What will be the fate of Michael Vick and the Falcons?

This is a tough case for Commissioner Goodell to deal with.  Vick, to this point, has not been a major problem, no law problems.  Had a problem with flying a few birds last year but that’s really nothing major.  To “suspend” someone who has no prior legal problems was a tough call.  This “suspension” was the best way to deal with it. 

The Animal Rights folks aren’t going to be completely pleased with this.  Yes, they will be happy that Vick has been “suspended” but they cannot be happy that he is getting a paid vacation.  They wanted Vick cut.  That wasn’t really too realistic.

Why?  This would have cost the Falcons $21M (six this year and 15 next).  Why, in a business sense, would you just toss $21M down the toilet?  Granted, the $6M for this year will still get paid out but the $15M is another story.  IF Vick is found guilty, the Falcons should have some sort of recourse regarding that cap hit.  It’s not the Falcons’ fault that Vick was thrown in the pen.  They may also have an opportunity to recoup part of the $6M for this year.  I’m not a league lawyer or anything of that nature and I am sure that this is far more complex that I just made it, but I would think that the Falcons would have some sort of rights on this end of things.  They weren’t the ones fighting & killing dogs.

IF he is acquitted, he’s still under contract and nothing else happens in that regard.  Granted, there is going to a huge PR mess to fix up but at least the contractual issues would go away.

I feel for Arthur Blank in this case though.  He’s really stuck between a rock and a hard place.  With this “suspension” in place, it gives him time to sort things out (what a way to come back from his vacation).  He’s done very many good things here in the Galatin and Park counties of Montana and I can only hope that he can get through this without too much damage. 

Just a hunch on my part but I would expect to see, in the next year or two, contracts to have wording that deals with criminal activity that allows the teams to easily recoup a prorated portion of the signing bonuses paid out to these bonus babies.

So, what are the chances of Joey Harrington doing anything?  The WR corps in Falconland isn’t exactly the best in the world but he does have a TE that he can depend on and Norwood could see more action on “Rescue Routes” out of the backfield.  I can really see poor Joey spending a lot of time on his back though.

And now a note to the unsigned rookies:  GET SIGNED!  The offensive iinemen need to work with those units to be a cohesive group that can actually protect the QB or open holes for a RB.  By sitting out, you’re doing yourself no good at all… QBs REALLY need the work.

Brady Quinn is looking for top 10 money even though he was the 22^nd pick based on where he “should” have been picked.  Just get an incentive laden contract signed and get into camp.  If the Browns pay him top 10 money, they’re fools.  Pay him for what slot he was picked in.

I like what I heard this morning on the radio.  Wayne Huizenga, the owner of the Dolphins, stated that if the rookies are not signed by the start of camp, they wouldn’t be getting much, if any, playing time.  I’m sure that Cam Cameron didn’t really like that but the owner IS the owner.  Mr. Ginn, I’d like to introduce you to Mr. Bench.  Mr. Bench, this is Mr. Ginn.  Get to know each other.  More owners need to take a stance like this.  These rookies have done nothing in the NFL.  I don’t see why they rate all this money for being unproven.  If I owned a company, I’m not going to give a college grad top dollar for a job sight unseen.  I want this guy to prove to me that he can do the job.  They do that, I will pay them accordingly.

Marc Bulger, Derrick Burgess, Larry Johnson.  What do they all have in common?  They are all threatening to hold out for a new contract.  My beliefs have already been aired many times before on this topic and I will say it again.  They signed contracts.  They all have agents that knew what they were doing when they negotiated those contracts.  They all agreed to the terms of the contracts.  Nuff Said.  Quit sniveling and get back to work.

Tarik Glenn announced his retirement this week.  Great timing!!  Indy is going to have to go into scramble mode now to attempt to replace him.  Looks like Peyton is going to have to look at that edge with a little more concern now.

Did I hear (and read) correctly that the Steelers actually signed someone to an extension worth a bunch of money?  I didn’t think that the Rooneys knew how to do that!!  Now I have nothing against the Rooney family, they seem like a class act to me but they always seem to let people go and just plug in someone else.  It’s good to see Troy Polamalu staying in Pittsburgh .  He would look funny somewhere else.

The HAFA, HOPE & HEAT Rookie Drafts are in the final stages (if not done already) and other leagues have started.  The T.U.F.F. Leagues are right in the middle of their drafting process.  Sorry I had to leave that league because it would have been fun trying to make something of the team I had.  Lots of promise but that was about it.  Standby for word on other T.U.F.F. Leagues that may be starting (depending on interest):  if you want to play in an extremely challenging league, pay attention to the boards. 

Your local leagues should all be getting ready to start up so get prepared.  Use the various “O-Matics” here at Sports Grumblings, ask questions and get the 2007 Yearbook (http://www.sportsgrumblings.com/football/yearbook.php).  Preparation is the key to winning any league.  Having the right research tools available to you are just a mouse click away so USE THEM!

With that said, it’s time for this one to Ramble On!!  See Ya Next Time!