Michael Vick (1 Viewer)

[Jeff Tefertiller]

John Clayton reported that Vick will draw interest from several teams. According to Clayton, he has been in contact with the commissioner's office in an attempt to play next season.

Where does he play in 2009?

How many games does Vick have to sit out?

How effective can he be after the time off?

How big of a PR nightmare will it be for a team that signs him?

In dynasty leagues, is it too early to start picking him up?

Thoughts

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

23 months (or whatever) in a federal penitentiary is no joke. What he did was awful, and I think he deserved his punishment. But he did the time - and should be allowed to resume working. Just like any other ex-con.

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

Seriously, I think someone with better writing skills than myself should start an online petition (http://www.ipetitions.com/start-petition/).

The basis would be that if he is reinstated the signers would boycott all services and products advertised during NFL games.

I firmly believe being a professional athlete is a privilege, not a right. Guys like Vick, Pacman, Chris Henry should be given chances in society, not pro sports.

Just my opinion...

 

[loose circuits]

wow, a lot of harsh people. I think we should give him a 2nd chance. Let him make something of his life and pay off his financial debts as he is halfway home of paying his debt to society.

He's been punished by the courts, I'm sure he now regrets his actions.

 

[Bill S]

John Clayton reported that Vick will draw interest from several teams. According to Clayton, he has been in contact with the commissioner's office in an attempt to play next season. Where does he play in 2009?How many games does Vick have to sit out? How effective can he be after the time off?How big of a PR nightmare will it be for a team that signs him?In dynasty leagues, is it too early to start picking him up?Thoughts

I think he is an idiot for having every thing in his name. Where is his agent? Someone to tell him to put nothing in his name. Judging by the interviews that other NFLers gave, it seems like a good amount of them engage in dog fighting. I think it is silly, but really don't care.Mike Vick has done his time and now it is time for us to let him move on. Screw PETA as they will be protesting wherever he goes. What? Is he never allowed to do anything again because he engaged in illegal dog fighting?

 

[Ozymandias]

23 months (or whatever) in a federal penitentiary is no joke. What he did was awful, and I think he deserved his punishment. But he did the time - and should be allowed to resume working. Just like any other ex-con.

Exactly. And he should be given back his old job, just like any ex-embezzler who worked at a bank.

 

[Yenrub]

23 months (or whatever) in a federal penitentiary is no joke. What he did was awful, and I think he deserved his punishment. But he did the time - and should be allowed to resume working. Just like any other ex-con.

 

[Mr. Peterson]

He sits a whole year at least.

 

[Diamond One]

I think we will see him back at some point as a back-up QB to start. Great question about picking him up in dynasty formats... I suppose if you have the depth, it might be worth a shot (I know some who have V. Young on the rolls for the same reason). Personally? I'm gonna wait.

 

[jesseasi]

I can't believe all the bashing on Vick. What he did is deplorable - but he is paying for it and serving his time. He has lost pretty much everything and had to file bankruptcy.

How do you guys feel about Leonard Little? I mean he only killed a women driving drunk in 1998. Then has made about 20 million since. Including another drunk driving conviction in 2004. In my opinion his offense is only 1000x worse than Vicks seeing how he actually KILLED a person then was stupid enough to get caught drunk driving AGAIN.

Or how do you guys feel about Pacman Jones? This guy is yet another dirt bag - In the middle of a fight and shooting at a strip club in Las Vegas that left one man PARALYZED and two more wounded. The fight started after Jones showered strippers on stage with over $80,000 dollars. The club owner claims Jones was beating a strippers head against the bar while threatening to kill one of the club’s employees.

How about Travis Henry? Travis Henry has fathered at least nine children among nine women. ESPN's Chris Mortenson also reported this during an episode of 'Sunday NFL Countdown' on October 7, 2007. Other reports state that he has had to borrow money from the Titans after falling behind in his child-support payments.

I am sure the list can go on and on and on.

I am not saying I agree with any of the stuff these guys have done - but if these other guys got their 2nd chance - I think Vick deserves on too.

 

[Tau837]

The poll is flawed in terms of the games he'll have to sit out. There are more than just the listed options. I voted 8 games but I really think he'll be suspended for a year. And I think that is appropriate.

I think there probably will be a market for his services, but not a big one. I don't think any team will sign him to be a starter, given he's been out of the game and wasn't really as good as his hype to begin with. And if he is signed to be a backup, it will be hard for a team to accept all the negative publicity that comes with that for a backup.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

2010

 

[NeverEnough]

He (over)paid his debt to society IMO.

Time to move on & let him live.

 

[Kevrunner]

I think he should be able to play, he has or will have paid his debt to society and should be given every opportunity to pursue his ability to make a living. But, I can only imagine the anger the fans will show him at each and every game, which he will deserve as a result of his inhumane actions.

 

[Chachi]

Mike Vick might get to play in 2009 if Goodell doesn't suspend or ban him outright. I really wouldn't be shocked first of all if Goodell just told him he's banned for life, would be the right PR move for the NFL.

If Vick does come back, he has missed alot of time, he hasn't been injured so it's not like he's around a team and working out for football. His skills, especially his speed I think will be diminished quite a bit, I don't even see him getting a shot at QB, definately not a starter.

The amount of protest, increased security, the absolute freakshow this will become will not warrant him being on a team since he's not going to even be a starter. I think his career in the league is over.

 

[moderated]

He (over)paid his debt to society IMO.Time to move on & let him live.

He spent more time behind bars then those who have committed far worse crimes.He was made an example due to being high profile, very few people have ever been put away for as long as he was for dogfighting crimes.Those who can't forgive him should be ashamed of themselves.

 

[Chachi]

How big of a PR nightmare will it be for a team that signs him?

This is the most important question where the Vick fanboys won't like the reality.Vick is not worth the headache, a possible backup QB is not worth the horrendous PR a team will get for a has been.

 

[Chachi]

He (over)paid his debt to society IMO.Time to move on & let him live.

He spent more time behind bars then those who have committed far worse crimes.He was made an example due to being high profile, very few people have ever been put away for as long as he was for dogfighting crimes.Those who can't forgive him should be ashamed of themselves.

I enjoy watching people fishing but not when it involves pretending to stick up for a pig like Mike Vick.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

The answer to all this is: Oakland, right?

Oakland is so awful in their team management they would do it, maybe put him behind a Russell, and if Russell got hurt or flopped maybe he would then play. The whole Wildcat / Double Wing offense revival sure makes Vick look obsolete. If you want a direct snap to a RB then just direct snap to the RB.

Atlanta seemed to play him after the time of his real effectiveness apparently due to the investment they had laid into him. Yes, I know he had a winning record for his career, but look at what Ryan is doing now, what did they lose during those years by basically distorting their offenses to suit him, and when they fell behind, that was it, forget it, the Falcons were done. Does anyone remember when Roddy White and Jenkins supposedly couldn't "catch"????

Really, besides Oakland, and getting past the conditioning and personality issues (ex-con in the locker room anyone?) and p.r. problems (ditto), just what teams have QB issues so bad that Vick is even a stopgap solution.

To his credit, Bobby Douglass continued to play backup QB in the NFL even after his running talents ceased to be useful as full time gig, but that's about it in terms of precedent. Douglass had 22 TD's rushing in his career, Vick? 21. If someone turns Vick into a multi-purpose H-back in the old Wing offense tradition maybe we'll be getting somewhere, but only if there is a real, reliable QB on that team managing things.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DougBo00.htm

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/V/VickMi00.htm

 

[Couch Potato]

He'll be a 49er. The whole front office is such a mess, the QB situation is such a mess, that more PR problems won't matter.

 

[Bill S]

John Clayton reported that Vick will draw interest from several teams. According to Clayton, he has been in contact with the commissioner's office in an attempt to play next season. Where does he play in 2009?How many games does Vick have to sit out? How effective can he be after the time off?How big of a PR nightmare will it be for a team that signs him?In dynasty leagues, is it too early to start picking him up?Thoughts

I think he is an idiot for having every thing in his name. Where is his agent? Someone to tell him to put nothing in his name. Judging by the interviews that other NFLers gave, it seems like a good amount of them engage in dog fighting. I think it is silly, but really don't care.Mike Vick has done his time and now it is time for us to let him move on. Screw PETA as they will be protesting wherever he goes. What? Is he never allowed to do anything again because he engaged in illegal dog fighting?

Horrible point because unlike the banker who was arrested for crimes committed in conjunction with his job, Vick's crimes had absolutely nothing to do with his job.

 

[Bill S]

Mike Vick might get to play in 2009 if Goodell doesn't suspend or ban him outright. I really wouldn't be shocked first of all if Goodell just told him he's banned for life, would be the right PR move for the NFL.If Vick does come back, he has missed alot of time, he hasn't been injured so it's not like he's around a team and working out for football. His skills, especially his speed I think will be diminished quite a bit, I don't even see him getting a shot at QB, definately not a starter.The amount of protest, increased security, the absolute freakshow this will become will not warrant him being on a team since he's not going to even be a starter. I think his career in the league is over.

Exactly. I don't think that the NFL should suspend him. They should make an example out of him and let him play just like he was made an example of for his high-profile status to begin with. He paid his debt. He is broke and has spend over a year behind bars. Unlike Pacman who needed to spend time behind bars. Let the man play.

 

[-baller]

Horrible point because unlike the banker who was arrested for crimes committed in conjunction with his job, Vick's crimes had absolutely nothing to do with his job.

uh....wasn't he running a giant interstate gambling ring?

 

[renesauz]

Horrible point because unlike the banker who was arrested for crimes committed in conjunction with his job, Vick's crimes had absolutely nothing to do with his job.

uh....wasn't he running a giant interstate gambling ring?

And for that reason I think the commisioner is far more likely to ban him for life then let him back in in 2009. I think a one year suspension is very easily justified and should be the minimal. (And no....a suspension shouldn't be concurrent with federal jail time)

 

[Bill S]

Horrible point because unlike the banker who was arrested for crimes committed in conjunction with his job, Vick's crimes had absolutely nothing to do with his job.

uh....wasn't he running a giant interstate gambling ring?

Please read posts fully before responding...The who argument is that dog fighting has nothing to do with his job.And if you are trying to link gambling into conflicting with his job, as long as he didn't bet on the NFL, there is no conflict.

 

[Truman]

Seriously, I think someone with better writing skills than myself should start an online petition (http://www.ipetitions.com/start-petition/).

The basis would be that if he is reinstated the signers would boycott all services and products advertised during NFL games.

I firmly believe being a professional athlete is a privilege, not a right. Guys like Vick, Pacman, Chris Henry should be given chances in society, not pro sports.

Just my opinion...

Excellent, so we can take that to mean that you currently support the regime that gives second chances to rapists and convicted felons, but draw the line at cruelty to animals. Fine set of values you have there.

 

[Truman]

Horrible point because unlike the banker who was arrested for crimes committed in conjunction with his job, Vick's crimes had absolutely nothing to do with his job.

uh....wasn't he running a giant interstate gambling ring?

And for that reason I think the commisioner is far more likely to ban him for life then let him back in in 2009. I think a one year suspension is very easily justified and should be the minimal. (And no....a suspension shouldn't be concurrent with federal jail time)

He was suspended before he was charged or questioned, and it hasn't been removed. He's currently serving the longest suspension in league history.....for dogfighting.......

 

[Ladsud]

We should just round up every single criminal out there and shot them in the head. Screw people possibly being rehabilitated and wishing to resume there life. With that said I hope the lions sign the guy.

 

[Dennis]

Why would any fantasy guy want him?

 

[thatguy]

I think he could still be a pretty good return specialist... Maybe even play some snaps at WR and out of the backfield in the wildcat formation. He would probably make an okay decoy in certain situations. I'm sure his skillset is somewhat diminished and I think his days as a QB are probably over, but I do think he could still bring something to the table... Nonetheless, I also agree that any team who signed him would have a PR nightmare on their hands.

 

[King of the Wolfies]

the guy is a scumbag and IF the NFL is trying to clean up its act, then it would ban him for life and let the CFL deal with the PR mess. But Goddell will probably give him the "star" treatment and let him back in just like he did Pacman.

 

[notdarkyet]

I think the most important fact to remember is this: He wasn't a very good QB in the first place. Why would a team take a PR hit over a mediocre QB?

I'd like to see him die in a fire. Or maybe just the way he did his dogs, slam him against the concrete until he dies, or hang him (not professionally, so it will last for hours), drown him, and electricute him. This wasnt a "mistake". This was an established behavior, and to think that anything has changed over a few months in jail (which I for some reason think wasnt as bad on him as it would be others) is silly.

He served his time. Good for him. Doesnt mean I still dont think he is a scumbag.

 

[renesauz]

Horrible point because unlike the banker who was arrested for crimes committed in conjunction with his job, Vick's crimes had absolutely nothing to do with his job.

uh....wasn't he running a giant interstate gambling ring?

And for that reason I think the commisioner is far more likely to ban him for life then let him back in in 2009. I think a one year suspension is very easily justified and should be the minimal. (And no....a suspension shouldn't be concurrent with federal jail time)

He was suspended before he was charged or questioned, and it hasn't been removed. He's currently serving the longest suspension in league history.....for dogfighting.......

Awful lot of very simple minded (??intentionally blind??) folks in here.If a man runs a dog-fighting ring, he is engaged in an interstate illegal gambling ring. This is a type of organized crime, one which ALWAYS involves a slew of other broken laws and association with MANY serious and dangerous criminals. Michael Vick is not a run-of-the-mill petty thief but a hardened criminal. He didn't simply "participate" in the illegal acts...he was a major player in orchestrating them!!! And therein lies the very real and HUGE differance. He was not sent to prison because of "animal cruelty" but because the nature of dogfighting ALWAYS leads to the breaking of other more serious laws.

If we want to discuss the morality of how we should treat released criminals, it probably belongs in the AC forum, but I think it's very important for everyone to realize that dogfighting involves a heck of a lot more bad stuff then animal cruelty when they deliberate MV's potential future.

 

[Jeff Tefertiller]

Guys, can we keep this on Vick playing? There are tons of other threads on his misdeeds.

 

[renesauz]

Guys, can we keep this on Vick playing? There are tons of other threads on his misdeeds.

I am trying to Jeff, but his misdeeds are the very reason there is a debate on if/when he'll play. I'm simply pointing out that many of those who think he's paid (more then) his dues for "animal cruelty" have NOT seen the big picture inherant in his real crimes.

 

[Jeff Tefertiller]

Guys, can we keep this on Vick playing? There are tons of other threads on his misdeeds.

I am trying to Jeff, but his misdeeds are the very reason there is a debate on if/when he'll play. I'm simply pointing out that many of those who think he's paid (more then) his dues for "animal cruelty" have NOT seen the big picture inherent in his real crimes.

Well, it looks like he will served the time set forth by the court system (rightly or wrongly). He is one player I think is intriguing from a football perspective for 2009.

 

[Tau837]

the guy is a scumbag and IF the NFL is trying to clean up its act, then it would ban him for life and let the CFL deal with the PR mess. But Goddell will probably give him the "star" treatment and let him back in just like he did Pacman.

As a convicted felon, he won't be able to play in the CFL.

 

[comfortably numb]

Not sure if anyone knows the answer to this, but I hear everyone saying that no team wants to take the PR hit that PETA will pose by protesting at every game etc...

My question is, What would PETA (and folks alike) want from Vick?

The simple inability to play in the NFL all together?

Will they NOT protest if he plays in the CFL?

Will they NOT protest if he makes 65K working as a sales rep for Underarmour?

Will they EVER stop protesting?

I get protesting KFC for the way the may treat their chickens.

But would KFC be protested for the way they treatED their chickens? If they have since corrected their actions?

Bringing it back to FF...

Hypothetically, he is brought back to a team, that has no QB controversy(NO,ATL,NE,DAL etc), and the only way he sees the field is if there is an injury, maybe even to QB1 AND QB2.

Would you NOT draft or drop players in your rankings from that team, SPECIFICALLY because of the PR circus Vick could bring with him, possibly causing a major distraction to that teams QB, RB, WR's etc...?

 

[David Yudkin]

For starters, Vick is still property of the Atlanta Falcons and is signed until 2014. We should start there.

Clearly the Falcons have moved on to Matt Ryan. Could Vick be a backup? I'm not sure his style fits with what Ryan, the coaching staff, and the oofense has been doing, so that may not be a great fit. Do they convert him to a RB/WR/DB? Can they convert him even if Vick doesn't want to play in a different spot (I'm not sure what the NFLPA rules are)?

The next question is if the Falcons don't want him, what do they do with him? If they release him, I still believe they would have to take a sizable cap hit, but at this point I am not sure what that may or may not be. Given that they have held onto him this long, it seems unlikely that they would simply just release him and eat the cap hit.

That leaves trading him, and people seem to forget that Vick has one of the largest contracts in league history. From a cap perspective, any team acquiring him would have to have the cap room to take on his existing contract and the Falcons would have to be willing to eat the cap hit for his remaining signing bonus. IIRC, Vick was only ordered to repay $3.75 million of his $20 million signing bonus, so there should still be a fair amount unaccounted for cap wise. I do not think that they can tear up his contract without releasing him first (and again the cap hit problem). I believe they can try to negotiate an extension to spread out the cap hit, but I believe they are still bound by what his remaining contract has left. So I don't think Atlanta can get him to sign for next to nothing without having cap implications.

I'm not sure what an appropriate trade would be. I'm guessing some sort of conditional draft pick, but I am curious if the Falcons have invested so much in Vick that they may want more (although I doubt they'll get it).

As far as Vick being reinstated, IMO if he claims mea culpa, mea culpa and apologizes to Goodell I think that may be enough to get him off the suspended list. He would have missed two full seasons, and to me that probably would be enough time in Goodell's eyes (again assuming Vick comes back with his tail between his legs begging forgiveness).

IMO, Vick coming back is actually far more complicated than is being reported, as is the perception that Vick is a free agent and can sign wherever he wants.

 

[comfortably numb]

For starters, Vick is still property of the Atlanta Falcons and is signed until 2014. We should start there.IMO, Vick coming back is actually far more complicated than is being reported, as is the perception that Vick is a free agent and can sign wherever he wants.

Very good points,I had no clue about the contractual ramifications.Getting past that hurdle may be hardest part of him getting back to the NFL.Seems like some team is gonna have to pay alot of $$ to have him come back, and that alone may not be worth it.

 

[Lucky Lefty]

Seriously, I think someone with better writing skills than myself should start an online petition (http://www.ipetitions.com/start-petition/).

The basis would be that if he is reinstated the signers would boycott all services and products advertised during NFL games.

I firmly believe being a professional athlete is a privilege, not a right. Guys like Vick, Pacman, Chris Henry should be given chances in society, not pro sports.

Just my opinion...

It's a JOB not a Right, but a JOB and only a few of us can do it.

Just my opinion

 

[David Yudkin]

For starters, Vick is still property of the Atlanta Falcons and is signed until 2014. We should start there.IMO, Vick coming back is actually far more complicated than is being reported, as is the perception that Vick is a free agent and can sign wherever he wants.

Very good points,I had no clue about the contractual ramifications.Getting past that hurdle may be hardest part of him getting back to the NFL.Seems like some team is gonna have to pay alot of $$ to have him come back, and that alone may not be worth it.

There may be some special clauses or exemptions that may come into play, so there may be some wriggle room that I am not fully aware of. The official rules on some of these things are like the official IRS tax codes and go on for page after page. What we the general public normally get to see are the Reader's Digest summary of the rules, and from what I have read that made it seem like Vick and other suspended players still had their contracts in force. I'm certainly not a capologist or NFL labor attorney, so certainly take all this from a layman's perspective.

 

[Lucky Lefty]

23 months (or whatever) in a federal penitentiary is no joke. What he did was awful, and I think he deserved his punishment. But he did the time - and should be allowed to resume working. Just like any other ex-con.

Exactly. And he should be given back his old job, just like any ex-embezzler who worked at a bank.

I didn't realize Vick was acting as veterinarian.

 

[Cecil Lammey]

I think that he should come back as a RB/WR and run some Wildcat like Thatguy said. Completely remake his image and start over, this includes above all else keeping his ### out of trouble.

However, I've already been proactive in my hybrid dynasty league and have banned Vick for life. I don't care if he's the #1 player in fantasy football when he comes back, he won't be allowed to be on a roster. Mutilating and murdering animals with intent shows a very sick mind.

 

[PatrickT]

For starters, Vick is still property of the Atlanta Falcons and is signed until 2014. We should start there.Clearly the Falcons have moved on to Matt Ryan. Could Vick be a backup? I'm not sure his style fits with what Ryan, the coaching staff, and the oofense has been doing, so that may not be a great fit. Do they convert him to a RB/WR/DB? Can they convert him even if Vick doesn't want to play in a different spot (I'm not sure what the NFLPA rules are)?<snip>IMO, Vick coming back is actually far more complicated than is being reported, as is the perception that Vick is a free agent and can sign wherever he wants.

A lot of good points in your post, but I can only respond to this one. Blank has made it crystal clear. He wishes him well, and would even talk to another owner in his behalf, but Vick will NOT be back in Atlanta.How it's done is a mystery, but no team in it's right mind will take on that contract, so I don't see how they have any choice but to cut him and take the cap hit. If I understand things correctly, the reason they haven't cut him already is because the longer they keep him on the roster, the smaller the cap hit will be. The day he's reinstated will be the day that he's cut, IMO.

 

[David Yudkin]

For starters, Vick is still property of the Atlanta Falcons and is signed until 2014. We should start there.Clearly the Falcons have moved on to Matt Ryan. Could Vick be a backup? I'm not sure his style fits with what Ryan, the coaching staff, and the oofense has been doing, so that may not be a great fit. Do they convert him to a RB/WR/DB? Can they convert him even if Vick doesn't want to play in a different spot (I'm not sure what the NFLPA rules are)?<snip>IMO, Vick coming back is actually far more complicated than is being reported, as is the perception that Vick is a free agent and can sign wherever he wants.

A lot of good points in your post, but I can only respond to this one. Blank has made it crystal clear. He wishes him well, and would even talk to another owner in his behalf, but Vick will NOT be back in Atlanta.How it's done is a mystery, but no team in it's right mind will take on that contract, so I don't see how they have any choice but to cut him and take the cap hit. If I understand things correctly, the reason they haven't cut him already is because the longer they keep him on the roster, the smaller the cap hit will be. The day he's reinstated will be the day that he's cut, IMO.

Thanks for the update. A clean break would certainly make the process easy for Vick to move on without making things complicated. I still wonder if Blank would consider trying to trade him for something if there is enough buzz about Vick coming back.I think he's trapped no matter what he does. If he doesn't cut him Day One people will complain, If he cuts people will cry he didn't get anything for him.

 

[PatrickT]

For starters, Vick is still property of the Atlanta Falcons and is signed until 2014. We should start there.Clearly the Falcons have moved on to Matt Ryan. Could Vick be a backup? I'm not sure his style fits with what Ryan, the coaching staff, and the oofense has been doing, so that may not be a great fit. Do they convert him to a RB/WR/DB? Can they convert him even if Vick doesn't want to play in a different spot (I'm not sure what the NFLPA rules are)?<snip>IMO, Vick coming back is actually far more complicated than is being reported, as is the perception that Vick is a free agent and can sign wherever he wants.

A lot of good points in your post, but I can only respond to this one. Blank has made it crystal clear. He wishes him well, and would even talk to another owner in his behalf, but Vick will NOT be back in Atlanta.How it's done is a mystery, but no team in it's right mind will take on that contract, so I don't see how they have any choice but to cut him and take the cap hit. If I understand things correctly, the reason they haven't cut him already is because the longer they keep him on the roster, the smaller the cap hit will be. The day he's reinstated will be the day that he's cut, IMO.

Thanks for the update. A clean break would certainly make the process easy for Vick to move on without making things complicated. I still wonder if Blank would consider trying to trade him for something if there is enough buzz about Vick coming back.I think he's trapped no matter what he does. If he doesn't cut him Day One people will complain, If he cuts people will cry he didn't get anything for him.

Precious few people left who will cry over Vick despite the circumstances. If Ryan had struggled this year, then I'd agree with you. And of course, there are people laying in the bushes, just waiting for Ryan to fail so they can scream "I told you so" about Vick. Jeff Schultz of the AJC had this little blurb about the Panther game:

Unscientific observation: I saw one fan wearing a Vick jersey while driving to the Georgia Dome Sunday for the Falcons-Carolina game. I saw 30 driving to the season opener two and a half months ago. That might be a more stunning transition than this team starting 7-4. Also, the Carolina game didn’t nearly have the phony-sellout look of other home games, when there were several thousand empty seats.

Ryan's greatest accomplishment, by far, has been to silence any possible Vick backlash this year. If Blank gets nothing for him, few people will bat an eye, IMO.

 

[Tau837]

Not sure if anyone knows the answer to this, but I hear everyone saying that no team wants to take the PR hit that PETA will pose by protesting at every game etc...

My question is, What would PETA (and folks alike) want from Vick?

The simple inability to play in the NFL all together?

Will they NOT protest if he plays in the CFL?

Will they NOT protest if he makes 65K working as a sales rep for Underarmour?

Will they EVER stop protesting?

I get protesting KFC for the way the may treat their chickens.

But would KFC be protested for the way they treatED their chickens? If they have since corrected their actions?

Bringing it back to FF...

Hypothetically, he is brought back to a team, that has no QB controversy(NO,ATL,NE,DAL etc), and the only way he sees the field is if there is an injury, maybe even to QB1 AND QB2.

Would you NOT draft or drop players in your rankings from that team, SPECIFICALLY because of the PR circus Vick could bring with him, possibly causing a major distraction to that teams QB, RB, WR's etc...?

He can't play in the CFL as a convicted felon.They will protest if he is in a high profile job, like an NFL player. It provides an opportunity for publicity in a high profile environment that they would use to promote their cause. If they got that benefit for protesting KFC, they'd do it. If he goes to work in a normal job, I doubt they would protest, for a number of reasons:

1. First off, it would then be clear that his crimes cost him his livelihood, a penalty far more severe than 23 months in prison, given the money he was making and the lifestyle he was living before. I don't see anyone protesting that he should be in no job and on welfare. There really isn't much to protest there.

2. Also, protesting there does not help them as much, because it would not afford them the same publicity.

I suspect they'd protest heavily in the first year and then it would die off to just ugliness from opposing fans.

 

[Tau837]

For starters, Vick is still property of the Atlanta Falcons and is signed until 2014. We should start there.Clearly the Falcons have moved on to Matt Ryan. Could Vick be a backup? I'm not sure his style fits with what Ryan, the coaching staff, and the oofense has been doing, so that may not be a great fit. Do they convert him to a RB/WR/DB? Can they convert him even if Vick doesn't want to play in a different spot (I'm not sure what the NFLPA rules are)?<snip>IMO, Vick coming back is actually far more complicated than is being reported, as is the perception that Vick is a free agent and can sign wherever he wants.

A lot of good points in your post, but I can only respond to this one. Blank has made it crystal clear. He wishes him well, and would even talk to another owner in his behalf, but Vick will NOT be back in Atlanta.How it's done is a mystery, but no team in it's right mind will take on that contract, so I don't see how they have any choice but to cut him and take the cap hit. If I understand things correctly, the reason they haven't cut him already is because the longer they keep him on the roster, the smaller the cap hit will be. The day he's reinstated will be the day that he's cut, IMO.

Thanks for the update. A clean break would certainly make the process easy for Vick to move on without making things complicated. I still wonder if Blank would consider trying to trade him for something if there is enough buzz about Vick coming back.I think he's trapped no matter what he does. If he doesn't cut him Day One people will complain, If he cuts people will cry he didn't get anything for him.

Precious few people left who will cry over Vick despite the circumstances. If Ryan had struggled this year, then I'd agree with you. And of course, there are people laying in the bushes, just waiting for Ryan to fail so they can scream "I told you so" about Vick. Jeff Schultz of the AJC had this little blurb about the Panther game:

Unscientific observation: I saw one fan wearing a Vick jersey while driving to the Georgia Dome Sunday for the Falcons-Carolina game. I saw 30 driving to the season opener two and a half months ago. That might be a more stunning transition than this team starting 7-4. Also, the Carolina game didn’t nearly have the phony-sellout look of other home games, when there were several thousand empty seats.

Ryan's greatest accomplishment, by far, has been to silence any possible Vick backlash this year. If Blank gets nothing for him, few people will bat an eye, IMO.

No one will criticize Blank for cutting Vick. He is seen as a victim here, and rightfully so. And the fact that the team is playing better than when Vick was there, and the rookie QB is doing so well, just further backs Blank cutting Vick.

 

[Tau837]

For starters, Vick is still property of the Atlanta Falcons and is signed until 2014. We should start there.Clearly the Falcons have moved on to Matt Ryan. Could Vick be a backup? I'm not sure his style fits with what Ryan, the coaching staff, and the oofense has been doing, so that may not be a great fit. Do they convert him to a RB/WR/DB? Can they convert him even if Vick doesn't want to play in a different spot (I'm not sure what the NFLPA rules are)?<snip>IMO, Vick coming back is actually far more complicated than is being reported, as is the perception that Vick is a free agent and can sign wherever he wants.

A lot of good points in your post, but I can only respond to this one. Blank has made it crystal clear. He wishes him well, and would even talk to another owner in his behalf, but Vick will NOT be back in Atlanta.How it's done is a mystery, but no team in it's right mind will take on that contract, so I don't see how they have any choice but to cut him and take the cap hit. If I understand things correctly, the reason they haven't cut him already is because the longer they keep him on the roster, the smaller the cap hit will be. The day he's reinstated will be the day that he's cut, IMO.

IMO this makes it more likely Vick draws a year suspension from the league. That buys the Falcons another year of not paying Vick, and the delay reduces the cap hit they will take for cutting him. Meanwhile, Goodell can get good PR for the NFL and continue maintaining a tough stance on player misconduct off the field.