Category: NFL (Page 1129 of 1282)

Jay Glazer of FOX Sports is reporting NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has ordered Michael Vick not to attend Atlanta Falcons’ training camp this year.

“While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the National Football League to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies, including the Personal Conduct Policy,” Goodell said in a letter to the quarterback.

This was hands down the right decision by Goodell and the rest of the Falcons players should be grateful. Protesters already showed up at the Falcons’ training facilities in Flowery Branch today, with more likely to come when camp officially opens on Thursday. Owner Arthur Blank and the rest of the Atlanta organization couldn’t guarantee the right amount of security to protect all of its players, so there was no other decision to be made. With Vick absent, the media circus is still going to be horrendous, but it will pail in comparison to if the quarterback attended.

Warning to Michael: this is just Goodell’s warm up – plenty more is to come.

With all the trouble Michael Vick is getting into these days, apparently Falcons’ safety Jimmy Williams felt left out. Williams was reportedly charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession in early June according to a report from CBS 46 in Atlanta. He has of course stated his innocence.

On top of Vick and Williams’ issues, don’t forget that defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux was accused of killing his girlfriends’ dog (what’s with this team and cruelty to dogs?) in mid-February and may face a suspension himself. Throw in Rod Coleman and Demorrio Williams’ freak injuries, and I don’t think an NFL franchise has seen a more tumultuous offseason than the Falcons have. This was a team in the NFC Championship just three years ago, now it’s completely self destructing.

As if limiting non-licensed, online media outlets to 45 seconds of video coverage a day wasn’t enough, the NFL has decided to put their foot on the throats of cameramen too. Apparently the NFL wants cameraman to wear bright red vests with “Reebok” and “Canon” logos on the back while shooting at games this season.

This might not sound like a big deal, but the NFL is basically asking people to be walking billboards for their sponsors. Imagine if you’re a photographer that uses Nikon, but asked to slap a big Canon logo on your back just because you happen to be working at a football game that day. I wouldn’t go as far as saying it’s degrading, but it’s a bit ridiculous when you think about it.

If the league really cared about distinguishing who was allowed to work on their sidelines by making them wear red vests, great, slap an “NFL” logo on the back. Don’t force people to advertise for Reebok or Canon just because the companies are some your biggest sponsors – they’re human beings for cribs’ sake.

According to ESPN.com, Michael Vick could be urged to take a voluntary leave of absence from the Falcons so he can concentrate on his upcoming court proceedings.

There are, however, two critical components that must be resolved: Falcons owner Arthur Blank must be on board with a plan that has generated considerable discussion at the league level the past two days. And Vick, who might be reluctant to accept even a paid hiatus from the game, might have to be convinced that the leave could be his best option right now.

Art, this is currently your best option, get on board with it now. Mike, you’ve got nobody to blame but yourself for the mess you found yourself in, so you shouldn’t have to be “convinced” to take a paid leave. You’re a distraction right now for your coaches, teammates and fans. Take a seat on the sidelines while everything continues to be gathered and for once, don’t be selfish.