Now the team's ownership group is saying he's their starter for 2007.
"There are no plans to trade him or cut him. Michael is our quarterback and the leader of our team. We have a new head coach (Bobby Petrino) who is anxious to start working with him. Everyone has high expectations of him going into next season. Michael has those too," Kim Shreckengost, executive vice president of the Arthur M. Blank Group told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The 26-year-old Vick had been the target of jokes and sharp criticism since the incident, including a skit on "Saturday Night Live." On Thursday, Atlanta GM Rich McKay said Vick "knows he let a lot of people down. Not just the coaches, not just me, not just Arthur Blank, but the fans. We were very clear in discussing that." McKay said Blank, the team owner, "is upset."
We would be absolutely stupid to let Shaub get away.
If it turns out that Vick can't run Petrino's offense which requires a QB that can pass for more than around a 150 yards a game,(Most Vick Games) we will be the team searching for a QB, because Petrino is not going to keep a QB in that can't get it done through the air like Mora and Knapp did. That means we have to either draft a QB high and that is a gamble there, just look at Ryan Leaf, Jeff George and Mike Vick all 1st pick in the draft passing bust, or we could pay big draft picks to a team for a quality back up that isn't as good as Matt Shaub. Face it folks every receiver that Atlanta has isn't bad.What are the odds that everyone of the receivers who were damn good receivers before they came to Atlanta and now suddenly can't catch. That is about as smart as a target shooter that can't hit the target blaming the targets.
I know there are a lot of Mike Vick fans on this board that refuse to open their eyes, lets face it if Vick didn't have such a high cap hit on the team he would be gone now. You can't point to a small percentage of a QB's games that he did well in and say that is proof he can pass well, you have to look at the big picture, all the games and face it. If Vick hasn't gotten it in six years in the NFL he isn't going to. Sure he took us to the NFC title game back when the NFC was weaker than it is now, because the NFL had never seen a QB with Vick's running ability, but shortly after the NFL figured out how to shut Vick's running down so he had to pass to get points and I am sorry to say he hasn't been able to do it consistently enough for the Falcons to even have winning seasons the last two years. Face it when you are dead last in the NFL in passing and have a back up QB with Shaub's potential already on your team, it is stupid to let him go anywhere.
40 years of straight losing can't be blamed on offensive or defensive players and schemes, guys. Whenever that happens, as with similar organizations like the Lions or the Cardinals, it's the culture of the franchize that is most responsible.
I'm going to speak on last year. Our coaches did not put Vick in position to make plays. I've said this a thousand times, they forced their playbooks on Vick. We're doing so much history on Vick, lets do some on Knapp. The child can only do what the parents allow them to do.
First, before we judge vick and his passing yards let me first admit this: 1. I am fully aware that Vick is not the best passer. 2. I am also aware that Vick isn't the best decision maker.
But if your child likes warm weather and you say, "You can live in Alaska or Colorado" they won't like either choice will they? The Point is that when you have limited options there is only so much that you can do. And no I'm not talking about the receivers right now, Im talking about playcalling. If your offense is predictable, of course the opposing team's defense will eat you alive. They know your freakin play! And any fan who watched all the games last year knows that we were everything but "inventive". It was always
1st down: Run 2nd Down: Run 3rd Down: Pass or force vick out of the pocket to make something happen. 4th down: the obvious punt.
Third down is when defenses send in their pass rushers. HELLO! Thats why when Abe was hurt and played partially, he'd come in on 3rd downs, because thats when most passing plays happen. Vick rarely got the opportunity to pass.
O.K. I have admitted I am naive. I guess I just want to trust people. I want to see the best in people. I mean, I even believed Clinton.
So consequently, I have been politically assasinated and fired in two jobs with city government. You would think I would be quite the conspiracy theorist by now. O.K. So maybe inside I don't trust people. If you see me write a mean streak now you will know where it is coming from. But to survive, I need to learn optimism.
So let me make this perfectly clear, I do not believe there is a coverup in the Michael Vick Bottlegate incident. However, the behavior of Miami-Dade Police Department sure makes you think otherwise.
Michael Vick
A security video showing Falcons quarterback Michael Vick surrendering a water bottle to a security screener at Miami International Airport was erased because it would not be needed for evidence. The Jan. 17 video was part of the investigation into the water bottle with a hidden compartment that an initial police report said contained a "small amount of dark particulate" and an odor consistent with marijuana. Authorities this week said lab tests showed no evidence of drugs, and the bottle is no longer considered evidence in an investigation. Vick was cleared by police of any wrongdoing. In a report on its web site, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution said it requested a copy of the video on Jan. 18 from the Miami-Dade Police Department under the state's public records law.
What is Leon2114 smoking?
The Falcons GM came on National TV and was quick to ridicule Michael Vick before he even knew what and if the so called substance in his pouch was illegal. He was quick to put his self in front of the camera to make Vick look bad, now he shies away from the spotlight and makes comments behind the scene. He needs to make a public apology.
I'm With Detroitsports
Hi, I'm Michael Vick, I smoke marijuana but don't get caught for it because I play in the NFL. Who are you?
Matt Schaub
Due to the rising tenders for restricted free agents, Atlanta will be forced to pay Matt Schaub $2.069 million in 2007 salary to avoid receiving any less than a first-round pick as compensation if a team signs him. The highest, or "first- and third-round tender" for restricted free agents would require the Falcons paying Schaub $2.35 million in 2007.
Ashley Lelie
Ashley Lelie is scheduled to be a free agent after voiding the final year of his contract. Fox Sport's Jay Glazer calls him the best free agent wideout on the market.
Peerless Price and Ashley Lelie are two good receivers that left or are leaving Atlanta. Way to go Vick. Will any receiver want to come to Atlanta where their livlihood relies on an irresponsible quarterback that will never put up big passing numbers?
According to Mike Vick it was painful, very painful. But there is no mention in today's AP report of anything measurable regarding the injury he says he suffered Saturday night. In fact, if you read the full report, Mike sounds like he's taking it easy. Please allow for the fact that the AP reporter may have shaded it that way. But at any rate, I can see how some people would see it that way based on this report.
I can't believe, however, that Jim Mora or Art Blank would allow Vick to miss practice for the very important upcoming game with Carolina if there wasn't something to the injury. Yet, I find the fact that Vick is yet to make it through a full season without missing a start due to injury interesting. Is it because he runs and takes so many hits? Is he injury prone? Will he play through an injury when necessary?
One other thing. Last week Dunn didn't practice but played. Norwood practiced but didn't play. Now Shaub is taking snaps. Is this more shenanigans?
Oh well, you guys have at it. I am inviting it on this one.
Updated 12/20/2006 6:18 PM ET
The Associated PressFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga.
After Saturday night's game, Michael Vick said he "felt a pain I have never felt before." Vick had to leave late in the Atlanta Falcons' loss to Dallas on Saturday night due to the injury. Michael says his sore groin has improved, even though he didn't test the injury as he took a reduced role in Wednesday's practice. He was listed as probable for Sunday's game against Carolina and reported the sore groin "feels better." Vick, who has never started more than 15 games in a season, has made every start in 2006.
Backup Matt Schaub took the majority of the snaps with the first-team offense as he prepares for what could be his first start since Oct. 9, 2005 against New England. "As far as going a long period of time without starting, it doesn't help you," Schaub said. "You've just got to be focused and stay sharp in practice." "I think if anything you're still fresh. Schaub attempted only one pass this season before going 3-for-5 for 33 yards when playing behind Vick in the 38-28 loss to Dallas.
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Hi, I'm Michael Vick, I smoke marijuana but don't get caught for it because I play in the NFL. Who are you?
