Vick goes to court today....

[Rastak]

Great thought here....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/24/AR2007082401044.html

Earlier yesterday, experts said Vick appeared to be splitting legal hairs in his plea agreement to help rehabilitate his public image. "These distinctions have no legal or moral significance whatsoever," said Steven D. Benjamin, a Richmond lawyer and past president of the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. "Saying that you supplied the money for a gambling enterprise but protesting that you did not yourself gamble is like admitting that you established a brothel but did not personally have sex with anyone."

[GBRulz]

I'm sure you have read about the Vick cards on ebay that have been chewed by someones dog.

http://cgi.ebay.com/LOT-OF-falcons-michael-vick-CARDS-CHEWED-ON-BY-MY-DOG_W0QQitemZ200145651449QQihZ010QQcategoryZ215QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Suddenly now if you do a search, there are like 3 dozen people offering the same thing. chewed cards, chewed jerseys, etc.

[Kiwon]

I'm sure Michael Vick memorabilia collectors are glad about people destroying his merchandise. Less competition in the future.

You have to wonder how valuable "infamous" players stuff will be decades from now.

[falco]

I'm sure Michael Vick memorabilia collectors are glad about people destroying his merchandise. Less competition in the future.

You have to wonder how valuable "infamous" players stuff will be decades from now.

That's what they said about Mossy Cade too. Look how that turned out. I can't sell my jersey for nothing.

[Scott Campbell]

I'm sure Michael Vick memorabilia collectors are glad about people destroying his merchandise. Less competition in the future.

You have to wonder how valuable "infamous" players stuff will be decades from now.

Can I interest you in my Rae Carruth rookie card?

[falco]

Too funny; take a look at the link and read the comments box:

http://sports.wizbangblog.com/2005/01/packer_thug_dies.php

For those who don't want to do the work:

I have a question. We have a jersey of Mossy Cade from when he played in green bay. We picked it up at a rummage sale and had no idea who he was. Can you tell us what is going on with this man now and is this worth anything? We cannot seem to find too much on the internet on him.

Apparently the only demand for that sort of memorabilia is people who don't know any better.

[Kiwon]

I'm sure Michael Vick memorabilia collectors are glad about people destroying his merchandise. Less competition in the future.

You have to wonder how valuable "infamous" players stuff will be decades from now.

Can I interest you in my Rae Carruth rookie card?

Okay, how about a Art Schlichter, Todd Marinovich, Maurice Clarett, and Nate Newton for a Rae Curruth and Chewy rookie card.

[Kiwon]

This thread started one month ago when Vick went to court for the first time to enter his initial "not guilty" plea.

Today, he goes back to court to finalize his "guilty" plea deal.

It's a little hard to believe how much has transpired during the last 30 days.

Today, Michael Vick's name will officially forever be linked to dog fighting and shame. I had thought he might actually get away with it. I'm so glad I'm wrong.

[Rastak]

He still might avoid jail time if he sings loud enough, which would surprise me. I was pretty sure he's get about 16 months in the cooler but the feds are pressing him hard to name everyone he had dealings with.

[Kiwon]

As well they should, but if he "snitches" then he has committed the cardinal sin of the hip-hopsters. His street cred will be destroyed.

I doubt his ego can take losing the street. He'd do better to play the martyr and let others decry how unfairly he was targeted. Total BS, but it's the story that so many want to believe.

That's one reason why I want the judge to undress the guy in court and make him confess everything. Vick should leave the courtroom today without any shed of decency remaining.

He's young enough and, if he's humble, he will recover. But today should be the worse day of his life. The judge should do his part to make sure it is.

[Freak Out]

As well they should, but if he "snitches" then he has committed the cardinal sin of the hip-hopsters. His street cred will be destroyed.

I doubt his ego can take losing the street. He'd do better to play the martyr and let others decry how unfairly he was targeted. Total BS, but it's the story that so many want to believe.

That's one reason why I want the judge to undress the guy in court and make him confess everything. Vick should leave the courtroom today without any shed of decency remaining.

He's young enough and, if he's humble, he will recover. But today should be the worse day of his life. The judge should do his part to make sure it is.

He has or is going to give up some names because he wants to play again and redeem himself in the NFL. He knows how bad he fucked up and that his future is in the NFL not the street.....but he needs to show that he can change. People have gambled in the NFL before and been let back in....but I don't think any of the others have killed their pets as well.
The head shed in the NFL will be given some time to make the decision because he will get shipped up the river for a bit...but whatever they do it is going to piss somebody off.

[Scott Campbell]

His words sound very sincere and heartfelt.




Vick to be sentenced Dec. 10 after guilty plea

ESPN.com news services

Updated: August 27, 2007, 3:53 PM ET

RICHMOND, Va. -- Michael Vick apologized to the NFL and the Atlanta Falcons on Monday for "using bad judgment and making bad decisions" and vowed to redeem himself after pleading guilty to a dogfighting charge.

In a statement before the media, Vick said he took full responsibility for his actions. He concluded by saying: "I will redeem myself. I have to."

Sentencing was set for Dec. 10 and Vick could be sent to prison for one to five years. Vick was suspended indefinitely by the NFL last week.

"First, I want to apologize, you know, for all the things that -- that I've done and that I have allowed to happen. I want to personally apologize to commissioner Goodell, Arthur Blank, coach Bobby Petrino, my Atlanta Falcons teammates, you know, for our -- for our previous discussions that we had. And I was not honest and forthright in our discussions, and, you know, I was ashamed and totally disappointed in myself to say the least," Vick said.

"I want to apologize to all the young kids out there for my immature acts and, you know, what I did was, what I did was very immature so that means I need to grow up."

Vick said he now has renounced dogfighting and has found religion as a result of the federal charges. "Dogfighting is a terrible thing. I reject it," he said.

"I totally ask for forgiveness and understanding as I move forward to bettering Michael Vick the person, not the football player," Vick said.

"I take full responsibility for my actions … I am totally responsible."

The plea by the suspended quarterback was accepted by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson, who asked: "Are you entering the plea of guilty to a conspiracy charge because you are in fact guilty?"

Vick replied, "Yes, sir."

Hudson emphasized he is not bound by sentencing guidelines and can impose the maximum sentence of up to five years in prison.

"You're taking your chances here. You'll have to live with whatever decision I make," Hudson said.

In Atlanta, the Falcons said they would not cut Vick immediately because of salary-cap issues. The team intends to pursue the $22 million in bonus money that he already received in a $130 million contract signed in 2004.

"We cannot tell you today that Michael is cut from the team," owner Arthur Blank said.

"Cutting him may feel better emotionally for us and many of our fans but it's not in the long-term best interest of our franchise."

Blank and general manager Rich McKay refused to say that Vick's career in Atlanta was over, though that is likely more a legal issue than an indicator of their future plans.

"We cannot undo what's been done," Blank said. "But we can and will recover from this."

The Falcons will receive a $6 million cap credit for Vick's salary this year since he's been suspended without pay. They are still on the hook for approximately $22 million in prorated bonus obligations spread out over this season and the next two.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that Vick stands to lose approximately $100 million as a result of his conviction.

Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron and former Atlanta Mayor and U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young, both members of the Falcons' board, attended the news conference at Blank's corporate headquarters.

In his written plea filed in federal court Friday, Vick admitted to helping kill six to eight pit bulls and supplying money for gambling on the fights. He said he did not personally place any bets or share in any winnings.

Cutting him may feel better emotionally for us and many of our fans but it's not in the long-term best interest of our franchise.

The NFL suspended him indefinitely and without pay Friday after his plea agreement was filed. Merely associating with gamblers can trigger a lifetime ban under the league's personal conduct policy.

Federal prosecutors recommended 12-18 months in prison for Vick and co-defendants Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips. Tony Taylor, the first defendant to plead guilty, was not involved in the conspiracy after 2004 and is not as culpable, U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg said in a statement.

"A first-time offender might well receive no jail time for this offense," Rosenberg said. "We thought, however, that the conduct in this conspiracy was heinous, cruel and inhumane."

The case began in late April when authorities conducting a drug investigation of Vick's cousin raided the former Virginia Tech star's rural Surry County property and seized dozens of dogs, some injured, and equipment commonly used in dogfighting.

Vick's plea came hours before the Falcons are scheduled to play an exhibition game at home against the Cincinnati Bengals. This will be the first chance for the team to see what effect Vick's case has on attendance at the Georgia Dome. Vick wears the biggest-selling jersey in team history and is given much credit for the team's 51 consecutive sellouts.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Also, Vick reported that he found Jesus.

[BEARMAN]

But hey, he said threw all this, he has found "JESUS " !

[Scott Campbell]

Also, Vick reported that he found Jesus.

But has he renounced Satan?