I just saw an interview with Emit Smith and – paraphrasing a bit here but he basically said that he believes that Ron Mexico is a small part if this and the government is just pressuring him as hard as they can so that he will turn states evidence against the real culprits. I alluded to it before but watch how this plays out…its going to be completely divided along race lines…poor Ron Mexico getting persecuted by the government… It’s a shame it always seems to come to this.
I read the Emmit article. I like Emmit, but he came across like a real douche, claiming (not based on any sort of empirical evidence) he believes that Vick probably only attended a few dog fights but wasn't directly involved. they were in his own house, Emmit, how much more directly involved can you get?
Doesn?t surprise me; Atlanta is one of the most racist places I have ever visited ? and I mean black against white racism.
Vick NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has ordered Michael Vick not to attend when the Falcons convene training camp. "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," Goodell said in a letter to the QB. It's the best move for Atlanta, the NFL, and Vick; having PETA invade Falcons camp daily would be terrible for public and player relations. This time will allow for a "cooling off period" among all sides. Vick, who will be paid during the leave, is scheduled to be arraigned on July 26. Jul. 23 - 6:29 pm et Source: FOXSports.com
It's a good move for Goodell. It satisfies interest groups without making it look like he's bending to their will. The first thing that Goodell has to establish is that that the NFL and not the public run the business.
This is a win-win. It's good for the league and good for Vick since he will have more time to play with his pups. TBTF
I think you under estimate the media's impact on how we view everything. I grew up with a charachter called "Deputy Dawg" he was a dog that was a sheriff in the Mississippi Bayou. I like to think my respect and love for our canine friends comes from the fine image of old Deputy Dawg that I grew up with as a kid.
plinko, i don't understand your assertion that it doesn't look like he's bending to anyone's will. I think it's been pretty clear since he he got the job that goodel has been pushed around by the media who probably smelled weakness in a new commissioner.....I believe all this conduct policy reformation talk is solely reactionary.
I disagree with thinking that Goodell is being pushed around by the media. I think Tagliabue was leniant in his ways because he was more of an old school guy; times are different with the media, information, and technology in general. The amount of outlets there are it's impossible for any public figure to now get in trouble without every one in the nation, on the internet or linked somehow, to know about it. In Tagliabue's day, a player screwed up and the local media covered it and it was pushed aside. Now, there are blogs, message boards (I love this one, though), websites, media journals that are all constantly tracking every person's single move who's in the spotlight. Goodell is definitely doing what's in the best interest of the NFL with Henry, Pacman, Tank, and now Vick. Think about the Falcons and what they would have gone through if Vick shows up for Day 2 of Training Camp. It would be 10 times worse that what Kobe had brought to Colorado. The Falcons are fortunate, for their own focus, this has been done.
Goodell has been establishing his own precedents on disciplinary action since last season, I don't see what you are indicating at all. It was Tagliaboob that was reactionary, only when pressured by outside sources would he act on anything.
For NFL fans who love dogs, Vick case touches sensitive nerve For NFL fans who love dogs, Vick case touches sensitive nerve By DIONNE WALKER, Associated Press Writer July 23, 2007 RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Sports enthusiasts can overlook an athlete's missteps, so long as they don't cross one line: Don't mess with Fido. In a nation where dog owners number in the millions, hurting one of the furry creatures tugs even the toughest tailgater's heart strings. It's a lesson Atlanta Falcons star Michael Vick is learning the hard way, as he faces the ire of animal rights activists and fans shocked by allegations he sponsored a brutal dogfighting ring authorities say executed underperforming animals. Vick and three co-defendants will appear in a Richmond federal courtroom Thursday on charges of competitive dogfighting, training pit bulls for fighting and conducting the enterprise across state lines. Officials allege the ring operated from a Surry County home Vick owned. The case pits fans' devotion to the quarterback against their love of man's best friend. For some, there's no competition. "It's an animal, that's the bottom line," said David Clary, a Richmond football fan whose cocker spaniel, Peppy, scampered near his feet Sunday. "Nobody wants to see an animal get hurt." The chilling details alleged in an 18-page federal indictment trouble Clary and wife Melissa. But for now he remains a fan of the former Virginia Tech standout. "You might be," Melissa Clary said, "but I'm not." Vick's charges come as authorities crack down on dogfighting rings, which range from a few guys on a street corner to international networks, said Wayne Pacelle, president of The Humane Society of the United States. The group successfully lobbied federal lawmakers to make dogfighting a felony. "We've worked now to have 48 of 50 (states) and the federal government impose felony level penalties for dogfighting," Pacelle said. "We have raised awareness." If convicted of both felony charges, Vick and the others face up to six years in prison and fines. :breakdance: A New Jersey lawmaker also wants the state attorney general there to investigate allegations pit bulls from the state were used in dog fights involving the kennel allegedly sponsored by Vick. But even if he's innocent, Vick could face a tough reaction from some fans, who have threatened to boycott Falcons games. Monday, animal rights advocates protested outside the team's Georgia headquarters. Athlete's missteps rarely evoke such passionate reactions. What gives? "Dogs, for most people, are like kids," said Donna Bliss, an assistant professor in social work at the University of Georgia, where Uga the dog is a beloved mascot. "It creates inside them a visceral reaction of utter repugnance that anyone would torture, mutilate (and) slaughter dogs." Bliss said many people feel removed from certain crimes but just about everyone owns a dog. "People probably think of their puppies, or their little dog that lies by the fireplace," Bliss said. "That crosses lines for so many people." It's an emotional reality Vick's attorneys will want to consider, especially if they have to choose a jury, said Richmond defense attorney Bill Dinkin. "You're looking for someone who is going to look at the law," he said. "You don't want someone who's gonna get swept away in the emotion of it." Chuck Ruffino knows that could be tough. He's part of the Falcons Fanatics, a Georgia-based fan group, and even he acknowledges the charges are tough to stomach. But he thinks fans will forgive. "If we have a really good season," Ruffino said, "they'll forget about it."
After watching Blank's press conference today, I think he wanted to get rid of Vick but the LEAGUE stopped him. He's always been a no nonsense guy except when it came to Vick but I think this was the last straw with Mr. Blank
Crazy thing happened today in Tampa?a pitbull broke through its fence and ate a five year old. Weird ? all the neighbors say that it was the nicest dog in the middle class white neighborhood they lived in. Must have been the owner and not the piece of crap shit bull though ? after all?to be fair you hear about cocker spaniels and dockhands doing this all the time. If someone?s shit bull ever hurt my daughter?its owner better pray to whatever higher power he may believe in that he gets a life sentence from the criminal justice system; otherwise I?ll maul the mother fucker with my own teeth. Got to say it again?the worst crime Ron Mexico committed was breading these piece of shit dogs.
I would disagree. He has made it public that he he wants to keep the NFL image clean day one. If he is being pushed around by the media, he would've suspended Vick day one. He's held out until training camp and he's still letting Vick get paid. If you are referring to the punishments doled out for Chris Henry or Pacman Jones, maybe you missed out on the fifty times they were arrested in last year.
I guess the biggest story here is that Vick is probably finished in the NFL. Even if he doesn't get convicted he's going to run into the production vs baggage equation in a nasty way. Ray Lewis was the most productive middle linebacker in the game so when he was aquitted there was real incentive for the Ravens to take him back. Vick is just a huge amount of hype attached to a bunch of .500 records and the Falcons now have the opportunity to point at his numerous baggage-producing acts and cut ties. Nobody else, including Al Davis is gonna pick up a bird-flipping, dog-killing talent who hasn't been able to put it together on the field.
I think you're giving Al Davis WAAAAAYYYYY too much credit on this one. I wouldn't count Snyder out, either. I think that if Vick turns for the prosecution, he'll end up catching on with another team, albeit skating on extremely thin ice.
