Sports Columnists

By Theedge

July 23, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

The only thing that can quell the storm is for him to take a leave of absence on his own to handle his business. Then if he is found not guilty, pleas, and whatever then come back. The other 52 guys deserve to perform without these distractions.

By Falcons Fan

July 23, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

If the Falcons don’t cut Vick, I won’t renew my season tickets for the 2008 season.

By zzombie kid

July 23, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

I like turtles

By Magneto

July 23, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

All those folks who had a problem with the way Vick carried himself must have been on to something. Those who didn’t a have problem with him need to increase their perceptive skills.

By Mark C.

July 23, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

How can you lose what you never had? Vick showed his lack of leadership down the stretch last year. He disappeared and threw his coach under the bus. Deserved or not, that’s not what leaders do.

By Dennis

July 23, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this

I went to the first game the Falcons ever played and have been bleeding with them ever since. Through (all) the worst of times, I have always seen fit to wear my Falcons hat or jacket to show my allegiance.

If MV is allowed to play, I will have to seriously re-think that. Police officers and teachers under investigation take aid “administrative leave.” MV should not be above this option.

And yes, Babineaux should do jail time as well if he intentionally killed that dog.

Dennis, Biloxi, MS after an Air Force career and bogged down amongst all these Saints fans.

By Joe Thomas

July 23, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this

The only way to “do the right thing” is to suspend Vick, without pay of anytype, immediately, not later. He has placed each player on the team in a position they do not desire~that of defending him by playing with him, of having to respond to questions from fans about his activity, that of being brought down by his inability to act as a grown man.

Vick has proven himself NOT to be a leader, why does A. Blank or anyone else for that matter, think that he is?

Terminate his association with the Falcons immediately and show that this unexcuseable conduct is not to be approved at any time by any one.

By Milhouse

July 23, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

It would be difficult to cheer for the Falcons with Vick playing this season. Touchdown Falcons - Yes!! Touchdown made by Vick- Damn!!

By Chad

July 23, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

I think this is the guy they made Two for the Money about…he’s nuts but has some thoughts on Vick: http://www.rawvegas.tv/watch.php?vID=22253e1317a8175026822f41417522

By Vick's History

July 23, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

* I predict Vick will not play another game for Atlanta, ever. He’s out this year and then somehow Atlanta shows promise and Blank makes the decision to cut him, salary cap or not.*

By RWH

July 23, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

A Leader, no matter the circumstances, must be able to present a professional, honest, and good rapport to all. It’s hard, regardless of the position. Money, business, women, none of that matter…what does matter is, what the public hear, see, and opinions. Mike cannot rebuild this with the current situation he is in!

By Bobby Dowell

July 23, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

Vick must be suspended without pay. If they pay him they are creating another public relations nightmare. Let’s get behind Harrington and move forward.

By Let's Laugh

July 23, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

I heard Matt Schuab has been admitted to the hospital because he can’t stop laughing.

Blank has raped us for 2 years now and it comes full circle. Blank is close to being despised and worst, losing the respect by everyone that has ever heard of him.

By renteria

July 23, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

i like crapping at other people’s houses.

By Lee

July 23, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

Sounds like former coach Mora’s father was correct when he said that Vick was a “coach killer.”

I would say that is a little conservative. Vick’s more like a FRANCHISE KILLER.

As more details emerge, we find out that the Falcons have been in damage control mode with Vick for some time now. You give an immature 21 year old tens of millions of $$$ and then act surprised when he does stupid s**.

Who’d have thunk it?

By Common sense

July 23, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

(Con)Vick is gone; probably for life, and hopefully this “entitlement mentality” that permeates professional sports today. Now; not surprisingly, this all boils down to money. This moronic lowlife thug Vick is desperately trying to have the NFL players union broker a deal that allows him to claim the balance of his contract while Arthur Blank is pleading behind closed NFL doors for salary cap relief that; if not granted, would in essence cripple the Falcons from a competitive (i.e. signing free agents, etc.) standpoint. They’re both pathetic losers!

By KeshaCole

July 23, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

So many people are making assumptions that Vick is guilty and deserves all this terrible punishment, but how can you condem a person and they have not been proven guilty? True enough he has had a rocky past couple of years but you can’t judge a person or make a career altering decision on things they have done in the past. People do change and then become a victim of their on environment or a victim of circumstance. If that be the case it’s just like Emmitt Smith said in his interview, yopu need to make the responsible decision to keep certain types of people as friends.

By KeshaCole

July 23, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

So many people are making assumptions that Vick is guilty and deserves all this terrible punishment, but how can you condem a person and they have not been proven guilty? True enough he has had a rocky past couple of years but you can’t judge a person or make a career altering decision on things they have done in the past. People do change and then become a victim of their on environment or a victim of circumstance. If that be the case it’s just like Emmitt Smith said in his interview, yopu need to make the responsible decision to keep certain types of people as friends.

By Hotrod

July 23, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

I am a big Falcons and Mike Vick fan. I am also the owner of a pitbull. If the things they said that MV did is true then ban him from the league. First he must be found guilty. Now in our society a person has the right to make a living with an on going trial. If they offer him the option of paid leave I say take it because it is for the best of the team. If not paid then allow the man to do what he is paid to do until the system is finished with his trial.

By The "real" corporate world

July 23, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick is entitled to due process as a citizen of the USA. As an employee, he should have been terminated immediately upon the indictment being handed down. Georgia is a “Employ-at-Will” state; which apparently doesn’t count the Atalanta Falcons franchise among it’s corporations!

By Ex Vick Fan

July 23, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

I predict Michael has already played his last game on any field. He will never recover any sort of respect from teammates or fans. I dont think his team should be forced to play the season with all questions being about dog fights. Mike will lose his temper and the decision will be made for him! Mike-Take a look at players like LT pure talent and acts like a man.

By BP BALL

July 23, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

Mike If they do cut mike I won’t GET SEASON IN 2008! Let Jeff schulz and the rest of the hater have the empty dome!

By Ebaby

July 23, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

Vick has not been convicted of anything. Rusell Simmons and Al Sharpton denounced dogfighting not VIck. Peta protests for dying dogs, what about dying people. Kids go hungry everyday, people are murdered in Riwanda everyday. Dont renew your season tickets. Who cares, someone will be in line to take them. Peta cannot force people to do what they want. This is a free country. Schultz can slant his article to make it seem like everybody hates Vick. I like most black Georgians support Vick until you prove he is guilty. Some White georgians never liked Vick anyway. Evidence convicts not opinions. White people only agree with the courts when they think he is guilty. Tyson convicted, court right. OJ Simpson innocent, court wrong. Kobe innocent, court wrong.

By Be real

July 23, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

To all the blacks out there,

Just suppose you had evaluated Vick truthfully (based on his true dismal QB abilities, not skin color) all this time. And like whites, called for his head. Where might Atlanta be now? Oh stop with the GB crap. Check Green Bay’s home game record 50 games before that and 50 games after. That was just the beginning of GB’s fall, nothing else. Hell even Chris Chandler got us there (SB).

Bottom line: You sold out to yourselves and look where it got us.

By samuel mayhan

July 23, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

it seems very funny to me how soon ‘some’ of the people forget so easily about all of the good an athelete has given them all of the great times when ‘finneran ‘might i add was healthy . how many times we said “oh boy did you see that play” vick did a lot for the Falcolns just to make the team relevant, even when the so called old school offence by Dan Reaves was implemented and everybody said Reaves was too old school Mike needs to be let loose.even then the falcolns had subpar overall team and still have one now. taking out your biggest threat and your greatest entertainer since dominique wilkins ,at this point the only lightning rod in atlanta and now you want him gone when somethings in his personal life goes wrong. once again this a case of atlanta turning there back on there best player and not standing by there man and the atlanta media is the cattle prodder for the whole thing! you sicken me !!!

By CoastDog

July 23, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Vick is not the answer to any problem-he is the problem. Let him go and if he becomes a star somewhere else then wish him well.

By NFL Fan

July 23, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

The only solution for the Falcon’s is to suspend Vick without pay. If proven innocent, they can choose to pay him amount owed. If gulity, they owe him nothing.

By nini

July 23, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

I am sorry but all the people on this planet that have convicted MV from the start of this makes me wonder what would they do if in the same situation. Funny how at first the people around said that he had nothing to do with it and had not been there since 2000 but as soon as it looked like they were going to jail they threw him under the bus. One person does not make or break a team and I personally believe that we need to back off and see what comes out of the actual trial. Sorry to say he might have done what alot of people in the African American community and tried to help those who he left behind. I believe he might have given his cousins the money to start the company maybe thinking they were going to do the dog breeding thing and they went left with it. People who do dog fighting aren’t the most honest people and tend to have crabs in a barrel mentality and will try whatever to bring someone down to their level. So stop saying the man is any kind of killer. The first coach that gets the type of player he is instead of trying to change him into another type will take the Falcons to the Super Bowl and win it. OR we have another Cordell Stewart type situation where the potential he there but not used correctly.

By BP BALL

July 23, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

Animal rights is now more than human right. All those hog, cat, Deer, cows, chicken and dogs the one you people load up and take away and put them out by some one else house, the dog you shot or poison all the bacon you eat chicken you eat deer you shot not to eat but just for the kill. a lot of people have done those you are no better than what Vick is charge with. People are really are hipocrits!

By Randy Gibson

July 23, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

I’m not a Falcon fan but Michael Vick it a total disgrace to the NFL let alone to himself. It just proves that money isn’t everything, mostly it brings our pure stupidity!!!!

By D-Dawg

July 23, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

I hope Ron Mexico rots away in a prison cell. And I hope the floor of that cell is wet. And I hope Ron electricutes himself, but doesn’t die. Then I hope his prison boyfriend comes into his cell and slams his body to the ground over and over, but he still doesn’t die. Then I hope the other inmates come into his cell and hangs his worthless a$$ until he is no more. Ron Mexico is a waste of human life.

By johnb

July 23, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

Joey Harrington is a better leader, AND a better passer than Vick. Less time in the league with more yards. However in terms of class he is the anti-Vick. If you are tired of a dope smokin’ bird flippin’ dog killing thug, maybe it is time for a change? Petrino will give Harrington finally what he needs in the NFL. Question is whether these so-called fans will support their TEAM.

By Ken Hilton, Esq.

July 23, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

The Falcons should look at Chris Leake from Florida, if no other team has picked him up. He would be an excellent replacement for Vick. He has the ability to lead the Falcons. He proved that while at FLA in the toughest division (SEC) of college football.

By skitzo

July 23, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

Mike Vick has a dual personality. There is the Underground Mike Vick, that hangs out with drug dealers and dog fighters. There is the Legit Mike Vick, that is the Falcons Quarterback. This explains all the ‘eccentricities’ MV7 has exibited, they are the Underground Mike showing through. A person has to choose, you cannot be 2 personalities, and fool people for long. Unfortunately for MV7, he will now always be labelled as the Underground Mike, and may very well go to prison for a while.
Moral of the story - Choose your friends carefully, and there is a reason your old friends are still stuck in the hood, beware!

By BP BALL

July 23, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

Jeff you are a fine person to talk about leadership. You have been a leader of posting venom and hate on Vick in year past. why don’t you just come from behine the sheet and tell why you hate Vick. you talk about leadership you are a 3th rate paperboy that pour out hate . You start out with a question when that ‘s how you feel . You should work at the (F) network Fox. you are a clown paperboy, get a job!!!!

By Homer

July 23, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this

If Mike Vick knows he’s innocent why hasn’t he come forward and say these indictments are false and he will fight them

By KC

July 23, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

To Ebaby: Seriously? You want to play the race card? Yes. Peta protests dying dogs, that is what they do. And yes, kids go hungry everyday and people in Rawanda are murdered everyday, but there are organizations to aid in those fights. I agree that on the grand scale of things, the murdering of dogs does not compare with your argument of people in need. But it is still going on, and it is still on that scale of WRONG DOING! You need to take a step back and see it for what it is. Maybe if it was a white texan quarterback, Tony Romo, for instance, you would perceive it differently. Go volunteer at a foodbank, or be a big brother to a kid in need. You are so quick to throw that out there, but are you doing your part to help those causes. I think not.

By Morris

July 23, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

If Vick plays, then the focus of the season will be him and his self-inflected troubles instead of football.

Is this what supposedly savvy business man Arthur Blank wants? Is this why Bobby Petrino came here? Is this what the other players want to deal with, another season of the “All about Vick” show? Do Blank’s so called “stakeholders” (known anywhere else as “fans”) want to keep hearing about this crap?

If Vick is allowed to distract the team and city for another year then Blank will loose what little credibility he has left - not mention most of his “stakeholders”. Though to be honest, who believes anymore that Blank is smart enough to see this?

By Will

July 23, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

I hope Vick is convicted and serves six years in prison for what he has done to those poor dogs. What kind of a##hole starves and tortures dogs so they can become killing machines. Dog fighting is not only teerible for the dogs, but many people, especially children are injured and sometimes killed by pitbulls trained to fight. As a Georgia native and Falcons fan I will never pull for them to win as long as Vick is on the roster. Reggie Bush is much cooler than Vick anyway. Go Saints or whoever is playing the Falcons.

By College coach

July 23, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

The Falcons playbook is even smaller than the “scaled down” version used at Virginia Tech when Vick played there. No doubt Vick got cockier - and dumber, if you can believe that! - with age.

By DanCFrom NJ

July 23, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

It’s impossible to hate someone as much as I hate Mike Vick. Arthur Blank and the rest of the falcons knew he was guilty and have done nothing. The Atlanta DogFighters will go 0 -16 and Arthur Blank is an enablerPeta will protest everywhere if Vick doesn’t go , I can’t wait.

I hate Mike Vick!!! Go give someone herpes you piece of trash and only the blacks stick up for that punk!!!

By shane

July 23, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this

i think a paid leave of absence is the only way to go. a suspension makes him look guilty before his trial,and i think he should be paid untill he is convicted of something. if he is found not guilty he can play,maybe not in atlanta,but somewhere. if he is found guilty,i see no future for him in the nfl. not only is he a distraction and a pr nightmare for the team,it would not be safe for him to play.some of the animal rights people are real nuts,i see major security problems if he plays. i do not mean to slander all animal rights activists,but there are a few that take things too far.

By Yolanda

July 23, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

Funny how some of the same folks bashing MV probably go out hunting and kill animals they don’t plan to eat every “hunting” season.

You want to talk savage? That’s savage.

MV doesn’t need a court date. Thanks to the propaganda-mill that is the US media, he’s already been convicted and lynched—something even animal rights lovers were good at back in the day and would do again, given the opportunity.

All of you sicken me with your holier than thou attitudes. You hate MV, so you look for anything you can grab hold of to degrade him and any other person of color, for that matter.

Ask yourself a question? Why are you so hateful of a people who seem to do more harm to themselves than to you? Is it because your people set the stage for it and to convict them (people of color) is, in actuality, convicting yourselves?

Evil can’t see itself, perhaps?

By Old school Al

July 23, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this

Forget about NFL defenses: Does any sane individual think Vick is going to run past these guys: The Federal Govenment; the State of Virginia; the IRS; and the Commisioner of the NFL (whom he lied too, also!) Vick is toast; burned and ready to be thrown into the trash where he belongs!

By Justice 4 All

July 23, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

How many animals has the NFL killed to make its footballs? Murky motives? What about PETA’s murky motives in pursuing Michael Vick but not pursuing larger and longer tenured animal abusers like the NFL and Nike? How can Nike or the NFL suspend or fire Michael Vick when they murder thousands of times more animals themselves Millions of animals are killed to make footballs millions are killed to make Nike shoes by underpaid kids in sweatshops and nobody cares! Dogs are killed euthinized everyday I dont see Peta doing squat! Its just the theory of save the cute domesticated animals and kill the ones u cant keep in the house!

By Bobby Petrino

July 23, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

Think Steve Kragthorpe will go back to Tulsa so I can go back to Louisville?

By BuzzDraft

July 23, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

Vick suffers from a life-long attitude of entitlement. He has never been held accountable for his off-field antics. He considers this his team by default due to the position he plays and the amount he is being paid, not by the example he sets. This is not leadership.

I’m staying far away from Falcons home games this year. When Vick is roundly boo’ed and heckled when he takes the field and the signs come out, I’m certain his more ardent supporters are going to become confrontational. The danger of violence in the stands of the Georgia Dome escalating out of control is too real.

Is this the image of Atlanta that Blank wants to be responsible for? The ultimate accountability for showing leadership in this disgusting criminal behavior belongs to Blank.

Where is YOUR leadership, Blank?

By Will

July 23, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

Why should people back off Vick until the trial. I don’t know about everyone else in this blog, but if the cops searched my house on a drug warrant and instead discovered my property was the center for a 7 state dog fighting ring, I think I would probably get fired. Besides, this is not breaking news that Vick is a thug. Just look at his younger brother. There is no doubt that Vick is guilty, unless Mark Furman and the LAPD buried a bunch of dead dogs in Vick’s backyard.

By The Truth Hurts

July 23, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

It’s sad that we’ve devolved to the point that this is an issue of race. It is decidedly NOT about race, even as much as I can understand—intellectually—why many blacks feel the need to get behind their own, given the track record of race relations in this part of the country.

However, standing by someone based on their skin color alone does a disservice to the truly innocent—black, white, asian, latino—and reflects poorly on those who choose to do so. You stick by character people. Does Vick qualify? Really?

True, innocent until proven guilty. Absolutely. But, aren’t the charges enough for some to question whether an emotional “He’s black, I’m black, white people are racist” response to this is smart?

Okay, Vick has made the Falcons relevant again. But at what price? Does he live in a world without consequences?

I think what leads many people to be convinced that Vick has worn out his welcome here is the accumulation of incidents that seem to many to reflect the man’s character. He smokes marijuana. He was sued for spreading a STD. He blames his own endorsement company—AirTran, who offered proof of Vick’s mistaken comments—for missing a flight to testify before Congress. The secret compartment (for jewelry, come on). And now dogfighting. It’s all uncivilized. Worse, it lends confidence to the thought that we can’t expect more from high-profile people in positions of leadership. And that is the real cost to all of this: the dumbing down of expectation.

If he were white—politicians, anyone?—I would step back from the brink and be awfully cautious about someone who burns the public’s trust like that.

There is more than a fair share of stupid white people out there—anyone heard of Hollywood or Washington, D.C.? It’s this man’s opinion that simply sticking up for the man because he’s black is as wrong as looking at a black man with braids and thinking, “thug.” Don’t both sides want to be better than that? I mean, don’t you aspire to be wiser than that?

Vick deserves a right to tell his side of the story. He’ll get it. My problem is the knee-jerk support he gets simply because “he’s one of us.”

No he’s not. He really doesn’t care about you. He’s no longer black. He’s rich. And perhaps THAT is the only real issue of color in all of this.

By Magneto

July 23, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

It’s interesting how most of the Vick defenders on this blog also can’t spell. This is not a coincidence, it is a direct result and reflection of the IQ possessed by people who are backing him.

By Grampus

July 23, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this

It’s hard to believe that Arthur Blank didn’t know all about Vick’s other life prior to it became the object of state and Federal investigations. I’d be kicking Artie’s a$$ all over Flowery Branch if I were Bobby Petrino.

By Gov. George Wallace

July 23, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

Yolanda…

Let’s call a spade a spade. It’s always about race when the black man is involved, isn’t it? There is plenty of room for you on the bus with black legends such as Jessie Jackson; Al Sharpton; OJ; Ray Lewis; Kobe Bryant; ConVick; and the rest of the crows that think like you!

By L Mcswain

July 23, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

I WISH THESE PEOPLE WOULD LEAVE MIKE VICK ALONG, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER OFF IF HE HAD KILLED SOME PEOPLES. I WAIT UP EVERY GIVEN DAY SINCE THIS HAPPEN, THINKING THAT MIKE VICK HAVE KILLED SOMEBODY. MIKE VICK HAVE MURDER SOMEBODY. ALL THIS OVER SOME DAM DOG FIGHTING. I LOVE MY DOG GOKU TO DEATH, BUT I DON’T WANT TO SEE A MAN LIFE GO DOWN THE TUBE OVER SOME DAM DOG FIGHTING FIGHTING.

By Awfull Blank

July 23, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

50 plus players make up the Falcons If Mr Blank spend more time with the 49 good guys he might have something to bark about

By LaLaMeeka Chadwalli

July 23, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

Can’t we all just get along?

By Awfull Blank

July 23, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

50 plus players make up the Falcons If Mr Blank spend more time with the 49 good guys he might have something to bark about

By Awfull Blank

July 23, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

50 plus players make up the Falcons If Mr Blank spend more time with the 49 good guys he might have something to bark about

By Awfull Blank

July 23, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

50 plus players make up the Falcons If Mr Blank spend more time with the 49 good guys he might have something to bark about

By jeff

July 23, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

The Universe itself is PITTED against Mr. Vick and he will pay. I think it’s funny that Ebaby actually referred to OJ Simpson as an example of why we should withold judgment, just where are those real killers? Vick will be far better off paying his debt to society and emerging FROM JAIL in a few years a better man for it.Only then will Vick get the chance of redemption OJ will never enjoy.

By Dr. 30331

July 23, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick is one step away from being a janitor. If he blew out a knee, what would this ididot do for a living? I doubt he would be invited to give the commencement address at Harvard anytime soon!

By Objective

July 23, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

Vick has talent, and those who doubt his skills to play quarterback ignore the inferior subjects who’ve already played in Super Bowls (Rex Grossman, David Woodley and Trent Dilfer come to mind).

That makes no sense at all and is totally illogical. Those three quarterbacks have no bearing on whether Vick has talent and ignoring Grossman, Woodley and Dilfer is immaterial. Even if critics did ignore them.

By Yolanda Is it because your people set the stage for it and to convict them (people of color) is, in actuality, convicting yourselves

Please, wait until the trial to play the race card.

By LaLaMeeka Chadwalli

July 23, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

Mcswain. Can you spell edumacation?

By Mark

July 23, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

Gor God sakes. They are DOGS. Do all of you complain this harsh when U.S. soliders are killed daily in Iraq… As you type in your air conditioned homes… HUMAN AMERICANS are dying? I mean what the hell. They are DOGS. They eat dogs in China. Grow the hell up. Vick still deserves to lead the team… HE IS NOT GUILTY yet. Just let the legal process play. See what happens then talk your smack. Stupid country idiots.

By Objective

July 23, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

How many animals has the NFL killed to make its footballs? Murky motives? What about PETA’s murky motives in pursuing Michael Vick but not pursuing larger and longer tenured animal abusers like the NFL and Nike? How can Nike or the NFL suspend or fire Michael Vick when they murder thousands of times more animals themselves Millions of animals are killed to make footballs millions are killed to make Nike shoes by underpaid kids in sweatshops and nobody cares! Dogs are killed euthinized everyday I dont see Peta doing squat! Its just the theory of save the cute domesticated animals and kill the ones u cant keep in the house!

Yes those animals are killed only for footballs. The meat is not used to feed people. Tool.

By Done

July 23, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this

It disgusts me that people actually look up to this guy. The American people have given him millions of dollars because the idiot can run fast and throw a ball really far. He should be standing on a street corner in some Virginia crap hole drinking malt liquor. What has Vick done for America or even Atlanta, He beat the Packers and thats about it. I know all football players and pro athletes are not like Vick. Many actually give back to the community. Look at Warrick Dunn for an example. He actually deserves money and fame. All MV has done for the great city of Atlanta is given people from other parts of the country another reason to make fun of and belittle our area. I would be much happier if a Vick less Falcons team finished last without a win , than a Super Bowl title with Vick (even though it will never happen becasue he is too stupid to play QB) Have fun with the PETA folks Vick, I hear they are meaner than a D Line.

By G Spot

July 23, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

Ken Hilton, Esq; You’ve got to be kidding me. Why should the Falcons be looking at Chris Leake when no other team saw fit to draft him? He was a good leader with LOTS of talent, but I doubt that all the scouts and teams are wrong and you are right. What are you basing your suggestion on…the fact that he is black?

By Marie

July 23, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

Mr. Blank:

When making your decision regarding the future of Mike Vick please keep the young men of the Duke LaCrosse case in mind. Yes Mike Vick has been indicted as were these young men. And lets be honest most people believed the Duke Lacrosse players were a group of white privileged young men who raped and humilitated a young black female (and some village idiots still do).

And just in this case a blood thristy mob of howling protestors with their own agenda have assembled who are demanding actions be taken and be taken now.

Unfortunately, the president of Duke University listened to the cries of the mob and ended the season of the Lacrosse team, fired their coach, and expelled some team members from the school. Only later we find out these young men were the victims of the ramblings of a deranged young woman and the political ambitious of a nutty (and probably equally deranged) prosecutor.

I have no idea whether Mike Vick is guilty of these charges as does no one else who want to seem him suspended or sent packing from the Falcons and/or the NFL. An indictment is not a guilty verdict.

However, I do know that it would be wise for Mr. Blank to adopt a wait and see attitude and not give in to the shrills of a blood thirsty mob who are only interested in promoting their ‘pet’ causes and getting their fifteen minutes of fame on the back of Mike Vick’s name.

Because it would be a shame as it was in the Duke Lacrosse case for a man to be innocent and to have his career ended and reputation destroyed because the mob demands ‘street’ justice.

By Ex Vick Fan

July 23, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this

I am amazed at everyone that is saying Vick has not been foung guilty of anything. The charges came from evidence. The others charges with him will cut deal and run like rats on a ship leaving Michael who is not smart enough to realize he is finished, will be last “one” standing. He is and always was a Punk. He has no reputation to protect. He is a bum with money. I hope he has to give back the money he has received without earning. What a tragedy and a waste of talent. Some talent.

By Joan Krupicka

July 23, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

God obviously created some animals to be eaten. Dogs have PAWS, therefore they are not one of the “to be eaten” species. Dogs are, and always have been coined as “Man’s Best Friend.” Try to get a cow or a deer to bark and shrill with delight when you return home from work each day. Or curl up in your lap and lip your hand. Or aim to please the master no matter what. BIG difference. Come on people..you know dogs and cats are pets. They are domestic animals..not wild. Stop trying to change the perspective here. Vick is a thug..enough said.

By skitzo

July 23, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

Hey Yolanda - Animals are not all the same.

There are 3 groups of animals. Companion Animals, like dogs and cats.
Farm Animals, like cows and chickens. And Wild Animals, like deer and bear.

Companion animals need to be treated like pets, and not tortured to death for ‘sport’.

Farm animals should be respected, treated well, and raised to meet their roles in life.

Wild animals need to be managed so they remain in balance with humans and nature. Hunting keeps their numbers in balance with nature.

By Objective

July 23, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

Gor God sakes. They are DOGS. Do all of you complain this harsh when U.S. soliders are killed daily in Iraq… As you type in your air conditioned homes… HUMAN AMERICANS are dying? I mean what the hell. They are DOGS. They eat dogs in China. Grow the hell up. Vick still deserves to lead the team… HE IS NOT GUILTY yet. Just let the legal process play. See what happens then talk your smack. Stupid country idiots.

What a great defense. I use that when I get pulled over for speeding. “How can you ticket me when soldiers are dying in Iraq.” Let’s not uphold the rule of law in the country because everything pales in comparison to people (Iraqis and Americans you mindless twit) are dying in Iraq.

They eat dogs in China

They do. What does that have to with what happens in the United States, and, more specifically, Virginia?

By Antwan Rodgers

July 23, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

Lemme ax you dis. If Michael had wons the superbowls last year, would any of dis be hapening?

By Vick Can't Read

July 23, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

If your stupid enough to bring a nickle bag to the airport, steal a watch from airport security, make up the name Ron Mexico, have a brother named Marcus, or run a multi state dog fighting empire when you are on the cover of every sports magazine and video game then you are not samrt enough to guide an NFL team to the promise land. P Manning=smart, Brady=smart, Montana=Smart, Elway=smart, Aikman=smart, Vick=stupid

By Shawn

July 23, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

I must agree with Mark. Vick is not found guilty yet. He may very well not be. And folks, listen up, there are 500 murders a day in America. There are 1,000 rapes a day in America. There are 2,000 kids getting touched a day in America. And you worry about some dogs getting killed? You folks are a joke. Learn what the important priority things of life are. Dogs are dogs. And Mark is right, they EAT dogs in China. Learn how to respect the legal process… He is not guilty yet… Look at Michael Jackson, the man was obviously a child raper, and he was not guilty…. and All America was so happy about that. America is stupid. That is simple.

By Jenny

July 23, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

I’m not a football fan. I live in rural Michigan. My husband watches the Dying Lions. So he’s not a big NFL fan. I didn’t know if Vick was black or white. I’d never heard of him. I knew dog fighting still existed but I thought it was just lowlife white people.

By david

July 23, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

Con-Vick!

By long time fan

July 23, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick has shown his true character this time, and its despicable and inhuman. Hopefully the legal process will run its course, and if found guilty, he will be punished accordingly. However, as a Falcons fan since their inception, the person I hold responsible for this continued circus is Arthur Blank. The fact that with all the evidence, and the indictment he has still taken no action, probably due to the money he would lose, makes him no better than Vick. Talk about a lack of leadership. The Falcons are lacking on the field as well as off.

By Mark

July 23, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

Objective,

You use that when you get pulled over for speeding? You are a idiot. They are dogs indeed. They re-generate by the mass. If I was to kill some ants and make a group called Bad Azz Ant Killers would I also be held up in court for killing some ants? Be REAL! The United States has its priorites SO messed up. THEY ARE DOGS. HE SHOULD PAY A FINE FOR SPONSORING THE ORGANIZATION THEN LETS ALL MOVE ON… He doesnt need to lose his job for some animals that he didn’t kill himself. LETS FOCUS ON THE REAL PROBLEMS OF AMERICA TODAY… LIKE WOMEN RAPES.

By G Spot

July 23, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this

Yolanda; Your raw intellect is staggering. Yeah, it’s because he is black. That’s why we hate him. What an idiot. Maybe when “people of color” will stop defending people simply BECAUSE they are black, your thoughts might be relevant. But as long as black people who thought that OJ was guilty do things like cheer for O.J. getting aquitted anyway, your thoughts will be just what you displayed above; entitlement, stupidity and “blame it on the man for holding me down”.

By long time fan

July 23, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this

Shawn, Every study ever done has shown that people that are cruel to animals are also cruel to children, or anyone that cannot defend themselves. These people don’t just hurt dogs. And animals know fear and feel hunger and pain just like we all do. What he’s accused of is inhumane, period.

By BenchVick

July 23, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

If Atlanta puts Vick on the field, then it looks like it endorses the thuggish, trashy behavior of its quarterback. Since I’m not a Falcons’ fan, I don’t care. In fact, I might enjoy it if the rest the country had as low an opinion of this class-less franchise as I do. (Why have they kept Vick this long, anyway?)

But it does bother me that the entire NFL will be degraded by keeping Vick (and a host of other trashy thugs—white and black—throughout the league) in pads.

High school and college coaches need to return to an emphasis on developing character and sportsmanship, or one day fans will decide there’s no reason to cheer.

By Karen

July 23, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this

I agree with “The Truth Hurts” when he states that we as African Americans should should not support Vick simply because he is Black. But, it also seems that Whites are too quick to declare Vick guilty without so much as a trial. Could this also be because Vick is Black? What happended to innocent until proven guilty? Don’t get me wrong, this situation with the dog fighting is disgusting and if Vick is found guilty he should be sent to prison, but let’s not forget, that Vick has had a track record of bad behavior and people have been looking the other way for years. What did you expect? Vick is not a man of character, but this did not seem to matter to anyone. American society needs to look in the mirror and get it’s priorities straight. When did running a football become the in all and be all? Wake up America.Wake up NFL!

Karen

By felder

July 23, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this

stop all hunting season..stop catching fish an throwing them back..that makes mark..if you dont like Vick…just say it..lot of yall people that’s talking; don’t even like dogs..showing your true side..

By RamblinLonghorn

July 23, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this

Stop using “innocent until proven guilty” as some sort of magic shield against criticism. That only applies to the court case. The public is free to believe whatever they want, and since that public opinion and interest is what made him a multi-millionaire in the first place, there is no way he or any of his supporters can whine about other’s opinions.

By G Spot

July 23, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

Objective; I’m going to have to ask you to stop bringing up valid and intelligent points that refute what the ‘short bus’ people say on here; you may make their head explode. What I need for you to do is use less logic, less facts and instead use more rhetoric and inane thoughts that make no sense. Come on…try it. Be like Yolanda, BBall and definitely L McSwain (I bet the “L” stands for “labotomy”!).

By DAWGs and rednecks

July 23, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this

Bring The Blue eyes Back. they say it about the dogs and leadership . you are lying and the truth has never been in you. It’s all about race . It has always been about race. We are in the USA and in georgia. Is this the land of the free you say we have , free for the dogs. animal right top human right!!!

By G Spot

July 23, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

But I must agree… They are just dogs… We do not need to jump down Vicks throat yet. He is not guilty yet after all. Let’s wait it out.

By Beverly

July 23, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this

How ironic. Vick made the dogs fight for their lives…and now he’s fighting for his professional life. Hope he loses and is punished. As harshly as he punished the dogs. What a pitiful thug.

By Mistakes

July 23, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

The Blank regime got off to a good start but has been deteriorating the last few years. Starting with the huge payout to Peerless Price and countless other free-agents that never lived up to their billing, this era is looking more like the anti-Midas touch. The problems started when Blank hired Mora, Jr.. It’s my understanding that this was Blank’s call. Mora went on to set this franchise back 5 years by running the team like a kids camp. Then Rich McKay starts recruiting free-agents that are old, expensive, and innefective. The organization will pay for these mistakes for years. The final blow was Blank signing Vick to the HUGE contract in 2002 before Vick had even shown he could be an effective passer. That decision alone may keep Atlanta from being competitive for this decade and beyond. The bottom line is that we’ve gone from a team of great promise to one that may not win 5 games. In life, we move on from our mistakes. In the salary cap era of the NFL, mistakes can haunt you for years. Let’s hope that Blank hires smart and gets out of the way when the next era begins for the Falcons in 2010 or so.

By Football Guy

July 23, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

I know this will offend some, but I care more about Football than the rights of animals. I have been fed up with Vick for years, he is a terrible QB. Why not make him a receiver I always thought. Way to dumb to be a QB. I think this is the perfect excuse to cut this guy. Not only is he getting sacked way to often and throwing unaccurate passes, but now his giving my team nothing but bad press. I am sorry little doggies, but I really want the Falcons to have a shot at the post season. Maybe go to the playoffs two years in a row.

By DAWGs and rednecks

July 23, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this

This is about some DOGS! Hogs, deers, chickens, cows are killed by the thounsand. You people are hipocrits! Dogs are better than people!

By Give me a Break

July 23, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

All you race zealots here are getting under my skin. Interesting how the Vick thing has created such a divide yet the case against the white NBA referee goes unnoticed. If the referee were black, many of you would be calling out that it’s a racial thing. I give up people, Vick has been indicted with a serious crime and he will lie in the bed he made.

By Objective

July 23, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this

You use that when you get pulled over for speeding? You are a idiot. They are dogs indeed. They re-generate by the mass. If I was to kill some ants and make a group called Bad Azz Ant Killers would I also be held up in court for killing some ants?

Your intellect is stunning. First, I was making a relevant example, which you were unable to comprehend with your low intelligence. No, if you killed some ants, whether by stepping on them, burning them alive or making them fight until the death, you would not be punished. Why, you may ask with child-like intelligence? Because there is no law against it. Your point “They are just dogs” is completely irrelevant to the argument. The law is the law, whether Mark agrees with law, and it has to be enforced. I’m through breaking down simple ideas for you. Get off the computer at the public library so the homeless guy waiting behind you can use it.

By DAWGs and rednecks

July 23, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this

You can’t say any thing about Blank he is light years better owner than the old redneck smiths that went to Georgia. They were classless with no leadership! And areal DAWG!

By Jenny

July 23, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

Robert Ferguson of the Green Bay Packers saw dog fighting when he was a kid in Houston. In 2003 he organized an anti-dogfighting group in Houston.

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/packers/index.php?ntid=202346

By tj

July 23, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

The time for a change was while we still had Matt Schaub. Some of us could see it then but with the contract, all the special treatment and coddling of Vick, Matt never got chance. Another one lost.

By SorryFalcons

July 23, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

Mistakes, you are totally right. I don’t think Blank really cares about winning. He seems to care about selling tickets and jerseys and that is why he did anything for Vick in the past. Being a smart businessman I beleive he will do what is best for his franchise and that will be distancing the Falcons as far from Vick, but I do not think he will cut the guy. He has so much invested in Vick and he might think that if Vick overcomes the dog fighting charges he will continue to be popular much like Kobe or Ray Lewis.

By Vince Lombari

July 23, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

I wonder if Arthur Blank still has the picture of himself idiotically pushing Vick around at Texas Stadium? THAT should pinfully register as a pitiful example of what has happened since the “new breed” of owners ala Blank; Snyder; Laurie; Ziggy Stardust (or whatever his last name is in Minnesota)get involved with players. “Cash is King!”, eh Arthur?

By Demetria

July 23, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this

Vick has not been found guilty of a crime, and he deserves the right to due process. Without a shread of evidence he has already been convicted.

By Demetria

July 23, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this

Vick has not been found guilty of a crime, and he deserves the right to due process. Without a shread of evidence he has already been convicted.

By Old NFL'er

July 23, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this

This scumbag Michael Vick is worried about not being able to collect the rest of his $100 million dollar contract while guys who helped make the NFL what is by paving the way for such ludicrous compensation packages via television rights - guys like former Steeler center Mike Webster; a college graduate, ALL-Pro, and four-time Super Bowl winner - die penniless. Gues who Gene Upshaw is fighting for?

By Demetria

July 23, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

Vick has not been found guilty of a crime, and he deserves the right to due process. Without a shread of evidence he has already been convicted.

By val69atl

July 23, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

Theedge - I do agree with you totally. MV should voluntarily take a leave of absence so his team can focus on playing the game of football.

But I do want to make it clear that a man is innocent until proven guilty. The media has a way of condemning a person before he goes to trial. And the public is no better.

I support Vick as he goes through this terrible ordeal.

ATL4Lyfe!!!

By chris

July 23, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this

jeff, the dolphins went 6-10 last year (5-6 with harrington starting) while the falcons went 7-9 with vick. he’s not that good but he’s gotta be at least as good as a few of those qb’s you listed who took their team to super bowls. (rex grossman, et. al.) my point is no one is irreplaceable and lfe will go on. the kicker is going to be the salary cap hit, because i doubt seriously vick will ever play another game for the falcons. i just can’t see it happening given the nature of what he’s up against.

By Judge Lance Ito

July 23, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

Vick doesn’t need to be found guilty of THIS crime….just imagine all the ones that were missed! OJ; Ray Lewis; Kobe Brayant…enough is enough with these animals. Bye, bye, Blue Gums!

By reality check

July 23, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

I was born in Atlanta - $0. I cheered for Bartkowski and Jenkins - $0. I remember when the Falcons passed on Rice because they claimed he wasn’t good enough and he burned the Falcons every time San Fran played us.- $0. I remember when we let Deion go and he won super bowls. - $0. I cheered for Chandler and the original dirty bird. $0. I remember when Tony Martin was accused of money laundering and was aquitted. $0. Hypothetically for a moment… What IF Vick is found not guilty, plays for another team and burns us? How will you feel? Me? Priceless.

By AFinPC

July 23, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

What ability to lead, Jeff? This guy has never been a leader. When the going gets tough, he simply mopes on the bench instead of trying to rally the troops. He’s a soft-spoken nancy with masterful athletic ability, but no leadership ability whatsoever, a must for the quarterback position. This explains why teams with subcaliber quarterbacks (i.e Chicago) can be successful. Grossman is probably the only starter in the NFL with less acuracy than Vick, yet he has the ability to lead his team through adversity. Vick’s athletic abilities will never offset his total lack of leadership potential. Cut him and let him screw another team, or go home and hang out with his misguided brother.

By Edward Forrester

July 23, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this

The NBA referee is only being targeted because he is white and the league wants to replace him with a black woman. All that disagree are “haters” and have no intellectual reason for thinking that having an official on the take and fixing games is bad for the game. Leave him alone and let him go about his business until he is convicted and all his appeals are exhausted sometime in 2017!

This kind of race-based argument sounds really stupid doesn’t it?

By tj

July 23, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

To Demetria

You might want to learn a little more about the ” Feds “. Without a shread of evidence he would not have been indicted.

By Hard but Fair

July 23, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this

Being from Atlanta. $0. Cheering for Bartkowski and Jenkins. $0. Remembering when the Falcons passed on Jerry Rice because they felt he wasn’t good enough and watching him burn us EVERY time San Fran played us. $0. Cheering for Deion and watching the Falcons let him go and then watching him when 2 super bowls. $0. Cheering for Chandler and the original dirty bird. $0. Remembering when Tony Martin was accused of money laundering and aquitted in FEDERAL COURT. $0. Wanting Vick to be found not guilty, going to another team and burning us everytime we play him. $0. If he is found guilty and the worst happens to him. $0. Wanting D.J. Shockley to start. $0. That’s how much money will go into my pockets and 99.9% of the rest of the “fans”. My enjoyment of observing, reading, and hearing everyone’s true thoughts revealed, however, PRICELESS.

By Black People HATE Vick, 2!

July 23, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

I’m sorry, Jeff, but your piece seems to insinuate (incorrectly) that Vick EVER had the ability to lead in the first place.

Vick is BORN LOSER and IGNORANT GHETTO TRASH.

The Falcons, AND the City of Atlanta & ALL races and classes of people comprising it, are better off without subhuman vermin like Michael “On the Highway (Back) to H@ll” Vick.

By Jazi

July 23, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this

I’ve read all the blogs, the good, the bad, and the ugly. My conclusion, every single one of you is entitled to your very own opinion regarding Michael Vick. I believe in the justice system, and I believe that a man is innocent until proven guilty. With that being said, it saddens me to see how many people have assassinated Micheal Vick’s character before he was given a fair trial. Believe me, if he’s guilty, then due process should be taken, but if beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’s proven innocent, then his case should be handle accordingly and hopefully he would have learned from this taxing experience. Trouble is so easy to find, yet sometimes very hard to get out of, thus, this ordeal was not only to be a lesson for Mike Vick, but a lesson the world.

By Jazi

July 23, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this

I’ve read all the blogs, the good, the bad, and the ugly. My conclusion, every single one of you is entitled to your very own opinion regarding Michael Vick. I believe in the justice system, and I believe that a man is innocent until proven guilty. With that being said, it saddens me to see how many people have assassinated Micheal Vick’s character before he was given a fair trial. Believe me, if he’s guilty, then due process should be taken, but if beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’s proven innocent, then his case should be handle accordingly and hopefully he would have learned from this taxing experience. Trouble is so easy to find, yet sometimes very hard to get out of, thus, this ordeal was not only to be a lesson for Mike Vick, but a lesson for the world.

By kdog's daddy

July 23, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this

I keep waiting for the clown who calls herself “kdog” to chime in with her idiotic comments about how Vick is changing the way that QB is played in the NFL.

Meanwhile, Brady, Manning, etc., keep winning ALL of the Super Bowls.

But don’t despair, “kdog”. I bet your lord and savior Vick will win one or two Grey Cup championships in the CFL!

By John

July 23, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

I don’t agree with dog fighting and if Michael Vick was an “organizer” of these events, he should be punished. The problem I have is that these animal rights activists like PETA take things to the extreme. All a indictment means is that someone is accused of doing something. No one is allowing due process. I could see that if he were convicted and the Falcons were still considering letting him play then there would be an issue. People make bad decisions all the time. How many of use out here have never made a bad decision or hung out with the wrong crowd. Our indiscressions are not publicized because we are not famous. Not one of us out here knows what really happened. Kobe Bryant was accused of raping a woman and he was still allowed to play. What is so different in this case because the victims are dogs? These dogs are no more helpless than people who get raped and murdered every day in this country. Yes, he should show better judgement and choose his friends better because of the situation he is in and his status in the community. Everyone wants to throw Vick under the bus for all the problems with the Falcons over the past couple of seasons. All the while the problem has been depth at key positions due to injuries, dropped passes, and a defense that couldn’t stop anyone’s run game. Watch the tape. The bigger issue is that many white southerners don’t want their hometown team to have a black QB. I believe they would still be upset if DJ Shockley was the QB, people would still complain. No one is talking about the woman getting raped a Patrick Kerney’s house. If the Falcons had made the playoffs the past two seasons, this wouldn’t be as big of an issue as it is being made out to be because everybody loves a winner.

By Stuart Scott

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

Mike Vick = Pathologicial Liar & STUPID Dog Killer

Demetria = Stupid, Racist, Hate-Filled Ignorant Ghetto Trash

GO, FALCONS, GO!

GO, VICK……straight to JAIL!

BOO-YAH!

By MoeMan

July 23, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this

The Falcons should go ahead and release Vick. Even if he’s found innocent, fans want respect him anyway. And, please, Matt Schaub wouldn’t have been the answer. After the first 8 games in Houston, he’ll have more INTs than TDs.Hopefully, Vick will play QB again in the future, just not in the ATL.

By ANON

July 23, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

I shouldn’t be surprised but I am nonetheless by people saying that what this man and his thugs buddies have done and the subsequent arrests and ostrication was about race.Had this been a white man (or woman for that matter)I would still say draw and quarter him (her) at dawn.This is about behavior that should be completely and utterly unacceptable in ALL cultures in this country.What other countries do is entirely irrelevant and to say they’re only “dogs” shows a lack of conscience that is greatly disturbing to me.Evidence of compassion can be seen in how we treat animals.That’s not to say that I hold animals in higher esteem than humans but there is a level of responsibility we have as humans to check ourselves in cases such as this.How can we be certain that someone who can take the life of an animal in a way that most behavioral analylists would deem borderline psychotic (if not completely psychotic) be capable of taking human life in the same consciousless way?And you want to reward him for this?Paid leave?Why not let him play the season pending his trial?Or endorse products you put on your children’s bodies not to mention your own?Regardless of whether he’s found guilty or not he was with the ones who did do this and did nothing to stop it.Fire him immediately!

By What the H@#$

July 23, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

I have the day off and this is the first time I have read these blogs. When in the Heck do all of you that have a typical 7 to 3 or 9 to 5 job find time to respond to these blogs during the middle of the day? If you are at work … does your boss know you are blogging during work hours? What does that say about your character?

By Brydogg

July 23, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

Jeff,

Unrelated to the MV7 issue, any word on the remaining draft picks getting contracts done before camp starts?

By Lori

July 23, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

What the H@#$

Please take your own life with an electric ice cream scoop;

You are a self-righteous piece of manure.

Thanks.

By sportsreporter16

July 23, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

How many of you have read the indictment? It’s pretty convincing…and pretty gruesome.

Yes, Vick is innocent until proven guilty — and the Falcons set themselves up for this by conrinuously awarding him a “get out of jail free card” no matter how badly he behaved. Let’s review his track record…

sued for giving a woman genital herpes under the name of Ron Mexico; found to be holding marijuana at the Atlanta airport; has one of his posse grabbed for stealing a watch; is continually inattentive to Falcons’ game plans, showing poor work ethics, and ultimately getting his coach fired; twice flips off Falcon fans on national TV after getting stomped by the Saints; blows off the US Congress when he’s supposed to make an appearance to testify about reading programs; gets caught at Miami International Airport with a water bottle stinking of what appeared to be pot, then trying to ditch it.

Playing the race card in this instance is demeaning to the many persons of color I know and love, and have the utmost respect for.

Let the courts adjudicate the case, but Michael should take a leave of absence in the meantime, at the least.

By onkorules

July 23, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

Vick is going to jail bottom line! of those defendents indicted in the federal system 97% plea guilty and out of the other 3% who go to trial, 97% of those are convicted… not good odds for Vick. Can someone answer why such a high conviction rate… because they dont indict just anyone. Plus conspiracy’s in the federal system is very easy to prove. For all those who compare this to the Duke case they have absolutely nothing in common. The Duke case had a rogue prosecuter looking to get re-elected and wouldnt drop the charges even when aqll the evidence fell apart. I read the indictment the charges are very specific and clear and they have 4 witnesses. BYE BYE Mike!

By Jenny

July 23, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

What the H@#$

I am unemployed and have all day to surf the net. Hubby has a good job.

By gp

July 23, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this

I always thought that a person was innocent until proven quilty. My question is, How can the USA have a law against dogfighting, but no law against humans fighting? Men can get into a boxing ring and beat themselves to dealth, and dealth has occurred in boxing,and people gambling on them, and consider this a sport. In dogfighting, dogs get into a ring and beat themselves to dealth and people gamble on them and consider this a sport. Where are our priorities? Who do we care more about, dogs or humans?

By Big Daddy Bear

July 23, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this

Wow. Crazy how heated both sides are in this case!

There are several issues that make this different from hunting or farming, etc.: the cruelty of the sport; the nature of other crimes associated with it (i.e. tax crimes); the obvious disdain for law associated with it (i.e. camouflaged shelters).

For me, however, the cruelty is the crux. Note: I don’t hunt and never have, but this isn’t a sport that evolved from necessity or provides a food source; dog-fighting is a barbaric “sport”.

Even worse is confirmation of long held suspicion that Blank has been an enabler of this sort of activity with Vick simply as a means to protect an unwise investment. It’s really criminal in its own right.

Mora Sr. definitely doesn’t look so bad in retrospect over his comments from last season.

By fed up

July 23, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

I hate everyone on this blog!!! SO sick of hearing all this sh*t really!!! lolol….especially when our kids are dying everyday over in Iraq…and for what?????

By someonewithsomesense

July 23, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

INNOCENT until PROVEN GUILTY!!! Did anyone ever hear of such a thing? Not with a dude from the hood who has more money than most of these bloggers can count. The crime always seems worse when that person doesn’t look like you….go figure. Vick still has supporters that will renew their season tickets if he is given a fair shake and WILL NOT renew the season tickets if his rights are trampled on. Those of us who know how to use empathy and judge fairly and insist that the punishment fits if he is PROVEN GUILTY and not railroaded, will renew our season tickets.

By Dollars and sense

July 23, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

That dirtball Vick will cut a deal. Deep down, he probably doesn’t give a s** about prison but money is another issue altogether. When he realizes his NFL caeer - such as it was - is gone, this lowlife vermin who happily lost tens of thousands betting on dog fights will IN NO WAY risk losing tens of millions on a jury trial (plus all the other legal costs). In the end, it’s all he’ll have left, because his scumbag “posse” (that’s black for “gang.”)will surely desert him once the cash stops flowing.

By Blind Homer

July 23, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this

What’s hilarious is how this ghetto child has turned the billionaire Blank into his personal B*tch, from wheeling him around to kissing him in public to who knows what in private. Arthur, be a mensch and kick the dog to the street.

By People Eating Tasty Animals

July 23, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this

Normally, I disagree with PETA about EVERYTHING (literally) and wish that entire crackpot organization would burn in the eternal, licking Flames of Hell.

However, if they help get Vick out of OUR State forever and thereby rescue OUR beloved NFL franchise, then they may have at least one redeeming quality.

“The enemy of our enemy (Vick) is our friend.”

By KPage

July 23, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this

If law enforcement dug up the bodies of seven children at Mr. Vick’s place, would we listen to his “didn’t know!” protestations? Would we urge patience to let the judicial system do its work? Of course not. There wouldn’t be any debate about whether he should be suspended. He’d be gone.

I do not intend in any way to equate children with dogs. I most emphatically do not. I only use this example to point out that we’re not really entitled to feel wise and even-handed when we say, “let the process work.” We’re saying that torturing dogs to death doesn’t distress us to the point that we’d call for his immediate ouster. We’re not offended enough. We’d rather see him play.

That’s fine. This is America, etc., etc. But we should be honest about it, and not put on fine, righteous airs.

By stephen

July 23, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this

if anyone won’t renew their season tickets next yr, i’ll take ur place in a heartbeat. because football is a place of competition, not a moral forum.

By The Riddler

July 23, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

Riddle Me This:

How is Mike Vick and his leadership skills like a snack-size box of raisins?

By G Spot

July 23, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

John; Why can’t defenders of the black man use a legitimate comparison? I’ll type slowly for you. Kerney; he was NOT ever a SUSPECT, and HE was the one who CALLED IT IN to the police and tried to help a woman. Vick; he IS a suspect, and certainly did NOT call anything in. Oh…by the way…the man who raped the lady at Kerney’s was black. Nice try though.

By What the H@#$

July 23, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

LORI You can call people names all day long, but you did not answer the question. If you have a job, and you are blogging at work, does your boss or company know? Jenny already said that she is unemployed and lives on her husbands money. Only a hurt dog hollers. No pun intended.

By What the H@#$

July 23, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

LORI You can call people names all day long, but you did not answer the question. If you have a job, and you are blogging at work, does your boss or company know? Jenny already said that she is unemployed and lives on her husband’s money. Only a hurt dog hollers. No pun intended.

By G Spot

July 23, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

What the H@#$: My boss cares very little what I do during the day as long as I produces as I have produced for the last eight years.

GP…I’ll use small words for you. The difference in boxing and fighting of MEN and dogs is that the MEN get to choose whether they want to, typically get paid for it and enjoy it. The dogs…now try to concentrate here, GP…don’t get to choose and are abused during their ‘training’. Do I need to dumb it down even more for you? What a freaking MORON.

By DAWGs and rednecks

July 23, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

The real hate has come out! They say it’s the dogs they are lying. It’s a black man that happen to play football on a black islands called Atlanta surrounded by a sea of redneck call georgia. AJC, ESPN, FOX sport hate the guy guess what most are white sports writers. They lie and say it is not about race yea who do you think you are trying to fool. This is there chance to get him gone am I right Jeff Schultz you all are hypocrites. white man speak with fork tongue!

By DAWGs and rednecks

July 23, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this

Gspot why about the hockey player that killed his teammate. You Hypocrites. The law is for a black man the rule is for the white man! The only fair Vick will get is the fair that come’s in October and leaves in November that is the most fair he will get with rednecks! run out of town about a DOG!

By Lori

July 23, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this

What the H@#$

I don’t have to answer to likes of you, scum.

I own my own business, albeit a small one, and I can waste my regular business hours as I see fit.

Don’t make me come visit you at ARBY’S tomorrow when you return to work and kick your @$$ while you are dropping some fresh ‘curly fries.’

Idiot.

By Stuart Scott

July 23, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this

Dear DAWGs and rednecks:

You are a stupid, hate-filled racist who hates everyone else who can read well and does NOT have a criminal record.

Stop hating other people for YOUR OWN stupid life decisions.

More white people might take you seriously if you at least get a GED and learn to speak/write in some type of English. Ebonics, fueled by stupidity and hate-filled jealousy, just won’t cut it.

BOO-YAH!

By Archie Brown

July 23, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this

Every player and individual should be held accountable for their actions, but this does not always happen in a society structured on class and racism. I think that Arthur Blank and the Falcons will survive. I wish the best for Michael Vick. I’m not going to spend time hating on him. I don’t fight dogs, but I’m not perfect. I’m a black man, who is also a disable veteran. I was raised up during the 60’s, and know all to well about the hate in this country. I existed the military because of the hate in this country, knowing that I would not be treating any better because of my service. I just hope that individuals in America realize that everything GOD has made, deserves love and respect. I also hope that people who send in their comments, realize that we don’t have to be mean spirited to get our point across. I wish everyone out their LOVE AND PEACE.

By jsamps

July 23, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

To the people who think its ok for MV to fight dogs until one is dead and try to compare it to people who hunt and kill deers,birds, etc..Hunting is legal, its not against the law. Dog fighting is not legal and if MV is doing this he is wrong & should be punish..I am a MV fan and I hope he is not guilty..Iwant to see him on the field when the season open.. JSJ

By G Spot

July 23, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

Dawgs and Rednecks; There is a white hockey player in St. Louis that was sent to prison for life a few years back for murder. I believe that Heatley SHOULD have gone to jail and would have LOVE to have seen it. It p** me off that he got off. However, oh intelligent one, how about O.J.? If you are going to base your argument on one case, this is one case where I can prove that many, many blacks are racists as well. I worked with many blacks at that time who absolutely believed 100% that OJ was guilty, but they were THRILLED that he got off…kind of ‘reparations’ for past wrongs. So if I’m a racist, how come Warren Moon was one of my favorite QB’s of all time? Oh…that’s right…I’m not supposed to poison your mind with logic.

By P.J.

July 23, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this

I’m just curious about more insight into your mentalities, Vick apologists.

Suppose that your (hypothetical, if you don’t have one) child has a teacher that’s been accused by two of your child’s peers of molesting them. No doubt, the teacher would immediately be removed from the classroom, perhaps suspended without pay. Now, would you be bleating about the importance of due process? Would you urge that the teacher deserves to continue teaching until found guilty in a court of law? I mean, the teacher could be innocent; perhaps the accusers really hate the teacher for being so demanding and schemed to tarnish his image (let’s suppose the accusers are exceptionally precocious to the extent they can hatch such a devious plot). I suppose since so many of you Vick defenders fancy yourselves as Gerry Spence and F. Lee Bailey doppelgangers, the answer would be “yes, let him continue teaching”.

By What the H@#$

July 23, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this

LORI I’m smiling. If you would like to know, I am a manager at a major company, and I have my own business that I have run for 10 years. If you own your own business and would like to waste time when the rest of the working world is becoming more “efficient” … fine. However, would you like for your employees to violate your corporate internet policy and steal time from you blogging when they should be productive. I’m sorry, you probably won’t be in business long because you like to waste time and then call people names when someone makes a point that arouses your rudimentary emotions.

By What the H@#$

July 23, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

This has been enlightening. I may have to look closer into the internet activities of my own employees. Thank you all.

By charley

July 23, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

I think at least we can do, is see if he is reall guilty, but also I thin Vick is like all the overpaid athletes who think th eircharley S—-, does not smell

By Lori

July 23, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this

What the H@#$

I don’t care what you “claim” to do and NEVER asked in the first place. I apologize if I implied any interest in you or your employment fantasies whatsoever.

You project someone who is rather inarticulate and small-minded. I truly feel sorry for anyone with this misfortune of working for such a simpleton as yourself.

May you burn in Hell after taking your own life in the ARBY’S ‘drive-thru’ window, you ignorant piece of garbage.

By G Spot

July 23, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

What the H@#$; Your business must really be successful if you still have to work for a large corporation after having this business for ten years. Hope your Amway thing goes well.

By A REAL Falcons Fan

July 23, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

To all you so-called Falcons fans, Before Mike got here the Falcons were no where near the national radar. Our hilights were always last on ESPN and there was never a national story about the team (save the SB run in ‘98). When Mike got here all of a sudden the national media paid attention to the team and they took us seriously. Now everyone wants to throw Mike out even though he’s not ben convicted of anything. If Joey Harrington or Chris Candler or any of the previous Falcons QB’s had been charged, this blog would be half the size it is now. It makes you really question the motives of those MV haters. I guess guilty until proven innocent doesn’t apply to black people, huh? The shameful part is most of you bloggers are probably not even Falcons fans anyway.

By Chris Benoit

July 23, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this

* I remember the good ole days when filth like MV would be swinging from one of these trees.. along with the rest of his black a* family*America aint what it used to be..sigh

By DAWGs and rednecks

July 23, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this

G SPOT i AM TALKING ABOUT ATLANTA GA THE HOCKEY PLAYER KILL HIS TEAM MATE THSY SAY VICK MAY HAVE KILL SOME DOGS. A MAN GET KILL AND READ HIS PRESS ALL HEAR SAY OF DOGS GETTING KILL READ HOW THE SPORT WRITERS TELL THE STORY! i GUESS IT’S A BLACK THANG. IF YOU GOT THE COLOR YOU GET THE PRESS AND THE TIME. ONLY IN AMERICA THIS IS WHY WE ARE HATED SO WE ARE HIPOCRITES!

By JD

July 23, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

1 million abortions a year and now we get our panties in a wad for fighting dogs. Our country is screwed up folks. How many of the protesters have had an abortion. Vick has not been proven guilty. But the protesters have for looking plan ignorant.. Look at yourselves people !

By MEAT AND BALLS

July 23, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this

CHRIS BENOIT ** TELL YO MAMA STOP BEEP ME!

By NASDAQ

July 23, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this

PETA, I WILL BE WEARING A RED MIKE VICK JERSEY WITH THE NAME “NASDAQ” ON THE BACK OF IT. IF ONE OF YOU HAS THE HEART TO DO SO, PLEASE POUR YOUR PAINT ON ME SO THAT I CAN SHOW YOU THE MEANING OF EQUAL TREATMENT. FALCONS RULE! THANK YOU AND HAVE A GREAT DAY. -1 FALCON FAN

By falcon821

July 23, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this

Q: Who are the people proclaiming Vick’s innocent?

A: I don’t know…but Michael Vick has yet to be one of them.

Everyone, support or not, needs to think about whether it is because of race. Race is not a reason to support or convict a person. Pretty sickening on BOTH sides, not to mention, looks terrible for the city.

As of now, I have read the indictment from a federal court with a 95% conviction rate. But nothing but crickets from Vick. I’d be happy to give him the benefit of the doubt if I just hear him say it…

What attorney would tell his/her client to NOT proclaim his innocence?

Answers welcome.

By Johnnie

July 23, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this

What the H@#$ has been promoted to the Fryboy at Arby’s ,thank you! He’s a loser don’t waste your time.

By REAL Falcons Fan LOL

July 23, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this

REAL Falcons Fan: Let me spell it out for you. Vick is the 2nd HIGHEST paid player in the NFL- Harrington and Chandler made a fraction of what Vick makes. Your argument would be the same as wondering why George Bush gets all the lashings when the Mayor hardly get’s discussed. Vick is at the forefront and eats a large percentage of the Falcons cap. Babineaux alledgedly killed a dog but you don’t see him on the front page. Why? Becuase he’s a small bit player.

By sickMikeVick

July 23, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this

Tim Donaghy is innocent. This is racial bulsshit. Some black player didn’t like Tim Donaghy’s calls and said he bet on games and fixed the point spread.

Good grief people. Both of these a***** supposedly broke the law. Donaghy isn’t going to get the press because well……nobody even cares but his a* is on the line just a much as sick Vick’s is.

Let’s make this into a racial thing. Black men should be allowed to torture dogs, it is part of their culture. Sheesh.

White referees should be allowed to fix games, it has been done this way for years. Too funny. Every time a black person gets into s**, it is because he is black. Manson is in jail because he is a redneck white guy.

ROTFLMFAO at the “racist” posts in this thread. Most of them from blacks. The disabled vet is the only black person I have seen that speaks with common sense. Get over the reverse racism and see this for what it is.

If Peyton Manning were foolish enough to get involved in some s** like this, the world would be screaming for his head. Why? Because he is white. That’s why. LOL

By DanCFrom NJ

July 23, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this

this guy Con Vick it the bigggest joke in NFL history!!!

By Hooked on Boo

July 23, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this

Why are all the VICK SUPPORTERS on this blog completely unable to type in basic (& correct) English?

Can I get a translator?

WOOF! WOOF!

By D-Cider

July 23, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this

Every time I read the messages on this blog, I run across a few messages that leave me thinking WTF? Today’s winner is the BS that skitzo put together on the discussion of animals. Pigs are more intelligent than dogs, so should they be killed or companion animals? Are Veal cattle raised with respect? how do you respect a chicken? They are raised crowded chicken houses with several thousand other chickens. This is “their role in life?” What about all the feral cats running around? They certainly make great companion animals. Deer are more widespread than ever because of man and the desire to hunt them. The deer population has reached about 30 million in this country. maybe what we need are more coyotes.

By JMD

July 23, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this

Iwould recommend Mr Vick apologize to the nation for his cruel and mistreatment of innocent and defenseless creatures who give their owners such unconditional love and loyality. It makes me sick to even think about.

He should make atonement for this mental illiness of his and reach out with his resources to try a make up to the poor defenseless creatures killed and tortured by him and his cohorts.

By kimwhit

July 23, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this

All of the commenters who support Mike Vick by way of diminishing the value of an animal’s life, i.e. “it’s just a dog” should understand that the measure of a human being is the manner in which he/she treats “the least of these”. Cruelty to animals, children, the mentally ill, the elderly, the infirmed should NEVER be condoned or justified as these groups are the most vunerable and have little or no advocates. This mindset is not rooted in Christianity, it’s rooted in the desire to be a compassionate human being. Mike Vick has a track record of using poor judgement and ultimately shows no respect for Atlanta, Falcon fan, the league, and all African American football players who paved the way for his stupid, shelfish behind. He is a one man modern day minstral show mired in his drive to “keep it real”. Another African American man squandering the opportunity of a lifetime and making it harder for the real brothers who are trying to do it legit. TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS REQUIRED! GROW UP VICK AND GET IN THE GAME WITH THE REST OF US. YOU HAVE KIDS FOR GOD SAKES!! And that’s the bottom line from an African American woman who won’t be supporting the Falcon’s organization or Home Depot until Vick is cencored

By NASDAQ

July 23, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this

Hey Hooked on Boo

I support Mike Vick! I can promise you that my education level and ability to communicate (i.e. speaking, typing, etc…) exceeds that of you and anyone else in your family combined. With that being stated, translate these nutts LOL! Go Falcons Go!

By Seahawks Fan

July 23, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

I live near Seattle. I have followed Mike Vick’s career and have always felt he was and is a great player. But I have also felt he often made poor and immature decisions on the field. Better coaching might have helped. Now this dog fighting charge is pending. Whether he was directly involved or not, I can’t believe he had no clue of what was happening on his property. Dozens of dogs make a lot of noise and leave behind a lot of poop. And those black buildings? Did he never ask what was going on. Keep in mind that this business was named “Bad Newz Kennels”.

A leave of absence would make a lot of sense. Nothing good can come from Vick taking the field until this is settled in the courts.

By Enough

July 23, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

You people act like its a surprise that you hate a rich young black man. Its not about the dogs if it were you would let due process take its course. Most of the hate is coming from non football fans anyhow. Like the 20 people outside of headquarters, what a joke. If they come down to the Dome getting in us Vick supporters faces after a 3hour tailgate party, yeah its going to get interesting. Cancel season tickets, please, the only reason they have sold tickets is Vick. This was a joke of a franchise before Vick, where were all you loyal season Ticket holders then? In fact, the Falcons will play harder, stay out of trouble and rally around there QB. Its going to be a good season and Schultz can sprew hate for the entire football season. Heck the local DA decided not to pursue charges and the AJC buries it in the classifieds. The hate game won’t work, you are in a city with Vick supporters who can’t be outraged that much, with all the other social ills and corporate stealing going on. Vick is the poor mans QB, or heck forget the PC the Black mans and the downtrodden Whites QB. Sometimes we choose to stay back with real people who are sometimes misguided due to life circumstances, than to socialize with phonys who only like you for what you do!

By Roy

July 23, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this

He never had the ability to lead. Yes he’s exciting to watch but was never a very good QB. I think he’ll lead very well in prison!

By willdave

July 23, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this

Although Vick possesses tremendous athletic ability, he has proven that he does not possess leadership ability. No true leader would ever conduct himself on and off the field the way Vick has over these past six years. Although his seemingly unlimited potential excited many observers when he first entered the league, Vick has not lived up to that potential on the field. Now, to make matters worse, Vick has demonstrated a recurring inability to stay out of trouble off the field. His transgressions have become so serious that he now appears to be headed to federal prison for up to six years.

So, regardless of his athletic talent or potential, Vick has done little over the past six seasons to make the Falcons a better team and has now reached the point where he will probably do more harm than good. Time for the Falcons to admit their mistake in signing Vick, release him, and move on to someone else at QB.

By Objective

July 23, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this

• My question is, How can the USA have a law against dogfighting, but no law against humans fighting?*

Genius, pure genius. Go start a fistfight with one of your friends in front of the local police station and see what happens.

By ha ha ha

July 23, 2007 6:53 PM | Link to this

I can see it now. Blank will jump the gun and make Vick take a leave of absence. Vick will not do any time in jail because his lawyers will rip to shred any credibility they have. I read the indicment and honestly any good lawyer would get Vick off because it showed more that the other guys did the dirty work. If you for once believe that these so called witnesses can remember dates of fights, names of dogs, locations of fights, weights of the dogs, wagers and etc on the fight than your fooling yourself. Did these guys have a diary writing down everything that went down? Dog fighting is wrong and I dont know if he was involved or not and that is the problem. People just go by what they see on the tv and assume he had to be involved. When all the facts come out I think a lot of people are going to be shocked and left looking dumb. These snitches have no credibility. They have no way to link Vick to the operation other than some guys with drug charges and prison time under their belt already. I can easily see his lawyers destroing these guys . Vick will be found innocent and will ask for a trade because this sorry a* town is a bandwagon town. While the falcons are struggling to win 5 games with a half empty dome and a bad salary cap a team with talent will pick him up and will win games while the falcons remain losers. I know some of you dumb asses will say no team will touch him but your fooling yourselves. If you have talent somebody will take a chance. There are many teams who have horrible qbs and horrible attendance so trust me he will get a new job. As far as people saying they wont renew and etc . WHO CARES BECAUSE ITS OVER 30 000 PEOPLE WHO ARE WAITING FOR YOU NOT TOO. I will be laughing when the dust settles. Blank will jump the gun and make him sit, he wont do jail time and will ask to be traded. Falcons will suck and I will be happy just because these sorry fans deserve it.

By JSC

July 23, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this

Oh waahhhhhhh, it’s all whitey’s fault! It’s all about keepin’ the brutha down!

Why don’t you vick supporters just admit you treat animals the same way and be done “wid” it?

Vick is a PIECE OF HSIT AND HE NEEDS TO BE GANG RAPED, WET DOWN, AND ELECTROCUTED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

By Hooked on Boo

July 23, 2007 7:05 PM | Link to this

NASDAQ

Thanks for proving my point.

Since you, a typical VICK SUPPORTER, have no earned success, education or intelligence in life, you resort to bragging about either your ability to commit violent and/or criminal offenses, dunk a basketball OR your genitalia.

(Your inability to use adequate punctuation was a nice touch as well but completely not necessary.)

Bravo, Primate!

By Vick iz DA MAN

July 23, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this

Leave Vick aloan! It is you white peoples fault for giving him all that money and then tempting his innosense with all them temptations to break the law until he gave in and then you all nabbed him and stabbed him the back! Yall cant stand to see a BROTHA MAN in LARGE AND IN CHARGE and yall will do ANYTHING to try to tear him down and throw him in jail! I hate all yall! Yall needz to pay!!
WATCH YO BACK MIKE!!!!!!!!!

By Rupert Murdoch

July 23, 2007 7:18 PM | Link to this

NASDAQ ——> Racist, Hate-Filled, Blind-Rage-Embracing, Wanna-Taste-Some-White-Women, Down-on-His-Neez-4-Vick Dumb@$$

Tell us all about how much smarter you are than every other human being on Earth, NAZ, Baby
Whatta c@ck$ucker U R!

Throw a rock in a pack of dogz, the one you hit comes out YELPING! Yelp for me, NAZ Dogg, LOL!

By yea yea

July 23, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this

Who gives a damn about Peta. It has been about 50 protestors . WOW A WHOLE 50. what a joke. I hope they cut Vick and he is found innocent and goes to another team and wins like others Atlanta ball players have done in the past. The falcons will not sell out any games nor win more than 6 games a season if that much. YES PLS RELEASE HIM NOW SO WE CAN GO ON SUCKING.

By Gene

July 23, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this

There is an interesting comparison here between the Braves and the Falcons. Problem children who play for the Braves just go away quietly. As a franchise, the Braves have brought great credit to Atlanta and the southeast. The Falcons have covered up for Vick since the beginning, and the problems increased exponentially. Vick has essentially made a national disgrace out of the Falcons and the city. It will take years for the team to recover.

By ellen l powell

July 23, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this

mv how hard it is to forget who started to fill the dome up every sunday…..this man is being proven guilty before going to trial..let the courts find his faith..why is it some people who get in trouble there story is left alone(patrick kerney’s)there’s nothing else said….sometimes we as people judge to quickly….he’s sill my number 7.

By Magneto

July 23, 2007 8:10 PM | Link to this

Am I the only one who remembers the problems that Marcus Vick had? Michael and Marcus, that’s a trend. Something’s wrong with this family. Lack of accountability: An unfortunate reoccurrance in the African American community.

By John

July 23, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this

For G Spot,

Let me “type it slowly” for you. The comparison being that if there was a rape at Michael Vick’s house and he happened to be there “sleep”, woke up and then called it in, we would still be hearing about this incident today. It would probably end up being Michael Vick had something to do with his “friend” getting raped. I’m not trying to defend anyone. Wrong is wrong. The MV haters are looking for any reason to get him out of Atlanta. Can you really tell me that Matt Schaub waas the answer. Until MV got here no one has cared about Falcons football (except the SB run in 1998). He sells tickets. People buy season tickets just to see him. If he is found guilty, I say cut him immediately. Just let the process work and don’t be too quick to judge (see Duke Lacrosse). Everyone thought they were guilty too.

By moosie

July 23, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

Many of you supporters seem to forget, or maybe just don’t know..DUH!..the Feds do NOT indict someone on a whim. They have evidence to support it, and not “made up” evidence. They are not going to go into a courtroom looking like fools. Do you all think they didn’t consider the implications of indicting a public figure??? I read the indictment- at least parts I could stomach- and they have names of dogs,dates, and all sorts of grisly details. Go read it yourselves then if you have the nerve to voice any support you can go sit in the puddle with a wire with MV.

By moosie

July 23, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this

BTW there is a Humane Society petition for suspension floating on the internet with over 30,000 signatures on it so far. Ironically I never heard of Mike Vick (I don’t watch football) before the petition was sent to me. I’m glad I had an opportunity to voice my opinion on an overpaid, overvalued loser. I hope he is barred for life. Suspension isn’t good enough for me, I want him to lose his right to play, period.

By whatever

July 23, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this

Vick wont be playing this year so I wont be watching Joey Harrington and this joke of a team. People will finally see it wasnt all his fault but they dont care as long as Vick is not here. I hope you losers are happy you got what you wanted. No more sellouts. no more than 5 wins. no more televised games. yea just like the old days. this team is a freaking joke

By your lying

July 23, 2007 9:28 PM | Link to this

Moosie your comments alone let me know that not only do you know who Mike Vick is but your one of the people who really wanted this kid out of here anyway. You type to much like a “lets blame vick for everything” blogger for you not to know him. get a life. 30 000 signatures aint s**. f*** outta here

By Juan Sanchez

July 23, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this

INSIGHTS FROM A FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR

Since the federal prosecutors handling the Vick case won’t be conducting many (or any) Poindexter-style press briefings, the closest thing we’ll ever get to the thought processes of the federal prosecutors in this case will be via the insights of a former federal prosecutor.

Attorney Marc Garber of The Garber Law Firm, with offices in Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia, worked for eight years as a federal prosecutor in New Jersey and Nevada. He agreed to provide on-the-record observations regarding the Vick case, based on Garber’s experiences working up and trying federal criminal cases on behalf of the United States of America.

As an initial matter, Garber believes that the mere existence of an indictment is the product of extensive work by prosecutors to marshal evidence that puts Vick in the places where they allege that he was, doing the things he allegedly did. That evidence, Garber believes, goes beyond the four unnamed cooperating witnesses mentioned in the indictment.

“If I had Vick’s case,” he said, “the testimony of four cooperators would be enough to prompt a search, but not an indictment. To pull the trigger on an indictment, I’d need documentary evidence that corroborates what the cooperators said.

“I’d start with Vick’s credit-card bills to see where he’s buying things and when. I’d check airline tickets or other evidence of travel to see when he was in Virginia. I’d check cell phone information. I’d check emails. Whatever kind of documented communication or evidence of travel or location you can imagine, that’s what I’d want.

“There’s no way, if you’re a federal prosecutor, you pull the trigger on this case without [extensive] documents that let you plot out a time-line — in multiple colors on a huge board that sits in front of the jury as you bury Vick witness by witness and document by document — putting him at the dog fights on his property.”

It all makes a lot of sense. As we’ve previously explained, the feds aren’t in this case to win an indictment and then lose a trial. They took on this fight because prosecutors believe that they have the proof to secure a conviction.

Interestingly, Garber thinks that the prosecution ultimately will focus less on the dog fighting and more on the gambling.

“This case is not so much about animal abuse, though that’s the hook that gets the jury impassioned,” Garber said. “This case from the Justice Department’s perspective is about an illegal-gambling ring which, though the NFL remains silent on this point, is why Vick should be staring at an instant suspension.”

By Terry

July 23, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

MV has a contract worth 130 million dollars and the most and what he decides to do for entertainment is watch innocent dogs fight eachother to a long drawnout gruesome death and if they don”t die in the ring he likes to torture and finally kill them. WHAT A MAN!!! The young fans really have an example of what they should be like. MV’s best and last act in the NFL is to be an example of what not to become, a spoiled pammered coward with no morals and no future. Personally my two dogs have given me more happiness than any freaking football game ever has. I know let’s wait until MV has had his day in court, but until then suspend the “dawg”

By Gazoo

July 23, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

I have been a staunch supporter of Mike Vick through thick, thin and have tried in my own inimitable way to shield him from the slings and arrows of this outrageous misfortune. My fingers are tired from typing countless letters in support of Mike Vick. My throat is sore from yelling from the rooftops against a rush to judgment. My head rings and my ears bleed from the screams of those pained by actions if which my hero has been accused. I am tired. I am tired. I lay down my shield and my sword and hereby join you in your fair and thoughtful condemnation of Mike Vick. Along with support from well meaning but selfish and uncaring fans like myself, Gazoo, have acted as enablers and nearly destroyed the Atlanta Falcons and made a mockery of this wonderful region I’ve come to love. I am sorry. I am so sorry. With each of my keystrokes another tear is shed for the pain I have caused and for the horrors that Mike Vick and his crew have caused. I am sorry. Please understand that all of my number 7 paraphernalia including the BigHead Vick above my bed will be destroyed as soon as I am physically able to make this happen. I am sorry. Forgive me, Atlanta. May god forgive Mike Vick someday.

By garrett

July 23, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this

Excellent piece, as usual. Bye bye Mike, arguably the dumbest man to ever take a snap in the NFL. Don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya!

By hell to pay if Vick is gone

July 23, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

Mr blank do the right thing . don’t kill your team please . if you cut mike you will hurt your team for ever. If you think Peta is raiseing hell wait. alot of team have had player with problem don’t be a fool.you need to let this thing cool down. we will not stand for this lynching. The good ole boy days are over. race is all over this thing. Moore is a nut who work for a bunch of sheet wearer. Mr. blank think this thing out. you will never get this city to join hand with you if you listen to the haters. This has become more than vick it about ticket in 2008 ,09 10, 11,12,. MR blank you will lose!

By edward

July 23, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this

This isnt about his past transgressions, this is about his ones now. He has not been out of trouble since last season ended. If he was really changing his ways and getting rid of the bad influences in his life, he would have before the Ron Mexico, waterbottle, watch stealing, and now alledged dogfighting. Its his house, his name and his company. Just because he dont live there, doesnt mean he never went there. I defended him vigorously up till now. At some point you just have to realize he wont change. He even said in his one comment that it will go away and people will still love him because he is “micheal Vick”. Guess what?? It didnt go away and not many people still love you. And we thought Marcus was the bad one in the family!!!

By edward

July 23, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this

This isnt about his past transgressions, this is about his ones now. He has not been out of trouble since last season ended. If he was really changing his ways and getting rid of the bad influences in his life, he would have before the Ron Mexico, waterbottle, watch stealing, and now alledged dogfighting. Its his house, his name and his company. Just because he dont live there, doesnt mean he never went there. I defended him vigorously up till now. At some point you just have to realize he wont change. He even said in his one comment that it will go away and people will still love him because he is “micheal Vick”. Guess what?? It didnt go away and not many people still love you. And we thought Marcus was the bad one in the family!!!

By hell to pay if Vick is gone

July 23, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this

all hear say in the fed case he said she said no picture or paper to money bet no case ! Vick has money to pay for good lawyers.He has the best . This case little hard proff. get ready for egg to be all over this town face. a rush to judement. vick is a big name he is not the main player in this case. Fed you blew this one listen to a bunch of so call dog lover. then sue the hell out of peta AJC, over some DOGS!

By test

July 24, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this

test

By moosie

July 24, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this

*Moosie your comments alone let me know that not only do you know who Mike Vick is but your one of the people who really wanted this kid out of here anyway. * By Your lying…ROFLMBO Hate to disappoint you Bud, but I am a little old lady living on a farm in Ohio with two dogs and a husband of 40 years who knows I do not watch sports except for an occasional Cavs game. I am a supporter of defenseless dogs who suffered by the hands of a cruel, overpaid, over-glorified, above-the-law sports player who apparently has no regard for life. 35,000 people (read—signatures) will fill a stadium so you can sit there all by your lonesome. You can choose any seat you want that way. I am NOT a member of PETA ( I know you thought I was, chuckle) and I eat meat, catch and clean my own fish (gasp) and allow people to hunt on my land. But I am also compassionate when it comes to suffering. Ask any dog owner who has had to euthanize a dog or a cat or a horse or any companion animal. So don’t hazard to think you even know me slightly, you need to hone your people reading skills and rethink your support of a lost (by his own decisions) cause.
This is an individual that kids look up, and you wonder what is happening to our society? This is a role model, someone to emulate? I think not. It is a deeper issue than the dogs, it is society at its worst. I know about Vick because I made it a point to read about him, the case and the indictment. But thanks for your compliments on my sports savvy.

By BuzzDraft

July 24, 2007 12:53 AM | Link to this

Arthur Blank, when leadership was desperately needed, wilted into the shrinking violet he turned out to be. This was leadership??? He is a coward by forcing Goodell to take action on his behalf. He also has critically damaged the Falcons’ future by not finding Vick in breach of his contract Thursday, thus sentencing the Falcons to severe salary cap penalties in dead cap space the next few years due to Blank’s lack of decisive leadership.

Vick IS getting his due process. He has a court date to determine whether he will be imprisoned or not.

As for his occupation…

If you are a school teacher, a truck driver, a mailman, a secretary, an accountant, a mechanic, a waitress, a software engineer, a lawyer, an auto worker, or even a corporate CEO, if you get indicted by the Federal government, your employer will not allow you to return to your job until you clear your name, at best. There is no Constitutional right to employment, just a Constitutional right to a fair trial. If your personal conduct on the job or on your own time has brought embarrassment to your employer, you will be fired. That’s how the real world works.

Vick is not being denied the right to make a living, he has violated the terms of his employment and if he is fired, he is free to choose any number of other occupations just like the rest of society to earn a living. Nothing is denying him of finding a job to make a living.

Due process is your day in court. Vick WILL have that, and the outcome is certainly a hell of a lot more significant to his life than any termination from employment. I’m disappointed in him and all his apologists, but primarily Blank for his utter failure of leadership when his organization and city needed it most.