Sports Columnists

By Matthew At The SLC

May 3, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

I think Michael Gearon, Jr. thinks the people of Atlanta are as stupid as he is.

And Bradley, I think, as an interviewer, you’re as soft as Dairy Queen’s ice cream. You never ask hard hitting questions. You never take an interviewie to task during the interview. You’re Barbara Walters, dude. You fawn over guys like Bobby Cox, who’s the absolute worst post season manager in the history of baseball; who’s never been held accountable for that fact by the Atlanta media (but from all the empty seats all those Octobers, it’s obvious the Braves fans decided to hold him accountable even if the sycophantic press refuses to). And then, when Gearon was spewing loads of crap from his mouth involving Billy Knight, you let him do so. Your follow up question was weak, and you let him control that part of the interview. He gave you every opening to HAMMER him! And you didn’t take any of those avenues. Fans expect the local media to be their voice to the teams they follow, because other than not showing up or selling out, fans really don’t have much of a voice. You should have layed the hammer down on Michael Gearon and his whole sorry lot of fellow owners. Why didn’t you ask him if the reason why a dozen supposedly intelligent millionaires didn’t fire Billy Knight after he refused to draft Chris Paul is because of ego? Like, if they fire the inept Billy Knight, the WORST GM in ALL the pro sports, that would be saying that Steve Belkin was right in some way, after all? That would have been an interesting question, which would have reaserted your control over the interview. Then you could have hammered him with some actual, factual numbers and statistics illustrating the total ineptness of the Knight Era. You could have dropped a bomb along the lines of that you have to be a pretty horrible GM for the National Press to label you worse than Isiah Thomas, which just about every national NBA analyst and journalist will tell you Billy Knight is. You let Gearon walk all over you, and your failed in your job to hold him accountable to US.

Dude, seriously. Your skills are weak.

By ATLien73

May 3, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

I think we should stay out of his personal life. We’re paying him to play football, not live his life OUR way. Last I checked, we were not a communist society…

By JC Smalls

May 3, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

Mike Vick and off the field problems….who saw this coming? Oh that is right all of us alleged racist that wanted to trade him to Oakland to get Calvin and let Schaub have a chance. Well now we are most likely going to get stuck with Joey Harrington for a few games because this is not the last we have heard of the Dog fighting ring. Very disappointed in Mike.

By wes

May 3, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

I think it will be hard for the Falcon’s to win 9 games with our quarterback in jail.

By Media out of line

May 3, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

AJC sports never get the fact till it to late! Gossip is not sports!

By think about it

May 3, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

I think the AJC needs to get real about it’s bias reporting of MV. NFL network reported that no charges would be filed against MV for dog fighting. AJC has been strangley quiet until they finally found something to spin in negative way.Breeding dogs, come on get real. If you guys we’re half as concerned about the positive as you are the negative you might find that there a number of things to report but that want happen because the ajc powers that be won’t let it. Think about it.

By aqg

May 3, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

ATLien73, his personal life affects our football team, and it affects his play. if hes suspended for dog fighting then he cant play, if hes suspended for dope he cant play, if hes suspended for flipping off the fans he cant play. so if were paying him to play football and he’s not able to then what pray tell are we paying him for. he’s also being paid to represent the nfl, the atlanta falcons and the city of atlanta. he doesn’t have to live his life our way, but he does have to live by our laws! and last i checked dog fighting is against the law! even if he knew nothing about it he is still responsible for what goes on in his house and on his property. by your logic we as long as charles manson could hit a free throw we should leave him alone, ray carouth should have been left alone as well, right?

By mountain_jim

May 3, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

I think the ajc has shamelessly exploited Vick’s personal life problems/issues to sell papers and adverstising mouse clicks, just like this article had 2 sentences at the end about Vick yet he’s the headline and picture for this article.

Yesterday’s ajc breathless reporting was already old news last friday, to anyone who was paying attention.

He may yet get in trouble over this dog-fighting situation, but so far it looks more like the local prosecutor being quoted far and wide is pulling a Duke Lacrosse Rape publicity seeking type-case and the media is lapping it up.

By Cue Ball

May 3, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this

I think that it would take Mike Vick being caught on camera, firing a gun, and killing somebody for all his defenders to finally admit that he’s a nut case. But, even then they’d claim that he was set up, there was trick photography involved, yada, yada, yada, ad nauseum.

As for young “Mathew at the SLC”, get a life, bud. If you don’t like what this guy asked, get a job as a reporter and do it yourself. Your a bitter man, Matt.

By Media out of line

May 3, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

Most of the so call off the field problems was gossip half truth and lies no facts that the media ran with on VICK. Dirt sell!! The water bottel some body smell something. The fact in the end there was nothing. He miss a plane how manny people miss planes. This is only about 130 million. The guy has done some dumb thing but all of this is getting way out of hand. ESPN, AJC SPORTS, FOX. Facts stand on it’s on lie destory people . Vick has never been lock up. The word says the devil job is to kill steal and destory, and that what the haters and the media are out to do. Keep you head up VICK and pray to the one that will keep you standing JESUS our GOD!Wrong is wrong Vick need to clean up. Any body with sin cast the first stone please! Get the FACTS NOT HOW YOU FEEL!

By Mark

May 3, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

Stay out of his personel life? It everyone elses fault in his eyes. Vick is a moron off the field and at times-on the field. Ron Mexico? Flicking off the HOME crowd? The airport situation was their fault right Mike? Missing a flight to congress was the airlines fault right Mike? Dogs fighting and drug use in the house was your cousins fault right Mike? So you own property in your home state with YOUR family living there and you have no knowledge of drug use and 50 fighting PIT BULLS in there—-but he had no knowledge…very unlikely. As long as we have a criminal thug as our QB, who plays only when he thinks its necessary..IE last game the last two years, we will be a 8-8 team.

By Magneto

May 3, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

When are blacks going to stop treating this guy like he’s Martin Luther King and accept the fact that not only is he a loser, but also an inaccurate Quarterback?

By Theedge

May 3, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

I just hope he was truthful in that meeting with the NFL commissioner and team management. It turns out his dog breeding business address is the same as that rural house. It would be a shame to lose the 130 million dollar man for a stupid lie! They catch him being untruthful to hide a connection to this he will miss time.

By BigJohnson

May 3, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

I hope Vick goes to jail. He is a piece of doggie do.

By Barry

May 3, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

Hey Y’all:

I believe I said this before on this blog about Michaiel Vick and his personal life. First of all it is not my and/or our fans business, but Vick his in how he is going to handle his personal life. However, I truly would recommend he suroound him self with a few religious, Godly people who can act as circuit breakers when wicked thoughts and people enter his realm of operation. To do better than that, Vick needs to get some religion. I do not know wnd will tell what relion to chose but I am sure in his heart he knows what direction to go. I am confident by have religous structure and information in his mind and life will surely give him the wisdom to avoid many of the social traps that come with family and friends alike. He really needs to study that religion to find himself approved in it and find peace with himself and God in this “slick willy”, deceptive world. We must know, we all make mistakes, but with God we will quickly come out of it stronger than before due to God “restoreth our souls.” My God bless you Michael Vick. Get God FAST. It willnot be easy in the process but it is truly a start in cleaning up thw wonderful life God already prepared for you. God’s kindness is truly undeserving. How about worshiping him for all he has done for you with your, mind, body, and soul and watch God “show out” in your life. Tell all your friends and family to “get saved” too.

God Loves You Vick.

Go Falcons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! This is a SECRET for us Falcon fans!!! TELL EVERBODY!!!!!

Ringold

By Dr.Doom

May 3, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

Is it me, or does it seem like most of the Vick defenders on this blog have problems with spelling or severe grammar issues? After reading “media out of line’s comment at 12:05 it just came to me. Like prefers Like.

By Bushwacker

May 3, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

To Media out of line, what does it take for you kool aid drinkers to se the guys is trash!!

He falt out lied about not knowing about the dogs, are you telling me he did not know about VICKSK9KENNELS.COM????

He may not have know the dogs were being used for fighting, which I’m sure he did, but he obviously lied wheh he said he knew nothing about the dogs!

The guy is a lying piece of crap and Blank should kick him to the curb right now, becuase he’s lost the respect of the fans and the salary cap should be the last thing he’s worried about.

By Scott Case

May 3, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

Everyone is on #7 because he is a black quarterback. Look how the media is alll over Mcnabb, Young, McNair, and Culpepper. Oh wait, they don’t. Maybe because they act like grown men. Probably never see those dudes in sweat pants. A grown a$$ man in a sweat pant suit? When did young black youth start dressing like old Jewish ladies. I’ll take Doug Williams at 60 over Vick he sucks as a human being. Not because he is black but, just because he sucks. Also I am white and my architect, electrition, loan officer, dentist, and 3 close friends are all black. I am not saying this to prove I am cool just to show that I am not racist. Redneck methheads in conyers suck too.

By BirdMahn

May 3, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

Many of Vick’s so-called problems are nothing more than overhyped media feeding frenzies. Truth is, to date Vick has not been found to have broken any laws. Go ahead, call him a thug because he doesn’t fit your stereotype of what a QB should be. What do you want? A choirboy?

By Scott Case

May 3, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

Thanks barry, If Vick starts reading about a talking snake in a tree and a man living inside of a whale then he will start acting right. Good take on the subject. Maybe if we turns into a vegan hippie wiccan he will also start acting right.

By Bushwacker

May 3, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

Hey Barry, God loves everyone but that doesn’t make everyone a good person!!

I’ve had with it with this lying idiot. I don’t care if the Falcons win the Super Bowl with Vick, I won’t be watching anymore as long as he is the QB.

By Satan

May 3, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

Thank you “Media out of Line” for your illiterate attempt to link me to all the bad things people have said about Vick.

Well, too bad, but Vick works for me.

Oh, and I have a very large stone I’ll be throwing soon enough.

By Power of Light

May 3, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

Scott Case,

If that’s all you think of about the Bible you may want to get born again so that you can understand the message instead of focusing on the objects used in it.

By Ben

May 3, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

JC Smalls We gave Schaub two chances and we got two losses. I’m not talking about filling in but starting. Tony Romo did it in 2 chances, couldn’t the “next Brett Farve”?

By KrisG

May 3, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

When will blacks stop treating him like Martin Luther King? What are you, nuts?

What I wanna know is, why do I see the anti-race card played 10 times as often as the race card, on a board where people call a guy a thug because he has cornrows and speaks poorly, a criminal when he’s never been in jail, make Buckwheat references and speak in artificial ghetto vernacular to bait us.

Plenty of legitimate reasons to question Michael Vick, but this name-calling cultural paranoia isn’t helping intelligent discussion of football or race in America.

Talk about him being irresponsible, disappointing, being a glory-hound, and inconsistent passer, a buck passer, a disloyal, unfocused bonehead. Aren’t those enough things to talk about without using inaccurate and divisive terms like “thug” or “criminal”?

You guys keep claiming “blacks think everybody is racist” when maybe we’re not talking about you. But, when you say that, ignoring that a guy just made a post about why other races hate blacks, THEN we’re talking about you.

By Troy

May 3, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

Way to go Vick!!! Never a dull moment. Chill out and straighten up dude!!!

By Thugz Iz Us

May 3, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

I think the poster who previously referred to Mike Vick as “The Dog Whisperer” is one funny guy/gal.

Thanks for posting that comment. That is the best laugh I’ve had all week.

By VickTheLiar

May 3, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

Every thing out of his mouth is a LIE. When will the falcons get enought? I’m thinking one more season and he will be gone. The falcons traded the wrong QB, Vick a leader my A$$.

By Ron Studd

May 3, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

I do think there is a rush to judgement with Vick especially with the ajc. The water bottle was in the paper less than 12hrs after it happened without any charges or any real evidence. The officers in the dog raid said Vick would not be charged. I do think it is a feeding frenzy same as with Imus and should the falcons go 11-5 and make the Super Bowl everyone will forget about the negative no one seemily remembered when Bobby Cox abused his wife or when Furcal was arrested for DUI actually breaking the law and went the jail people still loved him whats the difference its winning.

By Magneto

May 3, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

Doom,

I too have noticed that most of the Vick defenders on this blog have spelling and grammar issues. I don’t think its a coincidence, though. Dumba$$es attract dumba$$es.

By J

May 3, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

Im done reading the ajc, besides the redneck make love to your cousin type responses and the exploitation of every player on the team. Peace

By Cue Ball

May 3, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

“Media out of line” a poster child of the Vick-timist mentality if there ever was one.

Vick-timist Rules:

I’ve had my laughs for the day. Ya’ll go ahead and finish duking it out. Guys, you can reason ‘til your blue in the face and people like this just don’t get it.

By lb

May 3, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

People in GA treat dogs like people. They are just dogs. So what he owns a kennel. He’s in GA and the house was in VA. Lets send him to jail for having a house in his name.

By Coach P.

May 3, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

I am SO glad the Falcons got Coach Petrino, a great COLLEGE coach for our two great COLLEGE quarterbacks.

Unfortunately, the Falcons are NOT in college.

Boo-YAH!

By the way, you people who call Vick a loser, an idiot, selfish, poor TEAM and LEAGUE ambassador, a liar and a thug for his POOR, inexcusable decision-making skills ( both on and off the field ) might as well as post on here that water is wet. - Talk about stating the OBVIOUS !!!!

:-)

For you people Vick Worshippers calling Vick Critics “racists,” please get over yourselves. No thinking football fan of ANY race is going to take you seriously when you make such silly, thoughtless, overly dramatic statements. Football is just a game, and we all just want to win.

The ONLY COLOR that matters in this whole discussion, aside from perhaps the hue known as “Dead President Green,” is ” LOMBARDI SILVER. ”

Recognize.

By CMS

May 3, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

I know there are some that can’t wait until the day comes when Vick leaves town, and rue the day he was drafted. Some of you no talent having, stone throwing fools just wouldn’t have it any other way. Does the Atl Falcons represent all that is good and holy about the great state of GA? Hell no. Is MV the best thing since sliced bread? Hell no…he does need to get his shyt together! Will the AJC and the haters actually have something to talk about if and when Vick leaves? Hell no… Most of you all refuse to genuinely talk about the sports now (it is here you know). Most of the haters on this blog are some shameful followers looking for a “Do Boy” to simply do what they think is right.

The truly sad part is in the state of GA I know there are some rich white people who actually fight dogs and cocks too. Some of you paid professionals actually arrange illegal “Fight Clubs” to work out your aggression. Some of you probably post on this blog. F**’n hypocrites.

By think about it

May 3, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

I think mountain-jim got it right putting MV,s face on the article = mouse clicks. AJC has nothing sport worthy to talk about.You’re sweet little 1950 looking braves aren’t anything to talk about. No David Justice No Deon Sanders here’s a novel idea let’s get Mikie everyone hates him. GO MV7

By mountain_jim

May 3, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

For you people repeatedly calling Vick a liar over this, why don’t you include a quote proving that claim.

Oh you can’t?

As far as I can see, he has not stated anything that you can say for sure is a lie yet. “I am never there” is vague and not the same as “I have never been there”, which could be proved a lie. He stated in an interview in 2001 he was involved in breeding dogs, so that is not new. He has not claimed he never was involved in breeding dogs either. The claim that he had to be funding the feeding of said dogs because where was the money to do so - what about the drug-selling family members - that generates plenty of $.

Bottom line: He may be involved in breeding dogs for and fighting them, but no witnesses or facts have yet come out proving this and none of his (admittedly very non-specific) statements in the media about this have been shown to be lies. imho.

He may yet go down over this, but I doubt it. It looks like water bottle II to me at this point, just like the responses in this blog are not new either.

By dmatos

May 3, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

Wow…. I didn’t know the AJC actually covered the Thrashers and their playoff experience.

I agree a chance to make waves in Atlanta was missed by a quick first round exit.

Harping on Hossa is absurd. Yes Heatley has done more (in alot more games on alot better team) in the playoffs. You can’t compare. Dany is ‘just one of the guys’ in Ottawa and Hossa has to lift this team onto his shoulders daily to carry them. You’d be tuckered out by playoff time too.

Who is michael vick? ;0

By D

May 3, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

it is terrible how people defend themselves now, more and more, not to defend themselves based on any merit, not to admit to fault and explain and improved road to take, but to invalidate the other person or side as much as possible, feeling that at least if I can make the other person, or my detractors, look like more of a sh**head than me, more a wimp, a fool, a traitor, a nut, than I’ll be ok. but we seem to have forgotten one simple rule, two wrongs will never make a right. and it’s always the honorable person that says ‘well, I screwed up, I apologize’, but that too only can go so far, eventually a change of behavior is needed, and the people you surround yourself with will always build you up or tear you down. and some of our change in honor has come from the change in our justice system. people sue at the drop of a hat, most times using it as a money making tool. it’s now come to a point that most people will not give an apology, because it is an admission of guilt and it won’t stop there, even if someone says, ‘I just wanted an apology’, it’s just not true. Vick needs to get it together before he is a used up ex-athlete in the same mold as Lawrence Taylor and Darryl Strawberry.

By JC Smalls

May 3, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

Wow….This blog is out of control!!! Fact….The only 3 people to have met with the NFL commissioner is Pacman Jones, Chris Henry, and Mike Vick….so why are people still making excuses for him. Think about the only positive story about Vick in the last 3 years…going to congress to speak for youth programs….wooops…turned into a negative story. Enough is enough!!!

By season ticket holder

May 3, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

PEOPLE KEEP SAYING VICK NEEDS TO TAKE CONTROL OF HIS LIFE OR CHANGE HIS WAYS. PLEASE EXPLAIN HOW ANYONE COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE FOLLOWING.

1. STOPPING AN OVER EAGER TSA AGENT FROM DIVING INTO THE TRASH FOR HIS BOTTLE THEN LIE ABOUT SMELLING WEED. THAT TYPE OF WATER BOTTLE CAN BE PURCHASED AT MANY SPORTING GOODS STORES. MANY RUNNERS AND DORM RESIDENTS USE THE EXACT TYPE OF BOTTLE TO HIDE CASH AND VALUABLES. WHEN IS THE LAST TIME SOMEONE RETRIEVED YOUR TRASH FROM THE CAN. GIMME A BREAK.

2. HAVING A KNUCKLE HEAD REALATIVE IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW AND NOW YOU ARE GUILTY BECAUSE YOU GAVE HIM A HOME…. WE ALL HAVE DUMB FAMILY IN OUR LIVES. WE CANT CHOOSE OUR FAMILY. TOO BAD

3. STOPPING A BITTER EX GIRLFRIEND FROM FILING A SLANDEREROUS SUIT TO EXTORT MONEY. ANYONE CAN SUE ANYONE AT ANYTIME IN AMERICA. WHICH IS TOO BAD.

4. HAVING A PICTURE AIRBRUSHED TO CHANGE WHATS IN HIS HANDS. THIS IS DONE IN TABLOIDS EVERYDAY.

5. MIKE VICK DOES NOT CONTROL THE AIRLINES CONNECTING FLIGHTS. WE HAVE ALL BEEN VICTIMS OF THE AIRLINES INCOMPETENCE.

NOW IF U WANT TO CRIICIZE HIM FOR NOT TAKING CARE OF THE BALL OR BEING MORE OF A VOCAL LEADER THATS ALL FAIR, BUT I CANT SEE ANYTHING HE COULD HAVE DONE TO CONTROL OTHER EVENTS OR PEOPLES ACTIONS. HES RICH AND FAMOUS SO HE KNOWS HE IS A TARGET, BUT THE MEDIA AND GENERAL PUBLIC CANT GIVE THESE PEOPLE LOOKING FOR MONEY OR FIFTEEN MINUTES OF FAME A PLATFORM. IT ONLY ENCOURAGES MORE PEOPLE TO MAKE MORE FALSE ALLEGATIONS. BY THE WAY HE HAS NEVER BEEN ARRESTED OR CONVICTED OF ANYTHING.

YES HE GAVE ONE HECKLER THE FINGER BUT MANY FAMOUS ATHELETES HAVE. JUST LOOK AT LARRY CSZONKA AND JOHN MCENROE. THEY WERE CELEBRATED FOR THERE BRASH ATTITUDES. YET I AGREE IT WAS STILL A BAD MOVE FOR VICK. MIKE SHOULD HAVE FLIPPED OFF HIS RECIEVERS AND COACHES IN THE LOCKER ROOM.

By King Bee

May 3, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this

UGA must be the easiest school in the history of the world. Because Matthew at the SLC (Silly Little Co&^) claims to be graduating soon with two degrees. But, he apparently spends 24-7 on AJC blogs.

By hnfarmer

May 3, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

Hey, “Media Out of Line” - you might consider taking a couple of hours to learn to write on at least a third grade level. Not only do you make it nearly impossible to understand what you’re trying to communicate, you lose ALL credibility because you write worse than a 3 year old child speaks.

By samiam

May 3, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

I’ve been the biggest MV supporter. However, we can’t blame race on this one. We need to stop pointing at others for the dumb mistakes we as black people make. The man didn’t make him do this, so don’t even imply it.

The brother has issues. When will we stop making excuses for him. I’m really getting tired of all of this. He’s suppose to be a leader of the team.

By Ron Studd

May 3, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

I wonder if when these incidents happened people called these guys thugs or liars.

Arthur Blank settles sex discrimination lawsuit.

Bobby Cox sits in jail and is charged with battery against his wife.

Rafael Furcal arrested and spends 21 days in jail for DUI.

These are a just a few examples of where someone was either actually arrested by police or settles a lawsuit. Ask yourself were you that upset with these items as you were with Vick when he has not been arrested or even charged.

By D

May 3, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

as long as people keep supporting Vick’s behavior and blaming everything on the boogeyman and everybody is out to get him, he won’t improve, and let’s face it, Mike needs to improve, if he were my kid, I’d be saying ‘come on Son, get it together’. and that’s what he needs, he needs a Cus D’Amato, a true respectable mentor. but that might not even work, because I truly believe, without any supporting facts, that Mike betted on dog-fighting, cheered at the blood and the violence, and had a good ol’ time while he was there, and he was there. excuses, blaming some kind of witch hunt, will not turn him into a real man, but I don’t even know if that’s possible for someone who can watch animal fighting, that’s sick stuff, and you lose a part of your humanity everytime you see something like that, and if you truly enjoy it, that’s just psycho. cruelty is for the weak, and sometimes it’s the man that doesn’t do everything society tells him to do to be a man, that turns out to be the real man.

By JC Smalls

May 3, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

Hey think about it You know nothing about sports..get off this blog with your racist self. You’re sweet little 1950 looking braves aren’t anything to talk about. No David Justice No Deon Sanders Willie Harris had the game winning RBI for the Braves last night…guess what he is an African American from Georgia. How dare you talk bad about the only consistent winning team that this city had ever had. Home town boys winning…can’t beat it!!!

By Big Al

May 3, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

Why is anything negative about Vick considered “biased”. Why is it always considered racist. Guess its like white BB refs calling more fouls against black players. Charles Barkley said it best…..”It’s assanine”.

By matt

May 3, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

1) Nobody in here can say that MV has made too many smart decisions as of late. 2) Has he served jail time? No, but there have numerous instances where your left to ask “what was he thinking?!?” Flipping off the fans? Does it not seem sketchy that he needs a secret compartment in his water bottle? I know they didn’t find anything but doesn’t that just seem sketchy? If you have nothing to hide why the reluctance to throw it away? He said it was for his jewelry yet there was no jewelry in it. Sketchy? Is he really that clueless about what is going on at his property in Va.? Didn’t I hear a report from some Va news station showing footage of MV at the house? Sketchy? 3)Terence Moore who cries racism more than any of you had an article last week saying that MV needed to straighten up fast. 4) It’s not always a race thing, until YOU make it one. I don’t see McNabb, Tomlinson, Vince Young, Strahan, Barber in the news every other week for acting like a moron. That’s what’s wrong with society today, nobody is held accountable for their poor decisions.

By ndadome

May 3, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

I am a caucasian Falcons season ticket holder, and I couldn’t care less who the quarterback of this team is, or what color his skin is, or whether or not he is religious…all I want is a team that I can be proud of again. The miserable teams in the past, that only won two or three games a season, were not as embarassing as the recent ones. I only hope that all the furor over Michael’s dog business gets resolved soon…I’m sure Coach Petrino shares in that hope. If Vick is to be the quarterback, then I support him totally…if not, by way of suspension, then I’ll support his replacement. Whatever the case, I’m ready to resume talking about football, not criminal behavior, and certainly not race! I’m totally caught up on all that!

By CMS

May 3, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this

Ron Studd has a point, ATL sucks as a sports town because anytime someone is good enough to garner national attention the locals (media included) seem to overscrutinize every aspect of their life. There have been several sports entities to have incidents with the law as he has pointed out. But we chased Dominique Wilkins, Deion, and even David Justice away because they didn’t represent ATL the way some people thought it should be done.

None of the aforementioned men are perfect…but they’re atheletes they’re not supposed to be. The haters and huggers both need to quit idol worshiping Vick and other atheletes. He is not your God, he is not your saviour, and yes (pause for effect) he will dissapoint you! Get over it, get a hobby, and for goodness sakes some of yall really need to get laid.

By D

May 3, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

how can it not turn it something about race, how can it not be about how the man has kept him down, hell, black people are prejudical against blacks with a dark skin color. how’s that for absolutely ridiculous. said it before, I’ll say it again, we need to ween different groups off of their race cards, just wish there was a way we could give anybody that says anything about race, for the next 5 years, an electric shock. then maybe people would learn to live without their trump card, their get out of jail free card. and maybe we could just start looking at people as they are. face it, most people are petty little jerks and skin color really has very little to do with it.

By Orlando Rivera

May 3, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

I’m a fan of the Atlanta Falcons, and I will support Micheal Vick because he is the QB of this team. Do I think he has covered up some of his transgressions? Yes. Do I think the media loves to hype up the negative issues? Yes, because they know that is what sells in America. How often did you hear about how he gave to the families of Virginia Tech after the tragedy? Not much, because the media knows that won’t sell papers nor will it get people to click on websites. That being said, it doesn’t cover up for the fact that Vick does have some growing up to do. I want him to succeed as long as he (or anyone else) is playing QB for the Atlanta Falcons.

People like Doom, Magneto, and Meat, err Bushwacker are just a small portion of the fickle, two-faced morons who populate this blog. I’m sure when Vick was drafted in 2001 they were the first ones to go out and buy his jersey. Am I surprised by this? No, because many people who live in Atlanta lack what it takes to have any type of loyalty to the team, and I just picked them out specifically because they make blanket, idiotic statements.

It would be one thing if Vick never succeeded before, but we have seen that in the past (no one said he was a bad QB when he led Atlanta to defeat Green Bay in the playoffs a few years back). Perhaps the fact that he has not thrown a 4th-quarter TD in the past 19 games has something to do with the offense he was stuck in. You know, the one where he couldn’t call an audible even when he saw 8 guys in the box?

I agree with Bradley when he says this offense is going to flow and do well under Petrino. Hue Jackson will do wonders for those receives, and if this team comes out of the gate strong it will be due to the fact that they are capable of putting up points. The only reason I have them at 9-7 (wild card, Saints win the division) is because they are too beat up on defense and you can’t rely on rookies to carry the load this soon.

As for the rest of you, don’t hold your breath waiting for the AJC to pop up with apologies when Vick and the Falcons succeed this year. They will find whatever spin they can to create debate on these blogs. I guarantee you if Atlanta comes out of the gate strong at 2-0 (even if Vick does well) they will pull their old “we’ve seen this before” mantra. Negativity breeds negativity.

By Vick Tied to the whipping post By AJC Sport

May 3, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this

The media is out of hand . Just the facts please.

By TSD

May 3, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

From someone who has studied law, the only evidence is a tip and the fact that MV owns the house. People vilify anyone they want, but don’t point out the facts. Theories and conjectures don’t hold up in the court of law. Until there are charges, I suggest everybody take a sedative and enjoy life. It’s too short to be arguing about one person. By the way, I’m a MV fan and can spell. So, point fingers at the people without brains as to why they can’t spell or type grammatically correct sentences. Don’t point fingers at the MV supporters. For once, can the football population of Atlanta support the Falcons. We want to be a football city, but we don’t support our team. Pitt, Philly, even Detroit and Oakland are football cities, and their teams have had their chances to suck. Let’s show some love.

By tp

May 3, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

Anything said about M.Vick, Billy Knight and Bobby Cox means nothing as long as the owners except what they do. If fans want change for the team they support they have to collectively boycott the games to let the owners know failure is not an option.,

By Grahamdawg

May 3, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

Hey Matthew at the SLC Do you go to the student learning center to study or blog on AJC all day long? Get a life

By tclo

May 3, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this

Vick is not that smart, but he isn’t evil. He didn’t know about the dog fighting. He is just too nice and generous with his family and cousin and the guy took advantage of him. It is making the Falcons look bad though and that is Vick’s fault to a degree.

By # 1 Owner

May 3, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this

The media and some $hit for brains fan are the real problem in Atlanta!

By Atlanta Hawks #1 Fan

May 3, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this

The AJC sportswriters are terrible journalist. They are no better than the papparazzi that follow celebrities around town with their camera’s. You guys try to find anything negative about an athlete and exploit it to sell newspapers. Mike Vick is NOT perfect, he just happens to have $120 millions and you guys just hate that. You couldn’t play sports in high school or college so you choose to criticize professional athletes who play for a living. Try walking in another man’s shoes before you criticize.

Rich Guys Trophy Wife Hot Girls

By think about it

May 3, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

Hey JC you’re right Willie Harris is a good ballplayer like so many others who are no longer with your team. Let’s see if we’re talking about Willie this time next year or better yet Andruw. My guess is history will repeat itself. Go Chipper

By rednecks for Vick

May 3, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

Vick you are the falcons QB and I love it!

By Wondering????

May 3, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this

It is awful funny how everyone assumes that MV7 had to know what was going on at his property despite the fact that he lives over 300 miles away. But……no one questioned Patrick Kerney’s involvement when a female was allegedly sexually assaulted at his home…….while he was there! As a matter of fact, what ever happened with that case? Anyone heard anything else about that??? Case in point that the media chooses who they want to smear and who they do not. You guys are sickening. Fact is, you choose to believe what you want to believe. And your comments prove it.

By JC Smalls

May 3, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

Willie Harris is a solid ball player, but he is a band-aid, not the left fielder of the future. Andruw is my favorite Brave ever and I hope he stays, but we can’t afford him with the owner situation. We traded Justice for Kenny Lofton so there is nothing to say about that. Deon is my favorite ATL athlete ever, but he couldn’t commit 100% to Baseball so we had to move on. The Braves tried to get Carl Crawford before the season, but Tampa asked for the farm. Braves are not a racist organization, they have a great director of scouting like Roy Clark who doesn’t miss. Francoeur, McCann, Salty, Wainwright…keep the Braves bashing about race to a minimum please!!

By JustBob

May 3, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

I just plowed through all these posts and I’m puzzled. Been here fifteen years, originally from the midwest, spent years on the left coast, and the racial thing is way different here. Oh there are plenty of racists elsewhere, but this place (Atlanta, the south, I don’t know) takes race-baiting and race-card playing to a whole new level. I listen to a fair amount of sportstalk radio, and the polarizing is unbelievable! Blacks (stupid old-fashioned word)blacks do tend to defend Michael because, as one caller put it, he’s “one of us.” Good God! A white (equally stupid name) caller then drawls a suggestion that Vick be benched in favor of Matt Schaub! What!? It’s as if a new rule has been announced, that racial animosity and blind ethnic loyalty can be unleashed ONLY when referencing #7 and in that case, it’s no holds barred, anything goes.

Y’know, maybe it’s not all bad, maybe it’s some sort of safety valve. All I know is you won’t see it anywhere else, and folks, it sure makes us all look at least as stupid as the dumbass kid at the eye of this ugly storm.

Now here’s the really ironic thing — almost all the emotionally jacked up participants in this conflict, black and white, know they are mostly wrong, logically, morally, etc., but they feel their “views” once established, or learned from others, can’t be changed because they have an investment in them. It’s why religious fanatics have killed each other for thousands of years. So it goes. Anyway, Go Falcons!

By Darrin "The Vent King"

May 3, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

The ajc’s biased coverage is what needs to be taken by the scruff of the neck. I understand it’s a biz and all and when the news is out you must report it. You just print what you assume is the bigger news. Vick donating money to VA Tech, while his missing the Congress thing went on to be covered for days. How many times when things go south do you need to beat the crap out of story. I hear this clown DJ on 790 today during lunch claim the Kerney story went away because he was exonerated by the police. It went away in a day. The VA sheriff came out and told reporters that they ‘ve concluded their investigation and believe Vick was innocent. The ajc has yet to even report it. No word or big pic with Vick name all over it like when something negative happens. I’m not complaining about the neg things being covered more so the way they are reported. It’s done in a sensationalistic way to drum it up into a story that hasn’t even been uncovered into a BIG story. The media here in Atl is guilty of this as well as the rest of the country, but the bias of the way it is done black vs white atheletes is pathetic. Let Vick kill his buddy in a car while driving wrecklessly. Let Vick be “exonerated” from any involvement in a rape that occured in his house while he was sleep. It would not just be reported, but debated heavily if he was even sleep. They’ll be question as to why guys he didn’t know were in his house even if it werthe girl’s friends. You all KNOW it and it’s sickening watching people dwon here deny it. I do not believe P Kerney had anything to do with it, but the way the story was NOT sensationalized exoneration or not is sick. I don’t want ot here that he wasn’t the face of the franchise or he didn’t make as much money or he doesn’t play for the Falcons either. Ask the victim of that type of crime would that matter and the answer would be no. The ajc needs to check itself. The water bottle went on too long, the “stoley Rollie” went on too long, and it appears this dog story is going to do the same. OKAY AJC, we know about the dog story, no need to update EVERY possible bad scnerios and skip the good ones (VA sherriff exoneration). Print both sides. THat’s called being UN-biased. Where’s the headline: “VA Sherriff Doubts Vick Will Be Charged” with a big pic of MV7 with his head up? What a joke.

GO FALCONS

By JC Smalls

May 3, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this

A. 1st time Kerney’s name had been in the media for something negative.

B. He is no longer a Falcon.

C. He is not the highest paid player in the NFL.

D. The woman who alleges she was raped by a man at Patrick Kerney’s house has cleared Kerney of any involvement through her attorney.

“My client wants to make clear that Mr. Kerney was in no way involved in the incident,” the lawyer said in a statement. The woman has yet to identify the man she believes raped her last Tuesday night.

By Orlando Rivera

May 3, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

Preach on JustBob! The racial blasts just sicken me, although in the still- bass-ackwards mentality that is the south it shouldn’t be that much of a surprise. I don’t care what color the QB is, if he makes a mistake he makes a mistake, case closed.

By rednecks for Vick

May 3, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

so it is the money!

By Mikey Vick

May 3, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

WE

ARE

VEN - OM !!!!!!!!

By James Earl Ray

May 3, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this

If you ask me, and I’m sure your’e not. Michael Vick is just another pro athlete thug who has never taken himself out of the ghetto.

It never ceases to amaze me how these multi millionare pro athletes cannot seem to keep there names out of the headlines for negative reasons.

I wonder if they would still get into as much trouble if they worked the drive through at McDonalds and lived in the projects.

Money has always been the motivating factor in most of our lives, because we actually work hard for a living and in most cases live paycheck to paycheck. If for some strange reason, I was to become a multi millionare overnight, I promise you I would make sure that I dont do anything to put my financial security at risk.

I guess it is true that you can take the man out of the ghetto, but you cant take the ghetto out of the man.

By toocoldscorpio

May 3, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

If I were Mike Vick I would sue the paper for my cut. He is the sports beats favorite headline. And I admit I love to hear anything about him too. If he left atlanta what on earth would we blog about. He dominates the blogs. Anyone want to give up their place in line with the falcons season tickets.

By big tone

May 3, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

MICHAEL JORDAN WOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED THIS RACIST TOWN.AND HE HAD SIX RINGS!

By Scott Case

May 3, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this

Can someone explain to me why black men like pitbulls. I’ll tell you why white people like poodles mixed with other dogs. It’s because they don’t shed as much and sme people are allergic to pet dander. I am aware that all black men do not like pitbulls and all white people do not like poodle mixes. So save that comment.

By Scott Case

May 3, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

Everyone is on #7 because he is a black quarterback. Look how the media is alll over Mcnabb, Young, McNair, and Culpepper. Oh wait, they don’t. Maybe because they act like grown men. Probably never see those dudes in sweat pants. A grown a$$ man in a sweat pant suit? When did young black youth start dressing like old Jewish ladies. I’ll take Doug Williams at 60 over Vick he sucks as a human being. Not because he is black but, just because he sucks. Also I am white and my architect, electrition, loan officer, dentist, and 3 close friends are all black. I am not saying this to prove I am cool just to show that I am not racist. Redneck methheads in conyers suck too.

By The Man with the Plan

May 3, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

The pathetic jock-sniffers who worship at Vick’s throne should look on the bright side:

Thanks to the pit bull story, people are no longer talking about Vick’s pitiful win/loss record in 2005 and 2006.

Or his failure to make the playoffs since 2004.

Or the fact that he QB’d the worst passing offense in the NFL.

By Running from the devil the media

May 3, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

The media is out for you Vick. Read the sport page on AJC sport ESPN, the heard, fox sport. Look at the sport page from Jan.1 2007 till now and see who name is in there . Now that over kill. Look for you self. They love pushing dirt and gossip.

By Scott Case

May 3, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

How do any of the black players survive in this town. More black millionares per capita than any other city in the U.S. Even during the early 20th century during segregation Atlanta had the biggest black middle class of any city. So to answer your question big tone. i don’t know how he would have SURVIVED. I guess he would have done what Wilkins, Aaron, Gant, Justice, Tuggle, Mathis(My dad coached him) and Rivers did. Buy property, start businesses(to make money and provide jobs not give back) date hot women and/or raise a family. Before I hear any ignorant responses. I know pore about black history than most of you and Im white.

By Running from the devil the media

May 3, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

scott case yes media is dogged them out to read the sport page this week. You are dead wrong!

By Pago Pago

May 3, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

Ohio State has it’s M. Clarete You Falcon fans have Vick. Both thugs.

By Scott Case

May 3, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this

Devil, make a sentence and maybe we can discuss.

By Running from the devil the media

May 3, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

The man with no plan The only pathetic jock sniffer are UGA FANS. Thug REDNECK U.

By CMS

May 3, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this

Just can’t seem to find Mike Vick on this list anywhere. 308 incidents, and not one involving Mike Vick. Arrests/Citations of NFL PLayers 2000-2007 http://www.signonsandiego.com/more/nflarrests/index.html

I see Steve McNair, Ahman Green, Andre Rison (3 times), Bruce Smith, Chalres Woodson (twice), Corey Dillon, Dana Stubblefield, Culpepper, Deuce McAllister, Dominic Rhodes (twice), Jamal Lewis, Jared Allen, Jerramy Stevens, Joey Galloway, Joey Porter, John Abraham, Kenyatta Jones, Larry Johnson, Mike Doss, Sean Taylor (twice), Reuben Droughns, Rod Smith, Santonio Homes (twice), Sebastian Janikowski (3 times), Steve Foley (4 times), Steve Smith, Terry Glenn, Ty Law, Plaxico Burress, etc….

Whaddya know? No Vick anywhere! We should dump this bum….he can’t even get into trouble right.

10 players from Indy 7 players from NE 4 players from ATL 10 from SD

Copy the info and drop it into an EXCEL spreadsheet so you can sort it.

By think about it

May 3, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

What further amazes me is how selective the AJC is about allowing readers to blog about a story. Mark Bradley and AJC you guys are smarter than I gave you credit for. This article probably would have had no responose except for one thing you used MV to headline the article. WE ALL FELL FOR IT. CJ you,re right again we did get Kenny Loftin kept him for how long? What we’re his comments when he left. CJ remember two years ago Charles Thomas. What happened. Bet you one thing You want see Chipper and Jeff go anywhere regaurdless to the economics. Wake up, I know it’s easier not to confront reality. LIke I said earlier GO CHIPPER.

By mountain_jim

May 3, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

Hey Man with the Plan - The folks responsible for the pi**-poor passing offense the last 2 years were run out of town. Our QB did pretty good for his level of experience with the Reeves coaching staff. You blame the wins and losses records on MV for the last 2 years? With that defense? With Gibbs starving his Oline to make weight limits every week. With Knapp calling plays the other team knew were coming, and allowing no audibles?

You insult those of us objective enough to see that MV was far from the biggest problem during the Mora-the-joke era. If MV sucks next year, you have your case.

Right now, based on your post above, its you who are pathetic, blaming MV for every problem this TEAM had the last 2 years.

By Running from the devil the media

May 3, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

Cms that is the facts not how I feel about him. (Good JOB). you need a job at AJC Sport. But the media is going all out to get him on that list. Jeff KKK Schultz need to read that list that is the facts!

By Running from the devil the media

May 3, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

scott case talk about me but the facts are still the facts. you are wrong! Just talk about the facts!

By think about it

May 3, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

hey cms great post. I guess if MV ever got arrested he could hang it up with the way the media and bloggers dog him out for the little crapy stuff His name is involved in. Can you imagine what the headlines would have been if someone was raped in a house while he was sleeping?

By Mark Espy

May 3, 2007 4:30 PM |