Final Move with Vick
I don’t know Michael Vick. I’ve never met him.
To me, he was never the Falcons starting quarterback.
But the team’s decision to release Vick from the roster doesn’t come without some emotional connection and points to ponder.
The suspended quarterback means different things to different people. During his time with the Falcons he impressed, shocked and awed many of my coworkers. He rallied a city and created controversy.
Of course, that’s in the past.
How the quarterback went from No. 1 overall draft pick, to Pro Bowler, to playoff performer to federal imprisonment is well-documented.
The resulting scars on the game and its fans aren’t easily recorded.
The Falcons have moved on. That decision was made long ago.
But you can’t erase history.
Decades from now people will consider the Vick saga one of the most dramatic falls from grace in the NFL story.
It’s a tale worth remembering if only to warn future generations of the power of bad choices and the importance of trust, integrity and moral fiber.
The characters in this drama are set: team, player, law enforcement, fans, league…
But, today, the Falcons bow out of the final act.
General Manager Thomas Dimitroff said other teams were interested in making a trade for Vick’s contract rights but, in the end, nothing materialized. That led the Falcons to release the former star and concede the salary cap ramifications.
They’re in the 2009 budget but Dimitroff said no financial ties will carry into 2010.
“At this point, we feel releasing Michael is best for him and best for us,” Dimitroff said. “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.”
Vick faces many uncertainties. He’s about to be a free man, done with punishment for a role in an intra-state dog fighting ring.
But he’s at the mercy of others if — and when — he’ll play football again.
It’s a situation I can only imagine, but something I need not concern myself with. There are personal choices on the horizon for others and larger goals for the Falcons.
Dimitroff and Head Coach Mike Smith were not around when the team drafted Vick or during the turbulent events of 2007 sparked by his federal indictment. Less than a dozen Falcons on the current roster played with the quarterback.
That can’t be said for others in the organization, some in their second or third decade with the team. We’ve all witnessed part of history and grown from the frustration, hurt and confusion.
But this isn’t a time of reflection.
This is a time of closure.
The Falcons are a playoff football team again with a new quarterback and a new blood as bright as the team’s red jerseys.
The Michael Vick book remained open through all the re-building and success, but got pushed to the far corner of the desk.
Now it’s closed.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=37f1df76-41c3-4b2a-bc4d-11099868bc13)
@jmike
JMike–
To expand on your explanation, doesn’t all of the pending signing bonus apply to the year a player is released, in this case 3 or 4 years’ worth?
–AOB
Honestly, most of the people who claimed to be Falcons fans during the Vick era suddenly disappeared when he did. Now you are coming back and supporting him and accusing others of being fairweathered fans. I have had season tickets since before Vick even came around. I watched him bring us out of some hard times and I have since witnessed us go right back into those hard times, partly because of the consequences Vick’s actions had on the franchise and also in part to the coward of a man, if he can even be considered a man, Bobby Patrino abandoning us. Either way, I am still a die hard Falcons fan, through the best times and the absolute worst, I will be there to support my team, which is way more than most of you out there can say. And for anyone who thinks the Dome hasn’t sold out since the suspension of Vick, get your facts straight, I have been to several sell-outs. Get off your high horse and get over it…he is gone, its over. Lets move on and talk about the good to come to the franchise with Matt Ryan as a LEADER! Go Falcons!!!
To Falconista,
Get your facts straight the Dome didn’t start back selling out until we started winning again! We were losing and the Dome was sold out with Vick, so please I have been a season ticket holder since the Jeff Van Note and Bart erra and a true fan as well. I’m sure you have been given a second chance so give Mike ONE! Miss you Mike and I wish you the very best.
Mike, I usually like what you write, but this post was better left unwritten…the whole…I wasn’t here, so it didn’t happen to me feeling…doesn’t wash. The team has moved on and should be great if our D improves, but I will not forget what MV7 brought to the team, including making them relevant outside of the ATL and filling up the Dome. The tone was so ‘he is dead to me’…chill…he screwed up big time and we moved on….done….leave the other stuff alone. Next stop for MV7 is the UFL. Next stop for the Falcons is hopefully a SB win!
Yes. However, I don’t have all the info and past stories in front of me. The Falcons also have not commented on the actual number. It can be changed based on appeals, etc.
Thank you for your comment. You bring up some points that, after reading them, makes me realize where my tone may have been off. I won’t go back in and modify the post, but know that I by NO means wanted to convey that ‘he is dead to me’ feel. My message was to put the “closure” into perspective and say that even though I’ve been with the Falcons for two seasons — great and otherwise — I can’t comprehend the feelings of everyone who was here for the great days with Vick at quarterback and what followed after his suspension. Believe me, this will be the last time I write on the subject in so much detail. Regardless, there’s discussion here so thanks for showing me a different perspective.
Thank God mike vick is finally gone!!! I hope no team is stupid enough to sign this bad excuse for a quarterback. If they do, their PR is gonna have one helluva season. I hope he goes to another football league where we dont have to see his ugly, dog-like face and be reminded of the past ever again. good riddens & Gooo Falcons!!!
Don’t listen to anyone…good post JMike.
To LaVerne,
I said in an earlier post that I believe Mike will come back, just not as a QB, I’m fine with him getting a second chance. The dome has had a few sell-out crowds this past season. Yes, I am quite aware that it was because we were winning, but the point I was trying to make with that is that we can win even without Vick. I have no way of changing the past, so I can’t help the choices Vick made, so instead, I chose to forget the mistakes and look towards are future with Matt Ryan as our QB. And I may have not been a season ticket holder as long as you, but that is nothing I can help, I am only 18. I am more than willing to allow Mike a second chance, just not here.
Ever wonder why teams like New England are repeat super bowl contenders and other teams are not? Ever wonder why Vick never called audibles? Are you now wondering what these two questions have to do with one another? The answer may shed some light on why a team with such a physically talented quarterback as Vick never got there. I don’t know if it was a lack of intellect or a lack of work ethic and preparation but I always felt that Vick was winging it. He was thrilling to watch…at times. The problem is, You have to be consistant and smart enough not to let the other team figure out what you are going to do. If you are not, the better teams always will.
I feel the Falcons are on the right track now. We have a quarterback and offense that can get us there. If the defense can step up and stop the other team from scoring at will, we may have the answer to the first question.
WHY ARE THESE POEPLE PUTTING DOWN THIS MAN BEFORE ALL THE DOG FIGHTING HE WAS A HERO A BAD DISCUSSION WHICH EVERYONE MAKES THAT MAKE HIM A BAD QUATERBACK THAT CANT HIT THE SIDE OF A BARN AND ALL HTAT TRASH.
hi,I’m a falcon fan. so that means that i’m huge fan of our “team”. yesterday, because we had players that gave us hope of success and moderate flare of being winners. you know who i mean , S. bartkowski,B. berry, J. jones, H. millen.Steve by far the best at the time.Then came a player “unknown” from a small college named Dave Archer. When plays would break down he pull the ball down making positive yards.Big plays occasionally.Then came Renfro. I call him the preseason superstar, but never really made the team , but he presented excitement. I’m not overlooking C. Chandler, he was very solid. Chris Miller, a lot of potential like our new kid but he didn’t succeed.We had a hunger for electricfying, explosive players. Lets say it all together, a”supastar”.Before i begin , there”s one player i need to mention. Slyvester Stamps**** WOW****, he was a blur to watch in person.He was a 3rd down situiational tailback for atlanta.Then came our 1st supastar,”Deion Sanders.Ok , thats enough, lets get to my subject Mike Vick, the next supastar in franchise history and the best, reason being is because the best player on the field had the ball in his hands every snap. No disrespect to D. Sanders. Follow me on this peoples. I feel we have one of the best and most passionate team owners in the league. He strives on having the best facility,the best team on the field in the facility and he’s not shy about opening his wallet up to make this happen.But come on people, he came into this venture with great vision , which he has a lot of and he made mistakes.Mike vick era started with Dan Reeves, a good fit. Mike was developing nicely , on a schedule. This is where blanks mistakes began. His management team wanted him to move in a different direction in the coaching job after a bad season when your supastar was hurt. They brought in a rookie head coach that did’nt have a clue .He was in aww of his own player instead building a team around him.This where it began he felt he had to do everything himself. the young man wanted to win so bad for blanks but he had 3rd string caliber recievers with no confidence because they had’nt develop yet, a offensive line that could not block a high school team, a defence that could not get a stop when he had gotten the lead. And you wonder why he sat off by himself.No , there is no i in team but first build a team. And he still had good seasons. No other quarterback in the league could have done that. Get real people.This is all of you talking , but every quarterback in the league is a little nervous now because Mike Vick is available and some team is gonna sign him.And believe what i say he is gonna take the starting job. If he goes to a TEAM he’s gonna rip the league up. And i heard somebody make a comment that he’s been out the league for 2 years, that he’s gonna be behind. HEY!!! this is a supastar he was already ahead of everybody 10 years.he will win 3 championships before Atlanta win 1. atlanta is my team and there’s no hard feelings. The timing was not right we have to grow before we succeed.atlanta and blanks had no choice they did the right thing, he made his mistakes and now look at our management team , one of the best in the league. Mike has just about finished up his punishment so now here me out people watch hi success. If you don’t have NFL NETWORK please get it and watch the best player at his position rip the runway!!!!!!!!!!!
Vick has paid the price for his bad karmas…..all we can do as fellow Atlantans is to make an easy transition by NOT making harsh comments or have any sort of animocity but, instead wish him best in his chosen field of endeavour.
Go Falcons!!!
MIKE VICK WILL BE MISSED ON OUR TEAM IN OUR GREAT CITY. BUT ITS TIME TO LOOK FOR THAT SUPERBOWL RING. WE HAD A TASTE IN 1999. NOW 2009,2010 SEASON ITS OURS FOR THE TAKING WITH THE NUMBER 1 OFF. OF THE YEAR. IM TRULY SORRY THAT VICK COULDNT BE APART OF IT. HE WILL BE MISSED.
Keep your head up Vick I wish you were back with us even as a back up. Matt Ryan could be a one time wonder then what? I still remember what you have done for the city of Atlanta and Falcon. I live in Louisiana but brought me home not physically but mentally everytime I saw you on the field. Do what you do for whom ever we still love you. A blackman will always have to do more than other race, Brett Favre is an example with his addition he had it was not push in the media. The Falcon drafted Brett Falcons were the only team that took a chance do the Falcons get credit? No!
could they not wait until we see if he is reinstated then perhaps we could have traded him for something of value?? I don’t think his animal cruelty would have tarnished the falcons anymore than it already has. one must think about it… we most all eat animals every day. animals are not above humans or even close. I don’t give credit for the crime, but he has paid dearly for it. I know he was not worth his old values again under the same contract, but much cheaper now. we must think of what if our starter gets hurt?? he is going to end up somewhere against the falcons one day and he is a good player. oh well, good luck to him now and lets move on to looking for the best we can from here out.
@justin
Justin you dont think things out. Other teams would probably prefer to let Vick throw because his mind is always set on running. He’s not a pass first guy. So having him in a wildcat would be interesting, but you only use the wildcat only so many times in a year. I wouldn’t pay for him to sit on the bench most of the year and have the media flock the locker room. Plus there’s a good feeling going around the locker room. There is no reason to bring akwardness into the picture. The Falcons offense isn’t broke, so lets not try to fix it.
jmike
didnt mean to hit the enter button, lol, as i was saying… jmike, love the post. you are a great writer. michael vick is gone, no use crying over spilt milk, i could tell you werent being mean and i understood everything. also i would like to know what is the thing the falcons D is working on now, and what was your fav draft pick this year, go falcons go j mike and t dimtroff
I became a season ticket holder a couple of years before Vick was drafted. He made the Dome a real football experience and introduced the FALCONS to the world. Now that the Falcons have finalized their chapter, it’s time for Vick to conclude his. I have faith that it will be a HAPPY ending, a NEW beginning, and one that will once again AMAZE the world and I can’t wait.
good luck to you vick!!!!
this is from the heart good luck mike not that you need it. god gave you that talent and no one can take it away while all the hater sit home and comment you will still get payed falcon for life
For those who worry about the salary cap hit. The team has already planned for it. The team we have in place now to go into the 2009 season fits under the cap, including Vick’s hit against it. Now, imagine how much better the team can get when the 7.1m hit vanishes going into the 2010 season.
For those who would rather see Vick than Ryan under center…
In Ryan’s rookie season he had a 61% completion rate, threw for 16 TDs (same as Vick), 500 more yards, 3 more INTs, and an overall rating of 87.7
In Vick’s rookie season (first full year as a starter) he compiled a rating of 81.6. He never rated 80 or more again for the rest of his career. Every coach that worked with him tried to get his completion rate to 60%, but no one was able to do it.
None of this can be attributed to a lack of offensive line, because basically the same players were in place for Ryan as were for Vick.
I know there are those who say Vick was a game changer because of his ability to run the ball, but I have long held the belief that the falcons would never be a complete team as long as our leading rusher was a quarterback. And running ability under center is a temporary thing. Eventually the legs start to give out and he is forced to rely on his arm. Seeing a steady DECLINE in his career performance as a quarterback instead of a running back, I think matters would only get worse, not better.
Finally, for the one post I saw about retaining him for use in the wildcat scheme… Don’t you think 6.4 million a year is awfully expensive to be paying for a quarterback who is going to be spending 90% of his time warming a bench?
When the Dimitroff/Smith team came to Atlanta I, like everyone else, had my ideas of what needed to be done, who needed to be drafted, what parts needed to be fixed. The more I watch these guys in operation, the more I realize I need to just sit down and shut up. More than any other management team in Falcons history, these guys know what they are doing. Slowly and steadily, I can see the dynasty building. Sit back, and watch the beginning as we have our first back to back winning seasons in 2009.
A great big…………………AMEN.
I agree I see Mike star burning bright in the the future just not in Alanta.
Dude you I don’t think you know what a football is to make a stupid remark like this on a blog you proabaly never played sports in your life, you sounded like you paid to see sports your whole life, elementary school, middle school, and high school. I doubt you went to college so shuit up bench warmer.
You build on character and integrity–he has neither. You hold people to standards–he can’t meet a reasonable standard. You ask for honesty–it really is critical in a business–he’s incapable of it. But far worse than all that is his betrayal of the fans, the team, the owner and the community. Next time he gives Falcon fans the finger at least he’ll bo on the other team.
hey mike hope you go to a diffent team
Vick needs to play on a team but not the falcons the have a QB that is like a young Bret and he is dam good but vick has been a away to long to play 4 the falcons
I am involved in prison ministry at R J Donovan State Prison in San Diego. I see young men for a miriad of reasons enter the system, caged and cataloged for extended periods of time. Fighting not only the time being incarcirated but for their lives daily. I respect Mike Vick for his humility displayed after he realized how quickly everyone had abandoned him. A community at large who claimed him when he was bringing international attention to the city, but now there is mixed reaction when he is at his darkest ebb. I wonder if the same senario would be in effect if this great city didn’t have the hope in young Mr Ryan. Would there be some remorse and reconciliation with Mr Vick. You know how “Big Business” operates. If The Falcons had everything except a quarterback. I was hoping Vick would have been a Charger, but we all knew the Spanos family was not going to draft an Afican American quarter back, so I became a Falcon’s fan. I pulled for The Falcons even when they played the Chargers, and let me disagree with the person who said Vick couldn’t throw, Vick needed some recievers I saw plenty of drops. Mike will rise again equiped with one of the all time great sports stories, you see sports often immitates life. From San Diego all I’ve got to say is “Go Mike Vick, Go”……….!
J. Mike, I appreciate all you do, and I knew what you meant: you never experienced being around the team with Vick as the starter, that’s all.
Those people giving you a hard time know what you meant, too; they just look for any excuse to jump on someone.
For me, I’m glad in retrospect that Vick is gone and that Petrino quit. Without those two events, we wouldn’t have cleaned house like we did. We would be an inconsistent franchise with no leaders totally dependent on the health of one player.
I didn’t see Vick improve from year to year. Everyone knows he didn’t work hard in the film room or with the playbook. His maturity level actually started getting worse as time went on.
I think we saw the best Vick was going to get: an inconsistent talent with no touch, no accuracy, and no leadership.
Now we can look forward to 10-plus years of hard work, no distractions, no nonsense, and great leadership from the GM, the coach, the QB.
I won’t forget the good things Vick did on the field, but we weren’t in that great shape his last year playing. We’re in much better shape now.
Mike Vick’s 2006 season was one of his best: 22 TDs, 1000+ rushing yards. Anyone who watched him battle the Steelers & Cowboys knew how awesome he could be. Unfortunately, he was given rookie coaches, rookie receivers, and no defensive support. Yes, we all have to turn the page, but to say that Mike Vick was “never the Falcons starting QB” gives the impression that the blogger is a transplant with no prior interest in our team. That may explain the historical inaccuracies that I’ve noticed on the website, since the new owners took over. It’s just a job to some new staffers, but to Falcons Fans, this is our city’s football team. From Nobis to Tuggle; Bartkowski to Vick… and now Ryan. These are OUR players. Our warriors. Our stars forever. Good luck Mike Vick. Learn, grow, & prosper.
@Pete
OMG you sound like the assistant owner of the Falcons, justifying why the release was necessary. The Game gones on no matter who is playing, no matter what the stat’s are. If you know football Stat’s do not keep fans, showmanship keep fans, razzle dazzle keeps fans, the unexpected keep fans. You are correct about Ryan stat’s, but he does make boring plays. If the Falcons are playing and Vick comes back to the NFL, you bet your sweet askmenoquestion, we will watch the time that has Vick. He makes the game worth it, the cheers feel good, and we want him back. So Mr Commissioner, if you want to make more money this year on the sports packages, the game attendance, or even the sports channel, give us football fans the thrill of Vick. Yes we will watch Mick, and its not Jordan. Welcome Home Vick, we fans “Want you Back” our new slogan “With the Agony of Defeat, Mick Vick is our Treat”.
WE LOVE YOU MIKE, WE WANT MIKE BACK NOW!!!!!!!!
TD IS SO STUPID FOR THIS!!!
@Qwhipple
I agree, hell they race horses to death. I am a season ticket holder, I am thinking about getting a group to act on this release of Mike from the Falcons, without even giving this man another chance. It is not about the killing of these dogs, it is a little deeper.
to you Michael Vick fans: there is no such thing as “just a dog”. the same creator made them as made you, with the same emotions and ability to feel real pain. what if vick had murdered someone, a person? wouldn’t that be terrible….well, he MURDERED numerous dogs, and abused many more. An abuser is an abuser, no matter who or what they abuse. And you think football is more important than morals, character, decency. that is a sad reality of our society. but what can we expect from “just humans”?
Thank you to the Falcons organization. This team, city, and the fans owe M. Vick NOTHING! Thank you once more for bringing us a great future and cutting ties with the past.
I’m glade he is gone, he throw way to hard and missed more throws than he made if he could not run the Falcon would have canned him around the third year and do not forget he got cought smoking pot before he when to jeal too so he will miss some games if he does come back for that, he is a bad apple that got away with a lot of things thanks to the owner!
First things first, Thomas D…. I think you have done an outstanding job in such a short time…The thing that I find really disturbing, here is a young man who has made almost a career ending and life changing mistake… All I wish for is a Falcons Org. that I love so much be there for someone when all odds are against them and the world judging heavily… Now I know there is more you guys could have done to help and I don’t believe you did..I do understand it is a cut and dry business and there are sponsors and groups that help keep the Org. afloat… however you want your fans to continue to support the team through its struggle’s… right now is when you show you can reach out and help and try and build him back up… this has nothing to do with football
I respect tough opinions but I believe there are one too many judges…. most negative opinions should be viewed and taken with a grain of salt and those individuals should probably take a good look in a mirror…
I dont think mr. justin knows we wont face any cap hit after this year. While I do not hold grudges and I wish him the best, I think its the best thing that he is gone. We have pelnty enough talented and dangerous players that we dont have to run any gimmicks like the wild cat. we will leave that to the teams with not enough talent. Either way Mr. Vicks screw up was by far the best thing to happen to this team in a very very long time. Mr. Ryan is going to be a role model and finally lead our Falcons to the Lombardi trophy.
@kym This is to KYM and teetee. WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the guy cant hit the broad side of a barn and Matt Ryan beat Vicks career highs in all passing catagories his first season and tied his career high in wins. And please dont be ignorant enough to imply that this is in any way racial.Pretty Please love you my fellow Falcons Fans
Mike Vick was the stupidest QB in the league! Plain and Simple, Yea he filled the stands, but nowhere in his vocab were the words Teamwork! He would rather scramble 15-20 yards, rather than pass the ball for a gain of 10 yards!
Now Matt Ryan, that is the Face of this team, we WILL get somewhere with him, yea he is a rookie, but look at how well he matured throughout the season. Watch and See we are going somewhere, will be a Championship Contender within the next 3 years no Doubt.
How did you write this article if you didn’t know Mike Vick was the starting quarterback? How long have you been a falcon fan?
Why didn’t we wait until Vick was reinstated to the NFL before we released him? It basicly cost nothing and if he is not reinstated we wouldn’t take a salary cap hit.
@clara e sharp
Clara,
So do we just give up on him? I guess capital punishment would be best for him. He could never contribute positively to our society, right?
vick brought us some exciting years as well as the low. mabey the league should give psych test to see these caracter flaws before they are given multi milion dollar contracts.
Best of luck to you Vick
GOD BLESS AND GOOD LUCK NUMBER 7 WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU