Suspended NFL star Michael Vick left a Kansas prison before dawn Wednesday to finish his 23-month sentence in home confinement in Virginia, one of his attorneys said, the latest step on a journey that Vick hopes will lead to his reinstatement. Vick, who turns 29 in June, slipped past waiting cameras and reporters undetected to leave a federal penitentiary in Leavenworth after serving 19 months for financing a dogfighting ring. He was headed to Virginia by car to begin two months of home confinement at his five-bedroom house in Hampton before a scheduled released from federal custody on July 20. – From ESPN
Disgraced former NFL quarterback Michael Vick wants to work with an unlikely ally, the Humane Society of the United States, on a program aimed at eradicating dogfighting among urban teens.
Michael Vick has been transferred to a federal prison in Atlanta, the city where he rose to NFL stardom. His attorneys had been hoping he would stay in Virginia as they work on his plan to emerge from bankruptcy.
Fallen NFL star Michael Vick told a bankruptcy judge Friday that he became a changed man in prison and is determined to do all the right things upon his release from prison, including repaying his creditors with the millions he hopes to resume earning in professional football. But after more than three hours of testimony in which Vick laid out what he called his “exit strategy,” U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Frank J. Santoro rejected it. Santoro told Vick to draft a new Chapter 11 plan, one with a bit more certainty. – From ESPN
Michael Vick has agreed to pay the Atlanta Falcons $6.5 million as part of his bankruptcy case, clearing the way for the team to release him before training camp, a person familiar with the settlement said Tuesday. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the settlement was not being announced publicly, said the payment would go toward settling a bankruptcy claim by the team for salary paid to Vick while he was missing the last two seasons. Vick pleaded guilty to federal dogfighting charges and is in the final months of a nearly two-year sentence. He was once the NFL’s highest-paid player, signing a $130 million, 10-year deal with the Falcons in December 2004. – From SI
For the second year in a row, the Cardinals will likely franchise tag LB Karlos Dansby. This will make Kurt Warner and unrestricted free agent – but look for a deal between the two parties to get struck sooner than later. As for Dansby, the near $10 million salary he’ll get is a high, but the Cardinals need quality guys on the defensive side of the ball, they are willing to overpay. Maybe a long term deal can get struck. Dansby was looking forward to free agency – let’s see if he grumbles like Boldin.
The Saints released their all-time leading rusher, Deuce McAllister, to clear cap room. A sad end for a local kid made good. It was painful watching him stand on the sidelines last year. Deuce will help out someone next year – but not likely as a featured back.
The 49ers are the first club to come out and say they’d consider adding QB Michael Vick. The Falcons don’t want anything to do with Vick, but trading him opens up all sorts of issues – including the $18 million cap hit they’d reportedly take.
Duante Culpepper has restructured his contract so he isn’t released by the Lions. This means Culpepper will likely go into next season as the top dog in Motown. The Lions also resigned their long time kicker, Jason Hanson.
I don’t think any team would want the headache this guy would bring – no matter what the talent. I could see the animal rights protesters would drive any team to distraction. Of course, this is sports, and people have brought on some dubious talent in the name of improving their club. You never know. One serious issue with a trade (as reported below) is that Atlanta would take an $18.5 million salary cap hit on such a move. The Falcons are probably hoping he isn’t reinstated by the league – and thus can avoid the charges now, and spread them out over a two or more years.
Atlanta general manager Thomas Dimitroff acknowledged in an interview on the team’s Web site that the Falcons have decided to trade the rights to their suspended quarterback, Michael Vick. “With regards to Michael Vick, we’ve decided to seek a trade of his contractual rights to another NFL club,” Dimitroff said in a Q & A with AtlantaFalcons.com. “We took a number of steps in the 2008 season, including using our first pick to draft a quarterback. We feel a trade is the best move for the Falcons, and it’s also in the best interest of Michael. – From ESPN
Atlanta general manager Thomas Dimitroff said Friday the Falcons will try to trade the contract rights on Michael Vick to another team. In an interview that appeared on the team’s Web site, Dimitroff said, “With regards to Michael Vick, we’ve decided to seek a trade of his contractual rights to another NFL club.” Vick is currently in federal prison on felony charges related to dogfighting and is scheduled to be released in July. – From Yahoo Sports
The Atlanta Falcons could face a salary cap charge of about $18.5 million, or about 15 percent of the minimum that they can spend on their payroll, if they trade disgraced quarterback Michael Vick. Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said in an interview on the team’s Web site on Friday that the team will begin the process of trading Vick’s rights. The NFL’s 2009 salary cap will be $123 million, up from $116 in 2008, according to Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal, a sister publication of Atlanta Business Chronicle. Vick’s contract awarded him $37 million in guaranteed money when he signed it in 2003. The contract is set to expire in 2013. Guaranteed money is prorated over the life a contract, but if a team moves that player the entire remainder is charged against their cap in that season. That would result in a charge of about $18.5 million for the Falcons in Vick’s case. – From BizJournals.com
Linebacker Dan Morgan has been reinstated by the NFL after retiring a year ago. Morgan suffered numerous concussions over the years, and any team would be wary of his health. He also had a partially torn Achilles’ tendon in 2007.
Chuck Cecil was promoted to defensive coordinator by the Titans. He spent the past two as defensive backs coach. Assuming that Albert Haynesworth comes back, Cecil won’t change a lot. He’s a smart, aggressive coach (like he was a player), and that will show through with the team.
The Saints cut WR David Patten in order to save $2 million. Duece McAlister is probably next on the list for New Orleans.
The Broncos have promoted Brian Xanders to General Manager. He was the assistant GM upon being hired last May. At the same time, the Broncos canned the other assistant GM, Jeff Goodman, as well as father, Jim, was the team’s vice president of football operations. Bad day at the Goodman household.
Michael Vick has arrived at a Virginia courtroom. He is expected to plead guilty to state dogfighting charges later this morning. He needs to resolve the states charges against him so he can be released next year from federal custody.
Former NFL star Michael Vick is back in Virginia to plead guilty to state dogfighting charges, a move he hopes will expedite his return to society and, eventually, pro football. The former Atlanta Falcons quarterback is being held in protective custody at the Riverside Regional Jail, superintendent Darnley Hodge said Friday. – from ESPN
For the second year in a row, the 