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.

Local Vick Investigation Complete

Dave Forster of the Virginian-Pilot reports that Sheriff Harold Brown's Surry County investigation into dog fighting at Michael Vick's property should be done by the end of the week.

For those living under a rock, PFT has a great chronology of the dog fighting saga.

I'm only wondering what they've been doing the last few weeks. DA Gerald Poindexter's schizophrenic press conferences have always detailed everything about the local investigation. The only thing he's piped off about lately is incoherent rants on how the Feds won't let him play anymore.

At least the sham investigation is over. Perhaps Poindexter and Brown's dog and pony show in the media will be complete, too.

Kay Yow and Jimmy V - NC State Legends

I'm making a departure from the normal vitriol of this blog to report on something that touches even my cynical soul.

Last week, NC State Women's Hall of Fame Basketball Coach won the inaugural Jimmy V. ESPY for Perseverance, named for the incomparable Jim Valvano. My father went to NC State, and I will never forget watching that miraculous Final Four run Jimmy V's team made. I didn't understand what it meant at the time, but it is a story that has inspired me ever since.

Now, another great NC State coach has a story of inspiration. Kay Yow is fighting breast cancer for the third time. She spent three months of last season in the hospital, fighting for her life, all the while helping her team move forward to defeat the previously undefeated Duke in the ACC semifinals.

Kay Yow's story is greater than I can ever tell, but it could not be more fitting that she win the first Jimmy V ESPY for Perseverance. She epitomizes the V Foundation motto, "Don't give up. Never give up."

Extras:
Kay Yow fights a Courageous Battle (ESPN)
Kay Yow's acceptance speech (ESPN)
Kay Yow's bio (GoPack.com)
The V Foundation for Cancer Research
Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Jim Valvano's 1993 ESPY speech

Box Scores: Pirates at Braves

7/14 7:05	R	H	E
Pittsburgh	4	5	0
Atlanta	5	9	2
Win: B. Wickman(2-2)
HR: A. Jones(17)
J. Francoeur: Walk-off single

Two-Faced and other Freak-show Villains

It's always been interesting to watch the difference in philosophies of playing out the contract for players vs. coaches.

If a player wants to move on or holds out or asks for a raise, the lynch mobs light the torches and sharpen the pitchforks. Cries of "Traitor!" and "Greedy Bastard!" ring out through the night.

If a coach does the same thing, this is accepted as an everyday affair -- even by the employers! The craziest part of this is the tolerance by the franchises themselves.

Coaches' contracts are guaranteed in every major sports league. Yes, there are buyout clauses, but usually these are negotiated away or the hiring team pays. This only adds to the insanity of expecting coaches to move for the better offer.

Perhaps we don't have the same emotional investment in a coach as we do in star players. Perhaps we compare them to our own employment. This comparison is grossly unfair. Most of us don't have guaranteed contracts with buyout clauses. Most of us aren't guaranteed millions in severance if we get fired.

At least in the NFL, the players don't have these guarantees either. College players aren't even making anything (theoretically). These players are the ones we should wish well with their futures. Their careers are a short flash in the pan with no guarantees. Yes, they can make millions. They can also get injured and have to leave the job they love.

Coaches don't put this much near as much on the line every day. Why should we be giving them the benefit of the doubt more than the players who do?

Box Scores: Destroyers at Force

7/14 1:00	Pts	TD	TO
Columbus	66	9	3
Atlanta	56	8	6
QB C.Greisen 33/46 373yds 8TD 2INT
WR C. Jackson rec: 11/174 6TD

Box Scores: Pirates at Braves

7/13	R	H	E
Pittsburgh	1	8	1
Atlanta	9	11	0
Win: T. Hudson(9-5)
HR(2): B. McCann(11)
HR: A. Jones(16)

It's a Two-way Threet

Good bye Steven Threet, we hardly knew you.

For those who don't already know, Tech early-enrollee QB Steven Threet has transferred to Michigan. While there's some public stuff about Patrick Nix recruiting him and leaving (which was in January), the rumor mill points to more pressing reasons.

The competition thinned at Michigan with the transfer of Jason Forcier to Stanford. This doesn't mean he'll be the heir-apparent to Chris Henne yet, but there's already grumblings of Ryan Mallett going back to Texas. Forcier's transfer also openned up a scholarship slot, one which wasn't offered to Threet last fall.

Before announcing his intention to transfer, Threet's high school coach already had this one lined up, and has publicly admitted as much. While there's some NCAA violations here, they are rarely enforced and commonly ignored.

With the signing of Sean Renfree and seeing OC John Bond's covetousness of a more mobile QB like Josh Nesbitt, the future was looking less and less bright for Threet at Tech. Patrick Nix's departure certainly plays into this, as Threet's most vocal advocate on the coaching staff is now gone.

The homesickness angle isn't entirely dismissable. It shouldn't be surprising that he's ended up back in his home state.

In any case, I wish Steven Threet well. While I didn't know him, by all accounts he is a bright young man with a great future ahead of him.

First Sign of the Apocolypse?

Odd for a blog about the stupidity in Atlanta sports to write about a franchise doing something right. Especially when it's Atlanta Hawks GM Billy Knight.

Local and national sports pundits are proclaiming the cruelty Knight has exhibited by forcing two assistant coaches to fulfill the remainder of their contracts after allowing them to interview for other positions. For once, I think Billy did things right. (I'm also listening for the plagues of locusts and earthquakes!)

It is a courtesy to these assistants to allow them to interview and get their name into circulation. But give people an inch, and they want a mile. My personal favorite is Larry Drew's whine. Because his son plays his senior season of basketball in LA, Drew should be allowed to go to Sacramento. That didn't seem to be so important when he was signed as the head assistant in 2004. Next year, when his son is playing in Chapel Hill, was he going to ask Sacramento to release him to go to Charlotte?

I have no sympathy for either of these coaches. They were offered lateral moves, not promotions. Did they not know the Hawks was a dysfunctional franchise? Everyone else in Atlanta did. And does.

Welcome to the Misery!

Welcome to AtlantaSportsSuck, the blog of the cynical Atlanta sports fan. With decades of pain from our wondrous franchises, there's lots of material to work with. Those looking for the silver lining, you've come to the wrong place.

The purpose is to call out the idiocy and incompetence wreaked upon the Atlanta sports franchises. From the falling Braves to the inscrutable Falcons, we'll even cover the incomprehensible failures of the Hawks.

College fans, don't feel left out. We'll examine Georgia Tech's perpetual motion machine of mediocrity in excrutiating detail.

Let the misery begin!