Re: Vick accepts plea deal
Duh, he is scum of course he lied. Ron Mexico...herpes; drug carrying water bottle; history of his posse behaving badly in public at NFL events; flipping the fans off. Gee, how could anyone ever doubt he would tell the truth.
Only a fool would have believed him. Or someone looking for cover. Again, whether he talked to the commissioner, Mother Teresa or God, is not germane to the fact that he was in trouble with the law. That sort of behavior is shameful, and is usually the result of illegal activity. It isn't even a case that he was associating in the wrong place or with the wrong people (mafia types) or he said/she said situation. It was his property that was involved.
Only someone who has never been the boss of others would think like this. You also have never worked in a union setting. Gooddell, being the NEW BOSS, attempted to give Michael Vick the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately for you, it is very relevent that Vick talked to Gooddell because it destroys the premise for your rant that the NFL has handled this incorrectly. Had Gooddell entered that meeting without an open mind and punished Vick then and there, Vick would have ground for a lawsuit.
And please, don't try to act all smart by pointing out facts that are well known in the situation. Especially when there are plenty of situations out there where a building owner isn't held responsible for the actions of his tenants. Particularly in apartment building in the city.
As I said, its why Gooddell have the NFL investigation team start looking into things. Because Gooddell did NOT trust Vick. But until there was some REAL evidence, Gooddell's hands were tied. At least in the Pacman Jones issues, Jones was fool enough to admit to being their and to admit he did certain things. Vick didn't.
They are not an adjunct of any legal system. It is not their place to investigate anything. It is their place to turn over any information about wrongdoing to the proper authorities and let the police do their job. Notice how there has been a deafening silence from the NFL about Vick naming other current or former athletes who also have fighting dogs or are fight aficionados ? Even the prosecutors have not mentioned it, I am sure after NFL schmoozing.
These are the statements of someone who is ignorant about big business. Large corporations conduct their own investigations of their senior employees all the time if they are suspected of any wrong doing. Its done to ensure that its not just heresay and that there actually is something illegal being committed.
Also, how the hell do you know that the NFL Investigators DIDN'T turn over any information they might have had. As for your other allegations, unless there is proof beyond Vick (who lost all his credibility for lying to the Commissioner), no one will believe him anyways. He made himself into the fall guy when he lied to Gooddell.
The fact is, the NFL had taken no action against Vick, though he was involved in a criminal investigation taking place on his premises. The fact is that they said 'lets wait and see', when that escalated to Federal Indictments. Their 'investigation' is only for 2 purposes: to look like they are taking action, while allowing them to stall and do nothing, and to cover their bacon in case there are other athletes involved in this activity. You can bet the purpose of the NFL investigation is to cover up, and destroy any evidence, and to make sure no one else will talk.
The fact is that the NFL doesn't have to jump to the timeline of some ignorant fan who doesn't understand business and who doesn't understand the potential ramifications of punishing someone before they are convicted.
The NFL already had their investigators working the case PRIOR to the charges being escalated to the Federal indictment level. Your assumption that they only did it to stall and really do nothing would mean that charges against them could be filed for obstruction of justice. Do you really think that they are that stupid?
But that is not what they said. They said they were attempting to determine the truth of the facts. And so what if they are looking for others, that has no bearing on their action (non-action) on Vick.
No, they were attempting to determine the truth of Michael Vick's statements to them. There is a difference. And yes, it does have a bearing on the NFL not taking action prior to when they did.
No you if you are whimsical enough to own property in Afghanistan, I will let you keep it.
You might want to take notice that the other defendants who pled guilty are still free, other than the dunce who violated his parole on another case.
You think that the other defendants are free? If you consider free being under 24 hour surveillance by the US Marshall service to be FREE, then you clearly don't understand the definition.
As I understand it, before they are sentenced there are all kinds of things that have to happen. Including an investigation to determine how to apply all the rules and guidelines when they sentence them. I think its called a probation report.
After the date on Monday, the next date on the docket (for all defendants, I believe) is November 26th. So while he may not make it to November, it is unlikely he is in jail before the season starts; unless he gets bagged for perjury in the courtroom. Then again if the Judge throws the deal out he may have to go to trial in November, in which case he will be free and able to play, given the non-action by the NFL.
Actually, if you had read FTW's post, its a Pre-sentencing report. And its read by the judge and its the guidelines that they recommend be followed for sentencing.
Considering that Vick's plea has NOT been accepted yet then the NFL is correct for not having done anything. Because they needed to see the extent of what the charges were that Vick agreed to. After Monday, the NFL WILL do something because Vick will be ON RECORD as having pled guilty to the charges brought against him. Until that is official, the league can't do anything because of a potential backlash from the Union and lawsuits from such imbecilic associations like the ACLU and NAACP.
Uh, Total Access on the NFLN, they repeat each one like 300 times.
Hmm... so, in other words, there is no way you could have possibly taken Schefter's words out of context? And, you want us to believe your take without offering up that piece by Schefter so we can make our own determination.. Got it. Sorry, but I'll pass. Your over-reaction to the NFL's actions to this point has taken away from your credibility.
Explains how you ended up with property in Afghanistan doesn't it.
If you think that the league will do nothing. Great. Its your opinion. One that you have now gladly shared with everyone. Considering what Gooddell has doled out this year, you'd be stupid to bet that Gooddell does nothing.
The union hasn't said boo. They too got tens of thousands, or more emails about fan anger and outrage. Upshaw said so in the PC, and looked sick and scared to boot.
The union hasn't said BOO because the NFL is treating it the way they should. Letting the government handle the issue and not coming to a decision before Vick has been confirmed as guilty. Once Vick has officially pled guilty and its been entered into record, the League can come down on Vick without the Union really having much say.
And yes they are all dancing around the money and the shame of losing such a 'great talent', but it should be about what he did and their taking action to make it clear that it is not acceptable in the NFL.
Have you seen all the talking heads and players/former players who are all giving the scenarios and timelines for his return, Not even a question of if. Its like all he has is an annoying parking ticket to take care of. That is a direct reflection of the fact that the NFL is not taking Vick’s actions seriously, only his impact on their image. Apparently the only person in the NFL who thought he shouldn't be allowed back, had to be quoted anonymously in one of Don Banks' articles on SI.COM about what coaches and GMs are saying regarding Vick's future in the NFL.
I haven't watched the talking heads nor do I put ANY weight in their opinions because they don't know how Gooddell will react. No one knows. My guess is that Vick, at the absolute minimum, will face a 3-5 year ban. And that ban COULD and SHOULD be a lifetime ban.
They don't even have to ban him for life now. They could just ban him for the season, and that gives them time to see what will come out in terms of the gambling. But they won't even do that. Vick is a stupid scumbag responsible for his actions, but he has been enabled, and is still being coddled by people who do know better.
There are the gambling charges that could still be filed AND there is the IRS who could bring Tax evasion charges against Vick. Those don't have to be filed with this case. Nor should they be.
Oh, and right or wrong, people have coddled athletes for as long as I can remember. It has something to do with not being able to do what those athletes do and being in awe of those athletes when they are performing those feats. So, just by virtue of the fact you watch football, one could say that you enabled Vick indirectly through your support of the game.
