The good news for ESPN this week is that its decision not to devote reporting assets to the Ben Roethlisberger case has allowed it to do some great work regarding the Mike Vick situation.
Earlier in the week, ESPN reported that Vick and Commissioner Roger Goodell would meet this week. Despite rumors that the meeting would not occur so quickly, it happened Wednesday afternoon.
So +1 to Bristol. (And -1 to the idiots who posted the rumor that the meeting wouldn't happen this week.)
Sal Paolantonio and Chris Mortensen of ESPN are now reporting that Vick will be conditionally reinstated early next week, and he'll then be suspended four additional games.
Per the report, Goodell also is expected to warn Vick that any future problems will result in additional punishment. (We were going to say that Vick will be on a "tight leash," but we thought better of it. Oops.)
This means that Vick will be permitted to sign with a new team and participate in training camp and the preseason before sitting out the first quarter of the campaign.
Though it's not a home run for Vick, it's great news. Given his crimes and the fact that he previously lied to Commissioner Roger Goodell's face (and the rest of his body), Vick easily could have been suspended for most if not all of the 2009 season.
But public opinion has generally favored the notion that Vick should receive a second chance. The fact that an upstart pro football league would have been waiting with open arms to sign Vick likely didn't hurt matters, either.
Four games ? Goodell is a tool, Vick should be banned for Life.
If he plays I quit watching the NFL.
Hasn't he lost enough already?
I don't understand Goodell's decision. I think Vick should be allowed to play again, but he should be forced to sit out at least 8 games. Players who do nothing illegal sit out 4 games, and what he did was obviously illegal.
Goodell did the right thing, split the public right down the middle. He gets a suspension, but not too long of one that it wouldn't allow him from getting a chance to sign on with a team.
Bravo sir.
Good luck Vick. (just don't sign with my team)
Best thing to happen to Vick in a long time. Now get rid of the entourage and leaches, train, pray
and maintain simplicity and compliance and go to work for the UFL. He will be a lightning rod for news with "no freedom" in the internet age.
He can be signed and stashed anytime, after UFL season ends. Stay out of sight and out of mind.
No instant gratification.
Come on Al Davis... You know you want to.
Now that (well, if) it is settled, you can repost those stories, sans "when he is reinstated," about who is going to sign Mike Vick. I think the Redskins should, sit him for a whole year to learn the offense and then play him next year when Campbell is probably going to be gone. All Dan Snyder has to say is, "Come on, folks, our team is called the Redskins. I don't think a dog killer is really going to affect our public image that much."
While he's riding out the four games, he should retire, unretire, reretire, and unreretire After that he should be my backup on the Vikings.
Bad move, should have been out for at least 10 games.
Michael Vick is the AmericanDream.
In the words of the Great American Don King:
"Only in America!"
Congrats MikeV. Dont screw it up this time. Your people are rooting for you...
Kobe aint sh t!
Now the real meat of the story is, which team steps up and takes one of the biggest risks in the history of the NFL? I think we all knew this was coming a long time ago.
I'll be the first to say...Welcome to Oakland my Mr. Vick!!!
Ron Mexico is back. Women fear STDs across the nation. Complete joke and he will stink.
Great news for the Steelers! They may need a new QB after four weeks.
Damn, look at that "Days Without an Arrest" meter------->
Al Davis is all over it!
Didn't you mean to say 'Opps'?
again, florio confuses 12% of public opinion with 100% of public opinion.
at least roger gave himself an out. starting to look like a pussover.
No NFL team is stupid enough to take on Vick... and PETA... and their fan base..... and their sponsors.... and everyone else that detests premeditated torture of innocent animals.
The UFL can destroy their future if they so choose.
Does anyone know the answer to this--if a team signs a player that has already been sentenced to a suspension, do they pay the full salary, or do they only pay for the games that player is eligible to play?
I am pretty sure that if a player who was already signed gets suspended, the team still pays and the money goes to the league or charity or something like that. I don't know if that works the same in this case.
If a team would save money off of a suspension, I think this actually makes Vick MORE of a target for teams to sign, rather than less. He is going to need time to get back into playing shape and learn playbooks and get the mechanics down. The chances of him being much of a factor during the first four weeks of the season are slim. But he will still be eligible to practice and compete in the preseason, and then have an additional four weeks to get himself ready for games.
Even if a team doesn't save money, the suspension shouldn't be too much of a difference in how effective Vick will be for any team that may sign him.
he's a novelty act now.
////////////////
regarding a charity... might i suggest the human fund?
@Fan of Four, if/when he plays, No one is going to miss your viewership.
Vick's "second chance" was when he arranged and hosted his second dogfight.
I will hate for all eternity whichever owner/team signs this guy.
Even if it's the team I've followed for 30 years.
Fan of Four,
If Vick signs and plays I will monitor every post on PFT until I see your name and call BS when you post. I love it when people make empty stupid threats. You don't have to watch him play. Yet it's ok for other criminals to play without you boycotting.
Vick should have been re-instated immediately, without additional penalty. I'm not a fan of Commissioner Goodell. Time already served should have been sufficient.We're talking 2 plus years away from the game. Loss of millions, disgraced and ridiculed was not enough for Roger. Oh, I forgot the shield has to be protected. What a joke. I hope Vick is signed and takes full advantage of the opportunity. Good luck Michael.
yeahhhhhhhhh go mike im happy for you va love u expect for peta!!! oh well
Congrats to Mike Vick. He paid his debt to society and lost millions of dollars. He deserves the chance to once again be an overrated QB in the NFL.
Cry me a river. Who cares if you guys stop watching the NFL because Vick is reinstated. There are millions around the world that will still tune in. This country's judicial system is supposed to be predicated on the fact that once you violate a law and are punished for it, you get to start over in society. The man served more time in jail for dogfighting than some child molesters, drug dealers, and people who killed by way of DUI. Cut him some slack. Vick is a extrodinary athlete and will thrive off you haters and "girlie men"..lol. How does it feel to know that he is going to make the Pro Bowl again eventually, after serving time in jail. And I do like dogs, but I dont think a animals life is more valuable than a humans. Not to say it's less, but if Leonard Little is still in the NFL, there is no way in hell Vick should have been banished from the NFL
i don't like it at all; Goodell just gave the fans full control over the league- he will never be the commish Stern is.
either Vick should be suspended for the full season or not suspended at all, as time served.
this is a half a** decision by a half a** person.
this decision was purely not to piss anyone off.
he basically got suspended 4 games for running an illegal dog fighting business.
how can he justify giving players like chris henry, tank or pacman 8 games or a season for things that did not result in jailtime that lasted over a year, or even 6 months.
the plaxico shooting will get more than 4 games- and he shot himself
VICK WAS THE RINGLEADER IN AN ORGANIZATION THAT WAS BREAKING THE LAW BIG TIME FOR MONETARY PROFIT!!!
and he only gets 4 games.
no one should argue the 2 years count- that he didn't play as a suspension, because if that were the case, he would not have been suspended 4 additional games.
this league is a joke.
UFL, here I come.
Roger Goodell has seriously undermined his entire tenure. He preaches about how tough he's going to be and then let's Vick walk out of jail and back on to the field. Does no one remember that Vick lied to Goodell's face? Goodell is officially full of shit.
Hey packerswin:
Short answer. No
Its not like he killed someone, we have a guy that runs over someone while drunk and gets 28 days, Vick gets 18 months for not killing anything what is wrong with this picture. You that think he should be banned for life might want to look at yourself I would venture to guess if we looked in your past there is probably something that people would say you shouldn't be able to work again. He did his time even though it was to much so let him go on with his life if you don't want to watch him play turn the channel!!!!
Sad day for the NFL letting this Piece of shit back in the league.
Hopefully none of the teams are dumb enough to sign him and black ball his ass.
Let the circus begin.
Just say "no thanks" Al.
I can't understand why people have so much venom for pro athletes. These guys are entertainers. When I watch "Iron Man" or "Tropic Thunder" I don't think about Downey Jr.'s drug abuse. Woody Allen married his daughter, but people watch his movies all the time. Do you know why? They're entertainers, not moral authorities.
When I watch sports, I know many of these guys live I lifestyle that probably wouldn't approve of. But I watch the game, enjoy their athletic talents, and root for my team.
Not everyone can be Reggie White or Warrick Dunn or Brian Dawkins. Many, not most, not all, athletes are flawed. But I won't stop watching the games or rooting for my team because of their moral deficiencies.
Vick should never play another game in the NFL. "Should" being the operative word. But if they've already allowed murderers and drug traffickers back into the league, I guess they can't keep Vick out.
BUT... Dog slaughtering and significant time in the pen = only four games? And he wants to suspend Marshawn three games for sitting in a car?
Marshawn's suspension must be reduced to one...
Fan_Of_ Four says:
July 23, 2009 7:04 PM
Four games ? Goodell is a tool, Vick should be banned for Life.
If he plays I quit watching the NFL.
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Who cares if you quit watching the NFL. No one care's about u, ur an idiot. Vick has been out of the NFL 2yrs, that's long enough. He should get a 2nd chance. Look at da receiver from the Browns. He drove drunk and killed a "MAN" a human being, not a dog and he only got what, a few days in prison? lmaooo..ur stupid.
The Raiders will be calling real soon. GO VICK!
why is it when the police shoot and kill a person in cold blood, but later finds out they shot the wrong person its alright. The public gives the officers back their gun to kill again, and its ok. Mike Vick should be given a second chance to make up for his wrong doing as well. How many of yall have done something wrong in life, with hopes of forgiveness?. Everybody has said , thought, or even judged someone they no nothing about?. If you can look in the mirror, and find no fault inside yourself, or say nobody ever gave you a second chance then you can judge Mike Vick.
No one's mentioning Vick's illegal gambling operation, which is part of what he was in jail for. As you'll recall, he was worse at dogfighting than being a pocket passer and he was betting/losing up to $20k per fight. Is it a stretch to believe that his up-and-down performances were fiscally motivated? Let's just say if he does become a starting QB again and his team is favored by 10 or more points, I'm taking the money line against him.
Now this makes sense. Lets suspend the Williams boys 4 games for doing nothing wrong and lets suspend Mr Vick the same amount for breaking federal laws. This is just ridiculous. The NFL has become nothing but a media joke. They are greedy like the rest of the world. Whatever makes them money is what they do.
How is it that Vick is such a villain, but Paul Crewe is the hero in The Longest Yard?
4 games is a FN joke!!!
You get 4 games for taking a banned substance that wasn't even on the label. At least that it what they are trying to tag the Williams Wall with.
Yeah, that's on par with what Vick did.
And the worst of it is that's not the only knock on the FN guy. And he gets a lousy 4 FN games. What a joke.
I hope whatever team signs him suffers fans and sponsors pulling out. If it's my team (the Vikes) I am out. I put it at a 0.001% chance of happening luckily.
As for his playing days. If some people can wish someone would snap Favre's neck you better believe I'll wish it on Vick.
Public Opinion has never been in favor of a second chance.
Only the Falcons were dumb enough to pay him all that money.
He is a bad QB who could not be the starter for any NFL franchise.
No one will sign him so he will never hear the thundering boos of the crowd.
"But public opinion has generally favored the notion that Vick should receive a second chance".
Average IQ of said people = 80.
Probably being generous.
He did his time and paid his debt that society has dealt to him. Let the man live. To the poster who said he'll boycott the NFL, go ahead. We won't miss you.
Cool. He will be a starting QB again. He is so fast and so mobile! The guy has a cannon for an arm! He will revolutionize the QB position! Wait, been there,seen that...... How did it work out? Was it 6 years or 5? Lay out the excuses now....
i think the perfect fit for Mike Vick is the Jacksonville Jaguars. This offseason the Jaguars vowed to clean up the locker room. Mike Vick is now considered to be a player of high character (according to Roger Goodell). The Jags are struggling to sell tickets and would be wise to sign a player whose every move will be on ESPN.
Mike Vick was and is an amazing player. He would instantly provide a team with a low cost top notch back up quarterback. He would also be a great distraction and flanker. Anytime Vick is on the field, Linebackers and defensive backs take notice. This allows for great mismatches for running backs and tight ends.
The NFL is a buisness. If I were to get a DUI, I would only pray that I would be able to still find a job. All crimes are equal to their punishment. Vick did his time for the crime. It will be great to allow all of the dog loving 6'3 255lb linebackers to have their go.
Welcome back Mike. I was thinking they'd hit him with 8 games but he should not get any.
He's exciting and wins games, I'm looking forward to seeing him on the field.
4 games makes no sense. Either let him in or not. 4 games is just being a pain in the rear.
I still think he hasn't shown anything to say he should be able to get right back in. He earned his freedom back but playing in the NFL is a special IMO. Hell I know I wouldn't get back into my profession putting that on my resume and not doing something special to exonerate me. I feel he should have shown more to repaying what he did to society. Had he started something or had plans for something real and sincere [helping poor kids with education e.g.] than by all means come back. Otherwise sit out a year and we will see how you handle freedom. The thing that bugs me is that this wasn't a mistake, to call it that is naive. He planned this out for a long time and would be doing it today had he not been caught.
Citing precedent of other wrongs doesn't make me change my views so you can put away your Leonard and Stallworth saying. Those were wrong too.
The NFL has become a thug league and I do think these guys should hold a certain standard. Don't care how you dress, talk or even look but lets be law abiding and not let them carry on like nothing happened when they do something that would devastate our life.
Sounds like people are barking their heads off about this one, and rightfully so, although I'm dog-tired of hearing about it. The media is hounding Vick, and they're fetching themselves a good story. They won't have to beg or roll over to sell this one! I think it's interesting that Vick didn't have to hump Goodell's leg to get back in - after spending a couple years in the doghouse, I guess Vick's been left on a leash for too long. Maybe Vick showed him those sweet puppy-dog eyes. Either way: Way to throw him a bone, commish!
"If he gets reinstated I will never watch the NFL again" lol too funny get over it ladies he is coming back so you & peta can go have a rally somewhere or boycott a team or throw paint on a fur maybe even hug a tree.
This is the first time Goodell has shown a weakness. It was a great opportunity to perhaps put the fear of God into nfl players but lately all he does is get all wimpy by reducing suspensions or meting out no punishment. He started out good but I think the players have him figured out....as does the union. Vick should've rec'd no less than a one year suspension. Vick lied to Goodell over and over and yet he is so willing to tie his legacy to this liar again. Vick is a die-hard gambler and more evidence of this will surface so get ready to wipe the egg off ur face commish. Fool me once shame on you......fool me twice,.....
4 games is an over kill, how much blood do you want from vick. The guy was suspended for the entire season, shouldn't he have got credit for that? spent time in jail lost all his endorsements filed for bankruptcy lets move foward and leave the guy alone he' paid his debt
vbeach31 buddy you brought up some very valid points. I had completely forgotten about the Leonard Little scenario.
While I believe that M. Vick should get a second chance, it will be very interesting to see which team takes that chance on him and all the horrible publicity that will undoubtedly come with it.
Good Luck Mr. Vick, stay on the straight and narrow.
Personally I'm more upset about moving the NFL Draft to a three day affair. And I own a pit-bull, and what a wonderful and totally loving and loyal animal it is...
He's not gonna chase after your poodle .
He's gonna make twice as much as you Haters ever will.
In fact lost more money than you will ever make.
He's had more tail than a lemur.
He's gonna make your defense look like fools.
Never mess with the type of people who watch dogs kill each other for fun retards.
all of these things are factual and that's why you all hate.
I hope somebody maims the m'fer!
A dirty cop loses his job
a plageristic reporter loses his job
a teacher that screws their students loses his job
a lawyer that engages in unethical behavior loses his job
A profootball player convicted of illegal gambling, known to have tortured and killed animals and right out of prison gets a slap on the wrist.
vick wasnt even legally punished for dogfighting.
he (and a few others) are still getting off light.
but... there is a sword of damocles.
This was one of the few poor decisions by Roger Goodell since becoming commissioner. (Other one was moving the draft back until 3pm EST on Saturday)
What he essentially determined was that Michael Vick's behavior was on par with a player testing positive for steroids. I don't care that Vick lost an NFL season because he was in jail. That was the US legal system, not the NFL.
Write it down, he's going to the Vikings to be the starter in 2010.
He isn't like "other criminals", see Early Behavior Problems of a Sociopath per http://www.mcafee.cc/Bin/sb.html
"Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc. "
Anyone want their daughter, sister or mother around him?
What if one feels Leonard Little should have been banned for life? Then is it OK to feel Vick should be banned for life?
For those too silly to understand. This does not mean what Little and Vick did are equal. It means one has ZERO bearing on the other. 1) Each was handled by a different commish using his own opinion and goals.
2) A person could feel Little was not punished harshly enough, so in an individuals assesment of what Vick deserves, what Little got would not serve as a guide.
Vick did pay his debt to to society. He served his time. But the NFL does not have to employ him and the NFL like any of us could feel the gov't did not punish him enough. If someone who had run a dog fighting interstate gambling ring came to my office for a job after serving his jail time, I would not hire him.
The 4 games is likely for the failed pot test, so Goodell hasn't punished him for the dog fighting or gambling.
I thought Roger had stones...
No, we all hate because he's a subhuman barbaric piece of trash. If he was to sign with Carolina, I would sell every jersey, helmet, autograph or memorabilia I own, use the proceeds to remove my tattoo of the logo, and donate the remaining money if any to the humane society. And never, ever watch another NFL game again.
I don't want to hear the BS about how he has a right to earn a living, and therefore should be in the NFL. Last I checked, working at a construction company is earning a living. So is flipping burgers.
The NFL is a privilege.
Empty,
Actually he was.... The VA DA(the only DA to make the Duke/Durham DA look competent) gave him a sweetheart deal and a suspended sentence. If he Ookie's up again within 4 years, he's headed back to jail....
penguininbondage says:
July 23, 2009 9:14 PM
I hope somebody maims the m'fer!
A dirty cop loses his job
a plageristic reporter loses his job
a teacher that screws their students loses his job
a lawyer that engages in unethical behavior loses his job
A profootball player convicted of illegal gambling, known to have tortured and killed animals and right out of prison gets a slap on the wrist.
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Unless Mike Vick is a dog catcher or one of the dogs he was betting on was Air Bud, your analogies are similar to comparing the effect the sun has in a room with no windows.
Remember what Denny Green said.
Ron Mexico will be a Dolphin.
Only GM in the NFL who could give a rat's ass what anyone thinks. He just wins.
Chad "Noodle Arm" Pennington is the worst starting NFL QB.
Miami with a gimmick offense wins the East again.
the comments i see really put the worlds view of crime into perspective. there's been numerous sports starts that have gotten charged with serious crimes such as rape, domestic violence, DUI's, hit and run, yet everybody focuses on vick...why?!?! why not be mad that Michael Irvin didnt get kicked from the nfl for his cocain issue? This just really angers me that people pick on vick, HE SERVED HIS TIME! get over it and let him play...
I agree Vick may be an exceptional "athlete", but anyone who thinks he is an NFL QB doesn't know football. He played because the NFL did such a good job of "marketing" him. Show me any statistic besides his QB rushing yardage.........your witness!! Anyone who thinks he was a NFL QB because he could run (becuz he couldn't read defenses) (couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a pass) (couldn't earn the respect of his teammates) and (couldn't find a secondary receiver if you showed him a picture of it) doesn't know squat about football. Run out and get "QB's for Dummies" then you'll know something.
Wow just wow.
According to some of you, since I have committed a crime, I shouldnt be allowed to work.
The fact is most of you are pissed off because he still gets to make money. Most of you didnt like Vick as a player before this all happen, so this just made it funnier.
Had this been Manning, LT, or someone else that is almost unanimously liked, you all would be all for second chances.
Don't go on about how he killed dogs. There are worse crimes out there that NFL players have committed. For instance; any time an NFL is busted for drug use. That IMO is worse than what Vick did. Hell by buying the drugs they are just contributing to the death's of hundreds of people a year.
Dude did his time. The court systems have determined that he repaid his debt to society. Now if you have a problem with that, take that up with your congressman.
Stop Hating the fact that he will still be making more money that you.
I hope somebody maims the m'fer!
A dirty cop loses his job
a plageristic reporter loses his job
a teacher that screws their students loses his job
a lawyer that engages in unethical behavior loses his job
A profootball player convicted of illegal gambling, known to have tortured and killed animals and right out of prison gets a slap on the wrist.
For starters he did his time. Secondly, I hope you never do ANYTHING wrong in your life, cause if you do, I hope you get a judge that gives you the maximum that he is allowed to. You wont be allowed to complain. Hell he is just giving you want you wanted.
What's really funny here is that if Vick is reinstated and signed with some desperate team, he will no longer be an impact player in the NFL. His "star" days are over. There are rookies that will out-perform him in camp.
Michael Vick is a name. The player we once knew is gone. My kid burned his jersey.
I heard some of those dogs had it coming, anyway. Laying around being lazy, and whatnot. By the way would it not be ironic if Vick went to play for the Browns.
"No one's mentioning Vick's illegal gambling operation, which is part of what he was in jail for."
Correction: it is the ONLY thing he was in jail for. The dog torture and killing is a state and local violation that the racist idiot Poindexter refused to prosecute (and frankly barely went through the motions of investigating) Vick over.
Vick has NEVER paid for the crimes of dog killing or dog torture which he committed multiple times over a period of at least six years. There was a preponderance of evidence, including his own statements, and yet the Virginia people decided to let dead dogs lie.
Four games is a gift to this punk and if/when he squanders it I don't think anyone with a brain will be surprised.
I messaged NFL.com's Jason La Canfora via Twitter earlier this evening about Vick and got these responses:
"nfl says vick review is ongoing and no decision has been made on his 09 playing status"
"According to the NFL, ESPN reports about Mike Vick being suspended for four games are incorrect. League says no decision has been made a and a review into Vick's status for the 2009 season is ongoing"
So, who knows?
Geez, some of you "men" need to pull your skirts down. You guys are outraged over a man being able to go back to his job, after serving his debt to society. You would thank he was a terrorist the way some of you react. Bottom line, he is everything that your not. He used his athletic ability to rise from the poverty of Newport News, VA, dominated college football, and was a #1 pick in the NFL Draft. His problem was he never let go of his entourage once he made it. He should have distanced himself from all who didnt have his best interest in mind. Now, i'm not going to say he made a mistake. He made a bad decision. He made a bad decision and was used as an example when given his sentence by the judge. As long as he has learned his lesson, and now helps to eradicate dogfighting, cut the guy some slack. This is a business and as long as he has talent, a team will pay him for his services. GET OVER IT.
Of course he can go back to work and earn a living. Just not in the NFL. He can play football or any other sport he wants. Just not in the NFL. He can be a garbage man, a firefighter (not sure the dalmation would be happy), or a QB in the UFL. Just not the NFL.
Yes, the NFL has allowed some serious character flaws (DUI, manslaughter, etc...) return back, but supportive sentiment (fans, sponsors, fans, fans,) has finally made it clear that a line must be drawn. GODdell has the crayon. So far, so good(dell).
"Of course he can go back to work and earn a living. Just not in the NFL. He can play football or any other sport he wants. Just not in the NFL. He can be a garbage man, a firefighter (not sure the dalmation would be happy), or a QB in the UFL. Just not the NFL.
Yes, the NFL has allowed some serious character flaws (DUI, manslaughter, etc...) return back, but supportive sentiment (fans, sponsors, fans, fans,) has finally made it clear that a line must be drawn. GODdell has the crayon. So far, so good(dell). "
Jealous much?
thecrazytomato says:
July 24, 2009 1:50 AM
"Jealous much?"
You got me! I had to actually schroll up to find out why you would say that. I thought you had some insight into reality. After I read some of your dribble.......
Use English much?
lebowski says:
July 23, 2009 7:34 PM
Didn't you mean to say 'Opps'?
*********
I'm sure he meant to say "oops." What the hell would opps (as in operations) have anything to do with his statement. I hate it when ignorant people try to correct people who are smarter than they are.
LOL, you guys are funny. You don't have a valid argument, so you turn into English professors, trying to catch people on gramatical errors. There is not speel check up here, and most people are at work, while posting and dont bother to spell check. Lay off. And MasterShake , obviously your philosophy is your opinion, however your not the commissioner and your opinions doesn't matter. Vick will be reinstated and he will be a quality QB again.