Frankly, we’re not sure that it helps quarterback Mike Vick to have T.O. going to bat for him, suggesting that Commissioner Roger Goodell should “go sit in jail for 23 months.”
But Vick has another supporter with slightly more juice when it comes to persuading the powers that be.
Former Bucs and Colts coach Tony Dungy, who previously has been coy on this issue, said this morning that Vick should not be suspended in 2009.
“I tend to agree with Terrell Owens on this,” Dungy told Dan Patrick “I feel like he’s missed 32 games already and missed a ton of money.”
But then Dungy seemed to support the notion of a four-game suspension aimed at helping Vick transition back into the game.
So, basically, if the goal in suspending Vick is to advance the purposes of the Personal Conduct Policy, Dungy disagrees. But if the goal is to assist Vick’s return, then Dungy is OK with it.
He also thinks that the Colts would be a good fit for Vick. And it makes us wonder whether Peyton Manning’s team would be sniffing around Vick if Dungy hadn’t called it quits after the 2008 season.
But Dungy undermined his own position that Vick should receive no further punishment when discussing the situation involving Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Dungy says that coach Mike Tomlin should have a heart-to-heart talk with Roethlisberger, in an effort to find out whether Roethlisberger did what he’s accused of doing.
Here’s the reality — the Falcons did just that two years ago with Vick, and he lied to them.
Repeatedly.
Finally, Dungy suggested that Vick would not be a “bad option” for the Vikings (we can’t say we disagree with that), or any other team that needs a quarterback.
“If I was at a place that needed a quarterback,” Dungy said, “I would try to get him there.”
Here’s the bottom line: winning.
If Vick can help a team win more games, then they should sign him. If not, don’t sign him.
When is Dungy going to visit Matt Jones?
Look, I’m not racist but the fact of the matter is Dungy loves the race card, not in the stereotypical way, but he constantly supports Vick (as well as other minority players in trouble) and has believed the best in him the whole time, even while Vick was lying to EVERYONE about it. Dungy only proves the point (or furthers the perception anyway) by speaking out regarding Roethlisberger. If Roethlisberger were a black QB, I wonder Dungy would say?!…I’m not saying, I’m just sayin’…and in the mean time, Tony, stop talking to the media about stuff that doesn’t involve/concern you.
Shouldn’t Dungy be reading his bible or something? I thought he retired.
He needs to STFU.
Dungy undermined his position on Vick when discussing the Rothl-somethin’ issue? ehem, uh, excuse but last I checked a rape issue trumps dog-killing gambler everytime!
I would hope that Dungy considers the Rothl-somethin’ case a very different thing than the Vick thing.
Florio, you’re out of your mind equivocating these two things in order to make a point about Dungy. He in no way contradicts himself here. It’s a rape accusation you idiot!!
Never underestimate haterism. Its ability to make otherwise intelligent individuals sound foolish is well documented. ;/
The NFL specifically & Nation in general need a lot more men like Tony Dungy and fewer of Florio’s ilk.
Unfortunately, the standard is and always will give way (more and more) to the latter.
Oh well….it is what it is.
Dungy lost all credibility when he visited the Piece of shit in prison.
How much money did the taxpayers lose by having to investigate, prosecute, incarcerate, and supervise Vick? Don’t make an argument based on lost income. He pissed it all away when he had it. The only losers are his creditors–they could have recovered more in his bankruptcy proceedings if he had been playing the past two years.
Tony Sanctimony strikes again!!
and another thing… or 2…
polian runs the personnel show in indy. dungy didnt. somehow i dont see bill polian picking up vick.
and while i say florio has indulged in some pollyannaish musing re vick lately and whether he should be reinstated, he does keep bringing up vick’s violence toward animals (not legally punished), lying, gambling, drug use, etc.
facts arent hate. facts are also stubborn things.
hate is foisting stupidity and evil on other people.
like vick and obama.
Dungy needs to continue to focus his attention on problem players WHO HAVE BEEN IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW! If that means that the majority of them have been black and they have then thats where his attention will be….Is Matt Jones in Jail????? NOooooooooooo Can and should he talk to him??? Of course I dont see where it would hurt but his focus APPEARS to be on men eho have been in jail and are planning on transitioning out of it….Maybe some of you who have a problem should look deeper instead of trying to spin it like “he is only for the black men” when that isnt the case at all! Listen Im black and in my race we have plenty of problems…WE NEED more people like Dungy to help the men who have never had fathers or need that man figure to guide them along their path of making RIGHT DECISIONS! It is what it is….But we need more of him and all he is trying to do is support the man getting back in…STOP ALL THE HATE! Regardless of yor feelings he will play! Thats why YOU HATERS watch the game and the real decisions makers make it exciting by keeping us fans watching…If we allowed some of you to play Goodell your stadiums would be half full because of all your dumb A– rules and hypocritical decisions…..Enjoy Vick in 09′
Vick would be the third or fourth best QB in Vikings training camp if he were to sign there. There’s a chance he could make the team but almost no chance he makes them better than they were last year.
“And it makes us wonder whether Peyton Manning’s team would be sniffing around Vick if Dungy hadn’t called it quits after the 2008 season.”
Yeah, I’ve also thought that. I’ve said the team that signs Vick needs to be a team that regularly takes risks on “character-issue” players without ever taking any heat for it from the media. Indy and Pitt seem the most fitting teams by that description.
Michael Vick, Quincy Carter…why does anybody think it will end any different?
As an NFL quarterback you have to be able to throw the football with accuracy on a weekly basis. Vick doesn’t have that ability.
Is it just me, or is anyone else sick and tired of reading about the legal issues associated with Vick/Buress/Stallworth/Roethlisger. (Yeah, I know skip the article). I could care less if GODdell suspends them, fines them, never lets them play, or sends them to Guantanamo Bay for that matter. If they play, fine…If not, i’m sure as hell not going to miss them. It’s not like they were wronged….Every one of these clowns brought it on themselves….Enough already…Let’s just play some damn Football….Hell, the pre season can’t come soon enough
The liberal attitude in the U.S. towards felons, thugs, and scum is just pathetic. It’s obvious our justice system doesn’t work at all, or crime would be greatly reduced. We need a system that not only teaches a lesson to the perpetrator, but to others in their community as well. Criminals shouldn’t be put back up on a pedestal when they get out of prison. Their debt to society should be paid for the rest of their lives as an example to others what will happen when you commit a major offense. Thinking that letting a felon back into a high profile position is just absolutely short sighted and selfish. Not only that, it’s also being part of the problem. Our liberal second chance system has failed. It’s time to get hard on crime and make examples of everyone who breaks the law.
If Dungy says Vick shouldn’t be suspend him at all, then go ahead and suspend him for the season.
This guy’s self righteousness sickens me. He is not a part of any leam or the league at large at this point. He needs to STFU, go away and ride his high horse off into the sunset.
Dungy did the right thing, Its something our way of life needs more of. Understanding, and forgiveness. Vick did something dumb (really dumb) can’t really say the punishment fit the crime, but he stuck it out. hadn’t cried about it. did it, it’s over and trying to move on, and be a better person. …. T.O. is right, the guy is down. Pissed away a load of money, and now trying to turn things around, to further punish him is just dumb on any level. . . . .
Why is it that with Vick, the legal system’s punishment is to be used by the NFL for it’s punishment, and now that he has served his time legally he should automatically be allowed back in?
Why isn’t the same true for everyone else who has broken the league’s conduct policy? Pacman, Tank, Chris Henry, etc… I could go on and on but the league has added suspensions to dozens of players in addition to any of their legal penalties… why should Vick be any different?
Either the league has it’s own individual conduct policy, or they rely on the legal system… you can’t have both.
How is saying that a coach should talk to his player to find out if the allegations are true a contradiction to his stance on Vick? If I were a coach I would want to talk to my player to find out what is going on too even if it was Vick or anyone else in that situation!
As far as Vick, he was suspended by the league prior to ever being convicted in the court of law so basically he’s already served about a 13 game suspension prior to even going to jail.
Now comparing Vick to Quincy Carter… Quincy Carter has never taken a team to the playoffs and won. Vick came close to single handedly carrying Atlanta past Philly to go the the NFC conference championship game in his sophomore season under Reeves. His downfall (production wise) came when he had the season ending injury in Pre-season his 3rd season and Atlanta sucked which lead to Reeves getting fired. Then Mora came in Vicks 4th season and installed a west coast offense which didn’t fit his playing style.
As far as saying he can’t throw accurately on a weekly bases. Not many QB’s will throw accurately when your #1 receiver is Brian Finneran or Peerless Price. Put Manning in a system with Price or Finneran as his #1 WR’s and see how his completion % looks.
Let the man play this situation is over blown over fighting dogs!
i’m all about good football. but heres the reality. its a privelege to play. if you screw it up, your done in my book. bottom line. sorry goto canada and play some ball
Tell it like it is Dungy. If T.O. is going to run his mouth anyway, at least this time it is not all about him. Many people seem like they do not have a clue as to even be able to imagine of what 23 months in jail is even like. I sure it wasn’t pleasant. Either way the justice system (THE PEOPLE WHO ARE QUALIFIED) chose the 23 month sentence to be adequate enough punishment for the crime he committed and I’m sure they knew far more true details about his crime than any of those who are SO bothered about him playing again. The QUALIFIED people gave him the allotted time to serev for his actions and Goodell should not be above the law as to say they were wrong by adding more game suspensions to Vick. Is Goodell above the law? Is he more qualified, knowledgable, been ganted more authority than the Judge who sentenced Vick? I think not and so he shouldn’t act like it.
If I go to jail, I lose my job. That’s because my job has integrity. If Goodell wants to bring integrity to the game, he will do the same. Or, at the very least, not allow anyone with a felony on their record to be allowed to play in the NFL.
1) Chances of the Colts picking up Mike Vick = ZERO!
2) Indy would be a horrible place for Vick since he wants to play…number of games missed in Peyton’s career = ZERO
3) Refer back to rule #1
“if the goal is to assist him, then it’s ok”
Dungy’s lost it.
Cunby says:
July 27, 2009 12:04 PM
Dungy did the right thing, Its something our way of life needs more of. Understanding, and forgiveness. Vick did something dumb (really dumb) can’t really say the punishment fit the crime, but he stuck it out. hadn’t cried about it. did it, it’s over and trying to move on, and be a better person. …. T.O. is right, the guy is down. Pissed away a load of money, and now trying to turn things around, to further punish him is just dumb on any level. . . . .
___________________________________
Not just something “dumb”, but something WRONG.
There’s a difference (although actions can be both at the same time).
Vick didn’t just “make a mistake”. He thought about and planned, then designed, then funded, and then led/conducted an enormous inter-state criminal enterprise that resulted in the torture and death of countless dogs.
For sport.
And then he lied about it. Repeatedly.
That’s a lot more than one moment’s bad judgement.
Can he ever be forgiven? Yes, sure. He’s served his time, lost money, in all paid a pretty big price.
But should he be REWARDED? Restored to a postion of social PRIVILEGE?
Allowed to play a sport and make millions again? “Put on a pedestal”? Have his face and name and character put out there for the world to embrace again? Celebrated for his athletic heroics again, applauded, marketed, beamed back into our living rooms every Sunday afternoon?
F*ck no. Not in my opinion.
Some “mistakes” are just too big, even for athletic ability to trump.
Having said all that–if he plays, I hope he goes to the Vikings, where, as an overhyped loser with character issues, he’d fit right in…
Florio, you know as well as the rest of us that Vick in his prime was one of the worst starting QB’s in the NFL. The guy has no decision making skills and his throwing accuracy is bad at best. He just served a long prison term after committing atrocities against man’s best friend and he repeatedly lied to his coaches, Arther Blank, police and someone else who happens to be the commissoner of the NFL. The guy has proven himself to be a giant turd over and over again, and always will be.
Now, the turd is a lot older, a lot slower and he just got out of prison… and suddenly we’re supposed to think that he’s going to come back and be a better QB than when he left?
What the hell happened to you Florio? You used to rail on Vick daily about how bad he was as a QB. You used to refer to him as a RB, because his only decent skill was his ability to run and he used to brag about rushing for 1000 yards in one season.
Now all of a sudden you think he should be reinstated and starting for an NFL team???
What the hell happened?
Are your sponsors changing your mind, or have you just lost it on your own?
Dungy needs to spend his time picking up Reeses Pieces and trying to build his phone so he can call home and have the alien spaceship come pick him up.
If some of you haven’t figured it out yet, Goodell is taking strong stances on anything that is media crazy, i.e. Spygate, Vick, Stallworth, Burress, (notice how HGH isn’t has high on his priority list?)
He is going to make an example out of anything along these lines as he is still in the mindset of letting everyone know who the sheriff is.
Do you think the Pats would’ve been penalized as much if Tagliaubue were still at the helm? They would’ve recieved the same punishment at the Broncos and Niners received, but Goodell wanted to make ripples, make that tsunamis to prove himself…
Politics plays a role everywhere…
The more Dungy talks, the less i’m listening. He cheapens his input by repeating the same stuff that is obviously biased in some way, shape, or form.
yawn, tony, yawn.
Why do a lot of people think Vick should come back right away and earn a living? Boo-hoo he missed 32 games where he should have got paid…WAAAAHH…if Average Joe goes to jail for 2 years, he losses his job and can barely find any job because he’s an ex-con but Vick should be different why? And no, T.O, the commish shouldn’t have to sit in prison..there’s 2 kinds of people in this world: smart people who will never go to jail and moronic bad people who can’t stop getting in trouble with the law
I’ve agreed with Florio long along on this, Vick still needs to prove that he can function in normal society so he can have the privilege to earn a great living playing a game.
Joe-Fin……Florio might be an idiot, but you’re def. CLUELESS!…Vick’s was a criminal case, Ben’s is NOT!!!
DPR……3rd or 4th best QB? Seriously??? Vick could sit out 4 more yrs. & return as a better QB than T. Jax & would be a better QB than Sage Rose by the end of camp this year.
Tony Dungy should shut his mouth. Every time he opens it, I lose more respect for him.
Yes, Michael Vick has paid his debt to society. And yes, he should be given a second chance to live in society (as opposed to behind bars). To be given a second chance though, does NOT automatically mean that he should be given access to an elite organization like the NFL. He had that opportunity and flushed it all away. If he wants to make amends, or whatever, let him have the same opportunities as every other convicted felon.
can someone SERIOUSLY explain to me why ppl believe Vick has not been punished enough and deserves to rot in hell for his crime against DOGS!!! I am not saying what he did is not disgusting or disgraceful but lets get real…he committed a crime against animals…it seems to me that American society and to be blunt about it and more specific “white America” is more passionate about crimes against animals than crimes against humans!
“But Dungy undermined his own position that Vick should receive no further punishment…” I missed the logic behind this statement. I know this site publishes lots of things secondhand without looking into the source, but that should not be the case in serious issues.
What’s his take on o j!!!!!
Vick’s crimes were heinous and took place over a span of 6 years. He should not represent the NFL.
I’ve lost some respect for Dungy since he is backing Vick now.
If MLB was as soft Pete Rose would have been in the Hall of Fame years ago.
How many convicted felons are in pro baseball? Maybe Goodell should ask Selig his secret?
Also, I bet there are awkward moments in the locker room every time a bar of soap hits the floor.
empty13 you are empty headed and wouldn’t know a fact if it slapped you in the face while you were cleaning your gun.
vick and obama? seriously.
how about vick and cheney. the man who got rich off of iraq. the man who wanted to send troops into buffalo, NY. those are facts. deal with it.
Oakland is always looking for another crook or outlaw and how about Cleveland or is it San Diego who have had half of their team in jail. They can compare prison tatoos while on the bench. I wouldn’t sign Vick for my flag football team. Just like his brother stepping on another player and getting caught, let both of these pot heads rot.
Ever since Dungy’s kid committed suicide, Tony has been out to save every fool in the NFL.
Tip for Tony D: Get a UFL franchise and stock it with all the human waste you can.
Stir and enjoy!
man screw it i’m gonna goto jail. it seems as though i have a better chance of becoming an athlete in any pro level (ie, baseball, football, boxing, race car drivers?) than i have right now. for some reason having “ex-con” on my resume might get me into the second tier of interviews. i think he should try the bengals, they are a team that has been raised from d-block. or is it c-block?
bobbysworld – WTF does “white America” have to do with it. Is your position that “black/hispanic America” is more ok with crimes against animals.
Or is it that “black/hispanic America” is more compassionate than “white America”?
I think the more accurate position is your a fkn idiot.
4 games is a lot but it will definitely help him ease back into the nfl… teams arent feeling the need to rush and bring him into camp. the media is going to blow this whole thing out of proportion
by the way, who cares what Dungy thinks????
Pete Rose gets a lifetime ban for GAMBLING and they are thinking of letting VICK back in the NFL? HMMMM….sounds like bottom line it is about the $$$ for NFL.
VICK Should be BANNED for LIFE from NFL. Go play in the UFL or get a real 9-5 job like the rest of America.
You screwed up, you knew what you were doing, and YOU GOT CAUGHT!!! Pay the price and earn a living like everyone else.
You dug your grave now LIE IN IT!!!
Let Vick compete for a job. If he’s any good, he gets a roster spot. If not, he goes away.
Why argue on the internet if he can play or not, or if anyone would want him?
SixBurghDude says:
“Joe-Fin……Florio might be an idiot, but you’re def. CLUELESS!…Vick’s was a criminal case, Ben’s is NOT!!!”
Spoken like a true Homer.
@ CSB1000 my point is neither that “blacks/hispanic Americans” are more ok with crimes against animals or that they are more compassionate than “white Americans” my point is that “white Americans seems to be more passionate about crimes against animals and that “black/ hispanic” Americans tend to be more forgiving about them. I am basing my statements on nothing but assumptions but, I bet if you were to take a poll the number of “white Americans” who want Vick banished to hell and banned from the league for life would heavily out weigh the “black/ hispanic” Americans that did. Do you disagree with that? Personally I think that the history of hardships faced by minority groups make them less concerned with crimes against animals as opposed to those against other human beings!
His suspension should have come AFTER he was released from jail. Should be 2 seperate issues.
WTF good is it to suspend him from games he could not attend anyway because he was in jail.
He should have been suspended for one season after his sentence.
NFL is not a “right”- check the constitution.
Vick should get 4 games just for the failed pot test alone or more if he was already in the system.
kello says:
July 27, 2009 1:36 PM
empty13 you are empty headed and wouldn’t know a fact if it slapped you in the face while you were cleaning your gun.
vick and obama? seriously.
how about vick and cheney. the man who got rich off of iraq. the man who wanted to send troops into buffalo, NY. those are facts. deal with it.
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Well shuck my corn and call me surprised:
an Ozombie AND a Vick supporter, rolled into one…?!?!
STOP THE PRESSES!!
I love “facts” from reputable sources like MTV.
(It’s almost like getting “facts” from Florio…)
Truth is, Vick’s criminal enterprise was but a wee tinkle in the ocean, compared to the generational rip-off of trillions happening now…
Dungy is going to end up being the Jimmy Carter of the NFL.
although its probable that goodell’s decisions are influenced from everyone from the fans ( highly doubtful though), as well as the trustees, i say that he should have a tougher stance on the players that he allows to enter “his” league. he should open his eyes, and start to clean house. there needs to be an example of what happens if you screw up. your not a god, your just alot faster and taller than i am. yes you do make mistakes like myself, but my life would be ruined if i went to jail. of course if i knew i would get a getoutofjail alot quicker card along with the getyouroldjobback card if i were to become a pro athlete, i think i would have lifted a lot more in high school.
Dungy is speaking out because often times thats what us minorities have to do.I guess you people who are not black wouldnt understand that.Hey Folks People still descriminate because of color.I know a lot of you fine people are not RACIST,but man i tell ya i,m 47 years old an i,m black man this shyt wears you out.I just dont understand why people find so much wrong with a race of people when they are responsible for the most BS all over the world.Please dont let this shyt turn racial all these are men black men and we as people have to stand together and say this and that to support one another because we dont get the help of certain people.So some of you please keep ur comments fair and not about race because the world would be beeter of without you not me
Peace for the black man.
For a few years it became tedious listening to sportscaster after sportscaster talk about Michael Vick as the greatest quarterback in a generation.
He is, or was, a great athlete, who chose to take a lot of money before finishing college and then, from his first year as a pro, planned, carried out, and made a lot of money, as well as killing innocent animals.
He was never a great quarterback.
Terry Bradshaw was exactly right when he challenged Vick (just 2 months before he was discovered) to prove his greatness and win just ONE super bowl. He challenged him to study his craft as Peyton Manning and Tom Brady did, working during the summer to watch game film, learn the playbook, become a complete player.
I doubt that he ever would have taken that advice. He was too busy abusing animals and making money.
too bad.
‘n2DEEP’
Please refrain from your racist comments.
You just gotta love Dungy,he belives in everyone,but it was’nt his dogs or mine,all I can think is what if is was?enough said….
When was Dungy EVER “coy” about supporting Vick? Seems I remember he was talking about second chances and mistakes people make etc, as soon as Vick was busted..