Vick leads Daily Show

It's officially a national humiliation -- Michael Vick was the lead story on last night's Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

Goodell waiting until Blank returns?

After further consideration, perhaps Commissioner Roger Goodell is waiting to make a definitive statement until he can confer with Falcons owner Arthur Blank. I understand from Atlanta sports radio station 790 The Zone that Arthur Blank and Rich McKay are on a return flight from Africa.

This means that the lawyerly official statement from the Atlanta Falcons likely came from the station-keeping part of the organization, without input from Blank or McKay. Late tomorrow, after the Falcons brass have had a chance to digest the situation, we might have a better idea how the League will handle Vick's indictment.

UPDATE: Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports! Reports! that Vick will be suspended.

Vick is expected to be suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after news broke Tuesday evening that Vick was indicted by federal authorities in connection with dog fighting in Virginia. The indictment followed a three-month investigation.

While Goodell was not reached for comment, two sources said the commissioner has been monitoring the Vick case since April, when investigators initially found evidence of dog fighting at a home Vick owned in Smithfield.

"Where (Vick) is in the most trouble is that he lied to the commissioner," a league source said. "He told (Goodell) in April that he didn't know anything about this. The commissioner gave (Vick) every chance to come clean, be straight about what was going on. Instead, he just kept denying it."

Vick Swooshed Off?

The guys over at ProFootballTalk are reporting (or rumor-mongering) that Nike is already planning to drop Michael Vick as quietly as possible.

Official Ass-Covering Statements

The NFL and Atlanta Falcons have issued some wishy-washy CYA statements for the press. Enjoy.

NFL Official Statement (courtesy of the AJC):

"We are disappointed that Michael Vick has put himself in a position where a federal grand jury has returned an indictment against him," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said.

"The activities alleged are cruel, degrading and illegal. Michael Vick's guilt has not yet been proven, and we believe that all concerned should allow the legal process to determine the facts."

I may have to eat my earlier words about a quick suspension. Could the NFLPA finally be rattling its sword? I certainly hope this is not where the union decides to make its stand on the Personal Conduct Policy.

Atlanta Falcons Official Statement:

This situation has been troubling to many people, including our fans, during the last few months. With today’s news, our club and team will continue to be tested as Michael works through the legal process toward a conclusion.

We are disappointed that one of our players – and therefore the Falcons – is being presented to the public in a negative way, and we apologize to our fans and the community for that.

Obviously, we are disturbed by today’s news from Virginia. However, we are prepared to deal with it, and we will do the right thing for our club as the legal process plays out. We have a season to prepare for and training camp opens next week. Our plan is to continue to do everything we can to support our players and coaches.

Looks like the Falcons plan to see the way the wind blows before they do anything. Nice way to play the CYA game and completely abandon any thought of doing what's best for the team to win instead of what's the best for the bottom line.

For those wondering about the language of the Personal Conduct Policy, I believe this is the relevant text:

Prohibited Conduct

It will be considered conduct detrimental for Covered Persons to engage in (or to aid, abet or conspire to engage in or to incite) violent and/or criminal activity. Examples of such Prohibited Conduct include, without limitation: any crime involving the use or threat of physical violence to a person or persons; the use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a crime; possession or distribution of a weapon in violation of state or federal law; involvement in "hate crimes" or crimes of domestic violence; theft, larceny or other property crimes; sex offenses; racketeering; money laundering; obstruction of justice; resisting arrest; fraud; and violent or threatening conduct. Additionally, Covered Persons shall not by their words or conduct suggest that criminal activity is acceptable or condoned within the NFL.

Persons Charged With Criminal Activity

Any Covered Person arrested for or charged with conduct prohibited by this policy will be required to undergo an immediate, mandatory clinical evaluation and, if directed, appropriate counseling. Such evaluation and counseling must be performed under the direction and supervision of the NFL Vice President of Player and Employee Development. Failure to cooperate with evaluation and counseling (including being arrested for or charged with additional criminal activity during the evaluation and counseling period) shall itself be conduct detrimental to the National Football League and shall be punishable by fine or suspension at the discretion of the Commissioner.

In short, being charged with a violent crime is sufficient for a suspension. Remember, that the man who issues the penalties, Commissioner Roger Goodell, is the same man who hears the appeals, Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Juicy Bits from the Vick Indictment

After reading through the 18-page indictment, the first thing that struck me was Ookie?!? Mike, you're the highest paid player in the NFL and you let people call you Ookie?

Regarding page 4, section 6
Vick bought the Moonlight Road property for $34,000 in 2001. Six years later, the asking price is $350,000 even though dog fighting occurred there. Nice investment!

Regarding page 5, section 10
If you're running an illegal dog fighting operation, why are you buying shirts and headbands to promote it!

Regarding page 6, sections 12-17
Interesting that there's no mention of Vick executing any of the dogs. Doesn't make him any less guilt.

Regarding page 12, section 54
What kind of monster electrocutes a dog?!?

While there are a lot of approximations and generalizations, it is my understanding that this is common in indictments.

But no matter what the feds can prove, I seriously doubt that Vick will be convicted, much less do time. He has enough money to hire lawyers that "crap reasonable doubt on a Saturday afternoon," as the PFT guys once put it.

Culpepper to Atlanta?

With the looming suspension/release of Michael Vick, does it make sense to pick up Daunte Culpepper?

Culpepper was released by the Miami Dolphins today, so he needs a new gig. I'm not exactly comfortable with Joey Harrington running the offense, so why not bring them back together. It will be just like Miami last year! Check that, maybe it's not so good.

If the rumors that Culpepper was rushed back last year are accurate, and if he's truly healthy now, Culpepper could be a steal. That's a few too many "ifs" to be a solid bet, but it's certainly worth a Budweiser Long Shot chance. He's big enough to deal with the crummy offensive line and has the gun to throw it deep in Petrino's offense.

If I'm Rich McKay, I'm calling Culpepper's agent, Daunte Culpepper, to see about bringing Daunte Culpepper to Atlanta.

Feds bite Vick

Michael Vick was indicted by a federal grand jury in Richmond, VA this afternoon, ironically reported by ESPN. Details of the indictment from ESPN (also full doc from the AJC):

The indictment alleges that Vick and his co-defendants began sponsoring dogfighting in early 2001, the former Virginia Tech star's rookie year with the Falcons.

The Falcons quarterback was indicted for conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District in Richmond, Va. Three others -- Purnell Peace, Quanis Phillips and Tony Taylor -- also were indicted by the grand jury on the same charges.

According to a news release from the United States Attorney's Office of the Eastern District of Virginia: "If convicted on the Travel Act portion of the conspiracy charge, each defendant faces a statutory maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and full restitution. If convicted on the animal fighting venture portion of the conspiracy charge, each defendant faces one year in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both. The indictment also includes a forfeiture allegation seeking recovery of any property constituting, or derived from, proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of these offenses."

Vick is done. Vick is done. Vick is done.

I don't see any way that Roger Goodell cannot suspend him after the indictment. The storm that was brewing earlier has just broken all over the Atlanta Falcons. Blank made a bad $130 million bet, and it just crapped out.

Blank and company, I plead to you: cut your losses and this fool. Don't worry about recovering the signing bonuses. Don't wait for a suspension. Pull your tail from between your legs and distance yourself from this heinous behavior.