Report: Vick to be suspended four games for 2009 season
According to a report by ESPN.com, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has decided to suspend Michael Vick for four games of the 2009 season, but said the free agent quarterback is free to sign with any team and can attend training camp. ESPN states that Goodell is expected to wait until early next week before officially announcing the decision.
So much for some folks thinking that Vick was going to be suspended for eight or even 16 full games this season. Everyone has the right to have their own opinion on whether or not Goodell let Vick off easy, but don’t forget that the former Falcon has already spent 23 months in jail, which is something Pacman Jones, Chris Henry, Tank Johnson never did before serving their suspensions from the commissioner.
Now the waiting game for Vick begins. Which team will ultimately decide to sign Vick and all of his baggage? Will he even be signed? To some, it’s already a foregone conclusion that some team will take a flier on him, but don’t forget that with signing Vick, a team also opens the door to immense criticism from their fan base, not too mention the media attention that inevitable circus that will follow him once he’s signed.
Personally, I still like the Raiders, Seahawks or 49ers as his possible landing spots. The Raiders because Al Davis is clinically insane (he has to be right?) and could care less about what people think. The Seahawks because new head coach Jim Mora personally held Vick’s jock strap for him on the sidelines when he was in Atlanta. And the 49ers because if there’s one person that could truly help Vick turn his life around, I think it’s Mike Singletary. (Oh, and because Shaun Hill is expected to start at quarterback for San Fran…not that he’s not good…eeeh.)
According to the law Vick served his time and that’s fine with me. I hope he stays away from some of the people he had around him and he makes it……my guess is that he won’t though. He will surround himself with fools, spend money and do the wrong things.
What a cop-out by Goodell! He had a chance to make a statement to the rest of the players by saying “F with me and you’re finished” but instead he played with the system. Who is going to sign a QB who can’t even play until week 5? I’m sure there is some idiot owner who will, because almost every owner has some “idiot” in him. But if this dude played any other position, he’d be virtually finished for his NFL career. Goodell took advantage of that and rather than take a stand against the union and suspend the guy for an entire season. He’s betting that nobody in their right mind would sign a QB for 12 games, let alone a QB that PETA will be hounding every step of the way, in every city.
Ok, I’ll say it…Roger Goodell is a pussy.
I’ve lost a lot of respect for the guy I thought had the game’s best interest at heart. What’s next, Plax signs with the Bears or the Jets?
Roger…your league is a mess. The problem isn’t the players, the problem is the fans don’t care. Then aagain, that ain’t your problem. You still should have made the right decision.
I have no problem with this.
Vick would be a huge asset to a team looking to use the Wildcat formation from time to time to mix things up and create issues for the defense in the Red Zone.
After the bullshit that Goodell just pulled with moving the draft to a 3 day event, I have lost all respect for the guy.
I don’t know why I was anonymous, but I feel it necessary to claim my work, I hate Goodell!!!
The wildcat “copycat” offense is a gimmick that will be finished once Belichick designs the scheme to counter it no matter what defensive formation they’re in. And it will happen.
I agree with T-Bone.
Goodell needs to enforce the NFL ‘code of conduct’ and do it with specific guidelines. No more convicted felons. No more convictions of drugs, violence, DUI, or illegal guns allowed period. No discussion, just make that mistake one time, and you lose your career in the NFL, period. They make millions, and are idolized by kids. They should be held to a higher standard. Until they make NFL an “adults only” sport, then players should have to be squeaky clean to have the PRIVILEGE OF PLAYING IN THE NFL.
Vick’s crimes were premeditated heinous and vile acts of violence agains his own family pets, losing dogs, and the slow torture to death of dogs in a fighting ring. He knew what he was doing was wrong, or he wouldn’t have hidden it so well for over 8 years.
A word to the wise, there are millions of dog lovers. The pet industry in America is worth billions. Is any team really willing to take a chance on losing fans in this economy because of Vick the Sicko? I’m not PETA, but I damn sure love dogs, and Vick will always disgust me and all the men, women, and children I know.
I agree with the previous posts – this was Goodell’s chance to enforce the ‘code of ethics’ and I am completely let down. Especially after Vick lied to his face about the whole thing! I do believe people can change and turn their lives around and I sincerely hope he does; he could be a huge advocate for animal rights. But even if he is sincere, I don’t think the NFL is the place for his turn-around. Have no doubt that the animal lovers of this country will not forget. As for forgiving, I can more easily forgive the perpetrator (especially is he shows that he is really trying to change his ethics) than I can a team who values potential profit over heinous injustice. We will not forget…and if he is picked, we will be there…