Arthur Blank about to begin presser (1 Viewer)

[Raider Nation]

Live on ESPN.

 

[Mystery Achiever]

Said they were drafting letter for 4 week suspension when goodell asked them to hold off;sounds like he wanted to be the one to make 1st move

forgot to mention, he said they were not in favor of paid leave.

 

[GATZ]

anything newsworthy or just generic talk ?? can't listen in unfortunately.

 

[Raider Nation]

anything newsworthy or just generic talk ?? can't listen in unfortunately.

Blank said all the PC stuff you'd expect.Questions to Rich McKay are forthcoming.

 

[Mystery Achiever]

just opened up to questions and said they'll stay as longas needed. seems they just want to get it all covered today before training camp; can't blame them. there will be no one-on-one interviews with media.

 

[CA_7]

"paid leave of absence not an option for club"

 

[switz]

Basically, we were going to suspend him, but the league said please don't.

We're here to tell you we're doing what's best for everyone involved, not to cast judgement on Michael Vick.

Please ask all your questions now, we won't answer anymor when camp opens.

We thought about cutting Vick, but were told to hold off on that as well.

 

[burd]

so they're doing nothing?

 

[Joe Davola]

so they're doing nothing?

Not until the NFL completes it's investigation

 

[Raider Nation]

Blank has always been Vick's biggest defender. But I'm getting the vibe that he's speaking about some bum who sleeps in the streets -- very little emotion whatsoever. I get the feeling he's resigned to the fact that Vick is done in Atlanta, though he just danced around that very question.

 

[burd]

man, talk about a nonstory

 

[Mystery Achiever]

man, talk about a nonstory

it was known that nothing would happen before goodell was finished. well, apparently not by you.

 

[Raider Nation]

man, talk about a nonstory

Tell it to the 32,445 reporters in the conference room.

 

[David Yudkin]

I wonder how long the league can play the "still investigating" card before Vick can demand they make a decision.

 

[On The Rocks]

Blank has always been Vick's biggest defender. But I'm getting the vibe that he's speaking about some bum who sleeps in the streets -- very little emotion whatsoever. I get the feeling he's resigned to the fact that Vick is done in Atlanta, though he just danced around that very question.

That is pretty much the same way how I heard it too.

 

[CrossEyed]

I wonder how long the league can play the "still investigating" card before Vick can demand they make a decision.

I'm not sure Vick is in a position to "demand" anything right now.

 

[gianmarco]

Blank has always been Vick's biggest defender. But I'm getting the vibe that he's speaking about some bum who sleeps in the streets -- very little emotion whatsoever. I get the feeling he's resigned to the fact that Vick is done in Atlanta, though he just danced around that very question.

 

[David Yudkin]

I wonder how long the league can play the "still investigating" card before Vick can demand they make a decision.

I'm not sure Vick is in a position to "demand" anything right now.

So if this drags on for two years, Vick would have to wait it out and potentially never be suspended or disciplined but still not be allowed to play?

 

[burd]

man, talk about a nonstory

it was known that nothing would happen before goodell was finished. well, apparently not by you.

oh, it was known huh? wow, your talents are so wasted here on this board .... i think I hear the NFL Network calling you.

 

[Mystery Achiever]

I wonder how long the league can play the "still investigating" card before Vick can demand they make a decision.

I'm not sure Vick is in a position to "demand" anything right now.

So if this drags on for two years, Vick would have to wait it out and potentially never be suspended or disciplined but still not be allowed to play?

They're doing a review of the charges to understand the strength of the case. THere would be no basis for that taking years.

 

[CrossEyed]

I wonder how long the league can play the "still investigating" card before Vick can demand they make a decision.

I'm not sure Vick is in a position to "demand" anything right now.

So if this drags on for two years, Vick would have to wait it out and potentially never be suspended or disciplined but still not be allowed to play?

I don't think there's any chance the Feds move that slow on this thing. The presiding judge is known for moving things along pretty quickly.

 

[FavreCo]

Blank has always been Vick's biggest defender. But I'm getting the vibe that he's speaking about some bum who sleeps in the streets -- very little emotion whatsoever. I get the feeling he's resigned to the fact that Vick is done in Atlanta, though he just danced around that very question.

He's basically stunned that he has paid so much $ to a huge sack of ####.

 

[Mystery Achiever]

They were well-coached by the lawyers for this. Very good about saying things like "the situation Michael finds himself in" vs. "what he did".

 

[nygiants56]

once PETA begins the picketing outside the Falcons' front office, things will most surely change. If he's not given a leave of any sort, PETA will carry on all year long,outside Falcons' games, etc..

Mort on now talking about Goodell suspending him, saying that with all the evidence found on his property , they've got

a watertight case for suspension.

and now it looks like the State of NJ might go after him, that perhaps he bought dogs from NJ to use in Va.:

http://www.nj.com/news/bridgeton/local/ind...xml&coll=10

 

[FTRWRTR]

Vick is dead to the falcons. 90% of the time they referred to him as "the player". I also think it was interesting that they sought the max of a 4 game suspension before the goodell stepped in.

 

[BeTheMatch]

We thought about cutting Vick, but were told to hold off on that as well.

I don't think this is a non-story if they came right out and said they thought about cutting him already.

 

[LHUCKS]

I wonder how long the league can play the "still investigating" card before Vick can demand they make a decision.

I'm not sure Vick is in a position to "demand" anything right now.

So if this drags on for two years, Vick would have to wait it out and potentially never be suspended or disciplined but still not be allowed to play?

I don't think there's any chance the Feds move that slow on this thing. The presiding judge is known for moving things along pretty quickly.

...it's a fast moving district.

 

[CrossEyed]

Let the Joey Harrington era begin!!

 

[FTRWRTR]

once PETA begins the picketing outside the Falcons' front office, things will most surely change. If he's not given a leave of any sort, PETA will carry on all year long,outside Falcons' games, etc..

PETA can protest the falcons all they want the most they could do is suspend vick for 4 games(which is what they tried to do) the person they should protest is roger goodell he is the one with the power

 

[Mystery Achiever]

espn has goodell's conference now; i missed the intro, but i don't *think* it is live.

 

[mad sweeney]

I wonder how long the league can play the "still investigating" card before Vick can demand they make a decision.

I'm not sure Vick is in a position to "demand" anything right now.

Sure he is. He is under contract and has all his rights until he's convicted. Even the NFLPA will have to help him in that regard. Just like when TO was benched in Philly and McNair/Culpepper situations. The NFLPA has to hold up an unconvicted player's rights. It's a bad precedent for the NFLPA to allow the commish dangle a player's fate, not just in this instance but for all similar types. So they and Vick do have a right to demand action.

 

[FTRWRTR]

Let the Joey Harrington era begin!!

Even they know they need a real qb. Who needs four qbs for training camp?

 

[Joe Davola]

Petrino did comment that they would add a QB before training camp. He said they need four arms to run the drills. If that QB is someone who can compete for the number two spot is open.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

Falcons can keep him from not playing, by simply not playing him... coaches decision. However they will have some trouble in keeping him away from team activities.

 

[David Yudkin]

We thought about cutting Vick, but were told to hold off on that as well.

I don't think this is a non-story if they came right out and said they thought about cutting him already.

I thought McKay said they reviewed each and every option available to them and cutting him was included in that review. I did not hear where they said they gave that much consideration or serious thought.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Petrino did comment that they would add a QB before training camp. He said they need four arms to run the drills. If that QB is someone who can compete for the number two spot is open.

I wonder if Stefan Lefors is in football shape.

 

[Mystery Achiever]

We thought about cutting Vick, but were told to hold off on that as well.

I don't think this is a non-story if they came right out and said they thought about cutting him already.

I thought McKay said they reviewed each and every option available to them and cutting them was included in that review. I did not hear where they said they gave that much consideration or serious thought.

i could've missed it, too, david, but my take was they same. that they considered multiple options and were prepared to request the 4 week suspension when goodell intervened.

 

[Mark Wimer]

Some interesting analysis on Goodell's leverage on Vick through the personal conduct policy re: associating with gamblers/gambling. From Pro Football Weekly's Mike Wilkening.

Notice how the NFL's investigation will focus on whether Vick violated league policies, and not just the personal-conduct policy. The indictment alleges Vick gambled on dogfights, and that could put in him in violation of the NFL's policy on gambling, which holds that "associating with gamblers or gambling activities in a manner tending to bring discredit to the NFL" is considered "conduct detrimental" to the NFL. Such conduct, per the policy, could merit "serious" or "severe" penalties.

The personal-conduct policy holds that an employee of the NFL or its member clubs is "held to higher standard and expected to conduct yourself in a way that is responsible, promotes the values upon which the League is based, and is lawful. Persons who fail to live up to this standard of conduct are guilty of conduct detrimental and subject to discipline, even where the conduct itself does not result in a conviction of a crime."

The conduct policy also states that the league may discipline players who have engaged in "conduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity and reputation of the NFL, NFL clubs or NFL players." Discipline, according to the NFL, "may take the form of fines, suspension or banishment from the League and may include a probationary period and conditions that must be satisfied prior to or following reinstatement."

 

[Stealthycat]

a cleared, 100% not guilty will see Vick back in ATL at some point

any convictions, partial or otherwise, by the legal system of by the NFL, and Vick will never put on an ATL jersey again from the tone I got from watching Blank - he's had enough of Vick

 

[cobalt_27]

a cleared, 100% not guilty will see Vick back in ATL at some pointany convictions, partial or otherwise, by the legal system of by the NFL, and Vick will never put on an ATL jersey again from the tone I got from watching Blank - he's had enough of Vick

Therefore...It's pretty safe to assume, he'll never suit up in a Falcons uniform again. But, I think we all already knew that.

 

[LHUCKS]

a cleared, 100% not guilty will see Vick back in ATL at some pointany convictions, partial or otherwise, by the legal system of by the NFL, and Vick will never put on an ATL jersey again from the tone I got from watching Blank - he's had enough of Vick

Therefore...It's pretty safe to assume, he'll never suit up in a Falcons uniform again. But, I think we all already knew that.

I wouldn't ASSume anything. 1/20 Federal indictments don't end with convictions...and Vick's attorneys will be better than most.If I was a betting man I would bet against Vick, but I certainly wouldn't assume his conviction either.

 

[cobalt_27]

a cleared, 100% not guilty will see Vick back in ATL at some pointany convictions, partial or otherwise, by the legal system of by the NFL, and Vick will never put on an ATL jersey again from the tone I got from watching Blank - he's had enough of Vick

Therefore...It's pretty safe to assume, he'll never suit up in a Falcons uniform again. But, I think we all already knew that.

I wouldn't ASSume anything. 1/20 Federal indictments don't end with convictions...and Vick's attorneys will be better than most.If I was a betting man I would bet against Vick, but I certainly wouldn't assume his conviction either.

Probably a semantic issue here. All I know is that if I have a 95% chance of winning a bet, I'm going to assume that bet will be won. Odds dictate there's a chance I could lose, but it's really so marginal that the assumption would dictate the assumption of a more favorable outcome.Call it whatever you want. Vick is probably going to get convicted, and if he does, dontchya' just think that it'll be kinda'-sorta' unlikely that he'll suit up in a Falcons uniform again?

 

[Ozymandias]

I wonder how long the league can play the "still investigating" card before Vick can demand they make a decision.

I'm not sure Vick is in a position to "demand" anything right now.

So if this drags on for two years, Vick would have to wait it out and potentially never be suspended or disciplined but still not be allowed to play?

Depends what you mean by "drag on". He could ask the warden to let him out on Sundays.

 

[Capella]

a cleared, 100% not guilty will see Vick back in ATL at some pointany convictions, partial or otherwise, by the legal system of by the NFL, and Vick will never put on an ATL jersey again from the tone I got from watching Blank - he's had enough of Vick

Therefore...It's pretty safe to assume, he'll never suit up in a Falcons uniform again. But, I think we all already knew that.

I wouldn't ASSume anything. 1/20 Federal indictments don't end with convictions...and Vick's attorneys will be better than most.If I was a betting man I would bet against Vick, but I certainly wouldn't assume his conviction either.

at 1/20...that's not a good sign.

 

[John Mamula]

a cleared, 100% not guilty will see Vick back in ATL at some pointany convictions, partial or otherwise, by the legal system of by the NFL, and Vick will never put on an ATL jersey again from the tone I got from watching Blank - he's had enough of Vick

Therefore...It's pretty safe to assume, he'll never suit up in a Falcons uniform again. But, I think we all already knew that.

I wouldn't ASSume anything. 1/20 Federal indictments don't end with convictions...and Vick's attorneys will be better than most.If I was a betting man I would bet against Vick, but I certainly wouldn't assume his conviction either.

at 1/20...that's not a good sign.

i got 2 outs after the turn.ALL IN

 

[twistd]

once PETA begins the picketing outside the Falcons' front office, things will most surely change. If he's not given a leave of any sort, PETA will carry on all year long,outside Falcons' games, etc..

PETA can protest the falcons all they want the most they could do is suspend vick for 4 games(which is what they tried to do) the person they should protest is roger goodell he is the one with the power

Vick has played his last down in the NFL. He will end up taking a leave for a year, until this is trial is settled. He will be convicted. He will go to jail. I believe we have seen the last of Vick as an NFL player.

 

[Raider Nation]

a cleared, 100% not guilty will see Vick back in ATL at some point

any convictions, partial or otherwise, by the legal system of by the NFL, and Vick will never put on an ATL jersey again from the tone I got from watching Blank - he's had enough of Vick

Therefore...It's pretty safe to assume, he'll never suit up in a Falcons uniform again. But, I think we all already knew that.

I wouldn't ASSume anything. 1/20 Federal indictments don't end with convictions...and Vick's attorneys will be better than most.If I was a betting man I would bet against Vick, but I certainly wouldn't assume his conviction either.

at 1/20...that's not a good sign.

This info is accurate, but it's a bit misleading.90% of federal indictments result in a plea bargain. Of the 10% who don't cop a plea, they are only successful 5% of the time.

 

[BeTheMatch]

a cleared, 100% not guilty will see Vick back in ATL at some point

any convictions, partial or otherwise, by the legal system of by the NFL, and Vick will never put on an ATL jersey again from the tone I got from watching Blank - he's had enough of Vick

Therefore...It's pretty safe to assume, he'll never suit up in a Falcons uniform again. But, I think we all already knew that.

I wouldn't ASSume anything. 1/20 Federal indictments don't end with convictions...and Vick's attorneys will be better than most.If I was a betting man I would bet against Vick, but I certainly wouldn't assume his conviction either.

at 1/20...that's not a good sign.

This info is accurate, but it's a bit misleading.90% of federal indictments result in a plea bargain. Of the 10% who don't cop a plea, they are only successful 5% of the time.

Where did you get that? A lawyer on sports radio in Minneapolis this week said the feds basically never plea bargain.

 

[Raider Nation]

a cleared, 100% not guilty will see Vick back in ATL at some point

any convictions, partial or otherwise, by the legal system of by the NFL, and Vick will never put on an ATL jersey again from the tone I got from watching Blank - he's had enough of Vick

Therefore...It's pretty safe to assume, he'll never suit up in a Falcons uniform again. But, I think we all already knew that.

I wouldn't ASSume anything. 1/20 Federal indictments don't end with convictions...and Vick's attorneys will be better than most.If I was a betting man I would bet against Vick, but I certainly wouldn't assume his conviction either.

at 1/20...that's not a good sign.

This info is accurate, but it's a bit misleading.90% of federal indictments result in a plea bargain. Of the 10% who don't cop a plea, they are only successful 5% of the time.

Where did you get that? A lawyer on sports radio in Minneapolis this week said the feds basically never plea bargain.

One of the legal types on ESPN radio today.BELIEVE ME... I hope I heard it incorrectly. If Vick does -no- jail time, I'll be furious.

 

[Bri]

"paid leave of absence not an option for club"

From NFL yesterday:Commissioner Roger Goodell has ordered Michael Vick of the Atlanta Falcons not to report to the team’s training camp pending the completion of an NFL review of his recent indictment by a federal grand jury in Richmond, Virginia, for allegedly participating in an interstate dog-fighting enterprise.

Commissioner Goodell informed Vick that the review would be completed as soon as possible and that Vick’s full cooperation is expected.

In a letter to Vick today, Commissioner Goodell said: “While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the National Football League to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies, including the Personal Conduct Policy.”

Vick will not forfeit his preseason pay during his excused absence from training camp.

Commissioner Goodell also directed the Falcons today to withhold any contemplated team discipline regarding the Vick matter until the NFL review is completed.