The Cellar - NFL Should Dump Vick

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Is he suing? That would just about cover it.

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Richmond, Va. — Facing the possibility of a new indictment, which includes racketeering charges, Falcons quarterback Michael Vick will most likely join his three co-defendants and agree this week to a plea deal with prosecutors in his federal dogfighting case, according to two people with knowledge of the case.

Vick has not made a final decision, because he wants to hear from the NFL what a guilty plea would do to his football career.

"It is a very good chance he will plead guilty," said one of the people who spoke on condition of anonymity. "He definitely wants to play football again. His love is for football. And he would love to play for the Falcons again. But first and foremost is to get back on the field."

Apparently one of Vick's bros has turned state's evidence and the other two will jump on the bandwagon this morning.
Speculation is Vick will plea bargain and go down for at least a year.

Yeah, I heard this morning that he was worried about how long he would be out of football - the commentators suggested that his focus be more on how long he would be in jail. 3-5 years with a plea down to 1 year and less actually served for good behavior.

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The NFL has made it clear that a decision as to Mike Vick's punishment for violation of league policies won't be made until after he pleads guilty to pending charges, if he indeed pleads guilty.

But to the extent that Vick or anyone else thinks that a suspension will be served while he is in prison, we don't think it should be that simple or easy for him.

In order to make the suspension have the intended deterrent effect on other players, the suspension should not begin until after Vick is released from custody.

Commissioner Roger Goodell has broad discretion in determining Vick's punishment. Under the Personal Conduct Policy, Goodell has sole authority to fashion the penalty, and he likewise is the person who will review the decision on appeal.

If Vick pleads guilty, he likely won't be sentenced until November or December. If his jail term starts in January 2008, he'll be unavailable for the entire 2008 season. If Goodell imposes a one-year suspension that begins after Vick is released, Vick will be knocked out for the 2009 campaign.

Though we don't think that Vick will get a lifetime ban from Goodell, we think that it will be for at least two years -- one year for dog fighting, and one year for gambling. If the suspensions start after he gets out of jail, he won't be eligible to be back on the field until 2011, when he'll be 31 years old.

Even then, we're not sure anyone will sign him -- and we have a feeling that the NFL owners will be urged by the powers-that-be never to bring Vick back to the league, since to do so would provide a constant reminder of one of the most troubling player misconduct episodes in NFL history.

(emphasis mine)

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Per published reports, Mike Vick has until 9:00 a.m. EDT to accept a deal that would entail pleading guilty to pending conspiracy charges in exchange for a recommendation by prosecutors of a 12-18 month jail term...

If Vick doesn't take the deal, he most likely will be indicted on more charges next week. There still has been no mention (that we've seen) as to whether a guilty plea on federal charges will include a commitment that he won't be prosecuted in Virginia for dog fighting, animal cruelty, or gambling.

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PHILLIPS, PEACE ADMIT TO KILLING DOGS WITH VICK

In a statement of facts signed in connection with the guilty pleas entered on Friday morning by Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips, Peace and Phillips admit to participating with Vick in the killing of eight dogs in April 2007, according to ESPN.

In our view, this means that Virginia authorities now have the green light to proceed with an indictment of Vick on eight counts of animal cruelty. Under Virginia law, he'd face up to 40 years behind bars, in addition to any federal prison term that he serves.

The alleged involvement in killing dogs is, in our view, proof positive that Vick will never be able to return to the NFL.

ESPN also reports that Phillips immediately was taken into custody because he failed a drug test while free on bond.

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From the New York Times Published: August 18, 2007
Goodell has broad powers to determine the nature of Vick’s punishment, including when it would begin. If Vick is sentenced to prison, Goodell could start a possible suspension when Vick begins his criminal sentence or after his incarceration ends. The implication for the 27-year-old Vick’s career is clear: The combination of a prison sentence and a suspension by the league could make his return to the N.F.L. a long shot.

Of particular interest to the league is whether Vick admits to gambling in a plea agreement. Depending on the nature of the charges, that alone could spell the end of Vick’s career.

Put a fork in him - He's done, as he should be.

dont draft him on your fantasy league!

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Originally Posted by rkzenrage (Post 374848)

I'd like to see your opinion on raising rodeo bulls based on this. :rolleyes:

I said that I'm a vegetarian and believe in animal rights. Of course I'm opposed to rodeos.

What's next for Michael Vick after agreeing to plea?
[Posted: Monday August 20, 2007 5:54PM; Updated: Monday August 20, 2007 7:28PM

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Originally Posted by SI

SI.com: Michael Vick has accepted a deal. What is he looking at in terms of jail time?

Dohrmann: Details of the plea agreement won't be made public until next Monday, although it is possible information will leak out before then. Earlier reports said prosecutors were seeking 18-36 months and Vick's legal team was hoping for a year or less.

SI.com: Why did Vick take the deal?

Dohrmann: When co-defendants Quanis Phillips, Purnell Peace, and Tony Taylor pled guilty to federal dogfighting conspiracy changes and agreed to testify against Vick, that made it seven witnesses for the government who could say Vick participated in dogfighting. Peace and Phillips could describe how Vick executed dogs as recently as last spring. Also, the government was preparing a superseding indictment that would have included racketeering charges against Vick, which carry a tougher penalty than the dogfighting charges.

SI.com: Could the judge impose a stiffer sentence?

Dohrmann: Usually judges stick to the guidelines, although the judge in Vick's case -- judge Henry Hudson -- let it be known at the plea hearing for Peace and Phillips last Friday that he could sentence them to five years in prison and they couldn't then get out of their pleas (or appeal). If Vick agrees to plead guilty to the same single charge as his friends (federal dogfighting conspiracy), he faces the same quandary. He might get the sentence his lawyers negotiated with prosecutors or he might get more. Hudson won't make the final decision until the sentencing hearing, the date of which we won't know until Monday...

jail time! shit! least of that man's worries now. how about the "condemnation" by the league and what that means for the future of this "star"?

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"We are aware of Michael Vick's decision to enter a guilty plea to the federal charges against him and accept responsibility for his conduct. We totally condemn the conduct outlined in the charges, which is inconsistent with what Michael Vick previously told both our office and the Falcons. We will conclude our own review under the league’s personal conduct policy as soon as possible. In the meantime, we have asked the Falcons to continue to refrain from taking action pending a decision by the commissioner."

how about his immediate career?

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Our guess? He'll be suspended for at least one year for dog fighting, and at least one year for gambling. Also, we think that any suspension will be tolled during his incarceration.

how about that roughly $28 mil he may be on the hook for?

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Though many will expect owner Arthur Blank to cut him as soon as Commissioner Roger Goodell allows the team to proceed, the Falcons need to wait until Vick defaults on his contract so that the team can recover, as we calculate it, more than $28 million in paid bonus money. The broader question is whether the Falcons must carry Vick on the roster during the term of his suspension in order to collect all of the $28 million, since the bonus money applies to future years of the contract that have not yet been served.

Too much money + Too little sense = Dogfighting indictment

Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for these "heroes", these sports "stars", to feel they are above the law... untouchables.

S-not lookin' good for tha' dude.

It's not looking good because he's a lying, sociopathic piece of shit. It hasn't "looked good" for him since he was suspected of it in the first place. Suspicions, indictments, etc. are brought on by some form of evidence or fact, if you will.