You'd have to have been living under a rock not to have heard the latest violent information reported on Michael Vick's dogfighting scandal.  Now that we've all had a chance to let it sink in, it's time to put emotion aside and look at the Atlanta Falcon's from purely a football standpoint. 

While Vick has successfully managed to deteriorate his image with obsene gestures, marijuana allegations (that lab tech must have been an Atlanta fan), and now his recent nationally exposed felony, who's career has he damaged the most?  This event goes way beyond the crushed reputation of the all-star QB out of VA Tech.  Teammates and staff will be suffering in the wake of Vick's actions for years to come. 

After a disappointing season, the one thing Atlanta had going for them was the NFL's most successful running game.  Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood can produce some yards, but it was always that threat of Vick's carries that spread the linebackers and created those extra yard plays.  With Joey Harrington handing off, don't expect the same results. 

How would you feel being one of the league's elite receivers coming away from one of the most successful offenses only to find out that your starting QB might be in prison and his reliable backup was just traded?  That's how Joe Horn feels.  Without too many good years left in his career, he can toss out any hopes of going out with a #### in Atlanta.

In this downward spiral of disappointments, the one who's potential will suffer the most is Bobby Petrino.   Clearly showing his high hopes, Arthur Blank was the first owner to toss out the old and bring in the new at the end of the season.  Comming out o####reat year with Louiville, Petrino lead one of the NCAA's most NFL style offenses to an impressive 12-1 overall season in the Big East.  In only a few years he molded QB Brian Brohm into what looks to be a heisman candidate in 2008.  Petrino was obviously the right man for the job, and he came to the Falcons with a new design for success. 

Everything was set up to center around Vick.  Knowing that no NFL player is capable of single handedly changing the outcome of the game more than Michael, Petrino wanted to place more offensive decision making into the athletic phenom's hands.  Trading Schaub alleviated the constant brewing questions of whether or not he should have a chance to start.  #7 was in the middle of the best preformance offseason of his career, and all sings were beggining to point towards playoffs. 

Now?  The chances Vick will even see the field in the 07-08 season are slimming on a daily basis, the next best QB option is starting for another team, and the last public relations aimed at many of the fans was a big middle finger.  All this (and whatever else errupts from this nightmare) has Bobby Petrino sitting in the worst spot in the NFL.  He did everything he should to deserve a shot at leading a great team to a great season, and has been rewarded with a team with no direction.  This is the beggining to a coach with great potential and obvious leadership talent having his season stolen out from under him because of one player's participation in the inhumane, disturbing culture of dogfighting.  Hopefully the NFL community will take notice and he will be given another chance. 

We love to hate in the sports world, and lately, I've been feeling the hate a little more than usual.  There are so many villians out there, that I say it's time we crown the most hated of them all for 2007. Kind of like that 'Who's Now' thing from ESPN, only not a shameful attempt to fill up air time.  After several nation-wide polls and a few major university double-blind studies, I have narrowed the list down to 5 (none of that is true). 

Read what I got and respond with YOUR vote in the comments.

Michael Vick, aka: Ron Mexico

How fast did this guy fall off of our pedestal.  He went from cool commercial, human highlight reel Mike, straight to pot smokin', dog fightin', fan flickin' off Mike.  How many mothers do you think made their kids take down the poster of the newly outed NFL bad boy?  It's not like his younger brother is boy scout of the year or anything, so maybe it's a family thing.  Either way this guy has made it to a lot of recent hate lists.

Alex Rodriguez, aka: Couldn't find anything appropriate

This guy knows how to pile it on.  First of all, it's not hard to stir up some hate for a guy who makes more in a contract year than some small countries.  The over-paid pretty boy started really showing his true colors after what had to be the most girly slap in MLB history (Referring to his 2004 1st base slap attack on Bronson Arroyo).  And if that's not enough ammo for you, you have his 'I got it!!!' base running technique and his Kobe Bryantesque 2nd base slide to break up the double play earlier this year.  I mean, his wife actually wears a shirt that says F*** You.

Barry Bonds, aka: The Unnatural

Was there ever more of a kick in the teeth to all the true Bonds haters than a last minute vote into the All-Star game?              Yeah, he's about to take the home-run record and singlehandedly ruin the purity of the game.  I won't harp on Bonds too much because we've all been force-fed the stories, but doesn't he just seem like the type of #### who googles himself at least a few times a week?

PacMan Jones, aka: The Make-It-Rain-Maker

I totally just made that name up on the spot, I hope it sticks.  I don't think anybody likes him anymore, but the question is 'how much you hate him?'  While we should respect the fact that he hasn't been proven guilty in a court of law (BS, he did it), this guy thinks he can get away with whatever he wants.  The most annoying part about him is he doesn't have the descency to hook up with Tank Johnson and demand a trade to the Bengals. 

Any Starting Member of the San Antonio Spurs

aka: The Bore Corps

That ryhmes if you don't read it like a ####...

Lately a lot of commentaters have taken the easy way out and instead of praising the accomplishments and dynasty-forming history of the Spurs, they have chosen to whine about how 'boring' they are.  I am one of them.  The NBA playoffs is supposed to be an exciting bridge to cover the gap between the NFL draft and preseason.  I think the real problem began earlier in the season when Duncan got into that middle-school tiff with an elderly white guy from the bench.  It sort of took away any potential of a tough guy under all them book smarts. 

Arighty people, the voting booth is open...

Depending on how many of you respond I'm probably just going to pick one.