article made it appear he was proving those idiots right. But like my mother told me once you can’t believe everything you read. I will NEVER forget her telling me htat ever again. I think this, no I hope this causes Vick to rethink how he does his thing from here on, because it is obvious the “South” has a problem with him not associated with football and you all can claim differently all you want but I’ve been a victim of this sterotyping my whole life and want so bad for Vick to show them and also young brothers that want to be like him that a hip-hopping type young black man can handle buisiness too. That’s what angered me about this, that it appeared he was failing at this. Now I hope as I have, Vick learns from this and grows up and realize the great gift God has blessed him with comes with great responsibility and he can NEVER let his guard down for haters are everywhere waiting to take him out so they can say “I told you so”. From here on out I will NEVER take for granted anything you all report on Vick because it is obvious you all have something against Vick and Atlanta as a whole. Shame on you Jeff and the ajc.

GO FALCONS!!

By Satch

January 24, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

People believe the media needs to apologize to Vick. I’m sorry, but the media reported the incident, the police report and the lack of any denial by anybody involved.

This is what you wrote Schultzy and most people do not have a problem with that. It is when you start adding your own opinion that sets you up for criticism. Yes, you are a reporter, however I hope you do not think you are above being criticized. The problem with most peoples opinion is that this is how THEY view everything.

When it comes to professional atheletes as soon as someone steps out of the box that a good part of the country sees them in they become the people that the MEDIA wants to crucify. However, what is ironic is that the pitiful excuse that you used in your article that “I am just the media” shows that you are no better than the people that you crucity. Please do not try to hide behind “I am just the media” and that you just reported the incident. Because if you just reported the incident your article would have been a lot shorter.

Just like many atheletes are disliked I have grown to dislike the media. Part of the medias job is to be the worst kind of hypocrite and that is to pass judgement on people who dare to respond or who reponds then face becoming the writers personal whipping boy. Hey! just deal with the fact that you are no better than anybody else, we are all just human.

By rexgrossman

January 24, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

Hah, I’m in the Super Bowl and I’ve got more TD’s and yards passing than your pot head does. Whose laughin now?

By David Reed

January 24, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

To Mr. Chambers:

Could you maybe play the race card a little stronger? You are truly a sad reflection of why Atlanta will never be racially united. Please take one minute to think of the security issues at the Miami airport, or any major airport. Then you would realize that any suspicious behavior by any black, red, green, white, brown or yellow man, such as challenging the disposal of a water bottle, would raise red flags. Anyone other than Michael Vick would have been detained, questioned, stripped searched, and jailed.

By Fair Reporting needed

January 24, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

This is a non-story please go and try to dig up dirt somewhere else. Shultz you are no more than a sensationalist reporter that is too lazy to go out and find a real story. I would not be surprised if Blank started cutting off AJC’s accesss to the players because of the agreesive way you have conducted yourself regarding this situation.

By To Excuses

January 24, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

Vick was cleared of Any Wrongdoing, if you can’t respect the laws of the United States the border is wide open for you to LEAVE!

Vick wasn’t charged with anything and has NEVER been arrested

NOW Matt Fraud has had the cuffs slapped on him before!

By trock

January 24, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

Tom Miller, alot of people smoke weed - regardless of color. I find “gangster hip hop boys” to be very offensive and stereptypical. You should definately go about commenting in a better manner…

By Blaney

January 24, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

Yep, it is all about race. Just ask those privileged white guys at Duke.

By laofer

January 24, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

Coach Petrino, is it true you have lawyers lookin for a way out of your new contract?

By Straight Shooter

January 24, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

Jeff, you are such a hypocrite! Your article on MV was the gasoline on the flames. You threw stones, no make that boulders on MV and now you have your hands behind your back as if you are holier than thou. The first rule of journalism 101 is to get the facts straight or at least be accurate in your editorial content. You failed miserably. Are you man enough to man up and apologize to MV! Does the AJC hold you to the same high principles you spoke of that Arthur should hold to MV. Are the legal beagles circling the wagon hoping MV doesn’t sue for libel. And by the way, the screeners at the Miami airport were out of bounds for going in the garbage to retrieve the bottle. As a former screener, people can put knives and any other contraband in the garbage BEFORE the screening process starts. Man up. Apologize to MV for throwing him under the bus, and then Falcon fans can ask the brass to break the code of silence. Remember the old saying Jeff, it is better to be thought of a fool, than to write a libelous editorial and remove all doubt!

By ripme

January 24, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

Good read Gene. Jeff you are right on the money and the poll is running 80% to let #7 go. Good luck to Colts and Bears-two good coaches-two good QB’s-two good teams-to bad Falcons have neither.

By tim

January 24, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

i am so sick of people conviently playing the race card. get over it !! the civil war and rights movement happened a long time ago. clear yourself of this hip hop, gansta mentality and start taking responsibilty for ones actions. QUIT PLAYING THE ANGRY BLACK MAN THING its old its outdated…tim

By Mike

January 24, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

After reading the preceding comments by both pro and con Vick fans, I must agree with the fan accusing Vick of being stupid. Since coming to the Falcons, Vick has set a tone for his behavior. Remember the watch incident, the civil STD case, the finger wave and now the illegal substance incident. If stupid was music, Vick would be a brass band.

By Danny

January 24, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

Who cares why Vick was carrying a bottle with a secret compartment. Considering he wasn’t carrying anything illegal, is it really that important?

The conspiracy theory is laughable. Please, show me the guy who was willing to put his job on the line to destroy/manipulate evidence in such a high profile case.

And I don’t recall any of you calling for Peyton Manning to explain himself after he was charged of sexual assault. Nor do I recall such an uproar after Matt Schaub beat the crap out of some poor kid in Virginia.

Unlike Manning and Schaub, Vick has been cleared of any illegal activities. But like Manning and Schaub, Vick should remain silent. The test results speak for themselves.

By ApeHater

January 24, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

Observer is the reason I am racist and proud of it. What a silly ape he is.

By RealQBrexgrossman

January 24, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

Look at the stats you nut huggers, I’ve got better numbers than ol crack head

By FILLMORE BREWSKI

January 24, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

I know Vick will be on the team next season.Who knows if the 130 million is keeping him off the trading block ? I’m ok with an honest decision between Vick and Schaub but the tone comimg out of the organization seems to have reverted to, he’s our man right or wrong.It’s my opinion Vick isn’t the kind of person you can rely on to be self motivated.When Petrino was signed it sounded as if Blank was giving him the power to use Vick anyway he sees fit.I’m worried Blank could be meddling already as he clearly did with Mora.This could cause problems for Petrino beyond one player.To me if the coaching staff determined Vick would have the best value to the team moving around from h-back,wideout,and qb ownership should shutup and support the coaches.Let’s hope Mr Blank learned from the past.

By SEC 255 SEANSON TICKET HOLDER

January 24, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the conspiracy theory apology. I think this is the best he is going to offer. Let’s take it and run with it.

The original article calling for Vick’s departure was incomplete at best if not irresponsible. There are significant financial issues that would have to be analyzed and addressed before a bold move like this could even be attempted. These issues were not even hinted at, but then again, it is not his money. … and, if Mr. Shultz even attends the Falcon meetings on Sunday, his seats are comfortably close and comped.

I, on the other hand bought NO season tickets just to go to the Monday night game. I scalped the rest during and after the game to pay for the rest of my trip. Do I need to come forward to somebody? I don’t want to be labeled a silent thug.

By Will

January 24, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

I think the Miami PD and Solicitor’s office decided the case wasn’t worth pursuing, given the national backlash that would have resulted from the black community over prosecuting a prominent black athlete for possessing what might or might not turn out to be a few grains of dirt worth of marijuana. This went from being months to process and then all of a sudden they have a full lab report after one weekend?!?! Yeah, right. Someone in Miami applied common sense to the situation and said, “Guys, we have the Super Bowl in less than two weeks. We don’t need to go on a witch hunt against the most visible athlete in the NFL over a few morsels of dope.” End of case. Schultz is right. I just don’t believe the Falcons would have issued those statements if Vick would have been able to tell them, “It wasn’t anything illegal.”

By By a Falcon Fan in Miami

January 24, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

Mr. Schultz, I still do think you owe Michael an apology. He was wrongfully convicted in the media via home paper by many including yourself who wanted him for some reason to be found guilty. I would assume to give Matt Schaub a chance at QB. Realistically, Mike was detained at the airport for having a fake water bottle, he bought in Miami while on vacation. Anyone with common sense should know if MV being a black man was stopped and detained, if anything was in that bottle (including a seed) they would’ve taken Mike to jail. Why should he throw something a way that he didn’t think was any harm to anyone including his self. A matter of fact, he told the TSA agent it wasn’t real when he was told he couldn’t bring 20 oz. liquid on the plane. After she told him they wasn’t sure what the liquid was, he trashed the bottle. There was no argument (witnesses present) just an explanation of the bottle being fake. I heard the reports in the media go from reluctant, refuse, argumentive and even smuggling. MV do not owe any of you an explanation since he is innocent. MV haters just want him to come out and say something so they could dissect every word he said and crusify him. Many of you would still think he had marijuana in the bottle. A bottle that is not made to hide drugs, but to hide anything you choose whether keys, jewelry, money, Id cards, etc. I guess because he is a black man he must’ve been hiding drugs. WIth drug test being so sophisticated in these times, if lab results could detect marijuana use from a string of hair follicle, I know if could give an accurate result on marijuane smell/residue or whatever else MV was accused of having in that bottle. And those of you who think that Miami PD was bought out READ MY LIPS, I don’t care if MV is a billionaire he is still a black man. TSA and Miami PD would’ve like to save their face. I appreciate them not waiting 2 to 3 months and planting something in the bottle (Remember the 92 years old woman in Atl. Bottom line MV is human and every hurtful thing that you all say you will have to give in account for, so please move on. This is spoil milk. Schultz find something else to write about, your articles are whack. I doubt if I ever read them again. Real fans love you MV, please remember this is still the south.

By GIVEMEABREAK

January 24, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

YOu go down to the KKK building and turn right, then you turn left at the burnt cross in the yard, Can a brother get some love around these parts?

By dan

January 24, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

Watching and listening to ‘Jaws’ on ESPN explaining the complex procedures, reads and nuances a QB progresses through during each play is fascinating. Somehow I can’t ever see Vick ever developing to this point. What a bonehead.

By toshie

January 24, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

Why can’t you people get over the bottle at the airport. The officials have moved on why can’t you. Why does Schultz want Mike or anyone else to comment on the situation. He only wants to say something negative about the situation. Schultz go jump in the lake if you can’t swim, but I think S* floats. We would still have a picture of you floating. Go Falcons!!! I’m glad the Falcons organization is smarter than some of you people that post on this blog.

By Wings of Victory

January 24, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

Let’s see here…..How in the world someone could think Ron Mexico is a pot head… Just look at pictures of him in public. He emulates not to mention dresses just like gang banging thugs who think they are cool cats hip hopping their way to prisons. He cannot speak in a coherent manner nor hold a normal conversation during an interview. Plus he looks asleep in all his interviews not to mention sitting on the sidelines during games. Oh and let’s not mention the crowd (posse) he hangs with…. gang bangers, criminals and hip hop wannabes. Let’s see….his boys get popped in his car carrying drugs and guns…. yea, but Vick wasn’t in the car at the time. Oh and yes, there is bro Marcus who is his main man who we know is a Dope, guilty of being busted for drugs & guns, not to mention raping a 17 yr old.

There is a reason why they call it ” DOPE”.

By Igiveup

January 24, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

Let’s trade Vick for a 6 pack of Bud and a bag of Doritos, his best days will be long gone after his next scramble and broken leg.

By TheChosenOne

January 24, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

Hey Observer you racist pig! Next you are probally going to say that the Bengals next arrest of a “qoute qoute” “YOUNG BLACK MALE” with a bag of drugs in a super bowl 41 bag was planted by some white guy. STOP living in the past this is the new melinnum you and your dogs are the only racists! MORON! Vick was found innocent end of story if this is all because of racisim je would have been found guilty just like half of the Benals draft class last year and 10 percent of their team. Since was since 2001 and still is the future of this franchise. Brady,Manning,McNabb, and McNair would struggle passing with our o-line Vick is a playmaker that is the only reason why we even have an offence. The more people wake up and see this the more people will see less inccodents we will see Vick involved in.

By jcbrave

January 24, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

JEFF,

YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD WITH THIS ONE. IT ONLY TOOK 3 ENTRIES FOR SOMEONE TO THROW OUT THE RACE CARD. YOU SEE, IGNORANT PEOPLE CANT LOOK PAST THE COLOR OF SKIN MIKE VICK HAS, AND FOCUS ON THE ISSUE AND HAND. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RACE AND EVERYTHING TO DO WITH BAD DECISION AFTER BAD DECISION MIKE MAKES. LETS NOT BE SO QUICK TO FORGET THAT THIS IS NOT HIS FIRST RUN IN. IF HE COULD MATURE AS A MAN AND GROW UP A LITTLE, MIKE VICK WOULD NOT EVEN BE A STORY RIGHT NOW. BUT INSTEAD, HE DOES STUPID THINGS THAT CAUSES HIM TO BE PAINTED AS A “THUG.” PEOPLE THAT PAINT THIS AS A RACE ISSUE HAVE TO RACIST THEMSELVES. JUST ADMIT IT. JEFF SUMMED IT UP BEST. WHY DOES MIKE VICK HAVE A WATER BOTTLE WITH A SECRET COMPARTMENT? WHAT WAS HE TRYING TO HIDE ANYWAY? FYI…..FOR ALL OF YOU WHO SAY HE HIDES MONEY OR JEWELRY IN THERE, THINK AGAIN. LAST TIME I CHECKED, NEITHER HAD A PUNGENT SMELL NOR DID THEY LEAVE BEHIND AND KIND OF BLACK PARTICULATE. FACE THE FACTS PEOPLE. THERE WAS SOME SORT OF COVER UP!

By Gman

January 24, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

Thank you Gary, your statement couldn’t be more correct about this being a class issue. The entire issue with Mike Vick is CLASS and not COLOR.

Proof Brett Favre: Brett Favre grew up poor white trash in Kiln, Mississippi. Poorly educated and very much a redneck, Brett got into Southern Miss and was then drafted by the Falcons. They knew his history coming in; redneck partier with very little respect for other folks, but what an arm he had, what a talent. The Falcons gave up on him; after one too many nights out partying and getting into trouble and traded him to Green Bay. At Green Bay, Favre decided to listen and learn from his coaches and peers, and learned how to become a great QB through his hard work, to maximize his god given gifts and become a Super Bowl winner and league MVP.

Mike Vick: Mick Vick grew up poor black trash in the projects in Virginia. Poorly educated and very much a redneck, Mike got into Virginia Tech and was then drafted by the Falcons. They knew his history coming in; redneck partier with very little respect for other folks, but what an arm he had, what legs, what a talent.

That is where the similarities btwn Vick and Favre end for now. Favre realized, after being traded to GB, that it was up to him to make himself into a great NFL QB, to use his god-given gifts and combine them with knowledge and skill and quit being a redneck, and thats what he did, and that’s why he will be in the NFL Hall of Fame. Vick has not decided to make himself into a great NFL QB yet. People have tried to help him do so, lead him down the right path; see when the Falcons brought in Steve Young. They did so b/c Mike himself said Steve was his hero, and so they though Mike would want to listen and learn from him. No dice…..Dan Reeves sat down and talked to him about leadership, gave him a book to read on the topic. Mike admitted he never bothered to read it. Folks are trying to tell Vick he needs to work on his leadership skills and football knowledge to progess and become a truly elite QB in this league, so far he has not listened at all.

So, will the rest of his career mirror Brett Favre’s or will it take on a completely different path? Either way, its all Mike’s choice.

It’s class and culture people, class and culture……

By Billy

January 24, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this

Mike was just following McKinney’s lead. Why stop me I’m above everyone else.

By Famuan

January 24, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this

Tsk, tsk, tsk..David Reed…..could you possibly stop giving us the very race card you don’t want us to play? Where in the state attorney’s report does it say Mike Vick exhibited “suspicious” behavior? When he stood back and let the agents search his bag?? So you believe Vick “challenged” the agents? Where in the report do they quote Vick at all? Why will Atlanta never be racially united? Because you read what wasn’t there and I read what was.

By reeses_peace

January 24, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this

I hate to see that bloggers are still calling Michael Vick a THUG because of this incident. Truthfully, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and Keith Urban are all bigger THUGS that Michael Vick. His bottle didn’t contain any illegal substances. He’s not on probation or taking time off for rehab like the aforementioned THUGS! Give me a break! In fact, give Mike a Break! Go buy some #7 jerseys and support your team and it’s QB.

By JT

January 24, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this

How naive people must be to say that well maybe he just hides his jewelry in the bottle. Why would you need the bottle if nothing was in there unless it was something consumed?

I thought some people were excited about him being here as a hero and role model to the african american commmunity? He keeps getting into off the field situations that I would never be OK with as a parent. As a result I threw my sons MV7 authentic in the trash.

As long as people apologize for him he will never have to grow up.

By wes

January 24, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

Now I can’t speak for everyone on here, but I know I ALWAYS carry my secret-compartment water bottle wherever I go.

By FILLMORE BREWSKI

January 24, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

AL - ARE YOU KIDDING ! say Tom Brady acted this strangely, your going to say people would ignore it because he’s white.Give me a break it would get twice the attention because it would seem so out of character.

By misterEarl

January 24, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

Vick’s treatment is no different from the biased treatment Isiah Thomas receives in the voracious New York media. It comes with the territory. If Tony Dungy were not a super-prepared head coach with a near perfect pedigree he would be raked over the hot coals as well. Lovie Smith would be on the El in Chicago and not in a limo to Miami.

Atlanta is special though. Where else can a minister pick up the noble cause of the tormented Black quarterback, than in the weekend fooball congregation of the deep south?

Vick is nothing more than the poster manchild for the racial divide and mistrust that bubbles beneath the surface of our “international city”. Image IS everything and the image of a sly-eyed brotha at quarterback, especially one who wears a do-rag and a gold chain, is simply too irritating for some to bear.

Mike Vick has no problem that a speech coach, lifestyle counselor, wardrobe consultant, media relations specialist, a generous cause-related donation or a good church-going woman cannot fix.

It wouldn’t hurt if Mike Vick learned to pick up a second or third read either.

Just win baby.

By senoia33

January 24, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

Black. White. I’m tired of hearing that this is a race issue. This is not a race issue. It is a dumb-smart issue. It was a dumb move by Michael Vick to not throw away the water bottle. The whole situation could have been avoided.

By funnyman

January 24, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

Why didn’t Blank just call Jesse Jackson to Flowery Branch to solve this problem with the racism at airports? Al Sharpton could have been there too, Hillary Clinton could be there and give Vick a hug after the interview session. It could have been one big scumbag lovefest.

By toshie

January 24, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

One of you said Carson Palmer has critized the other Bengels that has been in trouble. He must think he is GOD like some of you sound like you are. “GET OVER THIS”. I love the read the blog but this is getting old. Get a new subject.

By Observer Hater

January 24, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

Observer - You are the type of cry baby that gives the rest of your community a bad name. Do us all a favor and throw you keyboard away.

By TiredofIdiots

January 24, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

For those of you who think that race is not an issue here, are you actually reading the posts of some of these idiots?! THERE IS NOTHING about Mike Vick that would explain the statement”crack head loookin’ fool”! Other than racism, how can you explain “Is be da leader of da team, you know whut Im sayin”? Unfortunately, any idiot can contribute to these blogs! For those who are wondering if racism is “no longer an issue” spend a moment of two reading these blogs and it is enough to make you hide your children! By the way Jeff, after the lynching the media gave Mike, I wouldn’t dignify its presence by addressing it either!

By daledogg

January 24, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this

The reason it seems a strange way to celebrate innocencse is because everyone including Vick knows he’s not innocent.

By J

January 24, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

All this BS over some Residue…Thats the part of this whole thing that doesn’t make sense

By BUSHWACKER

January 24, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

I got bushwacked and no dinner or even a kiss!!!

By cracker

January 24, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

Hey Observer….you are full of crap! You sound like Jesse and Al and nobody listens to that “im a poor black man” crap!! Get some anger management classes to address your issues and stop venting about how Vick was singled out just because he is black. Nobody but the racist blacks believe that anyway.

By Roger

January 24, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

Vickbeliever, oh your right, we need a QB to run for a 1000 yds, there are a lot of them that got to a superbowl. Also, the Bears Qb Grossman even threw for 28td’s or so. When Vick can read a defense and get rid of the ball in time, maybe we will get somewhere. But until he quits smoking his blunts and the fog is removed from his brain, the Falcons will never get to the SB. Maybe Vick will run for another 1000 yds next year and we can be 7-9 or so. If I wanted a qb to run, I would let Dunn run the offense. Give me a Manning or McNabb anytime over his sorry thug a$$! And why don’t you get you another black panther tattoo,since I am such a racist and don’t agree with Vick.

By B-town Baller

January 24, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

Schultz obiously you are focusing on the wrong thing. The times were a black man is convicted before trail are gone so I thought. I would love to see Matt Schabb play just to let U and your white collar conservative counter parts know that Vick should be the Quarterback for the Falcons. This man gives the Falcons a chance to score whenever he touch the ball understand that. What you need to write a about is filling that gap in the o-line and in the top of your head. Not only is your hair missing but your head is empty as well. GO BIRDS

By zap

January 24, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

If Michael Vick is not guilty and not smoking pot then just have a drug test and prove it! End of story. The bottom line is with all his talent the falcons are still not in the playoffs. Actions backup talk, so Michael let’s start being a leader and a winner!

By BUSHWACKER

January 24, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

Shultz’ editor is controller by Blank.loser!!!!

By BirdBob

January 24, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

Jeff Schultz,

Why are you trying to deflect attention and blame away from yourself and point it toward Arthur Blank, Rich McKay and Coach Petrino?

No matter how you try to spin it, you were flat out wrong in your opinions and your conclusions that “Michael Vick was trying to sneak marijuana past airport security.

I will have zero respect for you as a man, person or columnist until you admit that you were wrong to jump to conclusions so quickly before all of the facts were in.

Your silence on this matter is deafening!!! To suggest that there is some type of cover-up or conspiracy akin to the Pelican Brief and which includes a grassy knoll along with a second gunman is pathetic. This cover-up would have to involve the Miami Police Department, Airport Security, the Miami Crime Lab, the Atlanta Falcons, the NFL and Michael Vick.

By Chris

January 24, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this

As a reporter of the AJC, you continue to make this issue worse. With your position as a reporter your words speak louder than the average person on the street. For you to work in Atlanta you have become the worse enemy for the city and team. We continue to get slandered from our own newspaper reporters. How can the team or shall I say M.Vick every come out of the shadows.

If the city or media in your own town is not in your favor why should the fans. Its a LOSE LOSE situation, the media tears down the fans and the team so there is no support. I didn’t hear all of this garbage when Schaub got arrested and once again VICK did not get arrested.

By FILLMORE BREWSKI

January 24, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

At some point this whole drama gets old.Heres an idea! lets hide Vick in a secret compartment and ship him via air to Al Davis.Lets face it Al could use the pub and I’m sure Mr Blank would love the tv time, he could ask for the last two minutes on sports center and maybe stand by the anchor and pester him while he tries to do his job.

By Taft

January 24, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

why are you trying to turn fans against michael vick?

sure, he is not playing to his potential but there is no proof that his understudy is more qualified for the job as the falcon’s starting qb. Mr. Blank wants a team that is able to win the superbowl and mike, not matt, has the talent that could let him take over in a championship game. matt schaub has the talent to run an offensive scheme effectively, but when defensive coordinator’s figure out his weaknesses and attack them he will lack the god given talent of a mr. vick that would take away from the potential that people like you think justifies a qb change. therefore, you sould stop trying to push michael vick out of atlanta.

By mckay

January 24, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

Observer and By By a Falcon Fan in Miami, Spare us the garbage and the tiresome race card. Im a young black man living in the south and this excuse gets old. Get over yourself and your apathy towards hard work.

By nick

January 24, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

vick is a thug with no respect for the city of Atlanta. Put in Schaub

By Teri

January 24, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Hey, BLACK man, you have some real issues in your life. You just have to make it a race thing done’t you? Get rid of some of that anger and quit blaming your poor, poor life on everyone else.

By Mike

January 24, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

I see you are not going to stop being wrong, you are great at crticizing but as I wrote you last week you are only right 20% of the time. I cannot understand why you aways ready to crucify Mike Vick. You are not a hypocrite because you are constitantly wrong and you give your personal thoughs (thug) Jeff I will take the high road you should THINK as Michael should before you touch your computer. I would like to think you could write the facts not keep dragging up the past negitives . You really act if this is something personnal between you and Mike. I am looking for your improvement.

By fromVT

January 24, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

It’s not about him being a young black man it’s about an overpaid egotistical talentless fool. Nothing good will ever come from that family. Trade him while some other team is silly enough to think he has any value!

By Why speak?

January 24, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

The front page of this website contradicts one of Schultz’s biggest points. There you have a guy who I’m sure said “I’m innocent” and he did 22 years. Point being, when has truthfully saying your innocent helped a black man with regards to the law? You can ride down Memorial Dr. to the jailhouse right now and find many guys to tell you they didn’t do it. That statement is pointless. When you know something said about you is not true, you speak on it when you wish…especially when the evidence supports you.

And for those of you that think a group of non African-Americans (especially affluent individuals) risked a felony to cover up a young black man’s possible misdemeanor, you’re more than a couple cards short of a full deck.

By Tom Miller

January 24, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

Good post Gman The only problem is… you and I along will all the other law abiding citizens on this blog understand that point. It’s the gangbanger hoodlums who think Vick is So Cool because he dresses and acts like them… Vick thinks his a gangster rap boy, dressing like a thug, puffing like a thug, carrying a gun and posse like a thug, having children out of wedlock like a thug, lending his cars out to friends who carry drugs/guns just like a thug, and last for now… thinks the rules and laws of society are not written for him… just like a punk thug!

Mr. Blank… Please let this kid go to Oakland so he can live out his life long dream….. We need Class and Leadership on this team… The fans have spoken by stating more than 70% say trade the kid…. Good bye and do not let the door hit you on your a#$$ clown boy.

By THSISWHY

January 24, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

Don’t be making fun of Rex Grossman you Vick lovers, his stats are better than Vicks’

By GoToH3LL

January 24, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

Not only are you a racist, Jeff Schultz, I see that you’re a WIMP too…..sitting back deleting the comments that you don’t want others to see…..WIMP!!!!

By tom

January 24, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

I believe the residue in the bottle was pot after he washed it out. Simply put why are you carrying a trick bottle trying to get through security at an airport when we all know 3oz max liquids through? I think we have the dumbest quarterback in the NFL. Talented yes, a draw in the stands, yes and that is the bottom line for Blank. Fill the stands. Good luck Bobby Petrino. You have your hands full, but maybe you can unleash that talent and be a disciplinarian to make him grow up finally.

By SENSIBLE

January 24, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Senoia, you can’t make this a dumb/smart issue, because if you make this a dumb/smart issue then it makes it hard to blame the white man for this whole mess, you can make it a racial issue because you can always blame the white man for that, but how can you blame the white man if you make it a dumb/smart issue? Of course I guess you can blame the white man for Vicks’ poor education.

By black and white

January 24, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this

I love how everything to do with this situation is attributed to his race. Especially the guy who felt the need to bold the word black man everytime he used it. THIS IS A JOKE.

If Vick stood up and acted like a leader that he thinks or says he is none of this would be an issue.

This is going to be a make or break year for Vick. Either he responds to the new HC or he goes…just my 2 cents.

Can’t we all just get along!!!

By PeytonManning

January 24, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this

funnyman, that would have been a hilarious news conference.

By FILLMORE BREWSKI

January 24, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

When other than maybe Elways last drive has a qbs running made a difference in a superbowl ? championship qbs win with their arms and brains.

By Calvin for Heisman

January 24, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Put the race card away. It never fails that someone will pull this crap out. Leave it alone! It’s not about race, it’s about football. Vick sucks and that’s the issue. It would be the same issue if it were Peyton, Tom, Schaub or whoever else. If they are not that good on the field, then these off-field issues just add to the humiliation of not being able to lead a team to the playoffs when you’re making $130 million a year. If Mike was winning, this would not be a big deal, PERIOD!!! But he’s not, so it is a big deal. But leave the race issues alone. No one cares and everyone is sick of hearing this junk!

By Gman

January 24, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

White Folks: Vick is not a good leader, can’t call audibles or read defenses, he is not a good QB

Black Folks: Vick is a black man so I cheer for him, and if you don’t cheer for him, well you must be a white racist or an uncle tom

That sums up this board. Any questions?

By misterEarl

January 24, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Interesting commentary on the state of the so-called “international city” that a football quarterback can generate so much venom of people towards one another.

But a thug?

sheesh

By earldaddy

January 24, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Jeff, you are sad. The damage control you are trying to perform to protect your own rep is thinly veiled. You were advocating getting rid of Vick last week, based partly upon this last accusation (not conviction, but accusation). You are not slick, and the public is not as stupid as you seem to think.

By Marty

January 24, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Man up Schultz! You BASHED Vick last week when it seemed like he was guilty (as many of us did)…and now you can’t even really turn around and say I jumped the gun…my apologies…let me eat my crow. I remember why I don’t waste time reading your articles. People would respect you more if you had it in you to just say I was wrong.

By Pamela Parker

January 24, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

Maybe Vick has ADD?? We know he has DOPE and HERPES…not to mention THREE UNWED KIDS.. I agree, he looks half baked when talking in interviews and seems in a DAZE on the sidelines. And this is the face of a professional ball club…. Times have changed for the worst for sure…

By Jeff

January 24, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

once a thug always a thug

By Falcons Fan

January 24, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

Tupac Shakur developed the word thug and declared that the dictionary definition of a “thug” as being a rogue or criminal was not how he used the term, but rather he meant someone who came from a oppressive or squalid background and little opportunity but still made a life for themselves and were proud.

Kinda sums up Vick if you ask me.

So Vick was toting his bottle hiding his best weed and didnt want to give it up so he could use the bottle again. His hesitation, much like his hesitation when reading NFL defenses, is what took him down.

Talk about embarressing. The focal point of the Falcons is on this leader of men. You can tell someones integrity by who they hang with. Maybe Vick needs to reassess who he pals with. The last time he got in trouble at the airport someone in his party stole a watch and Vick sheepishly had to get it back and bring it to the victim. Geez Louise.

Trade Vick while the getting is good. It dont matter about salary cap, just do it.

Nothing would be finer than to see Vick in Carolina in the morning !

Someone said if Vick goes he would be like Brett Favre and turn into a real good Hall of Fame QB. No , Vick has had six years to prove that and he hasn’t. The guy on the bench, Schaub is the one who is going to turn into the next QB we wished we hadnt lost.

I remember last year when Vick was suppossed to put in so much work with the wide receivers. They wanted to work out at 0700 AM and Vick said he would be available more like 9 AM. Yeh ok team leader. We saw what happened when Vick put out that extra work.

Vick thug. Vick buggin. Vick styles. Vick weedin. Vickamillions. Vick bye bye.

By vicccious

January 24, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

Let Vick return punts till he gets hurt then send his gangsta a** to live out his days smokin’ reefa in Miami, He’ll probably end up in a Florida jail anyway.

By Popeye

January 24, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

Jeff Schultz get off you azz and go find a story. Your sorry azz is upset because you thought you had a big fat juicy story that you could ride for weeks. No but instead Vick was cleared and your jaw dropped with disbelief. Vick doesen’t owe you me or the public jack. So Jeff what would you like to hear from Vick or the organization that the police report didn’t already say. No one is going to give you free material on this one. “Vick Cleared” write about that and get over it. You thought this story would write itself but it didn’t so get off your lazy azz and find a story to write about and stop regurgitating on news. Go on about you business, there is nothing to see her, move along jack azz.

By Wings of Victory

January 24, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

Please Mr. Blank get rid of this gangster rap star wannabe and bring in a QB with “class” regardless of skin color!

THUG = Vick, TO, Iverson, J. Smith, Artest, R. Lewis. Rodman, C. Barkley, C. Anthony

CLASS ACT = T. Dorsett, D. Mcnabb, A. Ashe, K. Malone, M. Singletary, S. McNair, Lovie Smith, Ozzie Smith, Walter Payton and Edwin Moses.

The show and hype is getting old Blunt Blaster….

By noneya

January 24, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

Why do the Falcons and or Vick have to say anything? Is it not good enough that he has been cleared my the Miami Police Department? Is that not good enough for you? Why does there have to be a cloud of suspicion around this? You truly are GUILTY until proven INNONCENT in the media. And in this case he has been proven Innocent and it still isn’t good enough.

By Mel

January 24, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

I think you all are too worried about something that does not have anything to do with you. He is INNOCENT, but why don’t you all go to the Blog about our President who is killing all of those troops for the most ignorant reason. That’s what you all should be talking about instead of a football athlete who is not trying to lead the country like BUSH is soo horribly doing.
Worry about more important things!

By Kelli

January 24, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

Tiredodidiots, I second that emotion. Your comments, along with a couple others, are the most rational and intelligent thoughts presented thus far. But unfortunately, you will get burned by the bloggers instead of the “Is be da leader of da team, you know whut Im sayin?” idiot or the ”crack head loookin’ fool!” idiot. Sad, truly sad. What has my city come too. Oh and cornrows do not make you a thug; an arrest record does. What a bunch of idiots!

By T

January 24, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

People! Schultz is right. It’s not about pot. It’s not about how others reacted to the incident. Everyone that focus’ on race, ownership, media… is masking the main focus here, and that is #7. I applaud you JS or any media member in this town that demands answers. Even Jim Mora knew that the media in this town is a joke. He talked about it on the infamous radio interview in Seattle. Stop blaming others for Michael Vick’s mistakes! Let’s start holding #7 responsible for his own actions and demand him accountable for response

By laofer

January 24, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

Maybe Vick will get hurt in preseason again and we can see what the Falcons can be with a non scrambling pot head

By Shep

January 24, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this

Let’s move on from this as the Miami police department has done. If they have closed the book on this, why can’t we do the same? I don’t remember this much attention being given to Dany Heatley when his actions led to the DEATH of a TEAMMATE. Where was all the outcry to trade or dump him? He too was the “face” of his respective franchise.

By SnuffySmith

January 24, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

Vicks infamous water bottle was completely rinsed clean by Miami police officials. The water bottle came back being completely sanitized and ready for use. So why then is Vick being drugged through the media as if he has committed murder or some violent crime. Leave the guy alone and let him lead the league in rushing and guide the Falcons to a record of 2-14. That formula will get the Falcons nowhere. The solution is MATT SCHAUB. I found out yesterday that Matt Schaub set records in college for the most completions ever and most yards by a Division-I quarterback. Those are pretty impressive credentials. Trade Vick for Randy Moss and and Joey Porter and give Schaub the tools he needs to be successful.

By EW

January 24, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

Why Vick has troube with a play book? He doen’t know the difference between three ounces and twenty ounces. Come on, the guy flies all the time and he thought he could carry a twenty ounce bottle with a fake compartment on a plane when the news has been saying for months nothing more than three ounces allowed. Okay, is he that arrogant or that stupid, or BOTH.

By Murf

January 24, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

Why do you still work here? Move to New York with all the other Atlanta bashers please. Soon

By Get Smart

January 24, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

Say goodbye.

The Atlanta Constitution should let Jeff (non-professional sport writer)go. It is amazing how Jeff botch this story with his nonsense opinion about why M. Vick must go. Motto to story Jeff, do not write things about folks unless you have all your facts. You must be trying to get yourself fired so that you can seek a career at “The Globe” or the “National Enquirer. All you others who make drug and thug comments need to be tutor on how to think. As far Vick’s leadership skills, his skills are superb. Folks who question his maturity and leadership probably don’t know how to define the terms that they are using. The bottom line is that if Bobby Petrino can get the Falcons playing in sync and key players do not get injured than the Falcon should easily win a Super Bowl. Come on folks we go think positive!!!!

By dirtiest_of_birds

January 24, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

Vick’s lack of judgement is typical of his judgement on the field. Like the play against DeMarcus Ware in the Dallas game, Vick needs tolearn to throw it away once he gets in trouble.

By Nocolorbrother

January 24, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

Is there any doubt in anybody’s mind that we have the dumbest player in the NFL?

By WISDOM

January 24, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

Mr. Schultz,

Why don’t you move on and find you another subject because this one is dead…..Oh yea, I have one for you:

KLAN RALLY TONITE: 12 MIDNITE AND BE SURE TO WEAR YOU RED GRAND OLD WIZARD SHEETS.

NOW GO GET A LIFE!

By marbo

January 24, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

This is a response to your post that was deleted: First of all Mr. Bushwhacker, how can you speak for the integrity of the men you mentioned when you know absolutely nothing about those men or what they do in their daily lives…..btw….the point about Vick getting high after he leaves football is not true, and it speaks to your knowledge or lack there of about the future or Vick’s daily dealings for that matter. Stick to things you know for certain….Nothing!!

By Dominic

January 24, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

Gangsta!

By Falcon Down On The Field

January 24, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

Atlanta has lost faith in their franchise quarterback. Would 40 touchdown passes and a Super Bowl championship change all of that? Damn straight. If Michael produces, all of this will be forgotten…overnight. If he doesn’t, expect Atlanta to vote with their dollar.

By Gman

January 24, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

Jeff Schultz a racist, huh…….people that believe that prove my point

By Big Train

January 24, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

Before we talk any more about race does anyone know what color the security guard was? And what about gender? Is it because the security guard was female that she reacted as she did? Would she have reacted differently if a woman had not wanted to give up her water bottle? Had she been a football fan would she have let him go by because of who he is? Probably the guards in Atlanta let him go by with the bottle to begin with….

By FILLMORE BREWSKI

January 24, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

Come on guys so he had a special bottle made with a secret compartment,it’s not like terrorist would ever use a bottle to blow up an airplane.And besides who hasn’t tried to sneak banned cargo through a checkpoint and then refused to cooperate with security.Next thing the haters will say is it’s wrong to scream fire in a crowded theater or hang out at playgrounds in your underwear.

By Why?

January 24, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

Everybody just let it go. Vick isn’t going anywhere next year, so stop talking about that. Let’s be real, everybody, black or white, is not a racist, both everybody has prejudices. All prejudice means is to prejudge before we know all of the facts. We are all guilty of this, but there is no need for name calling from ANYONE. Can we please just drop this and get on with out regular lives. The Falcons organization is not paying any of us, so really, why do we care? All we are doing here is creating unnecessary tension. If you don’t like the situation, turn the tv, don’t read these articles, don’t support the Falcons, but please stop making everything a race issue, it makes this entire city and state look very ignorant. Let’s grow up and realize that all of us are human beings are there are much more important things going on in the world. GOD BLESS US ALL! If you want to know my particualr race, I am of the human race, and that is all that matters.

By d.d.h.

January 24, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this

I will speak for Vick cause I know he is not allowed to say but “to all of my haters KISS MY A*” there were no drugs.Stop talking about the money. Vick is getting a big check because he is bringing 10 times more money to Atlanta than he is making.If we didnt have Vick nobody would not care about the Falcons.

By Hunter

January 24, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

Why is this such a big deal? Everyone from 15-35yrs old, knows precisely how ballers live. They all have crome rims, they all smoke “MJ”, and they all go clubbing. What else is new? Who cares if he paid off the Miami police? Really who cares? He may not be the best NFL QB, but how much fun is it to watch him succeed as opposed to fail? Get off your high horses Americans, this story is not news. Go Birds!

By Tradehim

January 24, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

I used to cringe when my grandparenst would say “dumb n**”, How could they be so cruel and mean?

By H. L. Mencken

January 24, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

Schultz, you are so full of false piety and innocence it sickens me.

People believe the media needs to apologize to Vick. I’m sorry, but the media reported the incident, the police report and the lack of any denial by anybody involved. Tell me where this jumped the tracks because I’d love to know This isn’t all about the media…look at yourself..

Ok, Mr. Professional Sportswriter here is where it jumped the tracks. All you have to do is go back to your earlier article, which contained the following:

*It (a picture) showed Vick sitting in a limo, holding what was alleged to be a joint. Vick said it was a small cigar. If he got the benefit of the doubt then, he doesn’t deserve it now. *(so, he is guilty, right?)

Quarterback is about all of those intangibles that you can’t measure at the scouting combine. If Vick has those intangibles, they’re hiding in a mysterious cloud of smoke.* (Again, he is guilty, right?)

So, you pretentious a*, do you see the difference? Can you distinguish between reporting the incident and going off on some sort of diatribe?

What sort of denial do you want? There was nothing found, except a bottle with a false bottom by someone who has a high school diploma and is now a TSA employee. big deal.. THE FOOTBALL SEASON IS OVER! Why was he carrying a container with a false bottom? That is up to him! Was it stupid? Yes! Is it the off season? Yes! Was there a criminal charge? NO!

look around at the National Felon League… This is what America sells out the $$ for and why Super Bowl commercials go for millions! A Chicago Bears player gets to play even though he is facing weapons charges! (he has been charged with a crime, by the way!) Favre gets hooked on Doctor Dope and gets a pass..maybe he should have read the warnings.. the Cowboys were winning Super Bowls while sniffing coke and having prostitutes over..

If Vick chooses to make a statement, that is up to him. Does silence = guilt? I would like to think not. If I were Vick, my only words to you and the rest of AJC would be to go to h*, but that would probably draw a fine.

You are so eager to give Vick and the Falcons advice, here is some for you. why don’t you retire, or leave, or better yet, just jump out a window. You are such a great man; I am sure you would sprout wings and fly. Enjoy living in your glass house. Jerk.

By Alex

January 24, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

Jeff, You are exactly right. If I was being accused by authorities, my team, and team president and I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong, I would be strenuously proclaiming my innocence! These people who keep defending him have blinders on.

By Ricky Cooper

January 24, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

You crazy man

By guitarman

January 24, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

Man, you guys can really go to extremes and not look at BOTH sides of an issue. Vick has made some painful errors, for sure, but anyone that does not think that he is looked on as a hip hop generation quarterback is kidding themselves. I am certain that those who say that they don’t care as to whether Vick is black or not are being CONSCIOUSLY truthful. The problem is that WE ALL make observations in our subconscious when we encounter people (as in the case of dumb blondes, rednecks, fat people, etc). So let’s get it straight: VICK made in this case a stupid error and this never should have happened. In addition, as Jeff pointed out, the Falcon response has been cause for concern, but don’t try to fool anyone (including yourself) by saying that his demeanor and appearance don’t matter.

By CA

January 24, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

I am so sick of the race card being pulled anytime something does not go the way others want it to go.

What is the going to be the rationale if it was, in fact, an African American who went into the trash after the water bottle - how is that then a racially motivated issue?

Try thinking logically rather than emotionally, what else could have been in the bottle?

Why else would he not want to surrender the silly thing.

If anything, he is guilty of making a bad decision. But that would be one of many…

Get over the race issue and move on.

By MoveOn

January 24, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

IT’S TIME TO MOVE ON. I RESPECT THE FALCONS THAT THEY ONLY HAD ONE SPOKEPERSON. YOU GUYS WERE WRONG FOR LAUNCHING AN ASSAULT ATTACK ON THIS YOUNG MAN WITHOUT ALL THE FACTS. THE AJC SHOULD KNOW BETTER SINCE THE RICHARD JEWEL INCIDENT.

By Corey

January 24, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

How many 26 year olds exhibit the qualities and judgment of a 40 year old? I’m not making excuses for Mr. Vick, but let’s get real. What kind of mind set did most of us have at age 26?

By senoia33

January 24, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

If Michael Vick was so innocent, why was he so insistent that he would not get rid of the water bottle? I would think a man such as Mike Vick could afford many more water bottles. I would even think if there was a substance (?) in the bottle that he could afford more of that substance once he got back to Atlanta. The fact is Mike made a dumb decision, and he is paying the consequences for this decision. He brought it on himself. Race is not a factor. Just pure stupidity. Was it worth all this Mike?

By dwy30344

January 24, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

No matter what Vick says you idiots won’t believe him. YOU IDIOTS DON’T BELIEVE THE POLICE WHEN THEY SAY HE DIDN’T HAVE ANY DRUGS Vick would be waisting his time claiming his innocence to you biased fools. You respected the Police when the intial reports were released, But when the lab tests come back and clear a man that was wrongly accused you people think there is some kind of cover up at the Miami DA’s office. How stupid is that? THE LAW HAS CLEARED HIM FROM ANY WRONG DOING, AND YES THAT IS THE END OF STORY What was in the bottle? Nothing illegal so it’s none your business! Before Vick came to the Falcons most of you were uninterested in the team, REMEMBER THE HALF EMPTY DOME, THATS FULL NOW THANKS TO VICK Yes it took one man to turn dieing franchise around, but it’s gonna takes way more than one man to win a championship. YOU DUMMIES, THE FALCONS DEFENSE WAS RANKED 22, AND OUR WIDE RECEIVERS COULDN’T CATCH A COLD

VICK PLEASE IGNORE THESE IDIOTS AND DON’T RESPOND, FOCUS ON NEXT SEASON

By past fan

January 24, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

Mike Vick is a pot head.That can’t remember to line up behind center much less a play book.Damn white man!

By rob

January 24, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

Well, at least we know terrorist wont be able to smuggle in a nuclear bomb in a water bottle!… arent there more important things in life that this!!!

By BUSHWACKER

January 24, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

All I know is we have more talent on the Falcons than Indy or Chicago and we are sitting at home smoking weed instead of playing next week!!

Time to torch another one, pass me the cheetos!!

By Jerry

January 24, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

Jeff you suck! No evidence or proof of drugs. Does’t the NFL test all its players for illegal drugs? Thank God that real justice is based on actual facts. To bad your article jumped the gun.

By honest_abe

January 24, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

one quick question. where’s all these righteous equal rights defenders when people bash billy knight? last time i checked he was black too. hmmmm

or how about roddy white or michael jenkins? where’s all the cries of racism then?

please stop pulling out that “white man is the devil” excuse whenever it is convenient for you!

By Mike

January 24, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick, O.J., Kobe, Michael Jackson, Marion Barry, … When on earth will the justice department stop trying to gain convictions on high profile black men? It’s painfully obvious that many blacks will stand behind high profile black men regardless of what they do. As a matter of fact, many blacks will rally around these ‘innocent’ men just to spite society. It’s not about justice - it’s about payback. Society created a situation where many blacks are taught that they are victims of evil white racism and therefore are not responsible for any illegal or bad behavior. Let’s drop the race baiting and hope that Michael Vick matures and grows into a quarterback and leader that the Falcons need. Remember there is no zero tolerance policy on Michael (thank God). A cat only has nine lives and Michael is rapidly using those nine chances up.

By white guy

January 24, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

I’m a white guy. I’m 52 years old.

If Vick was white whould this have played out as it did? I doubt it.

Everyone made assumptions about him and the incident because of his color, his brother and preconcieved white notions of what black culture amounts to. That’s human nature, unfortunately, and it’s going to happen. Do I think Vick smokes pot? Yeah, I expect he does. I have too. Big deal. I thought he was likely guilty and that he was an idiot for taking illegal drugs through an airport. I still think taking drugs through an airport is incredibly dumb, but now I have to admit, I have no idea what Vick did, if he did anything at all.

What about the bottle? Again, big deal. I didn’t know they even existed, but now that I do know, I kinda want one. I don’t need one, but it’s cool. Maybe it means something, and maybe it doesn’t.

I owe Vick an apology for jumping to conclusions, and Jeff, so do you. So what if he hasn’t proclaimed his innocence? Look at Floyd Landis. Did his proclaiming his innocence do him any good?

Mr. Schultz be the kind of responsible man you want Mike Vick to be. Quit being a punk. Admit you screwed up.

By yancy b

January 24, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

Jeff all you had to do was say sorry and move on. NO ONE OWES YOU AN EXPLANATION. You don’t sign any Falcon’s paychecks and you will most certainly never get a check that big.

By sunny

January 24, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

Jeff Schultz, I have never really paid attention to your columns, but when I read last week’s headline “Vick Must Go”, I was incensed. You and the AJC are trying to build a campaign to oust Vick the same way that you recently crucified Jim Mora. You even criticized Vick for not supporting Mora, but then you threw Mora under the bus, too. I was expecting you to dine on some humble pie after the news that the water bottle didn’t have marijuana in it, but you have jumped right back on your soap box. Now, you are complaining because Vick is silent. It does not matter either way, because if Vick was talking, you and the rest of the bloggers would painstakingly pick apart his comments for grammatical errors, analyze his dress and generally jump on anything that you can find like a bunch of pariahs. I don’t blame Vick, if I was him, I would be quiet, too.

As a student of history, I felt the need to look at the criticism of Michael Vick through the eyes of history. And what does history tell me? That the media and guys like Jeff Schultz have a long and storied history of negative potrayal of black atheletes. To those who say this isn’t about race, I don’t know where you live, but I live in America, where race is the #1 issue. Race is the one issue that has and will continue to keep this country from acheiving true greatness. I am sure that there are people on this blog who do not think it is about race, because they have never experienced true racism (not prejudice; there is a difference, folks). All of this is occuring in Georgia, where a bill has been proposed to break Fulton County in to two economically and racially distinct counties!

When Vick became quarterback of the Falcons, he broke all the rules. You see, a black man isn’t supposed to be the field general of a football team. The same criticisms that are being leveled at Vick are the same ones that have been used historically to exclude blacks from professional sports. Black “atheletes” (if I hear one more commentator call Vick the best “athelete” in the NFL, I’m going to scream!) supposedly possess raw, untamed atheletic ability but lack the intellect necessary for skilled positions such as QB. Anybody remember Jimmy the Greek? Doesn’t this sound like some ole slavery stuff, black men as animals? This wild, untamed athleticism is supposedly a natural gift so black atheletes obviously don’t have to work as hard as their white teammates. Based on this assumption, black atheletes have been historically relegated to positions that require stamina and physical strength (remember all the calls to turn vick into a running back or wide receiver?)Don’t these arguments sound like the usual ones that have been used to exclude blacks from education, employment opportunities, etc.? I would bet that the same people who are calling Vick a thug (someone who has no arrest or criminal record, mind you) would call my hard working father, brother, cousin and uncles thugs also. Vick haters have attempted to assign him the same negative attributes that have been historically assigned to black men: lazy, insolent, hypersexual, arrogant, unintelligent, suspicious, lacking leadership potential, etc.

I would bet that if the Falcons had a winning season, the critics would be silent and this story wouldn’t received the media attention that it has garnered. But since the Falcons had a losing record, for a whole host of reasons beyond the quarterback’s performance, Vick gets pummelted with the same stereotypes that affect other black atheletes and that have been used against blacks in general.

I’m shocked at the tone of the AJC towards one athelete. After Mora was gone and the season was over, the AJC started that ridiculous poll about whether or not Vick could learn a new offense (questioning his intelligence, again). Now that Aquafina-gate has died down a bit, yesterday, the AJC runs a ridiculous graphic comparing Vick’s fine to Josh Smith’s. What next, AJC? I figure that as long as people log on to your site, read the ridiculous stuff you publish and patronize your advertisers, you have an incentive to publish this junk. I should’ve stopped reading back in December when you failed to moderate those racists posts about hanging Vick from a tree. I’ve had enough. No more ajc.com for me.

I do hope that for his own sake Vick goes somewhere else next season. What will Schultz say when Schuab lines up and the Falcons still lose? I for one won’t know because I’m not reading your paper anymore!

By BUSHWACKER

January 24, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

Sensible, my head is spinning, let me smoke one and try reading your statement again,maybe it will make sense when I’m all weeded up!

By Tommy

January 24, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

This paper won’t be happy until they completely wreck this team. The Miami controversy is the culmination of an endless drumbeat that has gone on since the season started, and in fact goes back to the time Mora took over. I still think the fact Mora jumped all over one of the AJC beat writers [wyche, I think] in a press conference last year has something to do with the endless negativity of the AJC towards the Falcons. Reporters stick together like the mob. Look at what happened to Kenny Rogers [the pitcher, not the singer].

Instead of saying the falcons aren’t talking, schultz ought to ask himself, why don’t they talk to us? McKay has enough evidence to justify not talking to Schultz because he’d probably just twist the quote to suit his bias anyway. The press has a place to be critical and point out wrongdoing, but this is getting insane.

And has anyone read the article about the salary cap hit the Falcons take even if they trade Vick?? $23 million next year. That is 20% of their salary cap figure. Vick will be gone, but so will any realistic shot at the playoffs for 3 or 4 years. So we’ll have Schaub and a 3-13 team. Great

Lord knows Vick isn’t perfect. But for the central goal of the Falcons—getting to and winning the super bowl—he’s their best shot. And for this Falcons fan, that’s all I care about.

By BUSHWACKER

January 24, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

While Jeff may be a racist and probably is a whimp, i don’t think he is the one erasing the comments.

Did they get you too, they posted mine this morning then a few minutes later it was gone.

I think Blank controls the editors puppet strings!

By Dwayne

January 24, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

So now that the tape showing what happened in the airport has been “deleted”, it’s good to know that the NFL is alive and strong protecting their Golden Boy Vick…so sad……..

By theedge56

January 24, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

Tape of VIck pitching the water bottle destroyed? Hmmm.

By howconvenient

January 24, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

Now we find out the miami police have erased the tape of the Vick incident, way to go Arthur Blank, now send your money down to Florida like a good boy.

By A Real Fan

January 24, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

I could care less if some of you disagree with my assessment.

First of all I support Vick, this team, and this organization no matter what. I am 26 year old black male and I have been a fan since I was 7. I have supported this team through thick and mostly thin. My opinion is that MV has been the best thing to happen to this franchise ever, this team was at the bottom of the heap since its inception. This team was never talked about as being a superbowl contender let alone a playoff contender year in and year out until we drafted him.

Many of his critics on this board and in the media dogs him no matter what, but many will say at the end of there criticism he gives them the best chance to win. It is not just him out there, you need all 22 people offensively and defensively to be consistent. I have seen games where he plays well (with the oline playing good and wrs catching passes) and the D will let the other team drive for the winning score. Some of you will still somehow find a way to make it Vick’s fault not the team but you will blame one individual. Its like a double standard BS going on, like when Brady struggled they blamed his receivers and when the Colts lost (the Jacksonville game) its the Colts D even though Manning had a bad game. This same excuses they used for Manning and Brady this year could be used for Vick not winning week in and week out.

The only reason this whole situation got any attention is because the media caught wind of it and ran with it without getting all of the facts. Vick carrying that water botlle is no different than me or you carrying it. Ask yourself what if that was Manning, Brady, E. Manning, Rivers, Brees would you are the media be saying the same things. No!! We would hear every excuse about why it couldn’t be theirs or the people at the airport must have gotten bottles mixed up. Please don’t tell me race has nothing to do with it because it does whether you want to admit it or not. Vick is so different for the prototypical white QB he just lights a fire in some people. In there eyes he is the anti-Manning and that is what they don’t want. That is why any little incident gets blown up to prove he is the stereotypical black male. You all know what I am talking about, the one that grew in the ghetto never learned how to stay out of trouble and will be in jail by the time he is 30. It kills them that when they can’t find anything they have to dig deeper to find anything they can cling a story to, to show they he can’t be an NFL QB.

PS The reason some black people don’t like him is that some black people don’t like to others black people like them succeed.

By Cha-Ching

January 24, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

All I have to say is The Check Has Been Cashed!!!

By no id

January 24, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

Vick is not a thug or gangster! I wish people would please stop calling him that..giving the finger, carrying a water bottle that had a suspicious smell of weed,(which we found out was not true) or wearing braids and bling, does not make u a THUG! YALL DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT A REAL THUG OR GANGSTER IS..DUMMIES, look it up in the dicitonary before u call him or anyone that. And believe me, anything he has done on and off the field will not say that he’s a thug..it’s fine if u wanna call him out on his play on the field but this man is no thug or gangster

By bushwhacker

January 24, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

Is be da leada of dis team, is be da plamaka, just give me da plays and ill make it happen fo dis franchise. Is be doin it since I was in eluhmenturie skool fool.

By richmckay

January 24, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

Arthur Blank deserves all the blame for bustin our salary cap on this Virginia ghetto pot head

By Peyton Walters

January 24, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

More than one of you has referred to Shultz as a reporter. He is not. He is a columnist, paid only to give his opinion. His opinions on this matter are certainly debatable, but also certainly legit. Unless you are blind, and most of you are because of your racial beliefs on one side or the other, it is obvious this situation should have been handled better by Vick, the Falcons and yes, even the media.

By Bruce Evers

January 24, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

All the Boy’s Life/Grit/Scouting Handbook posturing about Michael Vick’s duty to Virtuous American Leadership aside, a few points come to mind. The Offensive Line, Butterfingered receivers, Inept Coaching and the Ubiquitous Owner on the Sideline. Water bottles, middle fingers and the tender feelings of some of the most fairweather fans in the nation are just another series of dodges away from dealing with the game of Football. Now PLEASE let’s begin…

By Traceman

January 24, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

Jeff, as I figured, you and the rest of your co-conspirators at the AJC not only refuse to apologize for jumping to conclusions, you continue to try to add fuel to the fire by trying to advance your ridiculous conspiracy theory. So now, the AJC is requesting a copy of the video that shows Vick throwing the bottle in the trash? For what possible purpose?

Here’s a thought, how about you, or someone on the AJC’s staff, go interview the screener who detected the water bottle and get a first hand account of the circumstances that led to the discovery of the bottle? Why not interview the screener’s supervisor who said that the odor in the bottle was closely associated with marijuana to get a first hand account?

Why in the heck would Vick even CONSIDER making a statement about this issue when it is CLEAR that all you and the AJC will do is try to poke holes in anything he says? Same gos for the team at this point.

By John

January 24, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

Smells like a payoff, or cover up to me. I guess a hidden compartment water bottle is an every day occurence at the Miami Airport.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING SOME REAL FOOTBALL TALLENT IN TWO WEEKS!

              JOHN LIGHTHART
              CHARLESTON,SC

By No Falcon or Vick fan

January 24, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

Mr. Vick was cleared and that’s that. I’m black and I’m tired of the race card being OVERLY played and I’m tired of the description of Mr. Vick as a “thug”.

Question: Can you please define thug? Question: Why does someone who is proven innocent have to shout from the rooftops that he is innocent?

The ATL media hyped this up from the start and, as you can see, has yet to let it go. Mr. Vick doesn’t have to say anything because all of us are saying enough for him and anyone else personally involved with the situation.

To the ATL: it’s time to let it go; he’s not going anywhere (yet). To the AJC sports journalists: time to find a new story and let this one take the dirt nap it deserves, because you have overkilled it!

By Pamela Parker

January 24, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

Evidence Missing in the Case NOW…. WHat a joke…. Who paid who off on this one… This is a simple cover up for a (black) celebrity.

Where is Jesse and Sharpton on this one??

Stick you guns Jeff, call it like it is….

By MV7

January 24, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

Looks like a thug, Smells like a thug,

Almost certain that….its a thug.

This whole thing has been covered up, wonder how much those federal employees were paid to “erase” the tape.

By Torrie

January 24, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

Jeff Schitz why don’t you call and ask Arthur Blank or Rich McKay or Bobby Petrino or Vick’s agent or TSA or Miami Police department what happened? You keep trying to harp on Vick and his water bottle because YOU are convinced it was something else and you were so sure that you wrote more negative and horrendous stories about OUR starting QB. You are trying, searching, and reaching for something to back up your anal claims. Why don’t you start with yourself and be man enough to apologize to Vick, his family, and the Falcons organization. I guess you are still waiting for Vick to come out and apologize for meeting the expectations of your cockamamie story. YOU ARE SAD!!!

By Ali

January 24, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

Maybe I would not have made a statement either. What good would it have done? I had already been villified as soon as the media got wind of this athough no official charges were made. Black people don’t seem to get the benefit of the doubt so a public statement would have done little to sway the public’s opinion. It’s almost as if journalist are upset he was cleared because they dont’ want to apologize for the venom spewed when this incident broke. Instead they want to speculate on the actions of the owners and the players as if they are psychologist instead of journalist. Just being cleared is not enough, all of the facts have to fall into place like pieces of a puzzle. As far as I know, all of this info is alleged from his “suspicious behavior to the pungent marijuana odor coming from the bottle”

By INcredibility

January 24, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

This is boring now.

By Mrs. T

January 24, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

I used to love reading the AJC but now it seems as if it’s only used to bash our black community. I am sickened by the stories that are written. We have alot of blacks that do go things so why are they going unnoticed. We all have skeletons and are not perfect. My advice to Michael Vick is to keep your head up. Let people talk because whether you do go or bad they are going to anyways. I just wanted to say the AJC has the worst journalists.

By reuben Eckels

January 24, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

I use to love Atlanta. This article and the blogs have changed my mind. I would not want to live in such a racist city to save my neck. The people that don’t like Vick don’t even read the facts. He did throw the bottle away, he was not charged with antything and he did not exhibit any supscious behavior. Then for those that say he hasn’t taken the Falcons to the Superbowl how many years did it take for Manning to get there. Just because a QB is in the Superbowl that does not make them the best. The Ravens and Buccaneers proved that you can win with a mediocre QB.
If it had not been for the defense the Colts would not be in the Superbowl. The saved Mannings butt. Vick is not a thug. A thug is the white hockey player that hire the hitman to kill his agent. You probably never read about that incident. What about the hockey player that broke the neck of an opponent with a deliberate hit to head with hockey stick. It is OK for whites to get mad and fight at every hockey game but for blacks to get angry and fight we are thugs. In all the Brawls we have seen with black players none has produced broken teeth, black eyes or blood. You racist have given Atlanta a white eye because you don’t care about the evidence. All the worst criminal acts in America were produced by whites. Slavery, the dessimation of Native Americans, drug traffiking because most drugs are consumed by whites. Most crimes are committed by whites the fact is there are some crimes blacks cannot even particpate. Corporate raids, stealing documents from federal buildings (Sandy Berger) stealing 8 Billion dollars in Iraq, Saving and Loans scandals, Iran-Contra, oil tanker Valdez the worst enviormental crime ever. The worst economic crashes should be named white Monday and white Friday becasue blacks had nothing to do with it. The worst lies are white lies because they give us “Weapons of Mass Destruction” “Mission Accomplish” and “I did not have sex with that women.” If blacks are n**** and thugs then whites are super n**** and thugs because their lives and crimes don’t just destroy neighborhoods but nations.

By say what?

January 24, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

Jeff Schultz you are a effin MORON. Plain and simple…

You are as much of a legit sports writer as this publication is a real news paper. It’s not even close and neither are you.

Maybe you can write about Brittney Spears or Paris Hilton next you national Enquirer writer…

YOU SUCK!

By BUSHWACKER

January 24, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

What a joke this has become, evidence destroyed, Vick cleared that fast, does it have anything to do with the Super Bowl in Miami next week?

I will never watch pro football again!!

By Khao$

January 24, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

GET A GRIP

I think that everybody can agree that Mike Vick used a lack of judgement. It was stupid. Point blank.Yes he’s the quarterback of our Atlanta Falcons. Yes, he’s erratic. Yes, he has put our team in contention, unlike any QB we’ve had since Bartkowski. Yes, he has all the potential in the world. Yes, he needs an O-line. Yes, he should make better decisions in the pocket and in the public…

That said…

This thing has reached a point of obsession for some. From trying to hunt down video footage, to trying to define what a “thug” is, what was in the bottle, and other speculations, this thing is ridiculous.

In my opinion (mine exclusively), this is one of the major problems I have with our culture. We’re fixated on public and entertainment figures, who by and large, don’t give a damn about me or you, can’t better our situations, nor do they have any obligation to do so. You’ve got people “messing in their drawers” playing “Whudunnit” over this situation. Yet, if you read the front page of this very same newspaper, you’ve got tons more important issues going on that makes more of a direct impact on our lives than whether Michael Vick can throw an accurate pass to Michael Jenkins. Honestly, I wish Vick would use better judgement. He has $130 million, a child, an organization, and a reputation that dictates that he should. However, this situation clearly shows how we all have misplaced priorities. We make people “gods”. But when they disappoint us, we go on a lynch quest. But it sells papers though. Tony Dungy’s decency, our soldiers’ bravery, the state of our school systems, and other issues are back page topics. But we have freedom of speech, right? So we’re free to talk about people or things that have no bearing on whether our children are provided for, we have job security, etc. We’re free to talk about some guy who throws the pig skin around and misses receivers.

I could care less if he or Schuab is QB. Vick has brought an excitement that this city hasn’t had in NFL football since I could remember. But, he hasn’t progressed the way we all figured he would. However, he’s not raising my kids. He’s not paying my bills. He’s not paying my taxes. He’s not paying my mortgage. I don’t worship him Sunday mornings when I go to church. I don’t vote for him to make a difference in my community. He’s a entertainer. Nothing more. Nothing less. Let’s move on…

By old fart 63

January 24, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

Trade MV. New outlook for eveyone (MV, Blank, team, fans). Problem solved. New coach. Fresh page. New outlook.

By webspinner

January 24, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

The Mike Vick airport security tape was erased? I smell a conspiracy, which shall hencefore be known forever as the Aquafinawhitewaterbottlegate cover-up.

By james smith

January 24, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

The south will rise again, and we will forever have our independece

By Traceman

January 24, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

Darrin “The Vent King” and Sunny well said! My sentiments exactly. The AJC is apparently on some kind of crusade to run Vick out of town and it is downright sickening. The latest example of that is the AJC seeking a copy of the videotape of Vick throwing the bottle in the trash. What could that videotape possibly reveal regarding his guilt or innocence in this matter? None! But it sure would make a nice little video snippet on the website to keep the negative fires burning. The concept of “fair and balanced reporting” certainly has not applied to this matter. You would think that at least ONE columnist or reporter who works for the paper would acknowledge or at least present the possibility that Vick MIGHT not have tried to sneak marijuana through airport security when the evidence CLEARLY shows that he didn’t!

By Wings of Victory

January 24, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

Who is more of disgrace to the Honest and Law Abiding Black Community??

Mike Vick

Mike Tyson

Allen Iverson

Ricky Williams

TO

OJ

Ray Lewis

As a member of this community, I will have to say it is a tie between Mike Tyson and Mike Vick.

I want my kids to grow up and respect what is right. I teach them how the list of individuals above represent what is wrong in our community today and why we continue to take two steps back when trying to move forward.

By DocJ

January 24, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

Do any of you idiots realize that Vick goes to a herbalist? You have heard the stories and made jokes about his possible STD. If you were carrying a natural herb for this condition, and several do exist, would you want your business splashed all over the media. I guess none of you live in a glass house. All of professional sports knows Atlanta is the worst place for sports or athletes.

By HPE

January 24, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

Vick used every drop of that dope except an un-usable trace, so much so that they couldn’t get a good test.

I bet he apologized to team officials because he knew he was caught, but had no idea the little amount he had left was non-testable.

Did the Falcons do a drug test on him upon his return?

Now Michaels in a whirl of sh_t. First question at a press conference: What was in the bottle, Michael? He could lie and say, “nothing”. or he can refuse to answer the question.

Remember Mark McGuire on Capital Hill?

I have already torn down the poster of Michael Vick which hung in my 10 year old’s bedroom.

By Traceman

January 24, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

Tom Miller, I have a question for you. If Carson Palmer is such a “great leader,” why have 9 of his teammates been arrested over the last 3 years IN THE FIRST PLACE! Wouldn’t a great leader have enough influence to at least slow down the number of his teammates that are going to jail?

By gigaman13

January 24, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

i am no longer a MV fan becauuse of his latest crusade. anyhow, i am tired of this subject. how bout we talk about what moves atlanta should make other than trading or cutting MV because arthur won’t do it. i think we should get everything we can from shaub.

By FUDGE SCHULTZ

January 24, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

A LIMO, A FINGER, A WATERBOTTLE, HERPES, AND A MISSING WATCH.

PRETTY SILLY SOUNDING, RIGHT, FUDGE SCHULTZ?

THAT WAS ENOUGH FOR YOU TO TRY TO RUN HIM OUT OF TOWN, RIGHT FUDGE SCHULTZ?!?!?!

BE A MAN ALREADY, FUDGE!.

ADMIT YOU WERE WRONG FUDGE AND THAT YOU MADE A FOOL OF YOURSELF THERE FUDGE.

WHY WOULD HE SPEAK? WHAT DOES HE HAVE TO GAIN FROM IT? YOU JUMPED TO YOUR CONCLUSION, REGARDLESS, RIGHT, FUDGE?

EVEN AFTER HE IS CLEARED, YOU STILL GO AFTER HIM, RIGHT, FUDGE?

SO, WHY WOULD HE SPEAK?

WHAT WERE MCKAY AND THE FALCONS SUPPOSED TO SAY?

THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE DEAL WAS?

ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO WEED IN THERE, VICK DID PLACE THEM IN AN AWFUL SPOT WITH THE VERY ODD WATER BOTTLE. THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN FOOLISH TO GO JUMPING UP AND DOWN PROCLAIMING HIS INNOCENCE.

IT TURNS OUT HE IS INNOCENT OF THE WEED.

BUT BLANK & MCKAY CAN NOT APPRECIATE THE POSITION VICK PLACED THEM IN WITH THE STRANGE WATER BOTTLE.

VICK SHOULD NOT TALK.

HE IS DOING THE SMARTEST THING.

THE ONES WHO LOVE HIM, WILL LOVE HIM EVEN IF THEY ARE STILL SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTED IN HIM. IF HE SPEAKS, HE WILL JUST BE PREACHING TO THE CHOIR WITH THEM.

THE ONES WHO HATE VICK LIKE YOU FUDGE SCHULTZ WILL ALWAYS VILLIFY VICK NO MATTER WHAT HE SAYS OR DOES!

SO, FUDGE SCHULTZ, WHY WOULD HE SPEAK? WHAT BENEFIT WILL BE DERIVED FROM IT?

KEEP FUDGING THE TRUTH AND REALITY FUDGE SCHULTZ

AND KEEP FUDGING THE REALITY THAT YOU WERE DEAD WRONG ON THIS ONE, FUDGE SCHULTZ

By Mike G.

January 24, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

Can you imagine that there may be two people in all of Miami that don’t know what pot smells like???

By ByeBye

January 24, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this

JEFF SCHULTZ MUST GO!!!! JEFF SCHULTZ MUST GO!!!! JEFF SCHULTZ MUST GO!!!! JEFF SCHULTZ MUST GO!!!!! FIRE HIS A$$ NOW!!!! FIRE HIS A$$ NOW!!!!

By matt

January 24, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this

For all of you trying to make this a race issue of some questions for you. Did Mark McGuire (sp?) ever fail a drug test? NOPE! He’s been thrown under the bus and won’t make into the HOF because of it! How come when Barry Bonds gets blasted for the same thing it becomes a race issue? The dude put on like 40 lbs of pure bulk and power on in one offseason and went from 49 HRs to 73!! Considering the HR record is held by another black man (Aaron) what exactly is the race argument for Bonds? Why can’t black people accept the fact that some dude acting sketchy about his water bottle with a SECRET COMPARTMENT in it in an airport is a little weird?!?! Aren’t black people the ones that want to be treated like everyone else? Then how come whenever a black guy gets in trouble it IMMEDIATELY becomes racist?!?!?!

By Seacoast

January 24, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

The whole issue is about leadership or the lack of it. There’s only one man capable of demonstrating the leadership to sort this out: Michael Vick. He must speak up. He doesn’t need to talk about drugs, though it seems some people are desperate to have a definitive answer on what was in the bottle. The main issues here are accountability and commitment. Here’s all he has to say:

1. I want to apologize to everyone — the entire Falcons organization, fans, the City of Atlanta, the NFL, my family, and Miami airport and law enforcement officials — for using very poor judgment. While this incident has reflected badly on me, I most regret the disruption it has caused to my Falcons teammates, coaches and management. I’m deeply sorry for putting them through this.

2. I recognize that I’m in a privileged, high-profile position as a leader and role model. From this day forward, I will strive with all my heart to meet all of the obligations and public expectations of this position — win or lose.

3. My sole focus now is to work with the coaching staff and my teammates to bring Atlanta fans the championship football they deserve. I humbly ask fans for their forgiveness and support.

The sooner Vick becomes publicly accountable for what was at the very least indefensible judgment, the sooner everyone moves on to more productive tasks.

By Joel

January 24, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

News flash!!!! Reports are coming in that The Atlanta Journal Constitution has just been purchased by the National Enquirer. It appears that over the past few years, the National Enquirer has been interested in the AJC due to its similar content and its ability to SPIN the ridiculous. Terrence Moore and Jeff Schultz are reported to be named Co-Chief Editors.

Idiots!!!!

By You'reFired!!!

January 24, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

FIRE JEFF SCHULTZ!!! FIRE JEFF SCHULTZ!!! FIRE JEFF SCHULTZ!!!!

By Ryan

January 24, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

Marijuana is evil and destroys your mind and rapes your ambition.

Trust me on this, marijuana is the kind of thing that makes you “not care” whether you win or lose whether its a football game or the game of life.

Can the thug

By shannon l grier

January 24, 2007 01:00 PM | Link to this

Congrats to the so-called fans, reporters and everyone else that have been on this guy since he arrived in the Atl, by means not all. When will yall good-old fans ever let up, probably never. GET A GRIP, Micheal is the best thing to hit GA, what he gets in return a slap in the face, maybe he should leave and become a champion like he is.

By Joel

January 24, 2007 01:00 PM | Link to this

Isn’t this City big enough to have another paper yet. I’M SICK OF THE AJC!!!!!!

By marbo

January 24, 2007 01:00 PM | Link to this

If the TSA won’t release the video for security reasons, then why should the police release it?

By scribe

January 24, 2007 01:01 PM | Link to this

thank god I’m a Bears fan. This franchise is a joke-Oh and i won’t let my son wear his #7 jersey anymore

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 24, 2007 01:01 PM | Link to this

What the hell, now we have to wait for a specific time to comment on Jeff Schultz’s crappy columns?

Jeff, be honest. What would you, and the Vick haters, have said if Vick held a press conference denying any wrongdoing? “Oh, he’s a pothead and he won’t take responsibility either, what a terrible leader, no wonder he is so inaccurate, trade him.” The Falcons did the right thing by refusing to acknowledge this c**-and-bull story concocted by the sensationalist media, like yourself. If Vick had proclaimed his innocence, people would have reacted to him like he was Mark McGwire saying “I’m not here to talk about the past.”

And honestly, people thinking this is a massive conspiracy by the TSA and the Florida attorney general’s office only goes to show how delusional and idiotic most of these Vick haters really are. What incentive does the federal government or the state of Florida have to cover up Michael Vick’s actions, if he really is guilty of a crime? It’s not like they are getting proceeds from the Falcons’ ticket sales. But of course, our precious news source, the AJC, doesn’t mind running a poll openly questioning whether there’s a conspiracy. I feel like I’m reading the National Enquirer.

The only thing Vick is guilty of is mild stupidity. Trying to take a bottle with a secret compartment on a plane is still pretty stupid. But the bigger issue here is the willingness of so many people to figuratively lynch a guy who hasn’t committed a crime. Mark Bradley wrote a pretty fair and balanced article criticizing Vick without falsely accusing him or trying to incite a riot — unfortunately, Jeff Schultz is unable to do the same, and compounds it by refusing to apologize for his yellow journalism. Michael Wilbon apologized to Vick on national television — I don’t think it’s beneath your dignity to do the same in this poor excuse for a newspaper, Jeff Schultz.

By Dr. Elsbree

January 24, 2007 01:01 PM | Link to this

Hey you idiots who somehow claim this whole thing is because the AJC is somehow out to get Vick fired??

Put the BONG down so your brain cells can renew just for a second.. ….

The AJC is one of the most Libral Newspapers in the Country

Libral as in Democratic Party which means the party of the lower to middle class, as well as all special interest groups!! This means you dope head, and all the Ron Mexico’s out there who will run this country into the ground by stupidity.

The AJC has endorsed the Democratic party year after year so shut up…. The AJC is not out to get your boy…. You boy is a thug who happens to be at best, an avg QB with limited passing skills. He does not deserve to be the QB of this team… because he is a franchise killer… that is why this and all the other thousand Vick articles are being written.

Now, go ahead and pick up the bong so you can take a big hit!

By dirrtybird

January 24, 2007 01:02 PM | Link to this

People…really. Worst case scenario is that Vick smokes pot. Who cares? There are murderers, rapists, and cheaters all throughout professional sports and life in general. It’s really nobody’s business what Vick was doing in his own time. He certainly has a responsibility to the franchise, and hasn’t shown the best judgement thus far. But in the end, he probably just smokes a little pot in the off season. Who cares? That’s not grounds for some of the attacks I read on here. Some Falcons fans should really be ashamed of themselves for putting so much energy into hate. Luckily Arthur Blank is a little smarter than you guys. Jamal Lewis tried to buy Cocaine from an undercover officer. Ray Lewis was involved in the killing of 2 people at an Atlanta night club. Kobe Bryant is an admitted cheater and accused rapist. How many trades went down because of those events? Zero, and you guys want to lynch Mike Vick because he MIGHT have had some weed on him in the off season. I’m ashamed of Jeff Schultz and most Falcons fans in general. Prepare yourselves for half-empty domes, 5-11 seasons and games that aren’t on TV.

By willieh

January 24, 2007 01:03 PM | Link to this

Arthur Blank & Co. owes Vick a public apology. End of story. For those that feel he should be replaced, can you do what he does on the field? He would not have gained over 1000 yds in a season if his “team” (teammates) were doing their jobs. True, I hope this is a leson for Vick but daddy ART OWES HIM a public apology and show LOYALTY to your players before hanging them to dry…

By jaytee

January 24, 2007 01:03 PM | Link to this

Why are people acting like Vick is the only reason the Falcons are not in the playoffs? There are well over 100 other souls in that organization that need to be blamed too. I came on here to bash schultz and the other judgemental bastards, but thats been well covered by others so far. I just have a word for MV7, being a fan who wants to continue to watch him play for ATL.

note to Vick (because i know youre really reading this): “If” you do smoke (weed, cigars, whatever) how long do you expect to compete in the NFL? even TO, the biggest head case in sports, knows the importance of taking care of yourself physically. How bad do you really want the ring? you can go one of three paths, greatness, mediocrity, and Ryan Leaf. How you treat yourself tells me far more about where your head and heart is than any of these “incidents”.

The road to mediocrity is paved with good intentions. While i do not agree with the public burning of your jersey that is going on here, I do think it is appropriate to let you know that you have been paid for what you have done already. the 130 million, a substantial investment in your talent and potential, you havent earned yet. And that game you pulled yourself out of in the final seconds of the game for a “tweaked” hammy to let schaub, the backup, try to win it left a bad taste. especially since the playoffs were on the line.

So here is my small contribution to the education people think youre lacking. -some players take the money now, walk like a superstar, turn in p** poor porformances, blame everybody else and run. -some players take the money, play just enough not to get cut. -some players take the money, invest the time to master the craft now, only to see it pay even bigger dividends in the future. Like the kind money cant buy.

so which one will it be Mike, greatness, mediocrity, or Ryan Leaf?

Peace

By Shorty

January 24, 2007 01:03 PM | Link to this

I think this has become a personal issue with Jeff, and I don’t whether it’s because Vick is black or that he really thinks he was guilty of having some kind of contraband in the bottle.

By CQ

January 24, 2007 01:04 PM | Link to this

Why is the AJC requesting a copy of the tape? This is his hometown and the local newspaper wants to bring him down.

You would never think the home newpaper would want to destroy its own athlets. All respect for the AJC has been lost by me.

By Ronaldo Mexico

January 24, 2007 01:05 PM | Link to this

I hope da Miami PD enjoys dere suprabowl tickets!

By Sharon Dupree

January 24, 2007 01:07 PM | Link to this

When media writers and personalities make accusations based on their likes and dislikes of people, why should the people then accomodate them with a statement? As happens all to often in your profession, when there’s nothing going on with tabloid-like innuendo, the media make the news, themselves. Then, when things fall apart, they look for scapegoats. I don’t remember anyone actually asking Janet Jackson what happened at the superbowl. The story became better than actualy asking the person involved what happened. So, either way, media personalities and writers, like you, misuse positions and access to the public. As a result of this, you are owed nothing.

By sagegirl

January 24, 2007 01:07 PM | Link to this

sniff… sniff

I smell money changing hands.

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 24, 2007 01:07 PM | Link to this

Oh, and whoever updates this website needs to quit typing spaces in the link when they post it. This site has more broken links than a rusty fence.

By SCHAUB SUCKS!!!!!

January 24, 2007 01:09 PM | Link to this

Jeff,did Mike take your girl or something?? Was that your girlfriend in the infamous “weed picture”that turned out to be a black and mild that u can get from any QUICKTRIP?????

U are trying to justify your mistake.U were wrong and U are trying to proff a point thats mute!!!

If he were a thug,he’d be having a police record as long as your long freaking head jeff..He’d have been beating people up by pistol whipping them,caught smoking drugs at least 3 or 4 times..He’s be on the NFL drug program,would have fired shots at someone at a club,and just starting fights all over the place…

But he isn’t..

His brother is a “thug”,Mike is soft..I hate to say it,but he is soft spoken and i do believe that,white people such as yourself are scared in general..U jump and are scared of black men,and now u are afraid and very scared of muslims,lol..And if the person isn’t listening to your favorite rock music station or watching “Sienfeld”then u feel threatened and scared because he or she is not U…

I bet u were one of the boys in school who got beatup all the time.Its showing..Now,as far as I go..I grew up a thug,and someone like Vick would be considerd like a mama’s boy,and wouldn’t be allowed in the “thug circle”,and someone like U would get the evil eye and have your lunch taken everyday u sat down for lunch,lmao..

Why?? Because u are white.. Scared in general.. Defenseless.. And a crybaby.. All those criteria’s fit a lonely 1st-12grade little lame that got beat up a lot.. And as he gets older,he can’t tell a soft guy from thug,just like any other scared white guy who is afraid of a,black man…

Be a man.. Be around some thugs and see what they are like so u will know what is a thug and what is not..And,don’t come back telling us how u were a tough guy back in the day because i am calling u out and u need to step up and stop whining about a dead situation..

Although i know its hard for u,but…

BE A MAN JEFF

By sprinkles

January 24, 2007 01:09 PM | Link to this

Players have been suspended from games and asked not to return to play on a particular team when they are cited for behavior detrimental to the team. (T.O. when he was with the Eagles)

The owners are smart and probably have legal loopholes they can use to protect themselves from unforeseen events/behavior of an athlete on their team. The Falcons probably can find a Legal way to make Vick disappear with minimal damage to their finacial pockets if that is what is necessary.

By psych101

January 24, 2007 01:10 PM | Link to this

I think a lot of people in this blog are really still mad from the OJ verdict. In fact, they are projecting their anger for OJ on Michael Vick. That was 10+ years ago!!!! Get over it! Besides, like OJ, Michael Vick is innocent! LOL!!!!!!!!!

By Concerned

January 24, 2007 01:10 PM | Link to this

To “Observer:” Why make this a racial issue? It is what it is. Someone was mistakenly suspected of doing something illegal. The situation was investigated, the innocent were proven so, and the case was closed. Move on! By the way, your use of bold text in your post is really childish. Intelligent people of all races can understand your message quite well without all the compositional theatrics.

By Bobby

January 24, 2007 01:11 PM | Link to this

Get over it! There may have been a cover-up but why so much hate. This is not the first time a cover-up has happened. Something “like” weed is being villified more than beating your wife like some other atheletes or killing someone driving drunk then getting pulled over again for DUI - Leonard Little. What about “just give me any reason to go into Iraq” - Bush. What about that cover-up. This Vick cover-up is bigger than the cover-up to go to war. I wish people felt this strong about the out an out lie to kill American youth and breaking up family’s because “they have weapons of mass destruction”. The truth is “He tried to kill my daddy and I want respect” We are still paying for that cover-up and will for years. Vick doesn’t even matter on the real scales..

By Beaux

January 24, 2007 01:11 PM | Link to this

The man was carrying a container with a hidden compartment containing green pungent vegatative matter. You don’t need a hidden compartment to carry lawn clippings. I smell “coverup” to the max……and we’re not that stupid.

By Hilearious

January 24, 2007 01:11 PM | Link to this

The funniest postings on this blog are the ones where some idiot states that he tired of the “race card”. Two reasons: 1. African Americans have been oppressed for more than 350 years. It’s reasonable to believe our ancestors were the first to ask for the end of discussion on race. It’s been over 350 years and you guys claim to be tired after 20 years of the exposure of your ancestors. Learn from us…things don’t always work out the way you want them to. 2. To use the term “race card” minimalizes the actions of your ancestors. And while I’m sure that makes you feel better, I don’t think those 4 young girls in Alabama were killed by “race cards” or that guy in Texas was dragged behind that truck by “race cards”. Stand proud, claim your heritage and call it for what it was and is now.

By Larry Noble

January 24, 2007 01:12 PM | Link to this

In your articles you convicted Vick before all the evidence was presented. Now that he has been cleared from any wrongdoing you are still trying to drag his name through the mud. Get a life and understand that the legal system cleared him and you need to find something else to write about. And if he decides not to talk about it then get over it and move on. You like to dwell on negativity when there are more important and positive things you can write about. For instance, two afro-american head coaches in Super Bowl XLI.Oh, I forgot if it’s not about negativity then you don’t write about it. To Arthur Blank and the Falcon orginization, I say thank you for not responding to the negativity and allowing the legal system to exonerate Mr. Vick. Mr. Schultz find something else to write about because this is old, old news.

By Cal98

January 24, 2007 01:12 PM | Link to this

Jeff Schultz, you took a stand that you knew would draw fire. Apparently you’re the only one on the AJC with any balls. Count me as a Jeff Schultz fan.

By Scopio

January 24, 2007 01:14 PM | Link to this

We may never know what was in that bottle, but I would think if it was marijuana, why use a clear water bottle? I just think that this is a case where the media is using this opportunity to hype up something and what’s more exciting than showing the bad side of a top quarter back that is not usually known for being in a negative light? Every since the finger incident he has been hounded when people do not realize that he has a lot riding on his shoulders.

On the other hand, if it was marijuana and they found out what the substance was, I wouldn’t be surprised if this whole incident was covered up. After all, he is the spokesperson for AirTran and they probably realized that if they want to continue to have him represent AirTran, they need to cover his a* and theirs if only to make their company look good and not actually Michael Vick.

But I do agree with the columnist, how can you be disappointed in someone that is innocent.

By reeses_peace

January 24, 2007 01:15 PM | Link to this

I guess its Michael Vick’s fault the Falcons have a bad PR Department too?!

By Vick's clueless

January 24, 2007 01:16 PM | Link to this

Wether or not he had weed was never an improtant issue to me or a lot of people. I don’t care if people smoke weed on their own time or not — doesn’t affect me. The overriding problem has always been that Vick is, always has, and always will be a complete and utter idiot. His interviews and press conferences should prove as much with his inability to assemble a lucid or cogent thought and his propensity to use ‘you know’ and ‘like’ every third word. Only teenagers and really stupid adults speak in that manner.

He won’t be able to improve his well below average double digit IQ, so his judgment and decision making will remain poor, both on the field and off.

He might of been found not guilty of having weed on him, but he is no doubt guilty of being a completely hopeless moron that tried to get a covert water bottle of greater then 3 oz. through security when NOBODY is allowed to do this. Then like the mental deficient that he is, he decided to make an issue of it at first. Of course, if you are a barely literate dunce like Vick is, it may be tough to read all the signs posted everywhere saying as much.

Sorry Vick lickers, you can’t dispute the fact that he blatantly violated TSA security procedures and that he has no common sense or judgment. He’s immature and unprofessional, not to mention a poor leader. None of this will ever change with him. The man is just simply stupid. A spoon is sharper then he is. A Vick lead team will never ever make it to the super bowl, because he is just too stupid to make consistently good decisions and exercise good judgment under pressure.

By kris in alpharetta

January 24, 2007 01:17 PM | Link to this

I see there are no limits to what good old Arthur will do to save face.

By Brian

January 24, 2007 01:19 PM | Link to this

What a lame back pedaling this has turned out to be Scultz. Get over yourself. In America you are innocent until proven guilty. You and the rest of the media were eager to throw Vick under the bus. Let it go man. I am losing my fondness of you as a sportswriter everyday you drag this along.

By Bobo

January 24, 2007 01:19 PM | Link to this

I wonder if the guy who recovered Vick’s water bottle got herpes? Ahhh, maybe Vick was carrying his Valtrex in the secret compartment…

By Will

January 24, 2007 01:21 PM | Link to this

Jeff,

I do think that Vick placed himself in a very bad position in the events of last week. He placed himself and the Falcons organization in a bad light, and I think that he should be responsible enough to publicly acknowledge and apologize for his actions, even though no trace of drugs were found.

Simultaneously, I think that you (and many others in the press) need to ante up and apologize for pronouncing Vick guilty before all the facts were available.

By Jack Patterson Jr.

January 24, 2007 01:22 PM | Link to this

Mr. Schultz,

You reacted very strongly to the original report saying Vick should leave town for good.

I think a better follow-up article is in order.

By YANCY B

January 24, 2007 01:22 PM | Link to this

Since the tape is gone why are we still here? It’s OVER!!!! Get lives and hobbies. I can’t believe we yes me included are bored enough to do this all day long.

By Not_a_Thug

January 24, 2007 01:23 PM | Link to this

*TO: SCHAUB SUCKS!!!!! *

THUGS STAY OFF THE INTERNET HOMIE! THEY’RE OUT DOING WHAT THUGS DO! DON’T REP YOURSELF LIKE THAT. THAT’S NONSENSE!

I AGREE WITH YOU THAT MIKE VICK ISN’T A THUG. PARIS HILTON AND LINDSAY LOHAN ARE MORE THUGGISH THAN HIM. HE’S A FOOTBALL PLAYER. HE’S A QB. HE’S BEEN A PRODIGY SINCE 16. HE DIDN’T HAVE ANYTHING IN HIS BOTTLE. EVERYONE SHOULD LET HIM GO BACK TO DOING WHAT HE DOES…PLAY FOOTBALL AND SELL TICKETS!

By Believe01

January 24, 2007 01:24 PM | Link to this

I have been a fan of the Falcons since 1973. I cannot tell you every player who ever played, but I keep up with most of it, like most die hard fans. I have shirts, hats, pen strips on my truck, stickers everywhere and even a painting in my garage of the new design. I have watched the ups and downs of the franchise for many years. I have also watched the evening news and sat in silence as people of different races beat each other to death in the name of thier religion, social status and even the Sports team they support. As a white man who has loved Atlanta and all the teams in the city for as long as I can remember, it’s very sad to me that even today, I will have to explain to my 6 year old girl and my 4 year old boy, why it’s not safe to go to a sporting event in Atlanta. I had to explain the incident that Vick went through last week to my little girl first. Here is what i told her and her response. Sweetheart, Our QB was in the airport with a funny water bottle and was stopped at the check in. The airport people looked at everything like most airports I have ever been in, and when they looked at Mr. Vick’s water bottle, it had a secret place to hide or keep some stuff safe from others. ( My girl) Did it have water in it? I’m not sure honey, but they did find something odd that smelled funny. Anyway, they took it from him and they let him go. So dad, why are people still talking about it.. Sweetheart, many people in the world can’t let things go. They are so worried about other people and what they have, or what they do.. that they lose track of the real world and the real problems out there. They insist that other people hate them because of the color of their skin. When daddy grew up, we lived a neighborhood where daddy was the minority because we were very poor. daddy say allot of bad things done by all people. So I set my mind to rise above where I was in my life. I worked many jobs that most people won’t do because they feel they are “above” making a living the hard way. You see honey, the people who don’t like people of other colors than their own, just can’t see past their own hatred. being poor and hungry is the real issue. All people have a soul, .. some people find it and some people lose it… it all depends on how much heart you have, and how much each of us give back to each other. So as far as my Falcons, I will keep giving and we will hope for them to one day give back. It takes a team of Grown Men on both sides of the ball, regardless of their color…. Good night honey.. Sweet Dreams.

By VickIsTheEnd

January 24, 2007 01:25 PM | Link to this

I always carry around multi-compartment water bottles! What’s the problem with that? I keep milk in one side and cookies in the other! I don’t like confusion. Just because he had dirty water in it and it “smelled” like pot doesn’t mean anything!

By senoia33

January 24, 2007 01:26 PM | Link to this

Vick is just not a leader. Everyone wants him to be a leader because he is the face of the franchise. A true team leader does not have run-ins with the law, hang birds to fans, throw his coaches/teammates under the bus, or hang with the wrong crowd. There seems to be a pattern here. A true team leader does not put himself in these situations. Mike Vick is just a QB, and that’s all he is.

By Falcon Since Birth

January 24, 2007 01:26 PM | Link to this

That little spiel about negative stereotypes of black men being responsible for the disapproval of Vick has me shaking my head in dismay over just how far we haven’t come in this state. I used to think we were different, but now I don’t know.

I do know that strong black male authority figures helped this dumb white boy become a man. Most of my squad leaders, and about half of the platoon sargeants I had in the Army were black men I looked up to, or at least respected.

My disapproval of Vick is not race based. I truly believe he could’ve used some of the close supervision and correction I got. I just don’t know how we can expect more from the way a lot of “star” atheletes are trained now…

By matt

January 24, 2007 01:27 PM | Link to this

The best thing to happen to Ga.? Really? A face of a franchise who is not a leader and flips off his own fans? Yeah he’s real class act!

Dirtybird-all of the examples you use are true. However, they are ALL illegal. I think most people are more shocked than anything that a franchise player would be that stupid about the whole thing. Why did he make such a big deal about throwing it away if he had nothing to hide? He can buy another water at the gate!! I don’t view smoking pot as that big of a deal. However, if Vick hadn’t flipped off his fans this year and the Falcons hadn’t finished another embarassing year many people probably wouldn’t have cared. He has not stepped up and become the leader that a franchise QB needs to do. The media loves McNabb (another black qb) WHY? Because he doesn’t put himself in situations that can hurt his image and he’s a leader, on and off the field!

By Joe

January 24, 2007 01:29 PM | Link to this

Dont be surprised about them deleting your posts.

By dzac

January 24, 2007 01:29 PM | Link to this

I’m appalled the his paper is trying to persecute this guy just for the sake of selling papers. This Schultz person is a racist punk along with these other turkey necks who constantly air their racist comments and the editors of this one paper town is going along with them. You say lets have the other quarterback but what happened in Va with this guy. Vick is our quarterback and he’s done nothing wrong but ignore you clowns. Why must a person that’s innocent prove it to you s#*t kickers.

By Mike

January 24, 2007 01:32 PM | Link to this

Schaub Sucks….Remedial reading and writing for you! It’s a moot point, not a mute point! LMFAO Jeff’s not scared of black people per se, just illiterate ones!

By pete

January 24, 2007 01:34 PM | Link to this

Like it or not, the QB needs to be the leader of the football team. Michael Vick is not, and never will be, a leader. The Falcons will never win with Vick. Can other players really trust a QB who admitted he quit on them at the end of 2005? Leaders take some blame for losing. Vick points at his stats and says,” We need to block better and catch better, and MAYBE I could do a little better.” Maybe? You think? It’s always maybe with Mike. How about just one time after one of your typical 10 for 26 passing games, you say, I DEFINITELY could have done more to help my team. Well, MAYBE Vick should work out more in the offseason and try to be at least a middle of the road QB because right now there are not 10 teams in the NFL that would want him. Why is he still a starting QB? He is too short, too small to convert a 3rd and inches sneak, too inaccurate, has no touch, can’t audible, can’t read defenses, never takes blame, pouts when his team is behind, has a questionable off season work ethic, and has shown he will quit on his teammates. I’ve got plenty more negatives, but enough is enough, isn’t it? Positives? Well, he runs fast. The Falcons were 0-7 when he led the team in rushing so how is his 1000 rushing yards a good thing? QBs win Super Bowls with their arms, not legs. Vick has never completed more than 56% of his passes at a time when 60+% is all too common. 11 of his 20 TD passes were in 3 games which means he threw 9 in the other 13. Ouch!!! As for the off the field incidents, I can’t name one other QB that has been involved in more incidents than Vick. Did any other QB flip off his home fans this year? What other QB had “friends” of his steal a watch? Ron Mexico? Water Bottle? Some of you people think this is a racial issue? If so, how come McNabb and McNair are two of my favorite QBs and have been for years, but I can’t even like Vick, my favorite team’s QB? Oh, I want to like Vick, but enough is enough. He is 26 and will never change. He is who he is. The sooner he is gone, the better. The only problem is: who would want him? Great article, Jeff. I have no idea why some people think you should apologize to Vick? You are a sportswriter who is paid to give an opinion. Water bottle or no water bottle, your opinion, my opinion, and the opinions of several others haven’t changed: Vick needs to grow up.

By Saabotager

January 24, 2007 01:34 PM | Link to this

If Vick is traded, I will give up my season tickets along with a majority of other season ticket holders.

By Truth

January 24, 2007 01:36 PM | Link to this

I always find it amazing how these bandwagon fans always want to refer to Vick as a THUG, but yet still wear his jearsey. If you really want to wear a THUG’s jersey then go out and get a Matt Schuab jersey, if you can find one! Because Schuab is the only THUG QB with the falcons with an arrest record. But you either don’t hear that written about or you choose to ignore it. I guess the PINK TOES will always stick together and protect their own! I cant wait to see what they will spin next on Vick (aka ATL’s most notorious THUG).

By TTCO

January 24, 2007 01:37 PM | Link to this

Obsever, You are a racist idiot who cant see through the shroud of blackness that you hide behind!

By Shaun

January 24, 2007 01:38 PM | Link to this

Why should Blank, McKay or Vick comment on this? Vick was proven innocent. Thats all the comments anyone needs. Now let it go!

By Rhett Butler

January 24, 2007 01:38 PM | Link to this

How the conversation between Blank, McKay, and Mike went down after the incident was reported

Blank: “Mike…..What do you use this bottle for?”

Mike: “Uhhhhhh….to carry things in.”

Blank: “Mike….have you ever carried Marijuana, pot, the sticky-icky, in this bottle?”

Mike: “Uhhhhhhh…well yaaa this one time and then this other time and…”

McKay: “Damn”

Blank: “have you had Pot in this bottle recently?”

Mike: “Well Blank ya know…it’s the off-season….and I wanted to chill with my little-bro in MIA…and well you know how weee like to chilllllll.”

McKay: “Double Damn”

Blank: “Mike, Mike, Mike……What are we going to do with you?”

Mike: “Relax homey….I won’t say anything to no one….honest”

Blank: “We are very upset with you. Do you understand? Do you know you have let a lot of people down?”

Mike: “yaaaa…I’m sorrrry Mr. Blank”

Blank: “McKay, what are you (I mean we) going to do about this?”

McKay: “Ahhhhhhhh……first lets hope some moron at the MIA.PD left the container open so the smell will evaporate and that in turn the little leaves and hairs fall out. Then after that we will play it by ear.”

Blank: “Ok…..but I hope this plan works out like this Petrino hire of yours McKay….while we are on the subject….bring him in.”

McKay:(walking to get Petrino) “…….man this is stressful”

By Usama

January 24, 2007 01:40 PM | Link to this

Who’s the real thug? Aren’t American military contractors (ie. American mercenaries) 10,000 strong running around Iraq with impunity shooting their guns at whatever whenever they deem it necessary? Aren’t American military contractors hired by authoritarian regimes in Africa to form special elites forces so these rulers can crack down on their people with greater efficiency, like in Uganda, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad, etc? Hasn’t America engaged in wars every few years on purpose? It seems the biggest thug is in the White House AND Pentagon. MV is indeed just an entertaining athlete.

By mark

January 24, 2007 01:40 PM | Link to this

Let’s not forget the most recent issue with Bears player Tank Johnson who for about the 3rd time has been brought up on gun charges!! The first time- he had 6 guns, one a semiautomatic assualt rifle and 500 rounds of ammo!!! WHAT THE F$&# DO YOU NEED THAT MANY GUNS FOR?!?! This guy has been brought up on assault charges as well! Has he spent one day in jail? NOPE!! Hell two days later he went out to a bar with his friend ( a convicted felon) got in a fight and his friend was shot and killed!!!!! Let’s not forget Chris Henry and Odell Thurman and their repeated offenses of breaking the law as well!! GEEEEZ!! Yeah it’s definitely the “white mans” fault!! Let’s not hold these ADULTS accountable for their actions!! It’s much easier to place blame on someone else. That way, you don’t have to learn your lesson!! Look at Tomlinson, Harrison, Jordan, Woods, Hank Aaron, Herschel Walker, McNabb, Lebron James, Griffey Jr. Are these guys getting into trouble either by hanging out with the wrong crowd or breaking the law? NO!! These were/are very successful black men who are VERY popular because of their attitudes and character! The put TEAM before themselves which is more than you can say about Chad Johnson and T.O.!!!!

By JesseJackson

January 24, 2007 01:41 PM | Link to this

Don’t listen to these people Arthur Blank, keep hope alive, keep hope alive, keep hope alive, kill whitey while you’re at it.

By ShultzShouldBeFired

January 24, 2007 01:41 PM | Link to this

I waited for your apology, Mr. Shultz and you did exactly what I thought you’d do. You tried to justify what amounts to publicly lynching Michael Vick. The media has so much power and abuses it constantly. To any and all bloggers out there who say this isn’t a race issue, I offer this. I don’t know if the airport incident was racial, but everything that followed definitely was. I offer this for thought. The AJC and nat’l media weren’t calling for the heads of convicted wife beater Bobby Cox, acknowledged wife cheater, Chipper Jones, drug abuser, Brett Favre, child molester (rapist) Mark Chumura, sex offender Peyton Manning (you all forgot about his sexual assault case at TN), assault and batterer Matt Schaub, and the multitudes of Hollywood entertainers (Kurt Cobain was considered god-like to some of you) who lead lives of crime. It seems mighty funny that even when a “so called” nice and educated black athlete like Kobe Bryant was charged (he speaks 6 to 7 different languages and had NEVER been in trouble) many of you immediately said guilty. This wasn’t somebody with a troubled history like Tyson, this was Kobe Bryant. However, as soon as the DUKE BOYS were accused and charged, there began a campaign to smear the accuser because of you profession and race. As long as the majority refuses to accept the fact that race is still an issue in this country, the minority will always cry foul when something arises. You must understand and accept where you’ve been before you can get where you want to go. I know you’re all p** off right now, but that’s okay, so if you want to refute, BRING IT……

By P.Diddy

January 24, 2007 01:41 PM | Link to this

Who cares!! Shut up Schultz and talk about something worthwhile like the upcoming Superbowl!!!! They didn’t find anything end of story. Let it go! If there’s something fishy about then go undercover and unleash the facts; otherwise, shut up or put up!

By Mike

January 24, 2007 01:41 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick may lead us to the Super Bowl with his athleticism, but not his brain. And to think people said Terry Bradshaw was dumb! Michael is flat-out stupid. No common sense, no dignity, etc. Forget about reading defenses. Perhaps he should try reading “The Cat in the Hat”. I hope for our sake Petrino’s play book is written in crayon!

By Igiveup

January 24, 2007 01:43 PM | Link to this

Let’s see-the worst passing offense in the NFL, an embarrassment, a ghetto thug, illegitimate children bearing gangsta, oh, and the face of the franchise, sign me up for two season tickets…..NOT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Falcons Fan

January 24, 2007 01:43 PM | Link to this

Hey bushwacker you dumb ars. I have read about 3 of your posts now saying the same thing. They take 5 minutes to register. your just stupid.

Reason why the Falcons do not let Vick talk about this, is he would say something so off the wall that it would make it ten times worse. Lets face it , if your on trial for your life would you want Vick to have anything to say about anything ? I didnt think so.

He has referred to himself in the third person so much its laughable. mike vick is pro bowl. mike vick is best when team needs td.

Then the Miami police refuse to give up the tape of Vick throwing away the bottle on tape at the airport. Even though they are not supposed to erase that kind of stuff, they do it so it won’t get out on the news.

Reason there was no more weed in the bottle was Vick toked it all up.

Go Falcons

By The UNDISPUTED Truth

January 24, 2007 01:44 PM | Link to this

Traceman, your comments about Carson Palmer are some of the most ignorant I have ever read on any blog.

Palmer is not the father of the arrested Bengals. It’s not his job to teach them right from wrong.

You may as well blame Michael Vick for his brother’s numerous legal problems.

Better yet, why don’t you criticize Marvin Lewis for keeping a bunch of thugs on his team?

As far as the Bengals are concerned, the more important question is: why did the parents of the arrested players do such a crappy job of raising their children?

Of course, I get the feeling that the answer to that question will hit a little too close to home for people like Traceman.

By ATLslimG

January 24, 2007 01:45 PM | Link to this

Look boneheads, you included Weekend Predictions, we knew Mike was not a media premadonna. Remember the Falcons having to force Mike to hold a PC. Who cares if Mike smokes, everyone should. Facts are everyone jumped the nuse on this one A. or someone wanted a story in Miami B. or C. the boys helped Mike out and he still got high that night or D. who cares. Oh yeah, listen to the Observer man knows a thing or two. Next time.

By Uhuh

January 24, 2007 01:46 PM | Link to this

“Coach Petrino, this is your lawyer calling, we still haven’t found a loophole in this contract yet, we’ve been going over the contract with a fine tooth comb trying to find you an out and we haven’t found one yet, but we will keep working on it and keep you in touch.”

By Terrell Owens

January 24, 2007 01:46 PM | Link to this

Jeff let it go already. You insist on dragging this out until the start of this season. You feel like a complete dumb a$$ for accusing Vick of something he didn’t do and it must be real slow around the office. Jeff you are the JACK of all A*******e$.

By Darrin "The Vent King"

January 24, 2007 01:49 PM | Link to this

THAT’S IT! Why are you gasbags at the ajc continuing to attempt to make this story more than what it has already become. Now I’m TOTALLY convinced you are out to get Vick. The law has spoken and you request the tape? For what? So you can continue making up a story that doesn’t exist? That’s not responsible journalism, that’s a WITCH HUNT!! LET IT GO ALREADY!!!

By jammininva

January 24, 2007 01:49 PM | Link to this

vick has played his position well enough throughout his life to earn a scholarship and millions of dollars on the pro level.only a knucklehead would try to change a positon player such as mike vick. oh greg knapp and jim mora jr tried that. point made.

By say what?

January 24, 2007 01:50 PM | Link to this

“Believe01” geezus shut up already! I just puked in my trash can after reading your little bed time story.You make me sick, and so does Jeff Schultz. To sorry a$$ story tellers…

By hater

January 24, 2007 01:50 PM | Link to this

How touching Beleive 101, Is be sittin here wid my boy an da tangs you sed puld at my hartstrangs, is be so touched is taked my boy to by he a falcun jusey, and in a sho of luv fo da fella man, is buyin da boy a Keef Brookins jusey. Is be moved ta teers from ya writin’

By keepyaheadupvick

January 24, 2007 01:50 PM | Link to this

I am and will continue to be a big Mike Vick fan. I am not sure what Vick has done to have so many so called Falcon Fans calling for his job. If Vick had drugs in that bottle it would have been a major problem and I would have been the first to say Vick was wrong and should be fined or suspended or even traded or cut. But he has been cleared on all charges. Why are we still calling for this guy’s job. What do we want him to come out and say? There is nothing that he could have or done. So Vick fliped a couple of so called fans off. Thats Life. We flip people off for cutting us off on the freeway. You have to admit that Vick is the best player on a Team that does not have as much talent as so many Falcon fans seem to think they have. Mike Vick rushed for 1000 yards, and had 20 TD passes. He was the teams MVP. Is it Mike’s fault that Allen Rossum was playing corner oppisite the overated Deangelo Hall? Is it Mike Vick who went out and signed an injury prone John Abraham or a player in Chris Crocker who was just as bad as Bryan Scott? Some one please tell me where was the upgrade on this years team. The Defense stunk it up again and the recivers all have hands as hard as Stone Mountain. So to all those who say lets trade Mike Vick. Lets make Shaubb our starting QB since we all seem to long for the days when the Dome was empty and we had Chris Miller or Chris “Paper” Chandler guiding us at QB. We won’t know what we had until he is gone.

By Gman

January 24, 2007 01:51 PM | Link to this

Sunny - your comment: Vick haters have attempted to assign him the same negative attributes that have been historically assigned to black men: lazy, insolent, hypersexual, arrogant, unintelligent, suspicious, lacking leadership potential, etc.

Vick has all of the personality characteristics you just described above. Those traits have nothing to do with him being black, however, and everything to do with him growing up poor, with no responsible father around to show him right from wrong. His culture is REDNECK culture; I know b/c you can describe my poor white cousins in Alabama using those same personality characteristics listed above.

Culture and Class people, culture and class, it’s never color that determines a person’s behavior, always culture and class……

By Bobby

January 24, 2007 01:51 PM | Link to this

believe01 - You could have just told your kids that the bottle was not regulation size (which is true)and maybe lessen the details.

Others - I still can not understand why Vick is being called a Thug. Are there bar fights that I am not aware of? All I know of is: 1)The Hepres incident - Rock Hudson was never called a Thug for spreading HIV 2)The bird to “a” fan - 99.9% of people have done this to some one. I’m 39 and work in corporate America and if you say the wrong thing I might drop the “F” bomb or the bird. He was being a called a Thug even before next incident 3) Airport incident - How many rock stars and entertainers we know for a fact well documented are using drugs? Why aren’t they called Thugs? The list above does not identify a “Thug”. Wikipedia - “In the U.S.A., a petty criminal, especially one who assaults victims (an enforcer) on the instructions of a crime boss or other higher-up in organized crime.”

Is because he is black, has braids and dressing like a 26 year old entertainer? Most Rock groups who trash hotels are more thuggish then Vick, but are never called Thugs and are never criticized,unless they slept with your girlfriend. Someone please explain? If this is all that the Thug title is based on then there is only one conclusion - Racism!

By Titothebear

January 24, 2007 01:52 PM | Link to this

The video was destroyed in record time! You know the fix is in. Disgusting! Buckwheat and Blank pay off enough folks and everything’s “Otay.” Thugadocious will remain here, for now, and he’ll remain the quarterback, for now, but he’ll never be anything other than what he is now, an overpaid thug in search of a felony conviction!

By El Generalisimo

January 24, 2007 01:53 PM | Link to this

The solution is very simple have all NFL athletes get drug tested on a regular basis the whole year. Every Home Depot has a big sign that says we drug test every job candidate. HD is drug testing people that the most will make a game’s worth of Vick’s salary, but these high priced guys get a pass. I think King Arthur is quickly getting a schooling on the differences of running a company and running a team.

By Titothebear

January 24, 2007 01:54 PM | Link to this

The video was destroyed in record time! You know the fix is in. Disgusting! Buckwheat and Blank pay off enough folks and everything’s “Otay.” Thugadocious will remain here, for now, and he’ll remain the quarterback, for now, but he’ll never be anything other than what he is now, an overpaid thug in search of a felony conviction!

By CANKERMAN

January 24, 2007 01:55 PM | Link to this

If You Can’t Stash Your Pot In A Water Bottle And Get On A Plane, The Terrorists Have Already Won

By Luv 2 hate me

January 24, 2007 01:56 PM | Link to this

JK your probably walking around with warts and you go by the name of Jim Brazil when you visit the clinic. You people trip me out playing god and judging people.

By OJSimpson

January 24, 2007 01:56 PM | Link to this

Man, you rednecks acted like he killed somebody or sumthin’, heck, I didn’t even do that.

By Casey

January 24, 2007 02:01 PM | Link to this

If I didn’t know any better, I’d say the OBSERVER is a little racist Based on your observation, shouldn’t they be harrassing all of the African American’s on the team? Why do they single out Vick? I’d have to suspect that if Warrick Dunn were going through airport security and was asked to get rid of his Aquafina bottle, he would politely do so. However, if the racist-redneck-security-officers decided to gang tackle him like Baltimore’s defense, and then accused him of something he did not do… I suspect Warrick Dunn would respond to the situation with a public announcement. That makes me wonder why don’t we hear anything in the news regarding the other black Falcons? Do they stay out of the news by staying out of certain situations? Do they actually relax with family and enjoy the offseason (stress free)? Or maybe they hook with the Wayan brothers and the costume designers from “White Chicks” and go under cover during the offseason to avoid constant harrassing. Hmm.. enlighten me OBSERVER

By killa

January 24, 2007 02:07 PM | Link to this

JesseJackson , your post had me laughin so hard I quit crying thinking about the state of the falcons.

By Redneck Hater

January 24, 2007 02:15 PM | Link to this

ALL YOU REDNECKS LIKE “Titothebear” NEED TO JUST PUT AWAY YOUR NOOSES, BECAUSE MIKE VICK ISN’T GOING ANYWHERE FOR NOW SO YOU MIGHT AS WELL SHUT THE FK UP**

By Titothebear

January 24, 2007 02:16 PM | Link to this

Cankerman,

You make me sore. You are absolutely correct. A tape of Vick’s surrender of the “pot” bottle does exist but TSA will not release it on the grounds that it could have an effect upon national security. The terrorists and Blank and Buckwheat all win and the public is left to believe it or don’t!

By Kristen

January 24, 2007 02:18 PM | Link to this

Atlanta does not deserve Michael Vick. He is too good for this team, and for this city, whose fans were voted #1 WORST in a recent pro-sports poll. Not only do MOST Atlantans not support the Falcons, but they do not show support for the Hawks or Braves either. Shameful. The Falcons finish the season 7-9, and people blame Vick??? How about blaming those receivers in the second half of the season who couldn’t catch a pass if their lives depended on it????????? Meanwhile, Vick was breaking league q-back records. I hate to say it, but I honestly believe many Atlantans dislike of Michael Vick is racially motivated, which is a shame. They want a good ole’ boy quarterback who’ll play the game by the book, not a pioneer like Vick who is set to break even more records, regardless of which team he plays for. As for the myriad entries referring to Vick as a ‘thug’ on this website, I regard these as evidence of the racially-motivated dislike of him as a player. Last time I checked, Mike was exhonerated by the Miami police for this ridiculous drug charge, which by the way, DOES NOT a thug make. Here’s a definition for you, straight from the dictionary: THUG: a brutal person: somebody, especially a criminal, who is brutal and violent. Please cite evidence of Michael Vick being brutal and/or violent, I challenge you!

By laofer

January 24, 2007 02:19 PM | Link to this

I see a lot of stand up comics read the papers during the day. I agree Killa, that Jesse Jackson post was kinda funny.

By Tom Miller

January 24, 2007 02:20 PM | Link to this

If the waterbottle video don’t exist..than you must acquit

You forgot other famous black athetes in the list of shame: Carmello Anthony (gang banger)- Dennis Rodman (too chicken to pull the trigger) - Jim Brown (wife beater/drinker/drug user) - Ron Artest (superthug) - Ricky Williams (bong buster) - Michael Irvin (love the coke) and Barry Bonds (juicer and angry black man).

I don’t remember the names of the punk hitting on w******* the night before the super bowl when his kids/wife were 3 blocks away?? Or that female track star who has those ugly freaky fingernails and likes to juice??

By Rell

January 24, 2007 02:24 PM | Link to this

Why does the newspaper want a copy of Vick throwing away the bottle? Seems like they are trying to keep this going instead of just letting it die. He was found innocent, let it go!! And from our home town newspaper, just makes me sick…. And I see why people say Atlanta fans are the worst. I have gotten to the point where I dont even read some comments on these blogs because a lot of people on here are just ignorant.

By Reality Check

January 24, 2007 02:25 PM | Link to this

I am a white guy who grew up in Atlanta, and I am a life time Falcon fan. It is ridiculous to say that the white guys are getting on Vick because they resent black men who earn more money than them. Here is a simple fact: 99.9% of white guys (excluding some idiot Klansmen) could care less about the color of the player. We just want someone who has some class and can win. The rest just doesn’t matter. Case in point is Warrick Dunn. Total class act and all fans love him. Last time I checked, his 3+ million salary is more than most of the white fans.

This is about the ability of a player to lead a team. Vick is not being a leader on or off the field. Leaders don’t throw their team mates under the bus on HBO. They don’t shoot birds at fans. They don’t act like boneheads at the airport. They don’t call themselves Ron Mexico.

I want a quarterback black, white, Mexican, whatever… who can get us to a Superbowl. Vick is not it!

By Philly Fan

January 24, 2007 02:27 PM | Link to this

Yo Atlanta Falcon fans…. You have never had back to back winning seasons in the history of this sorry franchise.

You deserve Vick as your QB so that great tradition will carry on.

I feel so sorry for Petrino, because he’s really a great coach and does not deserve to have this head case forced on him.

I would send McNabb down to talk to your boy, but I don’t want any of the stink to rub off on him.

Great SNL skit last Sat night… We are laughing at you lame nuts….

By Redneck Hater

January 24, 2007 02:28 PM | Link to this

TO BOBBY Of Course this is racism, what else would you call it. Here you have this many people making racial and derrogatory statements about Mike Vick’s football ability and personal Character. None of these racists talked about the previous quarterback Chandler who couldn’t complete a pass if he was paid to. All the comments are because the man is BLACK, POINT BLANK!

By Peyton Walters

January 24, 2007 02:29 PM | Link to this

Whooo. Twenty touchdown passes? Wow. Where did the Falcons rank in passing? Last, with an average of 116 yards per game. Again, wow. Defend Vick, sure, because of crappy Mora coaching and crappy receivers. But don’t throw up the 20 touchdown passes. Heck, Billy Joe Tolliver could throw 20 TDs. It’s nothing. Schaub is not much better than Doug Johnson. That’s a fact. If we are going to do anything next year, Vick is going to have to get better. It’s just that what the shows us gives little hope that is going to happen. Hope Petrino is a miracle worker.

By Reality Check

January 24, 2007 02:30 PM | Link to this

Can we please stop all of this racial divide. Who cares if Mike Vick is purple, its not going to take away from the fact that he tried to pass something through security, put up a fit and brought all of this attention to himself. If he had just dump the water bottle the first time he was asked this wouldn’t even be news. But because MV has again struggled with consistency passing the ball and being a leader this incident furthers the divide between fans. When all is said and done he has 1 season if that to prove to Petrino that he can play his kind of ball, because I can assure you that if MV doesn’t produce like Petrino wants he will be the highest paid WR, RB, or clipboard holder in the NFL.

By Fed Up

January 24, 2007 02:30 PM | Link to this

NFL high up mucky-muck to Miami-Dade County high up mucky-muck are being called by high up mucky-muck Arthur Blank: “Now Miami-Dade County high up mucky-muck you are having this little party called the Super Bowl here in a couple of weeks and we wouldn’t want this Vick mess taking anything away from that, now would we? I mean, if it did, Miami might never get a Super Bowl again, right. So why don’t you see what you can do to make this go away.”

By Kelvin

January 24, 2007 02:31 PM | Link to this

As a black man it disturbs me to hear other black people throw racist bombs or demand an apology from a sports writer who is merely stating fact. None of you Vick apologists ever bother to answer the questions being raised in the Schultz article. All you do is throw bombs and call anyone who disagrees with you a racist or an Oreo. You are pathetic. Also, for those of you on the other side of this issue who use terms just to provoke an angry response from black readers you are pathetic as well.

By fatmac

January 24, 2007 02:31 PM | Link to this

To me it is simple. The Falcon organization was upset with Vick because he has shined an unwanted bad light on the it. I think that is where this all starts and ends. Your comments about why Vick didn’t come out and say he was innocent when this first came out…..this would have led to everyone saying he was lying…I don’t think it would have helped out his situation. GET A LIFE

By ShultzShouldBeFired

January 24, 2007 02:31 PM | Link to this

To the guy who mentioned Mark McGuire, he never failed a test because ANDRO wasn’t a banned substance at the time and there was no steroid testing in MLB. About the deleted video, I’m a retired peace officer and it’s common practice to recycle video tapes once they’ve been cleared (i.e. not needed as evidence for any trial etc…), so there’s no conspiracy at all. The AJC should be embarassed that they’ve allowed Mr. Shultz and staff to continue along this vein. Finally, this fact can’t be disputed by anyone on this blog. Congress has stated that the NFL’s drug testing policy is the model for major league sports. Players are getting busted and suspended all the time. Michael Vick has been subject to such testing for the past 7 years including in college after declaring for the draft. He’s NEVER and I repeat for those who don’t like facts, NEVER failed a drug test of any sort. CASE CLOSED….

By Gman

January 24, 2007 02:33 PM | Link to this

You know, this is all irrelevant anyway, we cant trade Vick without destroying the team financially, so like it or not, Vick is on the team and likely will be for some time. So, the question is, do you trade Schaub to Oakland or let Oakland sign him and get a first round pick as compensation per league rules on restricted free agents? Or, do you keep Schaub as the insurance policy on Vick, and Schaub starts for the Flacons say in week 4, which in turn moves one of the highest paid players in the league to the bench, with no option to trade or cut him due to salary and cap issues?

When I look at these two options, I gotta say trade Schaub this offseason where we can get something in return for his talents before he becomes a free agent next year. I do believe Schaub will be a great NFL QB (so does Warrick Dunn, look up his glowing comments on Schaub’s future), but Vick is our QB due to the massive contract he has.

So, stop being so selfish Vick, put down the bong this offseason, throw away your one-hitter, your 1.5’s and your blunts, put down the straw, and open Petrino’s friggin’ playbook @@@#$$!!! It’s not like you ain’t got plenty of sh$t to learn. It’s all in your hands Mr Vick, quit thinking you are in high school making fun of the smart kid sitting in front of you, answering the teachers questions b/c they study, and BECOME that smart kid that studies, ‘cause if you don’t the Falcons are in for a lot of losing and divisiveness for the next 5 years.

Look at that, a white guy advocating the trade of Schaub, that must blow some of your minds on this board…..I look at the Falcons and what’s good for the Falcons, not just a single player……

By slawdog

January 24, 2007 02:34 PM | Link to this

If Mike Vick were a Bobby Cox Brave, he would be modeling a Tampa Bay Devil Ray uniform right now. What a loser.

By ATLien

January 24, 2007 02:36 PM | Link to this

This is hilarious!! I, for one, am glad no one is speaking about this. I wouldn’t feed the “Media Machine” either. Let it rest already!!! Get a life Schultz!

By Rich McKay

January 24, 2007 02:36 PM | Link to this

Ok enough already. Arthur and I have seen the light. Vick is no longer wanted in Atlanta and we are working the phones day and night to see if anyone wants this punk.

It was all about the money yes… but we no longer can get away with “the hype” so the kid must go. Dan Reeves was an idiot to draft this punk over LT…. what a stupid mistake, Now Arthur and I have to live with it.

We will take a hit (no pun intended Mike) by trading him, but the true Atlanta Fan Base will support that decision and stand by us. We need to set an example by not allowing “a gangster” to QB this team. Matt maybe, but maybe not. I plan to bring in a number of veteran QB’s who can think on their feet and make accurate passes further than 10 yards.

The fans of Atlanta have spoken… Over 70% want Vick out of here.

We will get over this,

Rich McKay

By Jawanna

January 24, 2007 02:36 PM | Link to this

Are any of you thugs down in ATL really surprised about this? You are probably proud of what this thug has done. He represents your disgraceful city well. Vick’s not leaving the Falcons, ever. If he did fans would have to learn who else is on the team besides him since none of them have a clue, and buy someone else’s jersey, since that’s the only one any of them own. Keep us laughing up here in NYC about your joke of a franchise and your ghetto town.

By Lee

January 24, 2007 02:38 PM | Link to this

May be the water bottle was his brother’s (Marcus). Now, older brother is trying to protect the little brother.

By JFree

January 24, 2007 02:38 PM | Link to this

Falcons Record 14-2, - Team Makes Playoff, Mike Vick smoking dope…..Nooooo Problem. Mike You’re Great!!!

Falcons Record 7-9 - No Play Offs, Mike you better not fart in public or you’re dirt.

Just goes to show the bigotry and hypocrisy that permeates every facet this society from the highest levels to the scum.

Bet it would be nice to follow some of you judgmental reporters/fans/haters around so that the rest of the world can see just how truly moral you really are.
No you’re not a high profile athlete but immorality is immorality, it’s not about the job it’s about the person (we should all do a true self assessment before passing judgment).

By Fashizzlemybrizzle

January 24, 2007 02:38 PM | Link to this

You had a lot less headaches sellin’ table saws huh?

By Blackman

January 24, 2007 02:38 PM | Link to this

This is all George Bush’s fault!!!!

By Famvir

January 24, 2007 02:38 PM | Link to this

The AJC is one of the most Libral Newspapers in the Country

Libral as in Democratic Party which means the party of the lower to middle class, as well as all special interest groups!! This means you dope head, and all the Ron Mexico’s out there who will run this country into the ground by stupidity.

The AJC has endorsed the Democratic party year after year so shut up…. The AJC is not out to get your boy…. You boy is a thug who happens to be at best, an avg QB with limited passing skills.

THANK YOU FOR SAYING WHAT OTHERS ARE AFRAID TO SAY IN PUBLIC!!

By ShultzShouldBeFired

January 24, 2007 02:40 PM | Link to this

Casey, To answer you question. Because the other black Falcon players don’t have a fair haired caucasion waiting to take their place. This could simply be staff writers way of trying to get their QB, Schaub in the lineup. Media campaigns are waged all the time to get coaches fired, and politicians removed from office. This may be no different…

By Lee

January 24, 2007 02:40 PM | Link to this

May be the water bottle was his brother’s (Marcus). Now, older brother is trying to protect the little brother.

By Traceman

January 24, 2007 02:41 PM | Link to this

It is amazing to me how many people continue to insist that Vick TRIED TO SNEAK the water bottle through security. Reports CLEARLY indicate that the bottle was detected IN HIS CARRY-ON LUGGAGE by one of the screeners.

He no more tried to SNEAK the bottle through security than I tried to SNEAK a letter-opener through security when I was trying to board a flight last year. When the screener asked me to empty my briefcase and I saw the letter-opener, I knew I wasn’t supposed to have it but I simply forgot that I had put it in there. The screener confiscated it as he was supposed to and I went on my way. The point is that I didn’t try to SMUGGLE or SNEAK the letter-opener by security, it was in my briefcase and it was detected by the x-ray machine. Same thing happened with Vick’s water bottle.

By Ryan

January 24, 2007 02:43 PM | Link to this

The tsa officer was a 22 year old black chick.

is it still race?

By Corey

January 24, 2007 02:44 PM | Link to this

Will someone please fire Jeff Shultz. I swear Being an Atlanta sports fan and reading most of your artilces makes me wish I could smack you upside your head.

By ALLBTME

January 24, 2007 02:44 PM | Link to this

HAVEN’T YOU PEOPLE DONE ENOUGH,

You have already convicted a man for 45 years that served 22 years for a crime that he didn’t commit. Granted Mike Vick had a lapse in judgments. (SO DID BUSH WITH THE WAR) But seems to me you people seem to judge incorrectly all the time.

But I am sure when our MANDINGO WARRIOR starts really winning some games for us next season. You people are going to love him to death.

IT’S JUST LIKE YALL TO DO SO.

You hate that fact that this man bless with God given talents to play ball, and maybe because you were never picked on the team at school you want to hate him and degrade a race as whole just so you can feel better.

But you know I thank you for it because it makes us stronger as people, and give us even more reasons to continue to think of more innovative ways to create and expand.

By the truth

January 24, 2007 02:46 PM | Link to this

You guys are sticking your heads in the sand. Mike came clean at the meeting with Blank and McKay. The bottle did have weed in it at one time. The Miami PD dropping the whole thing for lack of evidence or interest has nothing to do with it.

The team statement if you look at the transcript shows as much. That is wny Mike won’t come out and profess innocence. WHo cares shape up make better choices on and off the field and lead this band of misfit toys to the Superbowl.

Who was the QB that did get the Falcons to the SB?

By Bryan

January 24, 2007 02:47 PM | Link to this

I’m not a falcon fans, but some of you in this city seem intent on bringing down Mike Vick. I personally don’t care what happens w/him, but sure seems Jeff Schulz and AJC aren’t going to rest until they get him out of Atlanta. I used to respect this guy as a fair writer, much more than Terrence Moore (and I’m black imagine that), but c’mon dude…are you seriously reporting the news or trying to keep creating it? What’s to be accomplished by begging for a tape after they’ve established no contraband was found and the case was closed???…I know what……more opportunities of pile on this lame story…PLEASE AJC… GIVE SCHULZ SOMETHING ELSE TO DO~!!…

By Al Davis

January 24, 2007 02:48 PM | Link to this

Dear Mr. Vick or should I call you Ron?

We would love to have you come play with us here in Oakland. You seem to be qualified for the position of QB and appear to have all the talent required to lead my team into the Super Bowl.

See my son, here in Oakland we pride ourselves on being the “gang bang capital of the world”! Our streets are full of thugs, hoodlums, rapist, car jackers, hip hop blasters, and drug users, so you can see how you will be the perfect fit for this town to embrace you. You will be a hero out here Mike, the kids will all look up to you, and I will not care how you dress or represent this team on or off the field.

See the game has changed and tradition is in the crapper. We want entertainment and that circus atmosphere. It sells tickets!

Think it over,

Al Davis

ps: Your brother Marcus is welcome to join you on the team so please by all means bring him along. I know plenty of bails bondsman and good lawyers so don’t worry about a thing.

By PEACE

January 24, 2007 02:50 PM | Link to this

Do any one of you ignorant haters personally know this man to be slandering him like that??? You people sound sooooo stupid. Why is this issue still lingering? The case has been closed. Get over it. There are other important issues that need attention in Atlanta. And by the way. To the idiots that are loosely calling this man a Thug. Please define Thug. Mike should not be compared to the president. To totally different indivduals. Now lets talk about that.

By SharonH

January 24, 2007 02:50 PM | Link to this

You want someone to speak, well let me speak. With every word you type about this case, you are making an @ss of yourself. You were dead wrong callling for Mike to leave and instead of accepting it and apologizing like you should, you insist that there is more to the story than it is. Do you really beleive that the Miami police would cover up the use of illicit drugs by Michael Vick because of celebrity? How many other celebrities have been arrested and charged for any number of crimes, when did Michael Vick become so powerful?

Let it go. Get over it already. Right now I am questioning your personal growth and perception because I have to wonder why you are so dogged to try to find some crime by this man. Michael Vick hasn’t been guilty of wrongdoing and you were wrong. Deal with it.

By BUSHWACKER

January 24, 2007 02:50 PM | Link to this

Don’t you guys get it, its not about busting the idiot for possesion. No body cares if he is not arrested for a small amount of weed.So yes,sorry if we called you a pot head “which we all know he is”. Its not about the weed, its about making stupid decisions.His judgement is not very good off the field, how can we trust him to make the right decisions on the field? WE CAN’T ! TRADE HIS STUPID A$$.

By MakeTrade

January 24, 2007 02:50 PM | Link to this

Lets make the trade with the raiders. This was mention on espn or half time of one of the games this past Sunday. Make the trade and draft JaMarcus Russell. Let Schaub play until Russell is ready. Schaub maybe a pro bowler in a few years, so then you trade Russell. Maybe make the trade with the raiders and package Schaub. I am sure the falcons entertain trades for Schaub all the time. I guess none have included a great receiver and first round draft pick. Would be a good trade.

By JFree

January 24, 2007 02:51 PM | Link to this

Hey Mark, It would be great if you knew some upstanding black men that are not athletes. Just so happens, there’s quite a few of those guy’s around.

I do however agree with you when you talk about not blaming the white man for everything, there’s no way you could do that. He’s only responsible for about 95% of the worlds problems. (Remember!!!!! Do an assessment of ones self before passing judgment)

By DebbieDoRight

January 24, 2007 02:53 PM | Link to this

Jeff Schultz, what your column should really be called is:

“I’m Jeff Schultz, a Frumpy, 50ish, balding, incontinent, viagara popping, diaper wearing, stodgy man. Who doesn’t have the balls to say “Im sorry I was wrong”, so I’ll keep bashing Mike Vick because I’m too stupid to think of a new lead story.”

And in parenthesis it should say: “I didn’t make THIS much fuss over Danny Heatley when he KILLED his friend and team mate after a night of drinking and driving 100+ miles an hour — I have my standards; crucify Vick, love the little white boy”

By D. Thomas

January 24, 2007 02:55 PM | Link to this

..”This was not about pot” is the most valid statement made by Jeff Schultz during this entire episode. In my opinion, this indeed was about the media’s desperate need for a storyline, and therefore, took the liberty to quickly make a conclusion from a few objective facts, and made a complete subjective judgement about an individual’s character, leadership, and integrity. Without even interjecting the “race card,” I am completely disgusted at the manner in which you have attempted to spin this story. It should begins with “I’m sorry” at the beginning of your article, not at the end.

By Why?

January 24, 2007 02:55 PM | Link to this

Please! Please! Please! Please! SHUT UP. Let’s just end it now. Let’s get rid of every sports team in Atlanta, because reading these blogs, the fans here suck! White, black, yellow, red, green, whatever color, you all are terrible. I was born and raised here, and I thought things were getting better. You people need to get over yourselves. Nobody is any better then anybody else. Would you listen to yourselves. What freakin year is this??? GOD!! We are never going to get anywhere as a country. Well, what do you think will happen when a country is started by theft and murder. No wonder terrorists want to destroy this nation. NOW COMMENT ON THAT! GET SOME LIVES AND GO DO SOME VOLUNTEER WORK WHERE YOU CAN REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE INSTEAD ON TYPING THIS BULL! I have never been so embarassed for this city in my life.

By Joe

January 24, 2007 02:56 PM | Link to this

How many people did Mike kill?

By DebbieDoRight

January 24, 2007 02:56 PM | Link to this

Hater: Your Georgia G.E.D. is showing……..

By Buckwheat

January 24, 2007 02:57 PM | Link to this

Vick has been completely CLEARED and exonerated of his watergate scandal with his waterbottle. For the love of God and for the life of me I cant understand why so many people are taking shots at Vick and calling for his head and his job. Vick should be given a 20 year extension to his contract and another $250 million dollars for being innocent of watergate. Dont forget when Richard Nixon was guilty of watergate he had to resign. If the evidence for the waterbottle watergate scandal was swept under the rug and Vick is really guilty of smoking weed, then Vick should give way to Schaub and Vick should resign from his job. But if all the evidence is in and Vick is innocent, then folks should start to back off of him and leave him alone and let him live his life and smoke his crack pipe in peace.

By Dre ATL

January 24, 2007 02:58 PM | Link to this

Trade Vick, cut our Losses!!

Those are a paraphrase of your words. You Falcons fans act like you know what a winner is but you don’t. If it was not for Mike Vick ATL Falcons would be in the basement, the stadium would not be sold out nor would free agents be coming here. Vick can’t block and catch passes while throwing the same such passes. I know why there have never been back to back winning seasons here, YALL DON’T DESERVE IT!!

Trade Vick and see how many games sell out or free agents come down here. Remember, right now Vick and Manning have the same amount of Superbowl wins. Inconsistent- can you say Rex Grossman and he is in the superbowl. Wake up you color BLINDED fans!

By BUSHWACKER

January 24, 2007 02:59 PM | Link to this

What happened to the days when FALCONS meant class and integrity.Bartkowski,Van Note, Nobis, Reeves, Chandler, Mathis, Chuck Smith, Jamal Anderson.Great football players and coaches but more important QUALITY PEOPLE!! Now we have a coach who interviews for jobs before they are open,a QB who likes to do nothing ” sit around and smoke weed”.A loudmouth overated CB who makes stupid personal fouls when he gets burned,a DE who sat out the playoffs because he’s playing for money and not a championship. My how far we’ve fallen. Mr Blank, I’m not the only one who feels this way about YOUR TEAM. AJC poll, 69% say get rid of him.

It’s not just Vick,this team has no leaders, no charcter, no class!!

By LJ

January 24, 2007 02:59 PM | Link to this

Anyone who instantly plays the this text will be boldedrace cardthis text will be unboldeddoesn’t stop to think very deeply.

You wrote…”Many people — particularly white people — resent black men who earn more money than them. It hurts them to the core. Most of this righteous indignation about a bottle that could be used to carry jewelry or cash in luggage is seated in the pervasive jealousy many people have about wealthy people — and particularly wealthy black men.”

I love the blanket comment! One could turn that around and make the same comment about poor black men and how they resent wealthy black men. In today’s world we still have people who just can’t get into the 21st century. I can just here this same person yelling from the rooftops and at the top of his(?) lungs about COVERUP! COVERUP! COVERUP!!!!! if the person involved had been WHITE!

What I want to know - and no one is asking because they are just too infuriated with the idea that their idol should be accused of any wrongdoing - is this text will be boldedWHAT was in the bottle???this text will be unbolded

It looks more like an instant coverup since everyone talks up to the point of how he was found instantly innocent (and I DO hope he is, no matter WHAT color he happens to be) but yet no further details. It’s as if people are afraid to ask…..

By DebbieDoRight

January 24, 2007 02:59 PM | Link to this

Were all of you sanctimonious prigs this “holy” when Dany Heatley killed his team mate? I bet you were saying “Poor Danny — it was an accident, let’s give him a break”. I bet you didn’t call HIM a thug, or a drunk, or a DRUG ADDICT.

By CQ

January 24, 2007 02:59 PM | Link to this

Folks just let this whole thing go. The situation is done. Lets focus on the draft.

By ShultzShouldBeFired

January 24, 2007 03:01 PM | Link to this

Casey, The other black falcon players don’t have the “Great Hype” waiting in the wings to play QB. Media types have waged media wars to belittle people, fire coaches and remove public figures from office. This is could most likely be the same thing. To the guy who mentioned Mark McGuire, he never failed a test because ANDRO wasn’t a banned substance at the time and there was no steroid testing in MLB. About the deleted video, I’m a retired peace officer and it’s common practice to recycle video tapes once they’ve been cleared (i.e. not needed as evidence for any trial etc…), so there’s no conspiracy at all. The AJC should be embarassed that they’ve allowed Mr. Shultz and staff to continue along this vein. Finally, this fact can’t be disputed by anyone on this blog. Congress has stated that the NFL’s drug testing policy is the model for major league sports. Players are getting busted and suspended all the time. Michael Vick has been subject to such testing for the past 7 years including in college after declaring for the draft. He’s NEVER and I repeat for those who don’t like facts, NEVER failed a drug test of any sort. CASE CLOSED….

By quint

January 24, 2007 03:01 PM | Link to this

I love the Falcons. Vick can’t comunicate to his team nor to the public. I pay his salary when I buy tickets to the games or buy his jersey for my kid. He is a role model because of his high profile and his high salary. I don’t mind his cornrows (they actually make him look well-groomed and neat) and I don’t care that he doesn’t have perfect grammar (though I am a teacher). I do have a problem with someone making as much money as he does for playing a sport that most of us played for free. But I don’t blame him for signing the contract (I would have signed just like every other person on this blog). The money issue has to do with the owners and what they are willing to pay, which is ridiculous.

But it seems like some of you have stock in Mike Vick. I mean, where did you buy it? Is it still for sale? Is that why you are defending his actions? You are taking it so personal. Lay off of the racist talk. I guarantee you tht people would not treat DJ like this if he gets a shot. He seems to be a high character person, whereas Vick does not seem to be of high moral standing. It is because of his personality, not his, or my, race that I am beginning to dislike Vick. Remember, when you are paid professional money you should act like a professional.

By BUSHWACKER

January 24, 2007 03:01 PM | Link to this

I suspect Warrick Dunn does not own a water bottle with a secret compartment.

By ptra

January 24, 2007 03:04 PM | Link to this

Darrell Strawberry and Dwight Gooden were protected the entire time they played baseball. Once out of baseball, in jail and out of jail. Expect Vick to follow this road. Once you aren’t in the limelight, no one gives a damn. Hope Mike saves a few million.

By Don KeBallz

January 24, 2007 03:04 PM | Link to this

Titothebear get back to work, the french fries are burning!

By Pop

January 24, 2007 03:04 PM | Link to this

Schultz, you are almost as bad a Snake Shapiro and his crew. You have dwelled on this subject long enough…even some of the “haters” are tired of it.

By BUSHWACKER

January 24, 2007 03:04 PM | Link to this

Jeff don’t you love me anymore, your editor will not print me.

By ATLSportsTalk.com

January 24, 2007 03:07 PM | Link to this

Schultz is right - it is very weird for nobody to be talking about this. Not accusing Vick because he was cleared but at best this is a horrible mismanagement of public relations by Blank, which is very unusual for him.

By Steve

January 24, 2007 03:08 PM | Link to this

Observer .. could you be any more racist??

You act as if this was all due to him being a black man. Is that why my girlfriend, who is white was searched after trying to take a water bottle thru security in Dallas almost a year ago?? No. Get off your reverse-racism horse.

Vick was NOT even pulled aside, searched, or arrested. Nothing. Is there racism there??

He had a bottle with a hidden compartment that every Vick supporter says he was probalby using for other valuables. Problem is, he never took any valuables out of it, and it contained NOTHING. So … my question to you would be .. why try to keep the security from taking the bottle??

It would have been as simple as him saying this is a fake bottle used for security purposes. If it had less than 3 ounces of liquid in it, and nothing dangerous in the hidden compartment, then they would have let him pass. Instead, he put up a fight … over what?? Nothing!

If you think he is the only person told not to take a bottle thru security, then you might be correct. But it’s not because he was black. It’s because anyone that can read a sign and has one iota of intelligence would understand you cannot do that. It’s posted numerous times around the gates.

Then, the Falcon’s GM calls him out in public, and he didn’t even try to say he was innocent. Why? Easy, because Vick thought the evidence would be found to be marijuana. End of story.

Why are Vick backers so ignorant to the obvious. I guess you are the same SOB’s that cheered when OJ got off on a technicality. Never mind the fact he killed two people.

By BUSHWACKER

January 24, 2007 03:11 PM | Link to this

Its pretty much been reported that if Vick messes up again it IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! Might as well trade him, potheads will not change and there WILL BE another INCIDENT way before training camp even starts. Trade him now while he’s still innocent and we can get something for him. Think about,the Duluth Police should have his house staked out by now,its just a matter of time before he does get arrrested then we cannot get anything for him. You see, its not about if he’s good enough, its strickly business. Can’t trade him once he’s in jail!

By Impala

January 24, 2007 03:13 PM | Link to this

TELL THEM DirtyBird!!! You took all the words right out my mouth!

By Mike Harvey

January 24, 2007 03:18 PM | Link to this

Why should Vick talk about this incident. It appears to me that keeping his mouth closed is an act of maturity. In choosing the high ground, he let the chips fall where they may. In this instance, the chips fell on the side of innocence. It’s kind of like Willie Williams telling the world 21 years ago that he was innocent of rape. Who believed him then? When all the evidence came in 21 years later, the victim of this horrible crime continues to contend that Mr. Williams is not innocent as found. We all have wished for years that Mr. Vick would grow up. When he shows discretion in the face of a media blitz, he is castigated for not giving back as good as he was given. Perhaps, Mr. Vick learned a valuable lesson from the finger incident. Is’nt that what we hoped would happen when the home town fans booed him after a tough home field loss. Your questions would be better served if directed to Mr. Blanks. Did he or did he not intervene in the administration of justice in this incident? Unless we are willing to posit this question to Mr. Blanks, we are not being honest with ourselves; nor fair in questioning the taciturn mood of Mr. Vick.

By Vick-MustGo

January 24, 2007 03:19 PM | Link to this

Vick is just another T.O in the making.

By jdn

January 24, 2007 03:22 PM | Link to this

Let me start by saying, I am not an Atlanta Falcon fan nor am I a Mike Vick fan. Never have been. I’ve always thought the sports fans in Atlanta to be somewhat fickle, not die hard fans. (braves, falcons, hawks, etc.) I don’t live in Atlanta (DC baby!) and I have no intention of ever moving to that area. With those things being said, Mike Vick was hung out to dry. By the Falcon ownership, by the national media, by your local media, and by some of your atlanta falcon fans. Quick history lesson for you guys: since 1963 your beloved falcons have never had two consecutive winning seasons. NEVER. Vick at least gives you a chance to correct that. Here’s something else for you: when vick was drafted by the falcons attendence at your games jumped 28%. (for fans who happen to be bama’s: that’s alot) And falcons tickets have been one of the hotter ticket items since he’s been your quarterback. Chris Chandler or Steve Barkowski couldn’t do that. Oh, and for those folks who think there is some “cover up” over what was in the bottle: if there was something there he would have been charged. If the cops will arrest Willie Nelson, Matthew McConahey, and Al Gore III on marijana possesion why wouldn’t they arrest Vick? (and please don’t say because he’s black and famous because bobby brown, whitney houston, snoop dog, etc. have all been arrested and they’re all black) Say what you will about Vick, but the guy is a difference maker. He was at VA Tech and he is in the NFL. I’m glad are fans (redskins, wizards, capitals, etc.) are true fans. We don’t jump on our players here. We’re smart enough to wait until all the evidence has been presented and then we speak. Maybe that’s something Y’ALL (falcons ownership, management, local media, and fans) could learn.

By its what ever ! ! ! !

January 24, 2007 03:25 PM | Link to this

there is really to much personal hate on this blog.

By REAL

January 24, 2007 03:42 PM | Link to this

Mike Vick had his best season statistically after 6 years, funny thing is or sad thing is, Rex Grossman who everyone has crucified all year long had better numbers than Vick, put that in your Vick nut sack and smoke it.

By TCS

January 24, 2007 03:42 PM | Link to this

GREAT ARTICLE JEFF!! THANK YOU AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

I MAY NOT ALWAYS AGREE WITH YOU, BUT YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO ASK THESE QUESITONS OF MR. VICK WHO IS THE FACE OF THE FRANCHISE.

By toshie

January 24, 2007 03:44 PM | Link to this

Jeff Schultz why would you think that Mr Blank or anyone else with the Falcon organization owes you an explanation anyway. You don’t even qualify as a human let alone a sports writer. All you want to do is bash someone from Atlanta. How many times has Jerry Jones explained about TO’s drug overdose? Did the Bengels owner talk about the 9 different players that have been arrested this season? Vick is the best player the Falcons has ever had in Atlanta and some of you can’t stand that he has money and you don’t.

By nothingtoseehear

January 24, 2007 03:44 PM | Link to this

Nothing to see hear, OJ is innocent and so is Mike Vick. Anybody want to buy some Cynthia McKinney bumper stickers?

By dirty bird 23

January 24, 2007 03:48 PM | Link to this

political man is probably a fat guy that acts like he could have been a monday morning quarterback, vick is owed in this case, but where the problem lies is he still can’t pass the football

By TROY

January 24, 2007 03:52 PM | Link to this

Yea the SNL skit was pretty good. Not good for this city or the Falcons, but it basically layed it out that there how this dope head is a joke.

You may be right that the Duluth Police are watching the gang bangers house and just waiting to issue a warrant to search the house/cars. This way, the contract will be broken and the Falcons walk away from this thing with a new start. The NFL has taken too many blackeyes lately from black players and run in’s with the law. They want to clean house and will agree to work with the Falcons. One more mistake and Ronald is gone….. The Falcons or the NFL will come to his rescue… He will end up buying a car dealership in Memphis, sell dope, go broke, and end up in jail with his brother Marcus.

By VickBeliever

January 24, 2007 03:52 PM | Link to this

Hey Mike Vick to keep your peace from all these redneck racist. Whenever you listen to the radio or read this crap man just count your money and realize how blessed you are. Don’t worry about these low class KKK minded people. They are haters and trying to keep a successful brother down.

By Jimmie

January 24, 2007 03:53 PM | Link to this

re: Observer - I’m guessing that you’re black? I’m starting to wonder if anything issues such as these in the south can ever be anything other than a ‘race’ issue.

By Sheri

January 24, 2007 03:54 PM | Link to this

When did we change our country’s foundation to “guilty until proven innocent”? Michael Vick, the Falcons, the Miami police - no one should have to answer to anything. Why would Michael Vick have to come out and say “I’m innocent”? Thought that was a given in this country until you are convicted of a crime.

If Joe Average tried to take a water bottle onto a plane and had a disagreement over security about it, would his water bottle be taken out of the trash and investigated? How many people still argue over the lotion rule now imposed? Let’s see what would happen if I took a 4 oz. bottle of liquid through security and had to throw it away. It would more than likely stay there.

By Concerned

January 24, 2007 03:55 PM | Link to this

After reading these blogs it is really unfortunate that our society is still such a racist society. If Micheal Vick was white, half of the bad things that I have read would not have been printed. Yes, the only way you could not see the racism of white people in these blogs, would be if you were white, or you would have to be black and never encountered racism in anyway, and I would find that hard to believe. Micheal Vick, I apologize for all the racist comments that are being made to you. I personally welcome you to Atlanta with open arms and I hope that you stay here just long enough to shut some mouths. I don’t care anything about your personal life and no one else who is not involved in it should. Keep your head up, and ignore the comments. You have many supporters in Atl. but from what I have read, I don’t blame you for the finger, and I especially don’t blame you for not commenting on your innocence! You don’t owe us anything! Obviously racism will never die.

To: AJC If you are going to delete something, how about deleting the racial slurs. I have seen everything but the “N” word and personally I am offended. This will be my last time reading AJC!!!! To the Cox Sisters, shame on you!

Shultz, wow…..I just can not beleive a journalist could be so unprofessional. Let’s hope that your life never takes a bad turn.

To you Racist White People: African Americans are here to stay, live with it or leave it. Wear your white hats proudly so we will know who you are. Or are you afraid to come out in public with them on? I challenge you to wear them to work tomorrow, and wear them to the Falcons games.

I love the Falcons, but I will not renew my season tickets if Micheal Vick is not on the team and is the starting QB! He is not a thug, nor is he a gangster. Stop using those terms and try to be more like God!

By RodneyKing

January 24, 2007 03:57 PM | Link to this

Hey, can’t we all get along, didnt’ Marvin Gaye sing a song about it, didn’t the past teach us anything? Love your fellow pot head and help him, don’t point the finger at a crack head, get him off the drugs brother, show a lil’ love

By DebbieDoRight

January 24, 2007 03:57 PM | Link to this

I can’t wait until Jeff Schultz beats his wife again and it’s all over the news!!! I’ll bash him with it every day! just like he’s doing with Mike! Gotta love payback!

By DonaldTrump

January 24, 2007 03:58 PM | Link to this

JEFF SCHULTZ: If you have ever watched my apprentice program on television you should be aware that I am famous for the three words I think your bosses should give you for writing your stupid article: you are fired

By SwampFox for Coach

January 24, 2007 03:59 PM | Link to this

The video at the airport has been ereased. Imagine! The residue that smelled like marijuana was not illegal - why? What was it? Too little marijuana to be considered possession? Or perhaps it was a tea bag that fell apart? In any case, Mike hassled the TSA screener and tried to take the bottle on the plane anyway - just the kind of spokesman AirTran needs. Role model. Example. Thug.

By Michele Moore

January 24, 2007 03:59 PM | Link to this

Good job Jeff! Keep writing and do not let this get swept under the rug.

20 TD passes… big deal

29th place for offensive passing…. real big deal

Back to back losing seasons…. Welcome to the Falcons.

By eian

January 24, 2007 04:03 PM | Link to this

THATS IS SO TRUE jdn. IT IS FUNNY HOW SOME(NOT ALL) WHITE FOLKS ARE QUICK TO JUMP ON AND TEAR DOWN THERE OWN QB. VICK HAS TO PRIOR ARREST RECORD AND HE IS INVOLVED WITH MANY CHARITIES IN GA & VA. FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW, IF YOU TOOK A LITTLE TIME TO INVESTIGATE YOU WOULD FIND OUT THAT VICK GIVES ALOT i MEAN ALOT OF MONEY TO CHARITY REGARDLESS OF COLOR OF THE PERSON RECIEVING IT. BUT THINGS LIKE THAT DO NT GET CREDIT BCUZ I DO NOT THINK THE HATERS COULD ACCEPT THAT THERE SO CALLED THUG IS ACTUAL A SOFTY WHEN IT COMES TO DISABLED CHILDREN OR THAT HE GAVE A FAMILY THAT LOST EVERYTHING A NEW START. WHO MANY OF US NON-THUGS HAVE EVER DID THAT? HOW CAN PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE GA COME HERE EXPECTING SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY WHEN WE CAN NOT EVEN COME TOGETHER ON A SIMPLE BLOG. I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MUCH HATE FOR A BLACK QB, WORST YET ARE STARTING QB. WE PRAISE HIM WHEN HE WINS AND CALL HIM A THUG WHEN HE LOSES. IF VICK WAS IN NEW YORK OR HOUSTON HE WOULD NOT BE DEGRADED THIS BAD. I GUESS WE WILL NEVER GET PASSED THE SOUTHERN RACIAL OVERTINE THAT STILL EXIST IN THE SOUTH 2DAY. I AM PROUD TO BE FROM GA, I AM JUST NOT ALWAYS PROUD OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE AND THINK THAT WAY. GROW UP PLEASE.

By marcus3x

January 24, 2007 04:06 PM | Link to this

Dany Heatley who killed a man is given a pass by white georgians but HATE vick who did nothing wrong. INCREDIBLE. I wish I could wake up and see all of the black nfl players leave the league and start a league owned by blacks. Far too long we have been the financial w******* for white folks.

By famciclovir

January 24, 2007 04:06 PM | Link to this

Ron Mexico is “STUPID”

PLEASE trade this circus a#$ clown. 20 td’s and last in passing…. The Falcons are a laughing joke outside the City of Atlanta.

Drugs will make you stupid Ron!!

By Impala

January 24, 2007 04:12 PM | Link to this

To JDN- I am Atlanta 4 life, but I actually have to take in what you say here, you are right. Atlanta be quick to speak out against anyone at any given ready time especially our own. That’s why the media loves Atlanta so, cause they know we will be quick to speak out bad stirring up more issues. And hearing from someone on the outside looking in is some real talk. Uuuuummmm…..

By reeses_peace

January 24, 2007 04:13 PM | Link to this

Forget about the water bottle. It’s a non-story. Who cares about the tape being erased? Nothing happened!

Regarding the Falcons, the only thing I care about is the NFL Draft, training camp, and the 07 season. No matter how off-colored the remarks are in this blog, Vick is our QB and he’s our team’s leader.

You want to see Vick throw for 30+ touchdowns next season? Let’s see how the draft goes. Let’s see if management can build a quality receiving core and Offensive Line. There’s another Marques Colston (Saints rookie Wide receiver) out there. Let’s make sure the offensive coordinator has heard of Julius Peppers and develops a game plan to stop him! Lastly, let’s see what kind of Offense Petrino puts in place.

By SEC 255 SEASON TICKET HOLDER

January 24, 2007 04:15 PM | Link to this

Those of you with the deep seated anger and hatred need to visit the rant section on craigslist atlanta where you can really let it rip.

Some of you would find a buddy or two.

By VickBeliever

January 24, 2007 04:17 PM | Link to this

White people until you have walked in a Black man shoes please stop screaming the race card. You people have no idea what its like to be black especially a BLACK man. I say that say people do not bring that up just for the sake of conversation it happens and it is very sad. Have you ever thought about that when referring to Vick and Vick only this is how he is described, can’t read defenses, not a leader, does not work hard,he is a athelete. Now when you hear of other QB’s who have shared the same success or less the words are never used when describing them, Carson Palmer, David Carr, Jake Plummer,Trent Green, Drew Brees, Eli Manning, Marc Bulger. Guess what people Vick has won more playoff games than all of them.

By falcon4tru

January 24, 2007 04:22 PM | Link to this

I am an native of Atlanta, living in New Orleans, and i must say that after all of this, we are still downing this man. Get over the fact that Vick is who he is, our QB, and the best one that this generation will ever see. He make mistakes just like the rest of us. Why can’t we just forget about this all and try to enjoy this year without so much hate with this man? This year, you all will regret you ever downed this man. Prove’em wrong Vick. I know you can do it.

By chisolm

January 24, 2007 04:23 PM | Link to this

Vick is such a punk! No way he can be a respected leader for any football team. Get rid of him for future draft picks!

By Mike Sucks

January 24, 2007 04:24 PM | Link to this

BOO! Trade Vick before next season starts! He’s no Drew Brees, a true qb and a saint! It’s nice to see Mike run, but his passing game isnt fit for the NFL. Yes, he has a nice arm but he dont know how to use it. He’s the most crying qb I ever seen. How can his teammates count on his mental toughness? He broke down this season under media pressure. And down this bottlle issuee. OK, he’s clear of federal charges but the fact he didnt want to give up the bottle to security and then try to trash it, is proven guilt in my book. He was trying to hide something. How long will it take for the Crows front office to get a clue this guy aint worth it? I begging, cut ties with this guy! Take the salary cap hit! TRADE VICK NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!

By jeanE

January 24, 2007 04:30 PM | Link to this

This whole thing stinks to high heaven, doesn’t make any sense except somebody was paid off, who knows by whom. We are stuck with Vick, so grow up,be a man & a leader & actually work hard, study some film in the offseason, show us doubters we were wrong & stop saying you’ve done everything you can do. Until you’ve won a Super Bowl, you can’t possibly have done everything you can do.

By aj

January 24, 2007 04:32 PM | Link to this

Miami-Dade Police Cover-Up Because of Super Bowl 2 Weeks Away

I smell something fishy here……

Chicago and Indy are talking about the superbowl, Atlanta is talking about a burned out QB puffing his career away!!

By Jackie

January 24, 2007 04:34 PM | Link to this

ANY GIVEN SUNDAY MEETS OZ

THE JOKE IS ON THE ATLANTA FANS!

ps: good job Jeff!!

By Enough Already

January 24, 2007 04:34 PM | Link to this

Its about time to put this subject to rest. They have been talking about Michael Vick’s water bottle incident for over a week now. Its starting to get as old as Barry Bonds and steriods. Can’t you sports reporters talk about something more worthwhile like, oh i don’t know, THE SUPERBOWL? When Randy Moss admitted to smoking pot on a regular basis, i don’t remember a big blow up media frenzy like this. There’s not even proof that Vick does this. Look, whether he did it or not, whether you like him or not, he’s going to be the Falcons STARTING quarterback next year. Just let it go people, let it go.

By oh really

January 24, 2007 04:35 PM | Link to this

To all the Jeff haters:

Jeff works for the largest minority owned (black) newspaper in the country. Can’t make your case now? Didn’t think so.

Good stuff Schultz…………I love when you stir the pot.

By LEA

January 24, 2007 04:36 PM | Link to this

OK. Blank and his lawyers bought off the Florida cops. If it looks like a fish and it smells like a fish it probably is a fish. Anyway, this is a sports blog. Blog about what a crappy quarterback you think he is or what a great quarterback you think he is, whatever is your fancy. If anybody wants to look up to Vick, let them. I feel sorry for them but it is a free country. IF Vick does drugs he will end up losing. No amount of money, no amount of women, no amount of alcohol and no amount of toys can make a drug user happy. Nobody that does drugs ever ends up being really happy. All of the stuff above is inconsequential and is crap. And in the end, who cares if, as I suspect he will be, Vick is relegated to some small mention in the dust bins of sports trivia? We, as fans that watch a simple sport that we just so happen to enjoy just want a decent Atlanta quarterback, WHATEVER IT TAKES, BLANK! Black, White, Red, Yellow, whatever. Just give us a Falcon leader. This man ain’t it.

By AlpharettaFan

January 24, 2007 04:38 PM | Link to this

Mr. Schultz, when last I checked, Mike Vick was employed by the Falcons and not you or the AJC. You may need for Vick to say something so that you can have material for your next column, but he has already said what needs to be said to the people he needed to say it to. As much as people like to talk about the fans paying his salary, when he looks at his paycheck, he doesn’t see my name, your name or anybody else’s name. He sees The Atlanta Falcons.

By shane

January 24, 2007 04:41 PM | Link to this

I hope that no statement is made at all. That way when the reporter that asks “the Question” right after our first round draft pick, it will come across as a loud fart in the middle of church service. Down with negative media.

By Just D.

January 24, 2007 04:43 PM | Link to this

Just why do all of you people want to hear from a man you hate and you want ran out of Atlanta? Why is it so important to face scrutiny to so many people who dislike you? Why ask why? Why does this reporter want to speak to a man so bad he made a mockery of just days ago. If you were Mike Vick, would you give satisfaction to the red necks and the bigots who hate you?

I think NOT!!

By C.Thomas

January 24, 2007 04:45 PM | Link to this

I am so tired of hearing all of this crap. When the Falcons are doing well,Michael Vick is such a great player, when they are losing, he is not a quarterback. Some of you talk about him maturing and leading this team. Have you forgotten about the dropped passes that our receivers were dropping almost every game, or the lack of pass protection from our offensive linemen. But that’s okay, Michael Vick is suppose to pass, run, catch. As far as Maimi incident, even though he was cleared, he’s already convicted. Why should he speak on it, half of the city don’t want him here, this has never been a city of support for anytime playing in this City or State, unless you are a Ga Bulldog, or Braves. Even Ga Tech don’t get the recognition that they should. Everyone is so quick to pass judgment, when was the last time you walked on water. Some of you that are passing judgement on Michael, didn’t grow up until you turned 50, and that was probably a couple of days ago. Good luck Mike!!!and the entire Falcon team.

By JS

January 24, 2007 04:48 PM | Link to this

The big issue with Michael Vick isn’t his character…even the Bengals can win a few games without any…The problem here is that Vick was 10th out of 16 in QB rating with a low 75.7 rating and drumroll please…dead last once again in completion %…we can come up with all of the excuses we want for why he didn’t suceed this year…coaches, players around him ect…but when John Kitna playing for Detroit has better numbers than you…maybe it’s time to think about moving Michael to another position….He is by far one of the best athletes in the NFL…move him to WR he knows the routes and has great speed…move him to RB…he’s proven he can run the ball…but get a QB in the system who can actually pass the thing and Atlanta will actually win a few more games each year.

By SHEILA

January 24, 2007 04:49 PM | Link to this

WHY ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT IT? WORRY ABOUT DANY HEATLEY AND HOW AND WHY HE KILLED HIS BEST FRIEND DAN SNYDER? YOU KNOW WHAT, THE ONLY TIME YOU GET A LOT OF RESPONSES ON YOUR COLUMN IS WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT MR. MICHAEL VICK; OTHERWISE, YOUR JOB MAY BE UP FOR REVIEW BECAUSE YOU DON’T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE WORTHY TO TALK ABOUT.

By Rico Suave

January 24, 2007 04:52 PM | Link to this

Yet again, you and your group (the AJC) are trying to dig up a tape for what??? To drag an innocent mans name through the mud further instead of apologizing for doing so……once again the AJC is living up to their name (ALL JUNK & CRAP)! God, we need another paper in this town……..REALLY!!!!

By TruAtlantaSportFan

January 24, 2007 04:53 PM | Link to this

I must say that I’am very disapointed at the way this situation was taking care off…People dont like Vick because he is not the typical tall white QB like Bartkowski who couldnt even get us to the playoffs…

By Anita

January 24, 2007 04:53 PM | Link to this

GO BEARS!!!!!!!

By southside football fan

January 24, 2007 04:55 PM | Link to this

Let’s be honest - this is not just about the incident involving airport security, this is just an evolution of bad behavior and poor manners. Saddest of all is Vick’s inablity to speak - perhaps it is because he cannot - he never learned how to communicate. Curious - does he own a book?

By BUSHWACKER

January 24, 2007 04:55 PM | Link to this

marcus3x Your league would never last cause all the playa’s would be getting high and forget to show up.

By MARTHA STEWART

January 24, 2007 04:58 PM | Link to this

FREE BRIAN NICHOLS!!!

By Just D.

January 24, 2007 04:58 PM | Link to this

TO all of you who love to write your garbage and hide behind your old apple computers, please just stop reading about Mike Vick, stop reading about the Falcons; just stop torturing yourselves to this unnecessary roughness of your life!! Listen, make your mamma & daddy proud by just shutting the fk up and going back to whatever trailer park you reside in because trust me, no matter what you write about Vick, no matter how you feel no matter if you get the chance to buy a ticket with that $6.25 job you have, this man will be rich! He can buy you, your mamma and the rest of your klans trailer park and put you and that rusty unfed dog out of a home! So be careful because the pendulum does swing both ways! Keep throwing out this hate and watch what happens to your life! Half of you already are broke and can’t afford to attend a game, so enjoy your life, and stop watching the Falcons and see if the dome still sells out. I can assure you that it will. YOU can keep HATING, but again, THE DOME WILL SELL OUT! AND when this team starts winning again, please stay behind your closed doors, no need to come out and say anything! If you all are so upset, create your own hate blog on Mike Vick and the Falcons and get your hate on as much as you can…..I vote Tito the trailer park bear for your first ever hate blog President** May you follow her to dooms day because trust me, you all have a sad little life posting negative things about people because their skin color is different or they somehow gave the middle finger to someone running their mouth!!

By C.Thomas

January 24, 2007 05:03 PM | Link to this

What is wrong with you people, putting Darrell Strawberry and Dwight Gooden in the same sentence with Michael Vick, ridiculous. The words “THUG” and “DRUG ADDICT” are now being used to decribe this young man. Role model, should be these kids Dad or Mom for that matter. All this started with an empty water bottle, but were any of you there, and saw what took place, how he was approached, or spoken to? So everything being said on this blogger is individual opinions, by people that really don’t a darn about this young man, what this may have done to him as a young man and his image. Every since he gave somone the finger walking out of the Dome, after playing is butt off, and still losing, and then some guy in a drunken state, and believe me, I am a season ticket holder, the things that come out some of the fans mouth, you have to be a mighty strong person for it not to finally get to you. But it’s okay for the fans to say whatever they feel like and the athelete not respond. They may be atheletes,but they are still human beings, remember that the next time you lose your cool for a quick second and wish you hadn’t. The only difference, no one has a camera stuck in your face.

By mo

January 24, 2007 05:04 PM | Link to this

THERE IS NOTHING THERE!!

THAT’S WHY NO ONE BUT THE MEDIA IS TALKING ABOUT IT!!

Now, are we going to be able to keep Patrick Kerney? What steps are we going to take to shore up the Offensive Line?

In other words, let talk about the Falcons, not about a dirty water bottle…

By Georgian in CA

January 24, 2007 05:05 PM | Link to this

Thank goodness the Falcons hired Petrino before all this mess started, or we might not been able to attract anybody worth having.

By victordome

January 24, 2007 05:14 PM | Link to this

I THINK AJC , NEEDS TO FIND A REAL STORY AND LEAVE THE VICK , ISSUE ALONE HE’S BEEN CLEARED, AFTER NOT EVEN BEEN GUILTY AT FIRST, AND WHY WOULD U WANT A COPY OF THE TAPE ARE U AN ATTORNEY OR JUDGE, NOT, CASE CLOSE NOW MOVE THE HELL ON

By gk

January 24, 2007 05:15 PM | Link to this

Just look at the stats. Just look at the ratings. Vick, white or black or yellow or whatever, just doesn’t have the skills to play pro QB. Face it.
And for those playing the race card. Get over it. Race has nothing to do with it. Or maybe it does. Everyone is so proud we have 2 black coaches in the Super Bowl. That’s great. But there are not black QB’s in the big bowl. Maybe it is because Vick is black. Truth is, if he were white, he would be just as bad a QB as he is black. Get over this race thing. Atlanta deserves a good QB. Trade Vick and move on, or let him kill the next 4 coaches. If Vick were so wonderful, we wouldn’t be talking about him like this and you Vick supporters wouldn’t have to be so defensive. This is a waste of time.

By victordome

January 24, 2007 05:18 PM | Link to this

THE AJC, IS THE RING LEADER IT SEEMS TO BASHING VICK, THE CASE IS CLOSE MOVE ON , WHAT IF IT WAS YOUR CHILD , SHULTZ, HOW WOULD U FEEL THEN/

VICK ISN’T PERFECT AND NEITHER IS ANY OF US. MOVE ON, FIND A REAL STORY,