Michael Vick Lands with Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles have signed former Falcons quarterback Michael Vick to a two-year deal, Eagles president Joe Banner confirmed during halftime of the team’s exhibition game against the New England Patriots on Thursday evening.

Published reports say that Vick will receive $1.6 million for the first year, with an option of $5.2 million for the second.

Vick will return to the NFL after two seasons away, including 18 months in federal prison and five more in home confinement after he was convicted on charges related to dogfighting, and a conditional suspension by the NFL.

The animal-rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, reacted negatively to the news.

The potential exists for Vick to face his former team this season. The Falcons host the Eagles on Dec. 6, the Falcons’ 12th game.

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plez sez: good for you, Mike! you've done your time and i applaud the eagles for giving you the opportunity to display your awesome talents.

plezWorld wishes Michael Vick the best this upcoming season, but still hopes the falcons beat the eagles in november!

~ ~ Citations ~ ~

Read the AJC.com article about Michael Vick joining the Philadelphia Eagles.

Read the ESPN.com article about Michael Vick with the Eagles.

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Atlanta Falcons Move to Trade Michael Vick

BREAKING NEWS -- It is no surprise, but AJC.com reports the Atlanta Falcons are seeking to trade the rights of suspended and imprisoned quarterback Michael Vick.

Read the entire AJC.com article here:

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said the team is preparing to trade Vick’s contractual rights in an interview that appeared on the team’s website on Friday.

“With regards to Michael Vick, we’ve decided to seek a trade of his contractual rights to another NFL club,” Dimitroff told the website. “We took a number of steps in the 2008 season, including using our first pick to draft a quarterback. We feel a trade is the best move for the Falcons, and it’s also in the best interest of Michael. This has been a really unique situation from a variety of standpoints and because we will actively be involved in a trade situation, I don’t envision our organization speaking any more about this subject publicly until it’s reached a resolution.”

Vick is currently in federal prison on felony charges related to dogfighting and is scheduled to be released in July.

Vick has a lucrative contract that runs to 2013 and calls for him to receive a base salary of $9 million and a bonus of $6.43 million in 2009. The remainder of the contract is worth $45.11 million, with another possible $3 million in Pro Bowl bonuses.

Vick is currently under indefinite suspension from the league. Dimitroff said he had not heard from the NFL about a timeline for Vick’s reinstatement once he is released from prison.

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plez sez: duh! the falcons used a first round draft pick last year to get matt ryan - a quarterback. he turned out to be a pretty good one, too!

atlanta doesn't need michael vick... and there's too much bad history here anyway. to my way of thinking, they should've been attempting to trade him a year before the whole dogfighting incident, neither vick nor the falcons were improving. there were never any plans to make vick a better qb and as a result, there was never a clear line of sight to making the falcons a better team!

given the right circumstance, matt ryan could conceivably meet michael vick in the playoffs in a few years... you heard it on plezWorld first!

~ ~ Citations ~ ~

Read the AJC.com article about Michael Vick about to get traded by Atlanta Falcons.

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Solution: NFL Football Names Quiz

I posted this brainteaser with all of the teams in the NFL on Super Bowl Sunday. It appears that some of you incorporated this quiz into your Super Bowl festivities.
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Well, here is the long awaited solution to the brainteaser:

• Click here to see brainteaser without answers
  
• Scroll down to see brainteaser solution

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There are 31 clues listed to the nicknames of 31 of the 32 NFL teams. You can only use each team once for each one of the clues. If you can guess all the teams, then you will be able to figure out the last team on the list.

Here is the solution:

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1. Army Insects - (Giants)
   
2. 7 Squared - (Forty-niners)
   
3. Streakers are this - (Bears)
   
4. A 747 - (Jets)
   
5. Hostile Attackers - (Raiders)
   
6. Various Iron Workers - (Steelers)
   
7. Suntanned Bodies - (Browns)
   
8. I.O.U.'s - (Bills)
   
9. Toy Baby with Fish Parts - (Dolphins)
   
10. Jungle Cats - (Jaguars)
    
11. Trained to Kill - (FALCONS)
    
12. Help to Relocate - (Packers)
    
13. Six Rulers - (Vikings)
    
14. Opposite of Ewe - (Rams)
    
15. Nevermore Bird - (Ravens)
    
16. Class of Boy Scout - (Eagles)
    
17. Basic Fundamental Rule - (Cardinals)
    
18. Credit Card User - (Chargers)
    
19. South-westerners - (Texans)
    
20. Indian Leaders - (Chiefs)
    
21. King of the Beasts - (Lions)
    
22. Used to be a Girl - (Bengals) - plezWorld pick for most creative clue!
    
23. A Dollar for Corn - (Bucaneers)
    
24. Sweat for a Female - (Panthers)
    
25. Ocean Going Bird - (Seahawks)
    
26. Term for Indians - (Redskins)
    
27. Louis Armstrong Song - (Saints)
    
28. Six Shooters - (Colts)
    
29. Rodeo Horses - (Broncos)
    
30. American Gaucho - (Cowboys)
    
31. God Fathers - (Patriots)
    
32. TITANS

How'd you do?!?

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Steelers Win Sixth Super Bowl

The Pittsburgh Steelers scored a touchdown in the final minute to defeat the Arizona Cardinals, 27-23, in Super Bowl XLIII.

This gives the Steelers more Super Bowl titles than any other franchise.

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plez sez: In what turned out to be the most exciting Super Bowl between two of the most evenly matched teams, the Steelers squeaked out a win. the Cardinals pulled ahead for the first time with little more than 2 minutes left in the game. It was a ballsy Ben Roethlisberger who engineered the game winning drive with under 2 minutes left in the game.

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And in a side note, congratulations to my KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY brother and Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin in the win! Brother Mike Tomlin, a Spring 1991 initiate of Eta Omega Chapter (Old Dominion) and charter member of Xi Theta Chapter (William & Mary College), became the youngest head coach to win a Super Bowl.

Tomlin was promoted to head coach in January 2007, making him the NFL’s tenth African-American head coach and the first in Steelers history. In his first season, Tomlin lead the Steelers to a 10-6 record and followed that success with this year’s 12-4 record. In his short tenure he has accomplished two AFC North titles and has been awarded the 2008 Motorola NFL Coach of the Year.

~ ~ Citations ~ ~

Read the Sports Illustrated article about the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII.

Read the ESPN.com article about how the Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII.

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Brainteaser: NFL Football Names Quiz

Super Bowl XLIII is played later this evening with the first time NFC winner Arizona Cardinals going against the AFC Pittsburgh Steelers who are looking at a sixth Lombarbi Trophy.

I've been consumed with national politics for the past twelve months and have followed little more than the Atlanta Falcons surprising resurgence this past season. I was shocked when the Cardinals beat the Falcons in the Wild Card game and even more shocked that they even made it to the big dance (for the first time in their long history). And it seems like the Steelers are in the Super Bowl ever four or five years!

So instead of attempting to pick a winner, plezWorld offers up the following NFL Football Names Brainteaser.

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There are clues listed to the nicknames of 31 of the 32 NFL teams. You can only use each team once for each one of the clues. If you can guess all the teams, then you will be able to figure out the last team on the list.

Here are the clues:

1. Army Insects
   
2. 7 Squared
   
3. Streakers are this
   
4. A 747
   
5. Hostile Attackers
   
6. Various Iron Workers
   
7. Suntanned Bodies
   
8. I.O.U.'s
   
9. Toy Baby with Fish Parts
   
10. Jungle Cats
    
11. Trained to Kill
    
12. Help to Relocate
    
13. Six Rulers
    
14. Opposite of Ewe
    
15. Nevermore Bird
    
16. Class of Boy Scout
    
17. Basic Fundamental Rule
    
18. Credit Card User
    
19. South-westerners
    
20. Indian Leaders
    
21. King of the Beasts
    
22. Used to be a Girl
    
23. A Dollar for Corn
    
24. Sweat for a Female
    
25. Ocean Going Bird
    
26. Term for Indians
    
27. Louis Armstrong Song
    
28. Six Shooters
    
29. Rodeo Horses
    
30. American Gaucho
    
31. God Fathers
    
32. ???

Leave your answers in the Comments.

The SOLUTION to the brainteaser will be posted on plezWorld in a few days.

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In Other News: AJC.com reports that Georgia Tech stung No. 6 Wake Forest 76-74 with a last second shot! Wake Forest is coming off Wednesday's win over No. 1 Duke, while this was Georgia Tech's first ACC win of the season! GO JACKETS!

~ ~ Citations ~ ~

Read the Sports Illustrated article about five reasons why the Cardinals will win.

Read the Sports Illustrated article about five reasons why the Steelers will win.

Read the AJC.com article about Tech's improbable win over Wake Forest.

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Atlanta's Winning Weekend

Two new coaches.

Two games.

Two big wins.

Georgia Tech.
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets began their ACC schedule on Saturday after winning their tune-up game against Jacksonville State a week ago Thursday. The Yellow Jackets traveled to Boston to take on the Boston College Eagles.

The offense was efficient in running Head Coach Paul Johnson's triple option. A solid running attack featuring quarterback Josh Nesbitt and running back Jonathan Dwyer. The defense is looking sharp with a stingy line and a compentent secondary.

Tech rolled to a 19-16 win.

Go to SullsBlog and check out the Buzz logo this week.

Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons kicked off the NFL season by hosting the Detroit Lions. The Falcons are shaking off the effects of losing Michael Vick and the early departure of coach Petrino last season. They started rookie Matt Ryan (from Boston College) in the game. The Lions were punished with over 300 yards rushing, mainly from new tailback Michael Turner (acquired from San Diego Chargers) who churned out 220 yards. Matt Ryan was sharp, as well, connecting on his first NFL pass for a 62-yard touchdown!

The Falcons won their debut 34-21 against the Lions; they rumbled to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.

Read the AJC article about Georgia Tech's win here.

Read the AJC article about Falcon's win here.


plez sez: GO TECH!

even though, jacksonville state was handled with ease, plezWorld was a bit skeptical about the prospects of taking the young Tech squad on the road against a formidable ACC foe. they really played well and it looks good for the season. next week, we're in prime time with the virginia tech hokies (who was embarrassed last week at home by east carolina). it is quite possible that Tech will be 3-0 when they welcome mississippi state to the Flats on september 20th.

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the falcons look sharp, but then again, that's kind of hard not to do against the lions. we'll see how this all plays out over a 16 game season. there are low expectations for this team which is still trying to find a new identity post-Vick! although, it was against the lowly lions, a win is a win... and a BIG win is even better. if they continue to avail themselves in this manner, it'll only be a matter of time before you won't see any more "7" jerseys in the dome on sunday afternoon.

Super Bowl Text Message w/ Michael Matthews

plezWorld (12:47 am): Yo, Nupe! What a game... Ya'll SHOCKED the World! Congrats in getting your first Super Bowl ring in your rookie year!
Michael Matthews (2:42 am): Oh yea. Achievement in every field of human endeavor.

I hit up Mike Matthews (#88 with the NY Giants) last night with a text message to congratulate him and his team on the biggest upset in Super Bowl history as they beat the previously undefeated New England Patriots (18-1) in Super Bowl XLII.

Yellow Jackets in the Super Bowl

I live in the sun-baked south, miles from either team from those snowy climes vying for the 42nd Lombardi Trophy on Sunday evening. Normally, plezWorld is checking out the blowout game to see the interesting commercials, get my very last fix of real football until August, and snooze through the halftime show.

This year's game will host a number of interesting subplots: will Eli Manning finally come back to earth from his lofty play of the last five weeks? will Randy Moss go for 200 yards and 4 touchdowns? will prettyboy quarterback Tom Brady score more than 17 points (see Plaxico Burress)? will the Patriots win the final game of an undefeated season? or will they finally collapse under the weight of such a lofty goal? will three Georgia Tech alums walk away from the game with 3 Super Bowl rings?

Say what?!? Yeah, you read that correctly... there are three Georgia Tech alums who will be playing on Sunday evening for the New York Football Giants: third-year safety James Butler, second-year linebacker Gerris Wilkinson, and my frat brother rookie tight end Michael (Big Mike) Matthews (a 2004 initiate of the Lambda Delta of Kappa Alpha Psi). All three have contributed to the Giants being in the Big Game: Butler is the Giants' fifth-leading tackler, despite missing three games in 2007. He has 58 total tackles, 42 solo tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery. Wilkinson played in 13 regular season games and saw significant action on special teams. Matthews played in all 16 games mainly in run support, but he also has six receptions on the season for 28 yards.

Super Bowl Photo courtesy of NY Giants Photo
From left to right: Michael Matthews, James Butler, and Gerris Wilkinson.

So you can say that this game has gotten personal for me. As much as I would like to see a successful end to the Patriots historic run this season, my heart goes with my fellow Yellow Jackets and my frat. It also doesn't hurt, that I grew up in New York as a Giants fan!

GO GIANTS!

Terrell Owens And The Bitch Move

On Sunday, the heavily favored NFC Eastern Division Champion Dallas Cowboys lost to the surging New York Giants, a team that they had beaten twice this season. During the postgame press conference, Terrell Owens pulled a bitch move: sniffled and cried as he tried to defend the poor performance of his quarterback, Tony Romo.


plez sez: WTF!

TWO (count 'em), two BITCH MOVES on one day... first bob johnson dissing obama and then terrell owens sobbing to the rescue of his overmatched and overrated QB! where were the tears when he was pissin' on donovan mcnabb in philly?!? at least, mcnabb got them to the NFC Championship game for 4 straight seasons and one super bowl... tony romo can't get the cowboys out of the first round of the playoffs!

T.O. seems to be unstable... didn't he have a failed suicide attempt a few seasons ago? they may need to keep an eye on this brother, because i ain't ever seen any *ish* like that before!

and my frat brother, ny giants rookie michael matthews, is heading to green bay next week to play for a shot in the super bowl... congrats!

Petrino Abandons Falcon's Sinking Ship

Less than one year after taking the job, Atlanta Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino has quit his post with the team to return to coaching in the college ranks with Arkansas.

Apparently, Petrino called team officials the day after getting embarrassed by the New Orleans Saints at home on ESPN's "Monday Night Football" and presiding over the once promising Falcons' fall to 3-10 in league play. Coupled with the 23 month sentence of former team star Michael Vick for dogfighting on yesterday, it was obvious that this franchise is in a "no win" situation and he pulled the trigger on returning to the college ranks.

Read AJC coverage of the Petrino move here.

Read ESPN coverage of the latest Falcons mess here.

plez sez: i am shocked that this guy would bail on the team before the end of the season, HELL, there's only 3 weeks left! i'm sure the main allure of this job was the prospect of coaching Vick, but he was also getting PAID to the tune of close to $5 million... i think i could weather a few losing seasons for that amount. plus, NO ONE was blaming the head coach for the woeful situation of the franchise: he had THREE quarterbacks that no other team wanted (harrington, leftwich, and redman), he had a different offensive line every week, the running game is on the decline, there was no Vick, the defense secondary was suspect, he had no rapport with the team veterans, and one could go on-and-on about how badly the falcons need a draft day remedy.

well, i guess bobby petrino can join the ranks of college coaches who couldn't hack it in the pro's: Steve Spurrier (Redskins), Pete Carrol (Jets & Patriots), Chan Gailey (Cowboys), Lou Holtz (Jets) and, Nick Saban (Dolphins).

WOW! the repercussions of the michael vick mess will continue to reverberate within the falcons franchise for YEARS to come!

we got jokes!
Q: What do you call 53 people sitting around a TV watching the Super Bowl?
A: The Atlanta Falcons

Q: How do you keep an Atlanta Falcon out of your yard?
A: Put up goal posts.

Q: Where do you go in Atlanta in case of a tornado?
A: GA Dome -they never have a touchdown there

Q: What do you call a Atlanta Falcon with a Super Bowl ring?
A: A thief.

Q: What's the difference between the Atlanta Falcons & a dollar bill?
A: You can still get four quarters out of a dollar bill.

Q: What do the Atlanta Falcons and possums have in common?
A: Both play dead at home and get killed on the road!

Q: What do the Atlanta Falcons and Billy Graham have in common?
A: They both can make 72,000 people stand up and yell "Jesus Christ!"

Michael Vick Gets 23 Months in the Slammer

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that suspended Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months by a federal court judge earlier today. The judge cited Vick's unwillingness to accept full responsibility for the illegal dogfighting ring that he funded and ran. He also noted Vick's drug use while he was out on bond awaiting sentencing (he tested positive for marijuana in September shortly after entering a plea agreement).

In addition to the 23 month prison sentence, Vick also received 3 years probation. He must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence (19-1/2 months), so the earliest he can get out of prison is May 2009.

After Vick apologized to Hudson, his family and his children, Hudson told him he should also apologize "to the millions of young people who looked up to you."

Read the entire AJC article here.


plez sez: without vick, the falcons are a woeful 3-9. and there are no wins for the team in the foreseeable future.

the atlanta falcons have another monday night football game tonight (against the new orleans saints)... this is the second such game this season. in addition, they played the indianapolis colts on Thanksgiving night. vick was so popular that the nfl wanted him (and the falcons) on prime time television as many times as the super bowl champion colts and new england patriots!
michael vick was not only the face of the falcons, he was the face of the NFL... the truest competitor in the ultimate competition sport. and apparently that was his undoing!

instead of owning up to his mistakes and taking responsibility when this THING blew up over the summer, vick held out for that miracle hail mary pass that would bring him another victory. unfortunately, the virginia federal court building is not a football field and vick's lawyers wore no cleats or pads. he entered into a competition where he was not the star and his magical feet were unable to deliver a victory.

personally, i feel that the punishment (almost two years) is a bit harsh considering the "crime." but then again, lying in federal court ain't no joke! it is very disappointing and disconcerting that my homeboy (i went to high school in neighboring hampton, virginia) would allow himself to get into something like this... and this is something for which he will have to pay the ultimate price: his freedom and his livelihood.

i hope (and expect) that we'll see #7 sprinting into the end zone once again... in 2010 or 2011! i'm sure he'll be given another chance at the league minimum.

and i truly hope that others who find themselves in the throes of illegal activities will use this mike vick tragedy as an example of why they should find a way to chart a more positive path for their lives.

plezWorld on Michael Vick - Another Word

Michael Vick reports to jail, early. ESPN reports that Michael Vick has surrendered to authorities prior to his sentencing date in order to begin his sentence and get the sordid details of his federal dogfighting conspiracy charges behind him. Vick pleaded guilty in August to a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge after his three co-defendants pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with authorities. He's scheduled to be sentenced December 10, 2007 on a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge but worked out a deal "to voluntarily enter custody prior to his sentencing hearing," according to a court document.

plez sez: after vick pleaded guilty to the charges, i excoriated vick in this forum. i hate what he did to the falcons, his fans, and to himself. what a waste of talent.

at the time, the Dirty Birds were at 0-3 with zero wins in sight. since that time, the Falcons have eeked out 3 slim wins against an equal number of dismal losses. and yesterday, they turned in their worst performance of the season, barely escaping a shutout at home against Tampa Bay. it goes no easier as the Super Bowl Champs (yeah, peyton manning and the colts) roll into town on thursday night to cause indigestion for any Falcons fans with the stomach to watch the debacle!

i said that i wouldn't waste any more pixels on michael vick on plezWorld, but i gotta backslide on that promise, if to do nothing more than to issue an appeal to the owners of the woeful Falcons... you saw yesterday's game, out of three quarterbacks, we have none! with a bunch of overpaid coaches, they have provided no motivation to win! with a roster of crybaby, overpaid athletes, we have no winners!

the ONLY winner that this franchise has even smelled in the last SIX YEARS has just checked himself into the federal pen!

our draft day decisions have been abysmal, our free agent acquisitions have all been a bust.

the ONLY person who has made this pig's ear of a football franchise even smell like a rose has just checked himself into the federal pen!

as a resident of atlanta and witness to the falcon's ineptitude for the past 25 seasons, i implore you... no, i beg you: let's wait vick out! give him a year in the pen, give him another year's suspension, restructure his contract to the league minimum... but keep michael vick on the falcons roster! this has to be a business decision... don't worry about empty seats, they'll fill up for a winner (hell, they're empty NOW, so much for taking the moral high ground)! there's no draft day solution to the falcon's doldrums. there's no magic pill for a head coach to turn this shit into Shinola.

the ONLY HOPE for this franchise just checked himself into the Big House... when he get's out, let's get him back on the field in a falcons uniform... and let #7 win one for the ATL!

plezWorld on Michael Vick - Last Word

Thanks for the memories, Mike!

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse... it does!

As a condition of his plea agreement, Michael Vick is subject to a series of drug tests until his sentencing on December 10th. He apparently pee'd in a cup on September 13th and that sample resulted in a positive test for marijuana.

The AJC reports,

Falcons quarterback Michael Vick tested positive for marijuana, has been confined to his Virginia residence at night, forced to wear an electronic monitoring device and ordered to receive mental health counseling, according to court documents filed Wednesday.

Vick tested positive in a urine sample submitted on Sept. 13, 17 days after entering a plea agreement in federal court on felony charges related to dogfighting. He faces up to five years in prison on those charges and will be sentenced on Dec. 10.
court documents filed Wednesday, Hudson ordered that Vick submit to any method of testing "for determining whether the defendant is using a prohibited substance." Such methods may be used with random frequency and include urine testing and the wearing of a sweat patch.

According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, marijuana "can be detected by standard urine testing methods several days after a smoking session. However, in chronic heavy users, traces can sometimes be detected for weeks after they have stopped using marijuana."

As an Atlanta Falcon, Vick's transgressions included:

Giving the hometown fans "the bird" while being hurled a number of insults after an ugly loss during the season.

Being detained at the Miami Airport when a "water bottle" that he was carrying was found to have a secret compartment that contained a funny (i.e. marijuana) smell; he claimed he used it to carry his jewelry... RIGHT!

In July 2006, a picture of Vick with his girlfriend with a box of matches on his lap and a blunt in his hand surfaces... of course, he profusely denied that he loved Mary Jane ("do ya! do ya! do ya! do ya really love me, Mary Jane?" - Rick James) ...the story failed to grow any legs.

Missing a Congressional breakfast in his honor because he missed a flight out of Atlanta.

The drug raid at his home in Virginia due to illegal drug activity of one of his cousins; the property had evidence of illegal dog fights and abused animals, which led to the investigation and the eventual indictments for which he has plead guilty.

And who can forget the whole Ron Mexico incident?

Since the indictment, the Vick Story continues to blossom:

Gets banned from training camp by the NFL Commissioner after the indictment is filed.

Gets suspended indefinitely by the NFL Commissioner after his cohorts roll on him and take a plea agreement.

He cops a plea on August 27th, pleading guilty to basically bank rolling the dogfighting enterprise and contributing to the slaughter of uncompetitive dogs; the result of the agreement means that he'll do some jail time.

After he signs the plea agreement, the Falcons move to recoup a portion of his signing bonus, maybe as much as $20 million.

Surry County, Virginia DA says they plan to file an indictment of their own for Vick's dogfighting operation which was run in that county.

A Canadian Bank sues Vick for a defaulted $2.5 million loan because of changes in his employment... basically, he's unemployed!

And now, word comes out that on September 13th, just a few weeks after he signs the plea agreement, Vick flunks a drug test... testing positive for marijuana. OUCH!

plez sez: [THROWING MY HANDS UP IN AMAZEMENT] WTF?!?

He just had to hit that blunt, just one more time, didn't he?


When I was in college, I drank to excess and occassionally imbibed on the bong and the blunt. *smile*


But guess what? The company that I work for and most of our clients test us for illegal drugs, as a condition of employment. Because I want to stay employed by my company and our clients, I do not do drugs. It's that simple!


As I wrote back in pre-indictment May, "I've given Mike Vick a pass ever since he's been in Atlanta; he is undoubtedly the most thrilling and exciting player in the NFL (in my opinion). With that said, I'm highly disappointed in his behavior and his lack of leadership."

Personally, I'm tired of the apologies, the fake contrition, and the bold faced lies. I've invested enough emotion, caring, and pixels on this dude. He has continued to embarrass and piss on every fan who has been supporting him through this ordeal. He's even dragged down the NAACP with his "Bad Newz"!

When he spoke of wanting and needing to change so that he can do what he loves to do (play football), I thought that he had turned the corner... I thought that he finally acknowledged that he could no longer play lip service to change, but that he would have to employ some actionable tactics to make it happen.

Well, he didn't!

Of course, he invoked the name of Jesus during his post-indictment press conference; so now Michael Vick is not only a liar, but he's also a f*ckin' blasphemer!

So now, I don't care. He has just added more fuel to the fire for every racist, redneck, and sports talk pundit about his THUG persona, lack of intelligence, and lack of productivity on the football field for the last two seasons. As far as I'm concerned, you can feed Mike Vick to the dogs!

plezWorld is DONE! My homeboy (yeah, I went to high school in the Hampton Roads area) has received his last post on this blog. He's ruined his life and in the process, he's also f*cked up the Dirty Birds (who are now sporting a dismal 0-3 record, with ZERO wins in sight), and ruined my football season (because Georgia Tech is also playing like crap and I have no one to cheer for this fall) to boot! At this point, Vick gets everything that he deserves... and then some.

This is the LAST WORD on Michael Vick on plezWorld!

Michael Matthews & New York Giants

“[He] is a guy who came into a situation where we really are in need of depth at that position. He’s demonstrated the ability to play not only tight end, but the move tight end, plus he can take snaps at fullback as well. He’s made himself a versatile player and we’ve been able to take advantage of that. Plus, he plays special teams. So he finds himself in a number of spots here at the end, and the more-you-can-do theory comes to point.”

- New York Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin on rookie tight end Michael Matthews, from Georgia Tech, who has made the roster for the upcoming season.

This quote is found on the NY Giants website.

plez sez: The evening of the NFL Draft, I posted the scoop that Michael Matthews had joined with the NY Giants as an unsigned free agent. Mike was a 3-year starter as tight end and graduated from Georgia Tech last fall with his degree in Management. Michael was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity at Georgia Tech (the chapter for which I am the alumni advisor) and he is a devoted family man for his wife and two small children. He worked real hard to be in good shape for the NFL combines during the winter and was picked up by the NY Giants at the completion of the draft.

A focused, intelligent, hard worker, I am really glad that my prediction that Michael Matthews would make the team has come to fruition. The coach's comments about him being able to play several positions (tight end, fullback, and special teams) means that not only did he make the team, but he will be an on-field contributor to the team.

I'll definitely have my eyes open for #88 when the season opens... I'm wishing Big Mike the best during his first season in the NFL. The Giants come to Atlanta to take on the Falcons on Monday Night Football on October 15, 2007.

Michael Vick Pleads Guilty

"First, I want to apologize for all the things that I have done and I have allowed to happen. I want to personally apologize to Commissioner Goodell, Arthur Blank, Coach Bobby Petrino, and my Atlanta Falcons teammates, for I was not honest and forthright in our discussions."

"I was shamed and totally disappointed in myself, to say the least. I want to apologize to all the young kids out there for my immature acts. What I did was very immature, so that means I need to grow up."
- Michael Vick's comments in Richmond, Virginia after he entered a guilty plea to the federal indictment for dogfighting and gambling charges

Read Michael Vick's 22 page plea agreement and statement of facts here.

Vick will be sentenced on December 10, 2007.

plez sez: i've written about this whole Vick Affair ad nauseum: here and here. i've been holding out hope that he was set up and his friends had gotten him caught up in some foolishness. well, i'm pretty sure that this is the final chapter of this sad and tragic affair.

apologies aside... this is probably the biggest downfall of an athlete of this stature since mike tyson went to jail for rape. granted, mike tyson was head-and-shoulders above michael vick in his chosen vocation, but vick enjoyed unprecedented popularity as the face of the atlanta falcons and an nfl icon. it appears that the falcons are going to ask for a substantial portion (more than $20 million) of the signing bonus that vick received in 2004. and there's no telling when he'll be able to suit up again and earn a living as a professional football player.

because of his immature acts, vick says that he "needs to grow up." immature acts are licking your finger and sticking it in your sister's ear, farting in someone's face, burping without covering your mouth! running an interstate dogfighting ring and funding a gambling operation is not immature... it's illegal!

personally, i don't think vick gets it... he's been pilloried in the press for the past 3 months about these dogfighting allegations, he has never stood up and defended himself in the court of public opinion, he denied all involvement, and then pleads guilty to being the ringleader of the operation, all of his "friends" turned on him... and when it's all said and done, he (who by his own admission is not a good public speaker) decides to address THE WORLD without any notes or prepared statement so that he can show some contrition (seems to be a bit late for that!).

he is not getting very good legal advice nor public relations advice. at this point, i feel a little sorry for the guy, because although he was blessed with myth-like athletic ability, he obviously isn't very smart, he doesn't have any credible support network, the falcons are preparing to take every dime he has left (before they cut him), and he is quickly turning into the biggest "has been" in sports history.

this brother needs a mulligan like nobody's business!

Quote of the Day - August 23, 2007

"As a society, we should aid in his rehabilitation and welcome a new Michael Vick back into the community without a permanent loss of his career in football. We further ask the NFL, Falcons, and the sponsors not to permanently ban Mr. Vick from his ability to bring hours of enjoyment to fans all over this country... his crime is, it was a dog."
- R.L. White, President of the Atlanta Chapter of the NAACP, supports Michael Vick's return to the NFL after he serves his sentence after pleading guilty to his role in a dogfighting operation.

Quote taken from AJC article about the NAACP and Michael Vick.

plez sez: WTF?!?

W.E.B. DuBois (one of the founders of the NAACP) must be rolling over in his grave every time this august (and once noble group) comes out of the woodwork and voices an opinion about matters that may (and in most cases) may not have any affect on the Black community. R.L. White may not have been speaking for the entire organization, but as the president of the Atlanta Chapter of the NAACP, his words are taken as those for the entire organization. It seems that on a daily basis, the NAACP goes out of its way to prove how out of touch and irrelevant it has become.

Michael Vick is in his predicament because of something that Michael Vick has done. The media. The fans. The Falcons. The NFL. The poor humiliated citizens of metro Atlanta. The aforementioned folk (save Michael Vick) are the victims in this whole sordid affair: our city's only bone fide star of the NFL cast his lot with the wrong crowd, threw away a football career of unfulfilled promise and boundless riches, will spend at least a year in the Big House with a bunch of criminals, and will miss at least 3 years of his prime in football!

The ABSOLUTE LAST thing that Michael Vick or fans of the NFL will have to concern themselves with at this time is how Vick will be embraced upon his release from prison! And he will NEVER don the #7 jersey for the Atlanta Falcons, the owner of the Falcons was played for a sucker as he signed Vick to the richest contract in NFL history ($130 million), I doubt he'll be a fool to let him rejoin the team when he gets out of federal prison and serves an NFL suspension.

A few days ago, my 5-year old daughter asked me, "Daddy, why did he kill those doggies?" I just shook my head in disbelief and changed the subject. How many parents have had to try to shield their children from this foolishness?

Maybe I should be more upset about the dogfighting charges or the gambling ring or the killing of those dogs, but I couldn't care less about that... I'm serious! I'm a football fan and I've been jonesin' for the college football and NFL season to start since early January! I've been jonesin' to see #7 dazzle us and carry the Dirty Birds back to the playoffs after a 2 year hiatus. I HATE that his dumb ass has ruined yet another Falcons football season with his stupidity and arrogance.

And I hate that there are apologists, like the NAACP, who try to find some justification in Michael Vick for f*ckin' everything up!

Vick Plea Deal Imminent?

All of Michael Vick's co-defendants have taken plea deals with the federal prosecutors. The word out of Richmond, Virginia (courtesy of Hampton Roads Daily Press) is that Michael Vick's attorneys are working on his deal, as well.

Understand that a plea agreement carries with it a plea of GUILTY for a lesser charge than listed in the indictment, but it is still a declaration of GUILT!

Inasmuch, Vick has a lot more to lose than his co-defendants, his attorneys have more variables to consider before having him plead guilty to anything. As the recipient of a $130 million contract from the Atlanta Falcons, with a sizable signing bonus, if he is released by the Falcons, he may be liable for paying back a sizable portion of that bonus. If he is suspended by the commissioner of the NFL (which will happen whether he goes with a plea deal or if he goes to trial), he will not get paid. And if he his plea agreement carries jail time, he will be banned from the NFL (per the personal conduct clause of his contract) and will have to apply for reinstatement into the NFL after he gets out of prison.

If he does not negotiate a plea deal, prosecutors have stated that they will issue a superseding indictment which will likely carry more severe charges. These charges may include RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act of 1970) statute violations which carry stiff punishments of up to 20 years in prison.

plez sez: let's see (counting furiously on my fingers), 1 year in prison with a plea deal and out after 6 months for good behavior, or 10 years in prison after a conviction on the RICO statutes and out in 6 years for good behavior? millions of dollars in NFL fines and payback of the signing bonus, regardless of your decision. all 3 co-defendants have already copped a plea and are ready to roll on you... so a conviction on at least some of the charges is all but guaranteed!

MIKE... take the plea agreement! with even 2 years of prison time, you're out in a year with good behavior and you'll only miss 2 NFL seasons (if the league lets you back in after next season). you persona non grata here in Atlanta anyway, so you'll have to find a new football home... you will get the chance for a new start in the NFL.

in two seasons, you will have lost another step, but i believe you still have a lot of "excitement" left in those legs. and given the right situation, you may find yourself in the Super Bowl before the Falcons!

author's note: i'm about as tired of this Michael Vick *ish* as you. as such, this'll probably be my last word on the subject until he (1) beats the rap, (2) goes to jail, or (3) returns to the NFL.

unfortunately, the Dirty Birds won't be quite as dirty without him (the Atlanta Curse continues...)!

Michael Vick on Atlanta Radio (V-103)

As linked from the WVEE (103.3 FM), Porsche Foxx's exclusive interview with Michael Vick on V-103 on Monday morning.

Vick Banned from Training Camp

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has ordered Falcons quarterback Michael Vick to stay away from the team's training camp until league officials complete a review of his indictment on federal dogfighting charges.

In a letter to Vick today, Commissioner Goodell said: "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."

plez sez: regardless of what you think about dogfighting (if ya fer it or agin' it), the NFL is a big business and they will not tolerate the perception that one of its biggest stars actively participated in gambling rings and other illegal activities. even though, i'm not in agreement with this action, the NFL has banned Michael Vick from participating in training camp with the Falcons (and probably even playing with them in the upcoming season), until they are able to "clear" him of the charges in the indictment... which ain't gonna happen!

so much for due process, so much for what happened with the Duke Lacrosse Team last year, so much for what happened with the murder charges against Baltimore Ravens Ray Lewis... Michael Vick is GUILTY until such time that he can prove that he's NOT GUILTY!

The Falcons, Michael Vick, and Dogfighting

Statement from the Atlanta Falcons

“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 [Vick] 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.”

In case you haven't heard, every news outlet (here, here, and here) is reporting that Michael Vick (quarterback and fading wunderkind of the NFL Atlanta Falcons) and 3 others were indicted by the federal government for running an illegal dogfighting operation, raising dogs for the purpose of dogfighting, and executing those dogs that did not perform while dogfighting. Read the entire damning indictment 18 page indictment at The Smoking Gun).

plez sez: in an earlier post, i implored Michael Vick to change his ways... my pleas were obviously a bit late! now, i'm not going to take the easy route and call him a thug and a hoodlum (if the shoe fits...), but i am going to say that this is putting the home team (Falcons) in a rough spot this coming season. we were dreaming about returning to the playoffs, it appears that we'll be LUCKY to win 2 games!

Vick hasn't played very well the last two seasons; there is NO WAY that he is going to excel in a new offensive scheme with a new head coach while having the spectre of a prison sentence hanging over his head! and to add insult to injury, the Falcons traded away his backup QB (Matt Shaub) and picked up a pedestrian (at best) Joey Harrington from the Dolphins (and he couldn't take the QB job away from a Dante Culpepper on a bad wheel!).

the Atlanta Falcons' owner Arthur Blank is very image conscious; i can see him looking at ways to unload Vick before the season starts!

i know that he's innocent until proven guilty, but Federal indictments are no laughing matter and they are rarely executed without lots of corroborating evidence and cooperating witnesses. i just don't see Vick weaseling out of this one (as i said before, he has been walking a tightrope of trouble since he showed up... i think the rope just broke).

and lastly, i have such fond memories of growing up with my family dog; Ace was a black Labrador retriever. long walks in the woods, him retrieving tennis balls out of the Hudson River, romping in the snow, wrestling in the yard, or accompanying me on my paper route... my dog was a fixture and a gratifying experience of my youth. i cannot imagine the ANIMAL who would raise a dog to be mauled and maimed and killed while fighting for sport... the barbarous nature of such an existence escapes me. if he was as involved as the indictment reads, i hope Michael Vick burns in HELL!