Vick indicted

[IceCap]

And its even more ludicrous to call the entire team Dog Killers. Such a shame.

That is unfair, but the Falcons aren't helping themselves when the players refuse to take a stand against Vick. I know, Vick hasn't been found guilty yet, but I just want to see one player say "IF these charges are true, then Mike Vick's a terrible person and should go to jail."

Instead we get Warrick Dunn (someone I have the utmost respect for) saying "he's like a brother to me." Come on now. As an organization you should be working to distance yourself from the scumbag Mike Vick probably is.

[Telemundo219]

And its even more ludicrous to call the entire team Dog Killers. Such a shame.

That is unfair, but the Falcons aren't helping themselves when the players refuse to take a stand against Vick. I know, Vick hasn't been found guilty yet, but I just want to see one player say "IF these charges are true, then Mike Vick's a terrible person and should go to jail."

Instead we get Warrick Dunn (someone I have the utmost respect for) saying "he's like a brother to me." Come on now. As an organization you should be working to distance yourself from the scumbag Mike Vick probably is.

I don't get it. Why do should people cowardly distance themselves only for their "image"? Vick hasn't proven guilty of anything only of bad decision making of allowing his cousin to be in the his place doing what he did. Other than that, he's stands innoncent. These witchhunts to maintain an image rather than out of real care for those in really in trouble (the dogs) is what's really terrible. Arthur Blank, ESPN, and even those animal rights organizations might not really even care about those dogs being trained for fighting. Arthur Blank just probably cares about the image of the Atlanta falcons organization, ESPN and the media just wants to make some news so they can make money and the animal rights organizations just probably want to feel important so they've hopped on this story. Dogfighting didn't start with Michael Vick and won't end with him especially in terms of athlete participaion. Vick should've distanced himself from this issue sometime ago and if he did this story wouldn't be a big deal at all. I commend the Atlanta Falcons players for not being scared to stand in support of a companion in turmoil.

[IceCap]

And its even more ludicrous to call the entire team Dog Killers. Such a shame.

That is unfair, but the Falcons aren't helping themselves when the players refuse to take a stand against Vick. I know, Vick hasn't been found guilty yet, but I just want to see one player say "IF these charges are true, then Mike Vick's a terrible person and should go to jail."

Instead we get Warrick Dunn (someone I have the utmost respect for) saying "he's like a brother to me." Come on now. As an organization you should be working to distance yourself from the scumbag Mike Vick probably is.

I don't get it. Why do should people cowardly distance themselves only for their "image"? Vick hasn't proven guilty of anything only of bad decision making of allowing his cousin to be in the his place doing what he did. other than that he's stands innoncent. These witchhunts to maintain an image rather than out of real care for those in really in trouble (the dogs) is what's really terrible. Arthur Blan, ESPN, and evan those animal rights organizations might nt really even care about those dogs being trained for fighting. Arthur Blank just cares about the image of the Atlanta falcons organization, ESPN and the media just wantto make somenews so they can make money and the animal rights organizations just probably want to feel important so they've hoped on this story. Dogfighting didn't start with Michael Vick and won't end with him especially in terms of athlete participaion. Vick sould've distanced himself from this isue sometime ago and if he did this story wouldn't be a big deal at all. I commend the Atlanta Falcons players for not being scared to stand in support of a ompanion in turmoil.

Damn the Jewish World Conspiracy for going after Mike Vick! I mean it's not like he started the concept of dog fighting, so why's everyone getting on his case?

Please. Listen to yourself. Mike Vick forced dogs to fight and killed them if they didn't win (losing him money). He's a despicable human being, if he can be called a human being. So what if he's a celebrity? Dog fighting rings are broken up all the time. Of course there's going to be more attention focused on a bust and trial when one of the involved individuals is a star quarterback for a NFL team.

This isn't a witch hunt. That would be the case if the FBI decided they wanted to crack down on dog fighting, and decided to frame Vick so they could get their point across. Guess what sparky, that's not what's happened.

Here's what happened, Mike Vick was involved in dog fighting, and he got caught. Simple.

So get off your soap box, and quit the "must hate authority" bend.

Mike Vick isn't being investigated because he's black (I know you didn't say that, but I'll put that out there anyway, just to nip the argument before anyone decides to start it).

Mike Vick isn't being investigated because he's a celebrity.

Mike Vick is being investigated because he played a large part in a dog fighting ring, and he got caught. He broke the law, and he'll go to trial for it. Simple as that.

Oh, and the Falcons standing up to "the man" and not condemning Vick doesn't make them cool or anything. It makes them look like cowards for failing to pull support for a scumbag just because he previously made them truckloads of money.

[HedleyLamarr]

And its even more ludicrous to call the entire team Dog Killers. Such a shame.

That is unfair, but the Falcons aren't helping themselves when the players refuse to take a stand against Vick. I know, Vick hasn't been found guilty yet, but I just want to see one player say "IF these charges are true, then Mike Vick's a terrible person and should go to jail."

Instead we get Warrick Dunn (someone I have the utmost respect for) saying "he's like a brother to me." Come on now. As an organization you should be working to distance yourself from the scumbag Mike Vick probably is.

I don't get it. Why do should people cowardly distance themselves only for their "image"? Vick hasn't proven guilty of anything only of bad decision making of allowing his cousin to be in the his place doing what he did. other than that he's stands innoncent. These witchhunts to maintain an image rather than out of real care for those in really in trouble (the dogs) is what's really terrible. Arthur Blan, ESPN, and evan those animal rights organizations might nt really even care about those dogs being trained for fighting. Arthur Blank just cares about the image of the Atlanta falcons organization, ESPN and the media just wantto make somenews so they can make money and the animal rights organizations just probably want to feel important so they've hoped on this story. Dogfighting didn't start with Michael Vick and won't end with him especially in terms of athlete participaion. Vick sould've distanced himself from this isue sometime ago and if he did this story wouldn't be a big deal at all. I commend the Atlanta Falcons players for not being scared to stand in support of a ompanion in turmoil.

Damn the Jewish World Conspiracy for going after Mike Vick! I mean it's not like he started the concept of dog fighting, so why's everyone getting on his case?

Please. Listen to yourself. Mike Vick forced dogs to fight and killed them if they didn't win (losing him money). He's a despicable human being, if he can be called a human being. So what if he's a celebrity? Dog fighting rings are broken up all the time. Of course there's going to be more attention focused on a bust and trial when one of the involved individuals is a star quarterback for a NFL team.

This isn't a witch hunt. That would be the case if the FBI decided they wanted to crack down on dog fighting, and decided to frame Vick so they could get their point across. Guess what sparky, that's not what's happened.

Here's what happened, Mike Vick was involved in dog fighting, and he got caught. Simple.

So get off your soap box, and quit the "must hate authority" bend.

Mike Vick isn't being investigated because he's black (I know you didn't say that, but I'll put that out there anyway, just to nip the argument before anyone decides to start it).

Mike Vick isn't being investigated because he's a celebrity.

Mike Vick is being investigated because he played a large part in a dog fighting ring, and he got caught. He broke the law, and he'll go to trial for it. Simple as that.

Oh, and the Falcons standing up to "the man" and not condemning Vick doesn't make them cool or anything. It makes them look like cowards for failing to pull support for a scumbag just because he previously made them truckloads of money.

There is this thing called "due process". Right now, all of this is alleged.

The Falcons will continue to support Vick until he's charged "Guilty".

[IceCap]

And its even more ludicrous to call the entire team Dog Killers. Such a shame.

That is unfair, but the Falcons aren't helping themselves when the players refuse to take a stand against Vick. I know, Vick hasn't been found guilty yet, but I just want to see one player say "IF these charges are true, then Mike Vick's a terrible person and should go to jail."

Instead we get Warrick Dunn (someone I have the utmost respect for) saying "he's like a brother to me." Come on now. As an organization you should be working to distance yourself from the scumbag Mike Vick probably is.

I don't get it. Why do should people cowardly distance themselves only for their "image"? Vick hasn't proven guilty of anything only of bad decision making of allowing his cousin to be in the his place doing what he did. other than that he's stands innoncent. These witchhunts to maintain an image rather than out of real care for those in really in trouble (the dogs) is what's really terrible. Arthur Blan, ESPN, and evan those animal rights organizations might nt really even care about those dogs being trained for fighting. Arthur Blank just cares about the image of the Atlanta falcons organization, ESPN and the media just wantto make somenews so they can make money and the animal rights organizations just probably want to feel important so they've hoped on this story. Dogfighting didn't start with Michael Vick and won't end with him especially in terms of athlete participaion. Vick sould've distanced himself from this isue sometime ago and if he did this story wouldn't be a big deal at all. I commend the Atlanta Falcons players for not being scared to stand in support of a ompanion in turmoil.

Damn the Jewish World Conspiracy for going after Mike Vick! I mean it's not like he started the concept of dog fighting, so why's everyone getting on his case?

Please. Listen to yourself. Mike Vick forced dogs to fight and killed them if they didn't win (losing him money). He's a despicable human being, if he can be called a human being. So what if he's a celebrity? Dog fighting rings are broken up all the time. Of course there's going to be more attention focused on a bust and trial when one of the involved individuals is a star quarterback for a NFL team.

This isn't a witch hunt. That would be the case if the FBI decided they wanted to crack down on dog fighting, and decided to frame Vick so they could get their point across. Guess what sparky, that's not what's happened.

Here's what happened, Mike Vick was involved in dog fighting, and he got caught. Simple.

So get off your soap box, and quit the "must hate authority" bend.

Mike Vick isn't being investigated because he's black (I know you didn't say that, but I'll put that out there anyway, just to nip the argument before anyone decides to start it).

Mike Vick isn't being investigated because he's a celebrity.

Mike Vick is being investigated because he played a large part in a dog fighting ring, and he got caught. He broke the law, and he'll go to trial for it. Simple as that.

Oh, and the Falcons standing up to "the man" and not condemning Vick doesn't make them cool or anything. It makes them look like cowards for failing to pull support for a scumbag just because he previously made them truckloads of money.

There is this thing called "due process". Right now, all of this is alleged.

The Falcons will continue to support Vick until he's charged "Guilty".

This was covered in an other thread. Whether he's guilty or not and what the courts decide are not guaranteed to be the same. True, this is the United States government we're talking about, so I doubt Vick will be able to simply buy his way out if he is guilty. Still, the conviction rate in cases brought by the Federal government is 95%, so there's still a 5% chance he'll walk, regardless of his guilt, or lack of guilt. Even if does beat the rap, there's still a lot of people who won't be convinced he's totally clean. A lot of people think he's guilty, and there's a lot of evidence that supports that assumption. A poorly prepared prosecution, or sympathetic jury (see the OJ case) can sink even the most seemingly open and shut case. So even if Vick is found not guilty there's still going to be a lot of people who think he simply dodged a bullet.

[BlueSky]

Several things trouble me about Mike. "Innocent until proven guilty" goes without saying. Still, people who have done nothing wrong usually shout it from the rooftops. Vick has been silent except for his reply when asked by a local reporter if he would be exonerated: "Man, no comment."

When the indictment came down, the NFL said they wouldn't suspend him immediately and needed to explore the situation further. Now they've asked him to stay away from camp and you can't even buy Vick merchandise from the NFL Shop. Money is the bottom line so draw your own conclusion about what the NFL may have discovered during their investigation since the indictment. Same goes for Nike and Reebok. That's unprecedented, and those 3 entities have basically euthanized a cash cow. Why? Granted there's a public uproar at the moment but I still don't think they would take such radical action unless they know a lot more than they're saying.

The latest rumor is that one of his homies may flip and make a deal.

All things considered, I think Mike's in big, big trouble. He may be wearing an orange monochrome alt one day soon.

Update - one of his co-defendants has indeed made a deal. From the story:

-----

RICHMOND, Virginia (CNN) -- One of the co-defendants in the Michael Vick federal dogfighting case pleaded guilty on Monday and pledged to fully cooperate with prosecutors.

-----

Mike's hosed.

[otherwilds]

Has the NFL banned "who let the dawgs out" from stadium music selections yet?

[Djarnis]

I say let a few rabid dogs have, oh say, maybe just five minutes with these individuals... Dogfighting is bad enough. But drowning? Electrocuting? S I C K

[HedleyLamarr]

UPDATE!!!!

Vick's other two co-defendants are scheduling plea deals. This doesn't seem to be good news for Vick.

Link

[See Red]

He's got a huge decision to make. If I'm him I start working on a deal. That's an awfully strong case against him and it just keeps getting stronger and stronger. And that's before they start adding on additional charges...

[HedleyLamarr]

ESPN did mention that Vick's meeting with his lawyers tonight, and that this news suprised them. Couple this with Yahoo's mentioning that the legue might be suspending Vick for the season, and Vick might not be playing football for a long time.

Remember when athletes would go on vacation or go on fishing trips during the offseason?

[Coast2CoastAM2006]

Has the NFL banned "who let the dawgs out" from stadium music selections yet?

do the falcons play the browns in cleveland this year? i'd be interested in what the dawg pownd fans in cleveland would do if the falcons played the browns this year. it would be an interesting game none the less

[WJMorris3]

He might want to stay away from any inmates named Unger while he is in jail, if he goes to jail. They make really bad Caretakers.

[BCBoy]

Has the NFL banned "who let the dawgs out" from stadium music selections yet?

Haha! Wow, great pic.

And yes, this thing isn't unraveling too well for MV.

skyaa1 put it best:

Mike's hosed.

[FiddySicks]

Im still gonna wait till the courts have made a decision, or he admits to the crime, but I must say it really doesn't look good for Vick. Hell, im suprised there hasn't even been a fall guy put in place or something along those lines. It looks like the justice system REALLY wants to make an example of Vick.

[BlueSky]

Local media is reporting that another "prominent" Falcons player may be subpoenaed as a witness in the Mike Vick case. Can't find a link but it was a lead story on Fox 5 news here in Atlanta last night.

In the meantime, Warrick Dunn - one of the most stand up guys in the entire NFL - said the following in this story:

"I don't think anybody on this team right now is hoping that Mike comes back," Dunn said. "If he comes back, that's great, but I just think right now we're at a point where the guys that are here are trying to get better and move on down the road. Mike is going to be missed and has been missed, but at the same time you have to go on."

And in other Falcons-who-are-dangerous-to-dogs'-health news...

Expert to Examine Dog's Body in Babineaux Case

For those not familiar, Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux is accused of killing his girlfriend's dog following an argument he had with the girlfriend.

Tough year in Falconland.

[njmeadowlanders]

How about this story? (Which btw, has to either be a hoax or this guy is 110% INSANE - and the .pdf they give handwritten doesn't help it's validity...)

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,293268,00.html

Embattled NFL quarterback Michael Vick, facing federal charges related to his alleged participation in dogfighting, has been hit with a "$63,000,000,000 billion dollar" lawsuit filed by a South Carolina inmate who alleges the Atlanta Falcons star stole his pit bulls and sold them on eBay to buy "missiles from Iran," FOX News has learned.

Riches alleges that Vick stole two white mixed pit bull dogs from his home in Holiday, Fla., and used them for dogfighting operations in Richmond, Va. The complaint goes on to allege that Vick sold the dogs on eBay and ?used the proceeds to purchase missiles from the Iran government.?

The complaint also alleges that Vick would need those missiles because he pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda in February of this year.

?Michael Vick has to stop physically hurting my feelings and dashing my hopes,? Riches writes in the complaint.

Riches wants $63 billion dollars ?backed by gold and silver ? delivered to the front gates to the Williamsburg Federal Correctional facility in South Carolina. Riches is an inmate at the facility serving out a wire fraud conviction.

If that guy isn't completely insane or this isn't a hoax, then I give up--I just give up...

[Epiphanic]

If you google "Jonathan Lee Riches" you'll see that he's apparently a South Carolina prisoner on identity theft charges. That explains the "restrictions on typewriters." Here is a "critique" of the filing. Riches has also filed other comedic lawsuits before this one.

[OnWis97]

How about this story? (Which btw, has to either be a hoax or this guy is 110% INSANE - and the .pdf they give handwritten doesn't help it's validity...)

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,293268,00.html

Embattled NFL quarterback Michael Vick, facing federal charges related to his alleged participation in dogfighting, has been hit with a "$63,000,000,000 billion dollar" lawsuit filed by a South Carolina inmate who alleges the Atlanta Falcons star stole his pit bulls and sold them on eBay to buy "missiles from Iran," FOX News has learned.

Riches alleges that Vick stole two white mixed pit bull dogs from his home in Holiday, Fla., and used them for dogfighting operations in Richmond, Va. The complaint goes on to allege that Vick sold the dogs on eBay and ?used the proceeds to purchase missiles from the Iran government.?

The complaint also alleges that Vick would need those missiles because he pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda in February of this year.

?Michael Vick has to stop physically hurting my feelings and dashing my hopes,? Riches writes in the complaint.

Riches wants $63 billion dollars ?backed by gold and silver ? delivered to the front gates to the Williamsburg Federal Correctional facility in South Carolina. Riches is an inmate at the facility serving out a wire fraud conviction.

If that guy isn't completely insane or this isn't a hoax, then I give up--I just give up...

Finally, a Faux News story I can get on board with!

It looks more like an Onion Story to me.

Obviously the grammar nazis (I am one myself) will be all over "$63,000,000,000 billion dollar". Though that was apparently from the plaintiff and not Faux.

[DEAD!]

How about this story? (Which btw, has to either be a hoax or this guy is 110% INSANE - and the .pdf they give handwritten doesn't help it's validity...)

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,293268,00.html

Embattled NFL quarterback Michael Vick, facing federal charges related to his alleged participation in dogfighting, has been hit with a "$63,000,000,000 billion dollar" lawsuit filed by a South Carolina inmate who alleges the Atlanta Falcons star stole his pit bulls and sold them on eBay to buy "missiles from Iran," FOX News has learned.

Riches alleges that Vick stole two white mixed pit bull dogs from his home in Holiday, Fla., and used them for dogfighting operations in Richmond, Va. The complaint goes on to allege that Vick sold the dogs on eBay and “used the proceeds to purchase missiles from the Iran government.”

The complaint also alleges that Vick would need those missiles because he pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda in February of this year.

“Michael Vick has to stop physically hurting my feelings and dashing my hopes,” Riches writes in the complaint.

Riches wants $63 billion dollars “backed by gold and silver “ delivered to the front gates to the Williamsburg Federal Correctional facility in South Carolina. Riches is an inmate at the facility serving out a wire fraud conviction.

If that guy isn't completely insane or this isn't a hoax, then I give up--I just give up...

.... I ... have .... to.... stop.... laughing.....

This makes that guy who sued the cleaners for millions of dollars look sane by comparison....