SI: Arthur Blank may suspend Vick on Tuesday
July 23, 2007 at 4:32 pm by Scott Freeman in News, SportsSports Illustrated’s Peter King reports that Falcons owner Arthur Blank spent the weekend on his ranch in Montana mulling over what to do about his Michael Vick problem. He predicts a decision could be announced by the end of Tuesday.
Writes King:
And you can take this to the bank: If Vick does not play for any reason relating to the case, he will not earn all of the $6 million he’s owed this year in base salary. The Falcons will find a way to take some money away as part of their dissatisfaction with Vick for putting them in this position — a mess that has ruined any chance they had to be a contender this season. At the end of the day, Blank runs a football business. And imagine his bitterness knowing his franchise player, a player he committed $130 million to just 30 months ago, a player he personally wheeled around the sidelines when Vick broke his leg in 2003, got himself involved in something as distracting and hurtful as a federal dogfighting case.
King predicts the Falcons will suspend Vick for the first four games of the season — the longest suspension the franchise can assess — for conduct detrimental to the team. Even then, he may not play this season. The Falcons may do what Philadelphia did with Terrell Owens two years ago and what Tampa Bay did with Keyshawn Johnson in 2003 — give Vick a leave of absence and, essentially, pay him not to play.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:54 am
Dear Mr. Blank,
PLEASE… show the World that the Atlanta Falcons will not support a KILLER….to be their quarterback. Please remove him from the team FOREVER………
I’m a 64 yr. old retired teacher, I think it’s time that someone like you set an example for all the young people attending your games that you will not allow this type of killer as a member of your team
Thank you, Kathy Diute
December 11th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
As a resident and fan of the Dallas Cowboys I witnessed first hand how owner Jerry Jones stuck behind Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin during his turbulent years in Dallas. Right or wrong, Mr. Jones had his back! This has not been the case with Mr. Blank. African Americans are quietly wondering and whispering that Mr. Blank used Michael to make money and when Michael needed his support he threw him to the dogs literally!