Fresh Loaf

ESPN reported last night that there is a divide among Michael Vick’s legal team. One side wants him to fight in court, the other side wants to take a plea agreement. Either way, Vick reportedly has to make his decision by 9 a.m. Friday.

One sticking point for Vick is his NFL future if he does plead guilty. ESPN also reported that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell would not tip his hand on what might happen. But bear this in mind: First, Vick met with Goodell on April 28 and assured the commissioner that he was not involved in dogfighting. Second, the NFL forbids players from gambling or consorting with gamblers. Vick is alleged to have gambled on the dog fights, and if he did, he put himself into prime position to be blackmailed by gamblers. The ultimate penalty for consorting with gamblers is a lifetime ban.

So there is much to consider. And then there’s this: ESPN also reported that the U.S. attorney plans to call additional witnesses before a federal grand jury on Monday that includes current Falcons players if Vick doesn’t plead guilty.

Reports say Vick is trying to strike a deal where he serves less than a year in prison. The problem he faces is that the prosecution holds all the cards and has no motivation to be kind. And with the threats to proceed with a racketeering indictment against Vick and injecting his former teammates into the criminal case, the government is obviously putting the screws to him.

Decision time is at hand: Does Vick gamble? Or does he cut his losses and give himself up?

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In today’s edition, the New York Times raises a very interesting point about Michael Vick’s future as an NFL player. It reports that among the new charges being considered by prosecutors are counts that involve gambling allegations.

Says the Times:

That is one reason Vick’s lawyers are considering a guilty plea that would avoid a new indictment. Whether or not Vick pleads guilty, his suspected connection to gambling could jeopardize his football career.

The N.F.L. prohibits any association with gamblers or with gambling activities. Such involvement may result in severe penalties, including “a suspension from the N.F.L. for life,” the league’s gambling policy states.

Tony Taylor, one of Vick’s co-defendants, said in a statement of facts that he signed when he entered a guilty plea July 30 that the “gambling monies” used by the suspected dogfighting ring run from Vick’s property “were almost exclusively funded by Vick.”

Taylor cited at least nine instances in which gambling took place on Vick’s property in Surry, Va., or in which Vick was one of the sponsors for a dog in a fight in which a purse was won.

The Times also reports that Vick is considering a deal that would probably mean one to two years in federal prison.

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News yesterday that Michael Vick’s remaining two co-defendants have decided to plead guilty and cooperate with federal prosecutors means only one thing: The beleaguered former (yes, we might as well get used to using “former”) Falcons quarterback is now on a fast track to federal prison.

ESPN.com reports that Vick’s attorneys have already met with the U.S. attorney’s office in Richmond, Va., and that Vick must now decide whether to fight against the odds, or make a deal with the prosecutors:

A source close to the investigation told [ESPN] that Vick has until Friday to make up his mind whether to accept a plea agreement. Otherwise a superseding indictment will be filed and Vick will face at least two more federal dogfighting charges.

Vick is backed into a corner. He can either cut the best deal he can at this point, or gamble on a trial. With three co-defendants and at least four other confidential informants prepared to testify against him, he faces an almost certain conviction if there is a trial. Either way, a prison term for Michael Vick now seems inescapable.

Federal sentencing guidelines are very structured and the judge has little leeway. Based on my experience covering federal courts, if Vick goes to trial and is found guilty, he will likely go to prison for the next five to six years. And even longer if a new indictment with additional charges is handed up by the grand jury. If he accepts a plea agreement, he could probably get out in two to three years.

So there’s strong incentive for Vick to deal at this point, if only because it could allow him to salvage his football career once he gets out of prison.

This much now appears all but certain: Vick will likely spend at least part of his prime athletic years behind bars. He might come back after his release, if the NFL allows him to play. But even if that happens, he will never again be the Michael Vick who made Atlanta fall in love with him. Neither as the daring athlete who seemed to be Superman personified on the football field, nor as the cultural icon we thought we knew.

The sad fact is this: In the wake of yesterday’s news, Michael Vick’s career as a NFL star is over.

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“For a lot of African Americans, who have in the past either been accused themselves or seen people they admired not be given due process, they are skeptical about proceedings against well-known African Americans.”

— Atlanta NAACP President R.L. White to ESPN.com

“I said, ‘Stay on point. The convention is bigger than a particular man.’ There are a lot of young people who need our help. Michael Vick is not one of them. … What has he ever done except throw a football, run a football? I don’t think he has done anything to deserve any special recognition.”

— State Rep. Tyrone Brooks (D-Atlanta) to the AJC on why he counseled the Southern Christian Leadership Conference not to honor Vick at its convention this week

“Depending on who’s doing the talking, Vick can be the devil incarnate or the persecuted victim of a racially motivated attack that has ignored the basic tenet of due process. Anybody paying attention to the divide over this issue, much of it racial, has to understand we’re looking at one very divisive story that will play out for months. Already, it has swept up passions everywhere, from the nation’s most powerful animal rights advocates to its most visible civil rights groups.”

— Washington Post columnist Michael Wilbon

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Sales begin today for the Michael Vick dog chew toy.

Is it different you ask? You bet it is! The Vick Dog Chew Toy is made of state of the art “dog” material. The Vick Toy Doll is so strong and flexible, it will challenge every breed. Especially The Pit Bull.

Unlike Vick, our manufacturer is so sure of its durability they guarantee it against the most playful dog destruction. It Bends. It Bounces. It Flies. It Floats. And best of all, it lasts through the whole season and more!

— The Official “Vick” Dog Chew Toy blog

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The biggest concern for Michael Vick supporters was that one of his co-defendants would flip and turn prosecution witness. That has now happened. Tony Taylor, 34, entered a plea of guilty this morning in federal court in Virginia and will cooperate with the prosecution. This has major ramifications for Vick’s defense.

ESPN.com’s Lester Munson explains:

As the scheme grew, according to the indictment, Taylor played a central role. When it was time to build three large sheds to stage fights and to house dogs and equipment, Taylor obtained the necessary permits from the authorities in Surry County. He applied for the building permit for the sheds on May 2, 2003, according to records maintained by Wallace Mavin, the Surry County Building Official, and he paid the necessary fees even though Vick’s name was listed as the owner and the applicant. Taylor described himself as Vick’s “agent,” in the documents. The house and shed, according to applications filed in May 2003, cost $362,000.

Prosecutors claim Taylor also allegedly helped purchase pit bulls and killed at least two dogs that fared poorly in test fights.

It will be powerful evidence against Vick, putting Vick and his money squarely in the middle of the scheme and its growth and development.

The charges in the indictment also show that Taylor can describe Vick as personally present at fights and at executions of dogs who did not perform well enough for Vick and his cohorts.

Taylor becomes the fifth prosecution witness, and possibly the most damning, who will finger Vick as a major figure in the dog fighting underworld.

Vick also faces a “superseding indictment,” which usually means additional witnesses and additional charges on top of what he’s already been charged with.

With each new revelation, it appears more and more likely that Vick is in serious jeopardy of spending what should be the prime of his career behind bars. And if that happens, he will become one of the most tragic figures in NFL history, brought down by his own stupidity and arrogance.

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“Falcons go through ‘grieving process’”

“Family loses 3 children in week”

Guess which “grieving family” got top billing on the AJC.com page?

(click to enlarge)

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Let’s celebrate the conflagration at the Atlanta Falcons training camp that was ignited by Michael Vick’s alleged (but pretty damn certain) animal cruelty. A toast to the good fortune of all Georgians. The quarterback’s thug culture may save us $1 billion, maybe even double that, at least for a while.

Here’s how every man, woman and tyke in Georgia may keep $100 or $200, thanks to Vick’s horrible pastime of torturing dogs. I wouldn’t bank the money yet, however. Football teams are tenacious in their greed.

When Arthur Blank purchased the Falcons in 2001, there was a gap of logic between the purchase price of $545 million and the team’s estimated annual profits of about $5 million. No way was Blank going to wait more than a century to recoup his investment.

The solution, as with all of the other NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL teams, was to demand a new stadium. The financing of such deals is sweet — for the owners. The community pays, and the team pockets. In Tampa, for example, court documents showed that the Buccaneers’ Raymond James Stadium will soak up a net profit for the team of more than $1 billion in public funds over the term of the lease.

But Georgians, as with most sane Americans, weren’t likely to bite at the idea of paying for a new pleasure palace for a billionaire’s football team. So, aided by the oh-so-pitiful Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the team denied it wanted a new stadium. I exposed that fiction at the time. The AJC could have tried a bit of truth-telling just by calling the battalion of stadium consultants for whom a team purchase is like pouring blood into a tank of sharks.

(more…)

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell finally weighed in on the Michael Vick situation late yesterday when he banned the Falcons star quarterback from attending training camp until the league has the chance to thoroughly investigate the allegations against him.

And with that, it is appearing more and more likely that Vick has played his last game in a Falcons uniform.

Goodell apparently beat Falcons owner Arthur Blank to the punch. Sports Illustrated’s Peter King reported yesterday that Blank would likely announce today that the organization would suspend Vick for the first four games of the season, and then might put him on a paid leave of absence thereafter.

Blank will talk about the federal indictment against Vick at 4 p.m. today. Vick, who is in Virginia preparing for his legal case and his arraignment in Richmond on Thursday, will not be at the press conference.

What Blank says will, of course, determine Vick’s fate as a Falcon. Blank made a $130 million investment in Michael Vick. He handed over the reins of his team to Vick. And one has to imagine that Blank feels severely betrayed.

As I’ve said before, can you imagine Tom Brady or Donovan McNabb or Peyton Manning getting themselves into such an unseemly mess?

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Sports 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.

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Smalley, with King, a pit bull available for adoption at www.fultonanimalservices.com

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

Fulton County Animal Control officer Robert Smalley doesn’t just catch dogs. He’s a member of law enforcement. He writes tickets, which can even lead to prison time.

How long have you been in animal control?
Twenty years.

How did you get started?
I was impressed when watching animal-control officers handle coyotes and bears in California. I lived there at the time. So, when I moved to Atlanta, I answered an ad.

Have you ever seen a dogfight?
Yes, evidence of dogfights. They disperse when they know we’re coming. I look for scarring, scratching, their demeanor and animal behavior. … [There is] a lot of dogfighting in Atlanta. In northwest and southeast Atlanta [especially], mostly [in] the city, because of the income and they can hide them.

What type of animal behavior do you see?
They cower, [do] not look at you. One’s been doing it a lot will charge — no warning.

Why do they cower?
They aren’t aggressive. [The owners] can’t use them for fighting [so] they beat them, and throw them in the street if they don’t kill them. [The dogs] live in deplorable conditions, low-income housing. They can’t pay their rent, can’t feed their families, but are taking care of the dogs. If the dogs are abused, there is abuse in the home; beating their wives or their children.

(more…)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, aka “Ookie,” and three others were indicted by a Virginia federal grand jury for conspiracy related to dogfighting. If convicted of all counts, Vick could face six years in prison, and his professional football career is, for now, in limbo.

“In or about April 2007, Peace, Phillips, and Vick executed approximately 8 dogs that did not perform well in ‘testing’ sessions at 1915 Moonlight Road by various methods, including hanging, drowning, and slamming at least one dog’s body to the ground.”

— From the indictment handed up by the grand jury on July 17

“This is an emotionally charged and complicated matter. There are a wide range of interests and legal issues that need to be carefully considered as we move ahead. … Given the differing perspectives and strong feelings around this issue, we probably won’t make everyone happy, but we are committed to doing the right thing. As the owner of this club that’s, ultimately, my responsibility.”

– Statement by Arthur Blank, owner of the Atlanta Falcons

“Nike is concerned by the serious and highly disturbing allegations made against Michael Vick, and we consider any cruelty to animals inhumane and abhorrent. We do believe that Michael Vick should be afforded the same due process as any citizen; therefore, we have not terminated our relationship.”

— Statement by Nike, Inc. announcing it will not release the highly anticipated Air Zoom Vick V shoe this summer

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House Majority Leader Jerry Keen (R-St. Simons Island) said the Michael Vick case could give new life to efforts to shut down dog-fighting in Georgia.

— AJC.com’s Political Insider on possible legislative push in Georgia to restrict dogfighting

Maybe if Michael Vick got involved in demolition derby, the Legislature might get enthused about mass transit.

—–

Supremes to hear Wilson case today. And you can watch it live by clicking here.

— Buzz Brockway points Peach Pundit readers to a video feed from the state Supreme Court, which might be releasing Genarlow Wilson soon. The action starts at 10 a.m.

—–

No matter how hard we stomp on its neck it just won’t die.

— Flackattack at Tondee’s Tavern, on the possible return of the Northern Arc

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Quarterback Michael Vick allegedly killed and maimed dogs.

Wrestler Chris Benoit killed his family.

One of them is routinely called a thug.

One of them is not.

All I’m doing is saying.

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Has Michael Vick played his last down for the Atlanta Falcons?

The federal indictment handed up by a grand jury in Virginia yesterday for alleged dogfighting was bad enough, but buried in the indictment are some very disturbing images of animal cruelty.

The indictment alleges Vick purchased his house in Virginia a month after he was drafted by the Falcons expressly to raise pit bulls for fighting. The name of his company was “Bad Newz Kennels.”

In March 2003, the indictment alleges, one of Vick’s co-defendants — after consulting with Vick — executed a fighting dog that had lost a fight by wetting the dog and then electrocuting it.

Earlier this year, the indictment states, Vick helped test dogs at his kennel to see if they were fighters. Eight of the dogs didn’t fight and they were allegedly put to death in very gruesome ways: Some were hung, some were drowned and one was killed by slamming it to the ground, the indictment alleges.

According to the indictment, the feds already have four cooperating witnesses, and experts suspect at least one of Vick’s co-defendants will be convinced to turn state’s evidence.

(more…)

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Falcons’ Vick indicted by grand jury in dogfighting probe

Michael Vick has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the dogfighting probe of his property in Virginia.

The Falcons quarterback was indicted for conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District in Richmond, Va. Three others — Purnell Peace, Quanis Phillips and Tony Taylor — also were indicted by the grand jury on the same charges.

Damn it. And don’t Google “Vick” and “indicted” unless you enjoy this kind of emotional roller coaster:

Well, this question just got a lot more relevant: Harrington or Shockley?

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Today, as we close “Michael Vick Week” here at Fresh Loaf, we think back to the good ol’ days — before water bottles and AirTran fiascoes and pit-bull fighting and flipping birds at the Falcon faithful. We remember the Michael Vick who was an artist on the football field, with the hope that we get this Michael Vick and not that Michael Vick.

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We are deep into “Michael Vick Week” here at Fresh Loaf, and are a bit confounded to present this clip of Washington Redskin Clinton Portis and his defense of Vick and alleged dogfighting. This one’s ugly. And shows a high IQ is not a prerequisite of being an NFL star.

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As we celebrate “Michael Vick Week” here at Fresh Loaf, a clip of his infamous “salute” to fans at the Georgia Dome last year.

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In our second installment in celebration of “Michael Vick Week” at Fresh Loaf, here’s a wicked funny “SNL” clip that lampoons Vick’s trip through airport security in Miami and the now infamous water bottle with the fake compartment.

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We proudly proclaim this “Michael Vick Week” on the YouTube clip of the day. First up, the Michael Vick we all love: the athlete who threatened to change the definition of an NFL quarterback.

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ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” ran a damning report over the weekend in which a confidential source associated with pitbull fighting says Vick is “one of the heavyweights” in the underground, and illegal, network.

Interesting was the Falcons very muted response: “Michael was drafted by the Falcons in 2001. The allegations regarding him are still under investigation, and until we have facts related to the investigation, we are unable to respond further.”

The NFL’s reaction was more direct: “Dog fighting is cruel, degrading, and illegal. We support a thorough investigation into any allegations of this type of activity. Any NFL employee proved to be involved in this type of activity will be subject to prompt and significant discipline under our personal conduct policy.”

There has to be a legitimate concern now that Vick could face a long suspension from the league. Which would leave his future with the team very much in limbo.

The interesting part of the ESPN clip is that Vick is questioned on the run by a TV reporter. He answers every question, then is asked whether he thinks he’ll be exonerated in the end. “Man, no comment,” Vick says.

One would prefer that he give a resounding “Yes” to that question.

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Michael Vick’s long off-season just continues on and on. Now is a damning story posted by Don Banks of SI.com, which features interviews with unnamed friends of Vick and some very telling comments from Falcons owner Arthur Blank.

Writes Banks:

Seven years into an NFL career known for its peaks and valleys, Vick’s off-field behavior has become almost as newsworthy as his unique on-field talents. Many wonder if he will ever mature enough to embrace the responsibilities and expectations inherent in being a franchise quarterback in the NFL. More importantly, there are questions about whether his liabilities are approaching a tipping point in Atlanta, and if 2007 could be his make-or-break season with the Falcons.

The portrait of Vick that sources painted was of a “rock star” athlete who believes the rules don’t apply to him and who seems to have little awareness of how his actions and lack of judgment reflect so poorly on the franchise that has made him its public face and paid him millions of dollars in the process.

Vick is not a “bad guy,” the sources say, but he refuses to take direction from anyone, often fails to recognize good advice when it’s offered, and is unwilling to separate himself from bad influences, who are largely friends and members of his ever-present “posse.”

(more…)

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In what has been an off-season from hell for Falcons QB Michael Vick, the star football player has found himself up the wrong shit creek this time, literally.

Both the AJC and ProFootballTalk.com have reported that as of early Thursday morning, Vick is yet to pay a fine that he was given for a misdemeanor trespassing citation back in February for fishing in the Western Branch lake in Virginia. He was due in Suffolk County Court today to settle the matter. Odd.

But even stranger is the new AJC story reporting that the charges have suddenly been dismissed. More odd.

The AJC reported that it is not known whether Vick or a representative appeared in court today, just that the court papers document the case has been dismissed.

This is really no big deal and just seems fishy. The strangest thing is, coming only a few days after Vick’s AirTran mishap, this has been an off-season full of headlines for Vick as he has found himself in small pieces of trouble far too often. He has never been convicted of any sort of violent crime, nor has he really done anything wrong, but his record of missing breakfast with Congress, giving the finger to the crowd and fishing in the wrong end zone just seems out of place for the Falcons QB — whose name usually only appears in box scores.

Opening day is just over four months away … how about laying low for a while, Vickster?

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