NFL FanHouse

Vick's No Longer Working in Construction

JJ Cooper — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:01:00 EST

Filed under: Atlanta Falcons, NFL Police Blotter

Michael Vick's construction job didn't last for long.

Needing a job to meet his house arrest requirements and with the NFL currently blocked as an option, Vick had started working construction last month in Hampton, Va. But he's left that job to start working for the local Boys and Girls Club. Although it's not exactly clear what he'll be doing with the Boys and Girls Club, they said he'll be working on health and fitness with the kids.

The move is a smart one for Vick in two ways. For one, it's simply an easier job than working construction, but more importantly it's one that could help meet NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's requirements of showing that he has changed for the better since his conviction. Working with and helping kids is a good way to do that.

Now let's just hope he's better at it than Peyton Manning:

Latest Michael Vick Images

Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick, right, arrives at the Norfolk Federal Courthouse for a bankruptcy hearing with his attorney Paul Campsen, left, Tuesday, June 9, 2009 in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Jason Hirschfeld)

Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick, left, leaves the Norfolk Federal Courthouse with his attorney, Larry Woodward, after a bankruptcy hearing, Tuesday, June 9, 2009, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Jason Hirschfeld)

Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick gets into a waiting car after attending a a bankruptcy hearing at Norfolk Federal Court, Tuesday, June 9, 2009, in Norfolk, Va (AP Photo/Jason Hirschfeld)

Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick arrives at the Norfolk Federal Courthouse, Tuesday, June 9, 2009 in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Jason Hirschfeld)

People wear Michael Vick jerseys as they wait for him to return to his home in Hampton, Virgina, from a federal prison in Kansas on Thursday, May 21, 2009, after serving part of his sentence on charges of running a dog fighting ring. He will spend more time under house arrest. (Diane Cebula/Newport News Daily Press/MCT)

MCT

Sussex, VA - NOVEMBER 25: Protesters hold signs outside Surry County Circuit Court where suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick after plead guilty on two felony counts connected to dog fighting on November 25, 2008 in Sussex, Virginia. Under a plea agreement, Vick, who is currently serving a term in prison for federal dog fighting charges, will serve one-year of probation for the state charges. He is scheduled to be released on July of 2009. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Vick

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Sussex, VA - NOVEMBER 25: Suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick (R) leaves Surry County Circuit Court after entering a guilty plea on two felony counts connected to dog fighting on November 25, 2008 in Sussex, Virginia. Under a plea agreement, Vick, who is currently serving a term in prison for federal dog fighting charges, will serve one-year of probation for the state charges. He is scheduled to be released on July of 2009. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Vick

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Sussex, VA - NOVEMBER 25: Suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick (C) leaves Surry County Circuit Court after entering a guilty plea on two felony counts connected to dog fighting on November 25, 2008 in Sussex, Virginia. Under a plea agreement, Vick, who is currently serving a term in prison for federal dog fighting charges, will serve one-year of probation for the state charges. He is scheduled to be released on July of 2009. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Vick

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Vick's No Longer Working in Construction originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Michael Vick, Plaxico Burress Could Be Sitting for Quite a While

JJ Cooper — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:43:00 EST

Filed under: Buccaneers, Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, Giants, NFL Police Blotter, NFL Rumors

While there is speculation of Michael Vick eventually becoming a Dolphin, Yahoo! Sports' Jason Cole has a pretty firm story that says Vick won't be playing in the NFL anytime soon. Cole also says that wide receiver Plaxico Burress is facing an indefinite suspension as well, which would put a giant bucket of cold water on any hopes he has of landing a solid free agent deal.

Cole cites three sources with knowledge of the situation. According to them, commissioner Roger Goodell will continue to throw his weight around when it comes to suspensions. He's already slapped wide receiver Donte Stallworth with an indefinite suspension after Stallworth pled guilty to DUI manslaughter. One of Cole's sources says its likely that Vick will be suspended for the entire 2009 season as well, which would mean he would be out of football for three seasons, making any return even tougher in 2010.

But in Vick's case, his problems come from Goodell's apparent desire to make him pay some more for crimes he's already been convicted of. In Burress' case, apparently the decision to punt the case until after the season has angered the NFL commish, which may mean he acts now rather than waiting to see if Burress is convicted. If Burress is found guilty of possessing and firing an unlicensed gun he could be facing three and a half years in prison--he turned down a plea bargain because it would have involved jail time.

"The commissioner would rather have the prosecutors take some action before he does anything, but he's prepared to do something regardless if he has to," the league source said.

But for now, Goodell has effectively suspended Burress without even lifting his finger. Until Goodell lets teams know whether Burress will be available to play this season, he makes it very difficult for Burress' agent Drew Rosenhaus to work out a deal with any team.

Michael Vick, Plaxico Burress Could Be Sitting for Quite a While originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:43:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Former NFL Coach Dennis Green Thinks Michael Vick Will Likely Be a Dolphin

JJ Cooper — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, NFL Fans, NFL Coaching, NFL Rumors

It's impossible to find an NFL head coach or general manager who is willing to say that he wants to sign Michael Vick, but former NFL coach Dennis Green, now coaching for the start-up UFL, thinks he knows where Vick will end up.

As he sees it, Bill Parcells wants Vick, and if Parcells wants something, he's going to get it. So he thinks Vick will end up as a Dolphin.

"I have a hard time believing that Michael Vick is not going to wind up with Bill Parcells, simply because he has that creativeness that says that no matter what it takes, he's going to find a way to get Michael Vick," Green told Sirius NFL Radio. "Now, whether it means convincing the commissioner or whatever it takes, Michael Vick is probably going to wind up at Miami because of the fact that Bill Parcells is Bill Parcells."

That sounds plausible at first glance, but Green's theory doesn't make sense for several reasons. Most notably, Miami has a quarterback it's comfortable with for 2009 -- Chad Pennington. Beyond that, Miami drafted quarterback Pat White in the second round largely because of his potential at running the Wildcat. And if White isn't ready to run the Wildcat, tailback Ronnie Brown showed last year that he's enough of a passing threat to keep defenses at least somewhat honest.

And there's even one more problem: no one knows if Vick will even be eligible to play this year. Commissioner Roger Goodell has not lifted his indefinite suspension, and he has indicated that he won't even consider the suspension until Vick's house arrest ends on July 20 -- just days before the start of training camp.

Latest Michael Vick Images

Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick gets into a waiting car after attending a a bankruptcy hearing at Norfolk Federal Court, Tuesday, June 9, 2009, in Norfolk, Va (AP Photo/Jason Hirschfeld)

Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick arrives at the Norfolk Federal Courthouse, Tuesday, June 9, 2009 in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Jason Hirschfeld)

MCT

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Former NFL Coach Dennis Green Thinks Michael Vick Will Likely Be a Dolphin originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Falcons Go Extra Mile for Nicholas

JJ Cooper — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:23:00 EST

Filed under: Atlanta Falcons, NFC South

ESPN's Pat Yasikinas has a solid story today about Falcons linebacker Stephen Nicholas and his infant son's heart transplant. It's a great story for Father's Day and well worth the read.

But beyond Nicholas and his wife Irene's emotional journey of dealing with a sick child that thankfully has a happy ending now that Stephen Jr. is doing well, something else jumped out from Yasikinas' story: the Falcons as an organization got it right.

It's easy to make jokes about the Falcons' history of ineptitude on the field, but what struck me is that the team got every detail right off the field with Nicholas.

The Falcons seemed to have done everything they could to help Nicholas deal with Stephen Jr.'s health problems.

First, when the Nicholases were trying to figure out what was wrong with their child, Stephanie Blank, wife of owner Arthur Blank, helped ensure that the child was airlifted to Atlanta's children's hospital. Then, with his son in Boston for treatment, Nicholas was allowed to leave the team every Sunday after the game to head to be with him. He wasn't expected to return until Wednesday. A couple of teammates pitched in to help cover his travel expenses.

Also Falcons' director of player programs Kevin Winston served as a liason to help out in whatever way the Falcons could.

"Kevin was on the phone with me all the time,'' Irene said. "He was always checking to see if there was anything I needed or anything the Falcons could do.''

Nicholas could end up being a starter at linebacker this year, having proven his mental toughness by surving a hellish 2008. But beyond that, the Falcons have assuredly helped themselves in the locker room by showing that they treat their players as more than just replaceable cogs.

Falcons Go Extra Mile for Nicholas originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:23:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How Good Will This Falcons' Offense Be?

JJ Cooper — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:22:00 EST

Filed under: Atlanta Falcons, NFC South

There are some very legitimate questions about how good the Falcons' defense will be. Atlanta will be relying on a largely new set of linebackers, a much younger set of safeties and a still-potentially thin defensive line.

But offensively, is there a Falcons fan who doesn't think the Falcons will be even better than they were last year? They replaced the league's worst set of tight ends (combined 19 catches for 211 yards) with Tony Gonzalez (96 catches for 1,058 yards). The running game of Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood is back, the wide receivers should be even better as Harry Douglas enters his second year, and the offensive line returns intact.

But more than anything, the Falcons have Matt Ryan coming back with a year's experience to build on. Apparently, in offseason workouts, he's showing significant improvement on last year's outstanding rookie season.

"By leaps and bounds," Atlanta fullback Ovie Mughelli said of Ryan on Wednesday as the Falcons approached the end of their organized team activities. "It's actually scary how much he's improved and it's only his second year. People thought he couldn't get much better than last year."

Admittedly, it's easier to look good in shorts and shoulder pads when you're not going to be tackled, but it's not unusual for a second-year quarterback to feel more comfortable than he did heading into his rookie season. Ryan threw for 3,440 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions as a rookie. If he takes the next step (more touchdowns, better completion percentage, better in the red zone), the Falcons should be able to finally end their streak of never having back-to-back winning seasons.

H/T: Pro Football Talk

How Good Will This Falcons' Offense Be? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Falcons' McClure: I'm Not Done Yet

JJ Cooper — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:52:00 EST

Filed under: Atlanta Falcons

Todd McClure is one of the few Falcons who remembers what it was like to get to a Super Bowl (even if he was on injured reserve). And he wants to stick around long enough to get a chance to go back.

McClure refuted a Pro Football Talk report that he was considering retiring because he is unhappy with his contract. In fact, he says, he's as happy as he's ever been to be a Falcon.

"No man, I've got a contract," McClure said when asked if he was retiring. "I've been here. I haven't missed a day of [organized team activities], mini-camps or nothing. I'm as fired up as I've ever been about being a Falcon right now. This is an exciting season that we've got coming up."

According to the PFT report, the Falcons signing of guard/center Jeremy Newberry would give them insurance if McClure did shut it down. But even without that need, Newberry does give Atlanta a very solid backup who can handle three of the five line positions.

Atlanta still could use one more offensive lineman -- there's not nearly as much depth at offensive tackle unless fifth-round pick Garrett Reynolds is ready to play. Re-signing ancient veteran Wayne Gandy or another bargain-priced backup tackle would give a little extra insurance that could come in handy.

Falcons' McClure: I'm Not Done Yet originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Folks Too Obsessed With Michael Vick

Terence Moore — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Atlanta Falcons

ATLANTA -- Nearly every moment I'm in this area, where I've lived for the past 25 years, I encounter somebody who wishes to discuss No. 7, usually in a highly emotional way. It doesn't matter whether I'm in a church service, sitting in a barber's chair or rising for a set of crunches at the gym.

Michael Vick, Michael Vick, Michael Vick.

When does he get out of prison?

Where is he going to play?

Why don't they leave him alone?

This local obsession with Vick always has been cult-like, especially among African-Americans, and that obsession has grown with no end in sight. I mean, here we are in the heart of the Bible Belt, but some are threatening to switch their memberships from wherever they are now to the Latter-Day Church of Michael Dwayne Vick.

For many reasons, this makes no sense.

"Actually, it does," said Andrew Young, an old acquaintance, who has other claims to fame. He was one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s top lieutenants. Plus, he was an Ambassador to the United Nations and a former Atlanta mayor when he wasn't serving as a congressman or a pastor at a real church. He still lives in Atlanta , where he is among the board of advisors for Vick's old Falcons team. So Young has watched every millisecond of this Vick drama up close and personal.

Added Young, "He was the spark plug that brought the Falcons back, and if you notice, I don't think there was an NFL stadium in the country that had as high of a percentage of black fans present as Atlanta (columnist's note: That's true). It always amazed me, and it made me feel very proud, because frankly, I took some of the credit for it, because Atlanta is one of the few places where blacks truly participated in the economy.

"So I was proud, because whole black families came to the stadium to see Vick and the Falcons play. I had never seen that in other stadiums or on television. Plus, in this regard, it wasn't just blacks: Everybody in town wore No. 7. And since we're also a town of animal lovers, and since I've always owned a couple of big dogs, well, it was just the initial shock of it all."

That shock involved Vick's dog-fighting issues. That shock has subsided, though, which is why this ongoing obsession with everything involving Vick throughout the Atlanta area makes no sense. Not only that, he hasn't zipped a pass with his strong left arm or zagged by a defender with his magic feet in three seasons. That's because he has spent the last year or so as a guest of the feds in Leavenworth .

Vick also isn't from around here. When he did play for the Falcons for six seasons through 2006, he did little-to-no philanthropy in Atlanta . He even flipped off a group of booing Falcons fans (thrice) at the Georgia Dome after a game. In contrast, he spent much of his time, money and love in his native Newport News, Va., where he currently is finishing the last few weeks of his sentence in home confinement.

None of that has mattered to Vick's unofficial congregation in northern Georgia. Neither has the fact that Falcons officials did what they suggested they would do after Vick's dog-fighting issues became horrors. They suggested they would end his spectacular but controversial career with the franchise. They did so last Friday by preferring to eat more than $7 million worth of salary-cap money through the release of their former quarterback of the present and future.

Such a move has caused Vick's unofficial congregation to hug its leader even tighter, and for many reasons, this actually does make sense.

There is that piling-on thing. "Way too much has been made of all of this, and it's gotten to be too much," said Young, who is correct. For instance: The media has much time to fill these days with its 24-hour news cycle, and that's why it has kept the world ridiculously informed of everything from Vick's financial woes to his every breath after he leaves his Virginia house to those cries from animal groups who want nothing less than to rip out his heart and feed it to a German shepherd. You also have the feds using Vick as the poster child for ending dog fighting.

There also is that fanatical thing. After all, "fan" is a derivative of that word, which brings us to this: The traditionally woeful Falcons haven't managed back-to-back winning seasons since their inception in 1966, and they've also had only a Deion Sanders here and a Jamal Anderson there. So more than a few Falcons "fans" are fuming to see "them" -- as in the NFL, the media, the feds, the haters in general -- take away the player that they view as their ultimate football messiah "over nothing but some dogs," which has become their constant mantra.

Then there is that deeper thing, and this applies mostly to Vick's African-American supporters. He is one of them. They know him (or at least they think they do), because they either are like him in their minds, or they know somebody like him. They see him as their brother, their cousin, their neighbor, their son.

"I look at him as my grandson," said Young, 77, laughing, recalling the times that he has tried to help Vick through the years.

I tried to help, too.

Once, during the summer of 2002 in Greenville, S.C., where the Falcons used to gather for training camp at Furman University, Vick huddled for the longest time with Young after a practice. Their duet eventually became a trio after Young waved for me on the far side of the field to join them. Our chat wasn't about how to avoid a zone blitz. Our chat was about what Vick needed to do to not become another knucklehead with lots of money and notoriety along the way to embarrassment. Our chat was about how Vick needed to use professionalism on and off the field.

Our chat was about how he needed a spiritual rebirth.

We tried. Others also tried, but Vick still became a knucklehead.

You had Vick present when one of his friends stole a Rolex watch from a security table at the Atlanta airport. You had Vick's trick water-bottle that supposedly reeked of marijuana at Miami International when it was confiscated by security. You had that photo of Vick holding a blunt on the Internet. You had that time he blew off a bunch of congressmen in Washington after he said he missed a flight from Atlanta . You had Vick using the alias "Ron Mexico" in a legal matter involving venereal disease.

Then came the dogs.

Even so, there was shrugging inside of Vick's unofficial congregation and among Falcons officials until near the end, and it all gave their guy even more reason to believe that he could become a knucklehead without consequences. It also didn't matter to the true Vick believers that the Falcons rose from four victories in 2007 to 11 last season with Matt Ryan, the exceptional rookie quarterback who became the new face of the franchise to replace Vick.

"Well, you have a lot of things, but I don't think they will make any of us in this town forget Michael Vick," said Young, telling the truth.

Terence Moore is a national columnist and commentator for FanHouse. He is a frequent panelist on "Rome Is Burning", an ESPN show hosted by Jim Rome, that is seen Monday through Friday at 4:30 PM ET. Moore spent more than three decades working for major newspapers, including 26 years as an award-winning sports columnist for the San Francisco Examiner and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He resides in Atlanta .

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CARROLLTON, TX - JUNE 16: Secondary coach Dave Campo and Mike Mickens #33 of the Dallas Cowboys during mini camp at Standridge Stadium on June 16, 2009 in Carrollton, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dave Campo;Mike Mickens

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CARROLLTON, TX - JUNE 16: Running back Marion Barber #24 of the Dallas Cowboys during mini camp at Standridge Stadium on June 16, 2009 in Carrollton, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marion Barber

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CARROLLTON, TX - JUNE 16: Running back Tashard Choice #23 of the Dallas Cowboys during mini camp at Standridge Stadium on June 16, 2009 in Carrollton, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tashard Choice

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CARROLLTON, TX - JUNE 16: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys during mini camp at Standridge Stadium on June 16, 2009 in Carrollton, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tony Romo

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CARROLLTON, TX - JUNE 16: Wide receiver Patrick Crayton #84 of the Dallas Cowboys makes a catch against Mike Mickens #33 during mini camp at Standridge Stadium on June 16, 2009 in Carrollton, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Patrick Crayton;Mike Mickens

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CARROLLTON, TX - JUNE 16: Quarterback Stephen McGee #7 of the Dallas Cowboys during mini camp at Standridge Stadium on June 16, 2009 in Carrollton, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Stephen McGee

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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo throws a pass during the Cowboys' OTA on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 in Carrollton, Texas. (Ron Jenkins/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT)

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Folks Too Obsessed With Michael Vick originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atlanta Falcons Cut Michael Vick

Michael David Smith — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:51:00 EST

Filed under: Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons will release Michael Vick Friday, officially bringing to an end the suspended quarterback's tenure with the franchise.

Although the Falcons have previously stated their intention to trade Vick, general manager Thomas Dimitroff said on the team's web site that the club made the decision to release him outright:

"We spent a significant amount of time this off-season trying to trade him to another NFL club, and we had some conversations with a few teams, but nothing materialized. At this point, we feel releasing Michael is best for him and best for us. Our entire organization sincerely hopes that Michael will continue to focus his efforts on making positive changes in his life, and we wish him well in that regard."

Dimitroff added that he personally spoke to Vick and told him the Falcons were releasing him, and that the Falcons will absorb the remainder of Vick's prorated signing bonus on this year's salary cap.

The move makes Vick an unrestricted free agent, although he is still serving an indefinite suspension, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said there is no timeframe for reinstating Vick.

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Atlanta Falcons Cut Michael Vick originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:51:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Falcons Player Quinn Ojinnaka Arrested In Facebook Flap

Josh Alper — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:40:00 EST

Filed under: Atlanta Falcons, NFC South, NFL Police Blotter

Social networking is proving to be quite dangerous to professional athletes. We've heard about teams surreptitiously spying on potential draftees, and we've seen players forced to defend different groups they joined because of the questions it raises about their character. With the arrest of Falcons offensive tackle Quinn Ojinnaka, though, we're moving into new territory.

Athletes in Trouble With the Law

Falcons lineman Quinn Ojinnaka was arrested Wednesday on a misdemeanor charge of simple battery. According to the police report, Ojinnaka got into a fight with his wife over a woman he added as a friend on his Facebook account. Click through to see more sports figures who ran into trouble with the law.

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May 29: Olympic silver medalist and former world kayaking champion Nathan Baggaley was sentenced to at least five years in prison on charges of supplying and manufacturing ecstasy pills.

Maxim Marmur, AFP / Getty Images

May 25: Former NBA star Jayson Williams, seen here during his manslaughter trial in 2004, was arrested after authorities say he punched someone in the face outside a nightclub.

Brian Branch-Price, AP

May 25: Miami Dolphins defensive end Randy Starks was charged with using his truck to hit a police officer who tried to stop the vehicle on foot.

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May 16: Buffalo Bills fullback Corey McIntyre was arrested and accused with exposing and fondling himself in public.

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May 15: Bruce Smith, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this year, faces multiple charges after being pulled over for speeding.

Chris O'Meara, AP

May 14: Memphis Grizzlies forward Darius Miles is charged with possession of marijuana and later freed on $100 bond. Miles was suspended last season for violating the NBA's anti-drug program.

Andrew D. Bernstein, NBAE / Getty Images

May 13: Former NBA player Corie Blount is sentenced to a year in jail after a plea agreement for his drug charges.

Andrew D. Bernstein, NBAE / Getty Images

May 10: Former Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter was arrested on a probation violation warrant. The violation arose from a February arrest for drunken driving and marijuana possession.

Ron Jenkins, Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT

May 5: Former NFL player Sam Rayburn was charged with two felony counts of obtaining or attempting to obtain a controlled substance by forgery or fraud.

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Ojinnaka was arrested early Wednesday morning on a misdemeanor charge of simple battery resulting from a fight he had with his wife. According to a police report, the fight was over a woman that Ojinnaka had added as a friend on his Facebook account.

Ojinnaka told police he was preparing to watch a basketball game on Tuesday night when his wife confronted him and tried to stab him in the leg with a pen. He is accused of spitting on her and throwing her on some stairs before tossing her out of the house. Ojinnaka's wife did not require any medical attention.

Ojinnaka posted a $2,400 bond and was released from custody after four hours, both of which are pretty deserving penalties. Not just for allegedly spitting on his wife, but for thinking it was a good idea to carry on a public flirtation. How anyone can not know that everything they do online becomes a matter of public record at this point is beyond me, but at some point one of these stories will finally hit home for the remaining holdouts.

Ojinnaka, a fifth-round pick in 2006, played 30 games for the Falcons over the last three years. He made seven starts in 2007, and appeared in eight games during the 2008 season. He's projected to be a backup to starting tackles Sam Baker and Tyson Clabo this season.

A Falcons spokesman told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Falcons coach Mike Smith spoke to Ojinnaka, but declined to comment further.

Falcons Player Quinn Ojinnaka Arrested In Facebook Flap originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 29 May 2009 17:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vick's Father: Prison Changed Him

JJ Cooper — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:20:00 EST

Filed under: Atlanta Falcons

According to his father, Michael Vick's time in prison helped him grow up.

Michael Boddie, Vick's father, hasn't always gotten along really well with his son, but Vick's time in prison helped mend some old wounds. They started writing letters to each other and eventually moved on past an old argument that stemmed from Boddie's criticism of Vick back in 2007.

Now Boddie says that when he sees Vick, like he did last Friday, he sees a more mature Vick.

"You ever been locked up?" Michael Boddie asked a reporter. "You have a lot of time to reflect. Looks like he came through it in one piece. I think he'll be a better man because of it."

If Vick is going to make it back into the NFL, he'll need a lot more testimonies like this one. It may not carry the same impact that a Tony Dungy comment brings, but every little story is a part of Vick's rehabilitation tour.

H/T: Pro Football Talk

Vick's Father: Prison Changed Him originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 29 May 2009 14:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atlanta Station Offers Vick $50K for First Post-Prison Interview

JJ Cooper — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:04:00 EST

Filed under: Atlanta Falcons

Whoever gets the first post-prison interview with Michael Vick will get one of the scoops of the year, whether its ESPN, 60 Minutes or someone else. In fact, there is even speculation that ESPN is deliberately being nice to Vick to get the interview.

Atlanta sports talk radio station 790 The Zone won't be getting a Vick exclusive, but that isn't keeping the little station from giving it an honest try. The station is offering to donate $50,000 to the Humane Society in Vick's name if he will agree to come on the sports talk station first.

Two problems with that offer. 1) If Vick really wants to cash in, he can probably land more than $50,000 from a less reputable news source and 2) Vick's headed to bankruptcy, he really needs the money himself if just to pay off some of his many debts.

But the interview with ESPN or someone else is coming. Vick needs it as part of his rehabilitation tour to help his attempts to get reinstated to the NFL. Expect Vick to set up an interview with a relatively friendly journalist to explain how he's changed and how he apologizes for his dog fighting.

Atlanta Station Offers Vick $50K for First Post-Prison Interview originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 21 May 2009 21:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just Two Years Later, Few of Vick's Teammates Are Left

JJ Cooper — Thu, 21 May 2009 08:12:00 EST

Filed under: Atlanta Falcons, NFC South

It's been two seasons since Michael Vick walked off the field after a 24-17 season-ending loss to the Eagles. But it's amazing to see how much has changed in Atlanta since then.

Since Vick went to prison, the Falcons have had three head coaches (if you count interim head coach Emmitt Thomas), four starting quarterbacks and a near complete turnover of the starting lineup.
On offense, only four starters were on the roster when Vick last played in Atlanta--wide receivers Roddy White and Michael Jenkins, center Todd McClure and tackle Tyson Clabo. Defensively there are even fewer starters who remember playing with Vick--defensive end John Abraham and defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, that's it.

Of the five Falcons who were fined for showing their support of Vick in 2007, only White is still on the roster. In 2007 there was talk of a divided locker room split between Vick supporters and players who didn't care that much that he was gone. Nowadays, there just aren't that many Falcons who even know him personally.

Just Two Years Later, Few of Vick's Teammates Are Left originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 21 May 2009 08:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tony Dungy: Michael Vick Needed a Good Father

Michael David Smith — Thu, 21 May 2009 07:20:00 EST

Filed under: Atlanta Falcons

Former Buccaneers and Colts head coach Tony Dungy said when he retired that he wanted to spend more time not just with his own family, but helping other families. Specifically, he wants to encourage men to be good fathers, and he wants to visit prisons and minister to the inmates.

One of Dungy's first projects is Michael Vick.

Dungy visited Vick at the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth shortly before his release this week, and Dungy has an article in this week's Sports Illustrated giving his thoughts on Vick. According to Dungy, Vick told him that his father wasn't a positive influence in his life, and Dungy thinks that if Vick had had a supportive father, he wouldn't have ended up in prison.

Dungy writes:

As a Christian, I follow the Biblical model of how a community should be structured-wisdom should be passed down from elders to juniors, and when that doesn't happen the results won't be good. That's why I'm concerned about the number of young men growing up without active fathers in their lives. This is an increasing problem all across society but especially in African-American homes.
It's ironic that, as I'm leaving pro football, one of the people I'm trying to help was once one of the NFL's biggest stars. But I'm concerned about Michael Vick's life, not his career. And Michael's future, just like those of thousands of other inmates around the country, is worth saving.

Now Vick is heading home, where Dungy says he wants to see Vick be a good father to his own three children and, in Dungy's words, "stop the cycle of young people growing up without a father to help them."

Tony Dungy: Michael Vick Needed a Good Father originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 21 May 2009 07:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ryan's Emergence Saves Falcons From World of Controversy

JJ Cooper — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:26:00 EST

Filed under: Atlanta Falcons, NFC South

If not for Matt Ryan, Falcons owner Arthur Blank would be facing a nightmare scenario right now.

When Blank reiterated today that the Falcons will be getting rid of Vick as soon as he's reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, there was nothing more than a shrug of the shoulders. With Ryan firmly established as the team's franchise quarterback, it makes perfect sense that Vick has no place in Atlanta's future plans.

By announcing such a plan, the Falcons will likely not get any team to offer them anything in a trade -- he's made it clear that Atlanta won't be keeping him.

But take Ryan away and there would undoubtedly be a faction of Falcons fans who would be hoping for and counting on Vick returning to wear his No. 7 for the Falcons again -- he was the team's most significant star before his arrest and he still had plenty of supporters even after his arrest. A year ago, the Falcons were rudderless without him. Even if Ryan had come in and shown flashes, or had played like a normal rookie quarterback, there would have been a case for keeping Vick.

Ryan has cleared all that up. By leading Atlanta to the playoffs as a rookie, he's managed to help the Falcons truly move beyond the Vick era and has kept them out of controversy. And for that, he's likely ensured a much more successful 2009 than would be been possible otherwise.

Ryan's Emergence Saves Falcons From World of Controversy originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 20 May 2009 22:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Falcons Owner: Michael Vick Needs to Get New Friends

Dan Graziano — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:17:00 EST

Filed under: Atlanta Falcons, NFL Police Blotter

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank has made it clear that Michael Vick won't play for the Falcons again. But he said on his way out of the NFL owners' meetings this morning that he has no problem with Vick returning to the league with some other team. Blank also gave some indication of what might constitute the "genuine remorse" that Vick supposedly has to show before commissioner Roger Goodell reinstates him.

"It goes beyond whether he's paid his debt to society," Blank said. "From a legal standpoint, and financially, he has. But it goes beyond words. It goes to how he's going to live, personally and in the community with others. The people that Michael spent time with and the influence they had on him were a big part of what happened. His ability to separate from those people is going to be critical for Michael."

Blank wasn't speaking for Goodell, but he did say he and the commissioner have had many discussions about Vick over the past couple of years. His comments about the company Vick keeps could be a window onto one aspect of Goodell's decision-making in this case.

"The old expression is 'You are what you eat,' but to some extent, you are you who hang with, too," Blank said. "That's important for all of us."

Owners with less of a direct connection to Vick also were asked about his case on the day he was released from federal prison to begin two months of home confinement that will complete his sentence for dogfighting crimes. The general sentiment seemed to be that Vick shouldn't be prohibited from playing in the NFL again, but that it's obviously up to the commissioner whether to lift his suspension.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said he "believes in giving people a second chance," though he hemmed and hawed when asked directly whether he'd be willing to acquire Vick if his football people thought it was a good idea. Saints owner Tom Benson said he believes Vick has done his time, but also declined to speculate as to whether he'd personally be willing to give him a job.

Ultimately, this all means nothing for at least two more months, since Goodell has been clear that he won't even address Vick's case until his sentence is completed.

"Once he's concluded that, I will meet with him and I will make a judgment based on our conversation and conversations I have with others," Goodell said today. "And I'll make a decision at that time."

Even if Goodell lifts Vick's current suspension, he could suspend him for all or part of the 2009 season. And once Vick was eligible to play, the Falcons would still control his rights, and would have to trade or release him in order for him to find work elsewhere. Blank said those issues would be addressed "at the appropriate time."

Falcons Owner: Michael Vick Needs to Get New Friends originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 20 May 2009 12:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Michael Vick Dodges Media, Heads Home

JJ Cooper — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:46:00 EST

Filed under: Atlanta Falcons, NFL Police Blotter

After 19 months in prison, Michael Vick is a free man. Well, a free man under house arrest, but when you live in a mansion that's a whole lot better than a tiny cell.

Vick (pictured above pleading guilty to federal dogfighting charges in 2007) got out of Leavenworth, Kansas' federal prison around 5 AM ET Wednesday morning on his way home to Hampton, Virginia, where he'll serve the rest of his sentence.

Arthur Blank: Vick Needs to Watch Who He Associates With
Where Might Vick End Up?

He managed to avoid the flock of reporters who were waiting to try to get footage of him leaving prison by exiting out an alternate entrance. According to the Daily Press, he was headed to a hotel with his fiancee before beginning the relatively long drive back to his home in Hampton, Va.

When will the reporters learn? In cases like this, the celebrity never comes out the main door/gate. It couldn't have been fun for anyone on the graveyard shift of the stakeout to learn that they wasted their overnight hours without getting any footage of Vick out of it. And why didn't anyone break from the pack to check out the side doors?

Vick will be on probation, and as part of his new "freedom," he'll begin a construction job next week. The terms of his house arrest limit his movement outside of work. While he serves the rest of his term, he "will place football on the back burner," according to his agent, who also said Vick doesn't have any conversations planned with Roger Goodell regarding his reinstatement. Goodell wants to see true remorse out of Vick before allowing him back into the NFL, where the next struggle will be finding a job.

He also still has to work out a bankruptcy plan, since his first proposal -- which would allow him to keep the first $750,000 of his annual pay, with a percentage of any amount over that going to his creditors -- was shot down by a judge skeptical of his NFL future. For now, though, he's going home.

Latest Michael Vick Images

FILE - This Aug. 27, 2007 file photo shows Michael Vick. A person familiar with the release details said suspended NFL star Michael Vick has left a Kansas prison to begin home confinement in Virginia Wednesday, May 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, file)

FILE - In this July 26, 2007, file photo, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick leaves the federal courthouse in Richmond, Va., following his arraignment. Vick is scheduled to leave federal prison later this week. For two months, the suspended NFL star will be largely confined to his Hampton home and will wear an electronic monitor that allows federal probation officials to track his movements. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File)

Former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy speaks at a workshop for ex-offenders seeking jobs, in Indianapolis on Wednesday, May 13, 2009. Dungy is busier than ever, even though he's no longer coaching the Colts. In the past few weeks, he has met with former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick at a federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan., been involved with an education project in St. Louis and attended a Fellowship of Christian Athletes function for flood relief in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy signs an autograph for Dwight Cobbs at a workshop for ex-offenders seeking jobs, in Indianapolis on Wednesday, May 13, 2009. Dungy is busier than ever, even though he's no longer coaching the Colts. In the past few weeks, he has met with former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick at a federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan., been involved with an education project in St. Louis and attended a Fellowship of Christian Athletes function for flood relief in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

FILE - This Aug. 27, 2007 file photo shows Michael Vick. Vick's house is still available. Lawyers for suspended NFL star Michael Vick said Tuesday, April 28, 2009 they are making progress on a new bankruptcy plan, but they are not ready yet to submit it to a judge for approval. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Getty Images

Michael Vick Dodges Media, Heads Home originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 20 May 2009 09:46:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ESPN Will Have Wall-To-Wall Vick Coverage on Wednesday

JJ Cooper — Sun, 17 May 2009 23:15:00 EST

Filed under: Atlanta Falcons, NFL Police Blotter

When Michael Vick gets out of prison on Wednesday, it will be hard to avoid coverage of the ex-Falcons quarterback, especially if you keep the TV on ESPN.

In an e-mail hyping their coverage plans, ESPN announced that they plan to have on-site coverage at the prison in Leavenworth, Kan., in Hampton Roads, Va., (site of Vick's dog-fighting compound), and Atlanta. There will be at least 13 ESPN reporters working the story Tuesday and Wednesday,

When ESPN wonders how they went from every sports fan's best friend to the leviathan that is both respected and loathed at the same time, Tuesday's hour-long Vick special will be a perfect example of why. The reality is that very little news will occur on Tuesday or Wednesday -- Vick will step out of prison and head to his house arrest. It's possible he'll walk to a car on camera, but he may not speak to any reporters.

But that doesn't really matter. The coverage of the event is built around speculation. The hour-long special will ask over and over whether Roger Goodell will reinstate Vick, which teams are possible landing spots, and how effective he will be after a long layoff. In other words, it will be an hour of sports talk radio.

But maybe we'll be saved from all the speculation/overkill. Brett Favre could announce on Tuesday that he's coming back to play.

Just kill me now.

ESPN Will Have Wall-To-Wall Vick Coverage on Wednesday originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 17 May 2009 23:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tony Gonzalez Admits He Was Incredibly Frustrated With Chiefs

Ryan Wilson — Thu, 14 May 2009 09:45:00 EST

Filed under: Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, NFL Fans

Just over a year ago Tony Gonzalez asked for a trade. The Chiefs were coming off a 4-12 record, and Gonzalez, then 32 and a nine-time Pro Bowler, wanted to play for a winner. Can't say I blame him, really.

Nothing came of the request, Gonzalez was again the centerpiece of the offense last season, catching 96 passes for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns. Good news: Gonzalez was named to his 10th Pro Bowl. Bad news: Kansas City managed just two wins.

A year older and facing slim odds that things could get any worse, Gonzalez again asked for a trade. But unlike, say, Mr. Ocho Cinco, there weren't any crazed on-air demands or ultimatums, just a request to play elsewhere in 2009 if the front office could swing it.

Gonzalez even told new general manager Scott Pioli and new head coach Todd Haley that, "I'm on board. If you guys want me here, I'm going to play ball for you ... [but] ... Look, if you guys want to trade me, go ahead and do it. I'm on board with that too." Via NFL.com.

"It was incredibly, incredibly frustrating," Gonzalez told 610 Sports Radio in Kansas City. "Obviously, last year, when I did ask for a trade, that was on my mind. It's not that I didn't believe in the team and believe in the direction it was going. It was just how quickly were we going to get there? That's frustrating when you're on a team with a bunch of young guys and you're not winning.

"I wanted to be able to finish my career on a high note. With the Chiefs, I'm not saying we couldn't get there and they're not going to get there, it's just that I wanted to get to a team that was established, that was going the right direction, that had immediate success. Then maybe finishing it on the note that I want to, which is winning a playoff game and going to the Super Bowl. I think I have that opportunity now with the Falcons."

Hard to begrudge a guy for wanting to end his career with a playoff team, even though fans and media do just that every time a player threatens to hold out unless he gets more dough or is traded. The difference: Gonzalez was upfront, frank, and he didn't need his agent to Tweet us his feelings, or hold a press conference his his front yard while doing shirtless sit-ups.

Apparently, that counts for something.

Tony Gonzalez Admits He Was Incredibly Frustrated With Chiefs originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 14 May 2009 09:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Falcons' First-Round Pick Limps Off Practice Field

JJ Cooper — Sat, 09 May 2009 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Atlanta Falcons, NFC South, NFL Injuries

Hopefully for the Falcons, this will all be forgotten in two weeks, but first-round pick Peria Jerry injured his knee during Saturday morning's minicamp practice.

Jerry bumped knees with another player, then left the field under his own power. Trainers were taking a look at his knee and giving him some ice, they should know if it's a problem or, more likely, no big deal by the end of the day.

It's most likely just a bruise, but you have to get nervous anytime a player limps off during minicamp -- already the Patriots have lost one of their draft picks for the season with a torn ACL. If Jerry misses a couple of run-throughs while icing the knee, it's no big deal -- he's still around the team and is already starting to digest the playbook, but the Falcons can't have Jerry out with a significant injury -- he's too important to a very thin group of defensive tackles.

Falcons' First-Round Pick Limps Off Practice Field originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 09 May 2009 17:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NFL Wideouts Still Wanted

Calvin Watkins — Sat, 09 May 2009 17:20:00 EST

Filed under: 49ers, Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Giants, NFL

There are several wide receivers who are on the free-agent market. Let's take a look at some who are available and where they could go.

1. Joe Horn. The veteran wideout missed last season after getting cut by Atlanta. San Francisco, Tampa Bay and Tennessee have an interest. Horn is being offered the minimum salary of $845,000 for a player of his tenure. But Horn is looking for something a little more, and could get it with Tampa Bay being roughly $30 million under the salary cap. The 49ers are about $25 million under the cap.

2. Marvin Harrison. His agent said recently he wants to play despite some bad knees. Harrison should be willing to sign for the minimum. But its doubtful he wants to do that.

3. Amani Toomer. The Giants didn't use Toomer as much as they should have when Plaxico Burress was suspended. Toomer grew frustrated with not getting the ball, and the team was concerned that he didn't get open enough. He didn't score a touchdown the last four weeks of the regular season. But Toomer can be a productive No. 2 or 3 wideout. Chicago is slightly interested.

NFL Wideouts Still Wanted originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 09 May 2009 17:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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