DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Vick suspended indefinetly

Who didn't see this coming. Good for commish



Sports.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The NFL has suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick indefinitely after his attorneys handed over documents on Friday in which he pleaded guilty in a dog-fighting case.

Vick, a strong-armed quarterback and breakaway runner who made millions in salary and endorsements, admitted in a plea agreement that he took part in an interstate dog-fighting enterprise known as "Bad Newz Kennels" from 2001 through April 2007.

"The defendant will plead guilty because the defendant is in fact guilty," a plea agreement filed in U.S. District Court. in Richmond, Va. Vick also said in the documents that the dogfighting conspiracy involved gambling activities.

Vick will formally plead guilty in court on Monday morning.

He faces a maximum of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release. If he cooperates he will likely be given a much shorter prison sentence that could be just a few months long.

Prosecutors charged that dogs sometimes fought to the death and some losing or underperforming animals had been shot, drowned, hanged, electrocuted or killed by being slammed to the ground.

A federal grand jury indicted Vick on July 17. His attorneys said on August 20 that the quarterback had agreed to plead guilty and accept full responsibility for his actions. He accepted a plea agreement after associates agreed to cooperate with prosecutors under their own deals.

http://www.wtam.com/cc-common/news/sections/sportsarticle.html?feed=104670&article=2556289

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Prosecutors charged that dogs sometimes fought to the death and some losing or underperforming animals had been shot, drowned, hanged, electrocuted or killed by being slammed to the ground.

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Given that Vick has underperformed for most of his career,, how come he didn't have himself punished....

OK,, does anyone know if there is any clause in his contract about conduct....

This guy could be cooked real good!

I suspect that Mr. Vick will be known as "Inmate # ....." for somewhere between 12-24 months .... so the suspension is probably the least of his concerns.

I heard on around the horn I think it was that he is eligible to be banned for life and very well could happen.

yeah, honestly, me and some buddies at work were talking at lunch yesterday about that, assuming something miraculous happens and the commish lets him back in at some point ( which is very very unlikely imo), what team would take a chance on a QB with a checkered past and one that really isn't all that good to begin with. The negative publicity that would follow him and that team would make the risk>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>benefit. Anytime i got asked who i thought was the most overrated player in NFL, Vick was always my answer. Never thought he was anything special. Gifted athlete no doubt...but QB, nope. then having a couple years off...

Plus when he gets out of jail he will more than likely have a year suspension from the NFL. So any team that would think of it would have to deal with the fact that he was in jail from 12-29 months, and then another layoff of at least a year.
Throw in the fact that he never has seemed to mature as a QB, and his main weapon was his legs.....well who in the world would sign him? Expecially with the bad PR.

Just my thoughts.

If and when Vick comes back, it will most likely be as a receiver or back of some sort.

maybe some of his future roommates can arrange for him to be shot, hanged, electrocuted, drowned or slammed to the ground

Jason, my question about a conduct clause in his contract was because I was trying to think if the Falcons could cut him and retreive some of the money paid to him..thus cutting the huge cap hit....

Just wondering

'bout time!!!!!

Great news. The league should give no relief to the Falcons. If teams start taking big hits for bad character players then maybe they wouldn't draft them high. That would be a huge pay cut for some of these guys and maybe they would learn earlier to keep their acts together.

Vick enters guilty plea

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA -- Prosecutors will recommend that NFL quarterback Michael Vick receive a prison sentence on the low end of the federal sentencing guideline range of 12 to 18 months.

The recommendation comes in a plea agreement filed in federal court in Virginia Friday, in which Vick admitted his involvement in a dogfighting ring.

In a summary of facts in the case, Vick admits to backrolling Bad Newz Kennels and its gambling operation. He also admits to participating in the execution of dogs that did not perform well in testing sessions.

The summary says Vick did not place bets himself, nor did he receive any winnings.

Vick is scheduled to formally enter the plea Monday. The judge in the case is not bound by the sentence recommendations. The charges are punishable by as much as five years in prison.

Vick's attorney says his client's role "was different" than that of his three co-defendants in the case, and he would try to explain that to the court. However, he agrees that dogs died "as a result of the collective efforts" of Vick and two of his co-defendants.

http://www.kxly.com/news/?sect_rank=1&section_id=559&story_id=13785

What in the world was Vick thinking when he got involved with this? I just can't understand it. Dog fights, gambling, animal cruelty, what a great idea!
To jeopardize everything to get involved in something like this is unbelievably stupid. I can't see this guy ever playing again.

Just because I love repeating myself: He's done. Bet on it.

So here's DERDEN'S final take on teh Vick case; this is what happened. My explanation of Vick's involvement and his subsequent not guilty statements followed by his eventual guilty plea:

Mike Vick has an interest in breeding dogs. He is registered as a breeder---he likes pit bulls--he breeds them--after some time he begins to want to enter these pits---his pits; into some kind of competition to prove their dominance over others. He turns to dogfighting to validate his dog' superiority over others of the like. He turns to childhood friends, his "boys" to run the organization--he purchases the property, the dogs, the equipment, the food, and provides the money behind it. Its up to his boys to maintain the facilities, the dogs, set-up fights, and negotiate the purse---the money that they are able to earn is theirs---and Vick is all for helping his "boys" bank some cash. This to me---is Vicks involvement.

Now, as the seaches are being conducted on the property, Vick is nervous, but he comes out and states that he is not involved--mainly because of two things. First, he BELIEVES that his involvement is scant enough that he can minimize the damage by simply distancing himself from the house--hence all the quotes about how little time he spends at the house, and his cousin living there. Secondly, he believes that eventually his boys are going to take the fall for this madness. He believes that his "boys" will demonstrate a sort of loyalty to him since he basically bankrolled this to put money in there pocket, all the while validating the dominance HIS dogs have over others within the breed.

Now, once his "boys" rolled over and turned states evidence Vick had no choice but to change his tune--he had no other out. And for anyone thats ever been accused of a crime--you are always looking for your best OUT--and when that OUT eventually turns state witness--you are forced to take your medicine.

Now, I think that Vick is being honest in the claim that he wasn't a beneficiary of the gambling. And I think that he was hands off during the deaths of the dogs. However, his financial support kept this whole thing running.

So, as of right now, I think that Vick is guilty of financially backing a dogfighting venture--not a whole ring--but simply one particular sponsor--"Bad Newz Kennels." And I believe that he is guilty of providing financial backing to a gambling venture--however, it should be noted that he stood with nothing to gain from this. He saw none of the proceeds--it was simply a way for him to indulge his ego by producing champions--all the while helping put money in his "boys" pockets.

So, given his guilt, he should face punishment, but I would not punish him to the extent of others' who have faced this kind of conviction--because that is not who Mike Vick is. Mike Vick is a quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, he stimulate the local economy, he stimulates the national economy, he donates to charitable causes; in other words, Vick is not just some run-of-the-mill POS who fights dogs. He is someone who has contributed a great amount to his city and the country by showcasing the talent that has flourished since he was a youth. SO I think he deserves a minimal sentence, and an opportunity to compensate for this misadventure.

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So here's DERDEN'S final take on teh Vick case; this is what happened.

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DERDEN'S final take is wrong. Imagine that.
It looks like 'ol Mikey did play a part in killing some of those dogs.


thesmokinggun.com

Nowhere in Vicks plea does he say that he was "hands-on" in the killing of the dogs. He said that his efforts led to the deaths of dogs--but does not state that he executed dogs himself.

Its his "boys," the same ones that rolled over on him, that are accusing him of "hands-on" involvement.

Oh yea, my take is as legitimate as they come.

Let's just say that as part of the plea agreement, the defense team won a discussion point and the term "collective efforts" was used to diffuse a tenuous point. (e.g. did Vick actually kill dogs)

It falls back on the conspiracy theme, just because you bankrolled the illegal activities of others, you are considered a participant to the crime.

He admitted knowing, agreeing to and condoning the killing of dogs that performed poorly in testing sessions. Not exactly the "hands off" owner you're making him out to be.

His lawyer's are banking on Vick's backers reading their legalese exactly the way you did. They understand that in the court of public opinion that if they write sentences that are open to interpretation, Vick does have a chance at turning the corner amongst public sentiment. IMO, the wording of his plea admits that he killed dogs, gambled on fights, and financed the whole thing. Not only that I also believe that he got his friends into the bloodsport not the other way around.

Thats my take.

Tyler you left out the parts about the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, and Santa.

America and dogs..... AMAZING!!!

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Mike Vick is a quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons

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No, Mike Vick WAS a quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons

Correct.

WAS the QB.

I would lay money he never plays another snap in this league.



Persons Convicted of Criminal Activity
Any Covered Person convicted of or admitting to a criminal violation (including a plea to a lesser included offense; a plea of nob contendere or no contest; or the acceptance of a diversionary program, deferred adjudication, disposition of supervision, or similar arrangement) will be subject to discipline as determined by the Commissioner. Such discipline may include a fine, suspension without pay and/or banishment from the League. Any Covered Person convicted of or admitting to a second criminal violation will be suspended without pay or banished for a period of time to be determined by the Commissioner.
http://nflpa.org/RulesAndRegs/ConductPolicy.aspx#5

WOW .... they won a point of a contention??? *LOL* ... Hmmmmm ... seems to me ... and i'm paraphrasing here ...

"dogs became dead by the COMBINED EFFORTS of me and my two POS friends" ....

Ya, ... thats winning the "he didnt execute dogs" part .... in NEVER NEVER LAND .. *LOL* ...

Good Luck Mikey .. may u ROT IN HELL!!!!!!!!!!

Vick is a POFS as anybody involved in dog fighting, a more fitting punishment would be for someone to go upside his nappy head with a lead pipe

A show of hands please....Everyone other Vick's cousin, Derden, raise your hands if you really believe Michael Vick never killed a dog or placed a bet on one.

Yeah, I thought so. Who does Vick think this is fooling? Some of his delusional fans, maybe. But Roger Goodell is not fooled for one second. I think Vick will eventually be allowed to return. But I'd put money on the fact that Goodell is gonna want to hear Vick admit that he butchered dogs and bankrolled this whole affair. In person. Before he gets a whiff of the field again.

Then, of course, someone is gonna have to want to sign him. Not even close to a sure bet there.

The way I hear, its a big win for Vick. Maybe some of the lawyers or Peen can set us straight.
The NAACP is making a big deal about giving Michael another chance. Nobody, even the NFL will stand up to them. If they do they're Racist.

*LOL* ... Ya ... the NAACP is not gonna sway Goodell one way or the other ... they'll hae an awful hard time proving the NFL is racist ... the NFL will point to the players and coaches and ever head coaches now and say ... Pleaseeeee .. get serious with were racist ... *LOL* ..

and Gents ... did u read the LETTER goodell sent to vick .. he has NO CHANCE of getting back in while Goodel's running the show .. NONE ... Goodell told him in the letter .. U GAMBLED .. he minced no words .. the way the letter was worded was a CLEAR POINT to vick having ZERO chance to get back in ... the Lawyers can say what they want .. until one of them becomes Commisioner it means no more than what we say on here .. *L* ..

BYE BYE MIKEY .... may u ROT IN HELL!!!!!!!!!!

Oh and BTW ... Mikey's not done yet ... my guess is he will be a SNITCH against other Dog fighting "rings" and when he does .. and he has to do this ... he very well may have to testify he placed bets with these other guys ... it MAY NOT happen ... but it very well may ... this very well may not be the end of Info coming out on Vick and his INTERACTION with other "kingpins" ......

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I don't think they could recoup past money,

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I"m not 100% sure that comment is accurate. Think about it. If he was paid a signing bonus or a roster bonus (I don't know enough about the differences) and his entire contract was covered by some kinda conduct clause, Then the Falcons could get some of that back.. IF THEY CUT HIM!

Remember when Barry Sanders took a signing bonus then retired... He had to give it back.. or Winslow when he did something his contract said he couldn't.. if memory serves me correctly, we either could get some of his bonus back or were free from having to pay one that was coming up.. not sure..



Either way, if Vick has to sit in prison for more than 12 months, I'd say his career is dead anyway. Who the heck is gonna want him after this mess.. Lying to the Press, lying to his teammates, lying to his team owner, lying to his coach and lying to the NFL including the new Commish. Yikes!

I'd still like to know,, What the hell was he thinking.. He had the world by the butt,,, Millionaire,, young, by all accounts, a nice looking kid, reasonably articulate and healthy.....


WHAT was he thinking,,,,,,, IDIOT

But maybe there is a positive we can get to come out of this.. MAYBE some of these kids coming into the league will think,,, Damn, Vick is High Profile and they bounced his Azz out of the league,,, man, I better fly right,.,,,,