Month: May 2007 (Page 12 of 12)

In case anyone has missed it, Falcons’ quarterback Michael Vick has found himself in the middle of serious legal allegations in which there’s suspicion he had involvement in a dog fighting ring conducted at a home he owns in Surry County, Virginia.

Let’s recap:
April 26th, one of Vick’s family members, Davon Boddie, was arrested on drug charges. Boddie’s home – which is owned by Vick – was suspected of foul play when officers found more than 50 dogs were malnourished and showed signs of neglect and abuse.

– April 27th, Vick blames family members for the condition of the dogs.

– April 30th, Vick was cleared of any involvement of the dog fighting and vows a lifestyle change in order to clean up his image.

– Most recently, however, the FBI has joined the investigation and uncovered a dog breeding business linked to Vick’s company, MV7, LLC, through a website called Vick’s K-9 Kennels. The website claims, “We do not promote, support or raise dogs for fighting and will not knowingly sell, give, or trade any dog that may be used for fighting.”

Here’s the thing, we’d all like to believe the FBI is going to seek out anyone who was involved and prosecute, but it’s not like Vick strolled down to Sam’s Club to buy the equipment necessary to run an operation like this. I assume it’s going to be tough for investigators to nail him on something as underground as dog fighting seems. Personally, I hope the FBI can uncover the truth and only one of two things happen. If Vick was involved, may the powers at be find the proper evidence and convict him as a criminal and not a superstar athlete. Or, if he was truly naïve to the situation and seriously intended to run a clean business in which some family members spun an illegal profit out of, then he needs to be properly exonerated and we as the media – at least in this situation – need to clear his name.

These athletes are getting too much star treatment for criminal acts and are under too much securitization when they’re truly innocent. I obviously don’t know if Vick is guilty or not, but I do know, “innocent until proven guilty” is just a novelty phrase these days (just look at the Duke Lacrosse-rape case). It’s extremely hard to believe Vick didn’t realize an illegal dog fighting ring was being conducted at a home he owned, but it’s not entirely out of the question either. Either way, Vick needs to put on the big boy pants and wake up, because he’s pissing away a career opportunity most would die for by constantly finding his name in the wrong headlines.

The Chiefs traded defensive tackle Ryan Sims to the Bucs Tuesday for an undisclosed draft pick. Sims was the sixth overall pick in the ’02 draft and has been a colossal bust thus far. It’s amazing the Chiefs got anything for him, but it’s worth it for the Bucs to take a shot on Sims possibly resurrecting his career in a new city.

Speaking of busts – this one of the free agent variety – the Eagles finally cut ties with linebacker Dhani Jones. Philly acquired Jones in ’04, inking him to a $12.5 million contract, but he never panned out. The Eagles will save $1.5 million in cap space with his release and will give Chris Gocong and Stewart Bradley a chance to start at the strong side ‘backer position.

Maybe Jones will get a look in Atlanta, who lost linebacker Demorrio Williams to a torn pectoral muscle over the weekend. In another blow to the defense, Atlanta also lost defensive tackle Rod Coleman to a quadriceps injury after a jet skiing accident. Both players are huge keys to the Falcons’ defense and will miss anywhere from three to five months. These injuries don’t bode well considering the Falcons also have a mess on their hands concerning defensive tackle Grady Jackson, who is suing the team for possibly tampering with his free agency status last year and wants to be cut or traded.

Just three days after selecting USC wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers released 12-year vet Keyshawn Johnson. Citing the need to get younger, the Panthers decided to part with Johnson after just one year of service. Jarrett will now get the opportunity to start opposite Steve Smith.

Wow, all I can think of is Johnson sitting at the podium with the ESPN draft crew on Saturday, commenting on how he was going to tutor Jarrett next season. Guess not Key. The move makes sense considering Johnson and Jarrett are arguably the same slow, but sure-handed possession receiver with outstanding leaping ability. Not too mention Jarrett is younger and cheaper. Maybe Johnson will catch on in Atlanta with Joe Horn and the Falcons can host the “All NFC South Revenge Team”.