Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 1333 of 1503)

ESPN.com is reporting that federal prosecutors are going after nearly $1 million of Michael Vick’s assets to help pay for the care of the pit bulls that were seized from his property. Of course, federal prosecutors aren’t the only ones after Vick’s bankroll.

As part of his plea deal, Vick agreed to make restitution for the care and placement of the 54 pit bulls confiscated from his Bad Newz Kennels property in Surry County. Prosecutors cited a rash of claims by Vick’s creditors and former employer that threaten his ability to make good on the agreement:

• An arbitrator’s ruling that Vick should repay the Atlanta Falcons nearly $20 million in bonus money.

• A lawsuit by Wachovia Bank claiming Vick and others defaulted on a $1.3 million loan for a wine store.

• Royal Bank of Canada’s lawsuit seeking payment for default on a $2.5 million credit line.

• A lawsuit by 1st Source Bank of South Bend, Ind., seeking at least $2 million for loans involving a rental car business.

Hope you saved for a rainy day, Mike.

We’re 11 weeks into the NFL season and the playoff picture is starting to take shape. In my latest NFL Power Rankings, I break down all 32 teams to see which ones are true playoff contenders, which are pretenders and which ones are already looking forward to next April’s draft.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Michael Vick turned himself into custody to begin his prison sentence early. The length of Vick’s sentence won’t even be determined until next month, but he obviously wanted to get the party started early.

“From the beginning, Mr. Vick has accepted responsibility for his actions and his self surrender further demonstrates that acceptance,” Billy Martin, one of Vick’s lawyers, said in a statement.

“Michael wants to again apologize to everyone [who] has been hurt in this matter and he thanks all of the people who have offered him and his family prayers and support during this time.”

From the beginning, Mr. Vick has accepted responsibility? At the beginning he denied everything and blamed family members. It wasn’t until after the feds had insurmountable evidence that pointed to his guilt that he owned up to what he had done. And even then, he still didn’t accept full blame, just partial.

Good luck in prison Mike. Don’t drop the soap.

Here’s what some of the local columnists are saying in the wake of their teams losing on Sunday:

– Jay Mariotti of the Chicago Sun Times brings Rex Grossman back down to earth and notifies him that the Bears are cooked. Mariotti also takes shots at Lovie Smith and Brian Urlacher.

– Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes that outside of Pennsylvania and Ohio, the Steelers are terrible.

– Michael Rosenberg of the Detroit Free Press notes that Mike Martz is outsmarting himself nowadays.

– Terence Moore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution shreds Bobby Petrino and the Falcons for not showing up against the Bucs. Moore has wanted Petrino gone since the Falcons hired him and every time they lose, he’s always the first one in line to criticize the head coach. It’s kind of sad really.

– Paul Daugherty of the Cincinnati Enquirer doesn’t blame fans for leaving the Bengals-Cardinals game early because it was a brutal display of football.

– Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun remembers a time not too long ago when the Ravens made their own luck.

– Jay Posner of the San Diego Union-Tribune questions Norv Turner’s play calling and decision-making after the Chargers’ loss to the Jaguars.

– Ray Ratto of the San Francisco Chronicle noticed a familiar scene during the 49ers’ loss to the Rams.