Steven Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 NEW YORK - Michael Vick was ordered by commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday to stay away from the Atlanta Falcons' training camp until the league reviews the dogfighting charges against him. "While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the National Football League to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies, including the Personal Conduct Policy," Goodell said in a letter to the quarterback. The NFL said Vick would still get his preseason pay and Goodell told the Falcons to withhold any disciplinary action of their own until the league's review was completed. Goodell told Vick the league would complete its review as quickly as possible and that he expected full cooperation. The review is expected to involve conversations with federal law enforcement officials so the NFL can determine the strength of the case against Vick. The Falcons open camp on Thursday, the same day Vick is scheduled to be arraigned in Richmond, Va., on charges of sponsoring a dogfighting operation. The team declined comment other than to say a news conference was scheduled Tuesday at owner Arthur Blank's office in Atlanta. Vick, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft, last season became the first quarterback ever to rush for more than 1,000 yards. After his indictment last week, the NFL's position was that it would monitor developments and allow the legal process to "determine the facts." Since then, pressure has been mounting on the league and the Falcons, particularly from animal-rights groups. PETA _ People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals _ demonstrated at Falcons' headquarters in Flowery Branch, Ga., on Monday and did the same outside NFL offices in New York last week. At the same time, Goodell was meeting with officials from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The league and the ASPCA are working on a program to educate players about the proper treatment of animals. Activists also put pressure on companies that have endorsements deals with Vick to sever their ties. Nike said it would not release a fifth signature shoe, the Air Zoom Vick V, this summer. Nike spokesman Dean Stoyer said the four shoe products and three shirts that currently bear Vick's name will remain in stores. Goodell's order came down after lengthy discussions involving the league office, the Falcons and the NFL Players' Association. Gene Upshaw, the NFLPA's executive director, was one of the first to side with Goodell when he instituted the strong Personal Conduct Policy after a season of repeated misdeeds by players. Disciplining players has turned out to be Goodell's main focus since taking over last Sept. 1 for the retired Paul Tagliabue. Since the end of last season, he has used the new policy to suspend Adam "Pacman" Jones of the Tennessee Titans for the entire 2007 season; and Chris Henry of Cincinnati and former Chicago Bear Tank Johnson for eight games each. Those calling for Vick's suspension have noted that Jones, who faces charges of coercion in Las Vegas stemming from a shooting that left a man paralyzed, wasn't convicted when he was suspended. However, league officials said there were mitigating circumstances in the Jones case. In January, he accepted a plea agreement to dismiss public intoxication and disorderly conduct charges in Tennessee if he behaved himself for six months. League officials say that the charges in Las Vegas voided that agreement and were a major factor in his suspension. The indictment of Vick alleges that about eight young dogs were put to death at his Surry County home after they were found not ready to fight. They were killed "by hanging, drowning and/or slamming at least one dog's body to the ground." Purses for the fights ranged from hundreds of dollars to the thousands, and participants and spectators often placed side bets on the outcome, according to the indictment If convicted, Vick and three others charged with him could face up to six years in prison, and $350,000 in fines. Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 but he still gets his pre-season pay:rolleyes::rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master_Chief Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 His time will come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 Yup, this is just the tip of the iceberg. I love this new Commish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 His time will come. Ditto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckbuster11 Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 He's in big time trouble. I don't expect to see him on the field anytime soon...maybe not until next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Finn Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 This is the start of his end.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrea Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 GOOD RIDDANCE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdvantageTimberLou Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 NFL is trying to make a new image for itself and I agree with what they are doing. If your a thug and act like it off field than the NFL has no place for you. There are thousands that would love to play the game and for the ones that get in trouble with the law the NFL does not need you. You want to be a thug, than watch the NFL on TV on Sundays instead of playing in it! See ya Vick!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 He's in big time trouble. I don't expect to see him on the field anytime soon...maybe not until next year. I hope he never plays again! What an idiot!!! Had a multi-million dollar contract, and just threw it away, because he was stupid! What an idiot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironranger Posted July 28, 2007 Report Share Posted July 28, 2007 I see Nike cancelled his contract and Reebok is suspending his jersey sales. How stupid can the guy be? First off, pro athletes are highly scrutinized and the media are like bloodhounds and they uncover anything and everything that these people do these days. What a dummie... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Finn Posted July 28, 2007 Report Share Posted July 28, 2007 yep, stick a fork in him....he's done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ky_deerhunter_77 Posted July 29, 2007 Report Share Posted July 29, 2007 Oh how true I wash that was FINN. Next year him and Pac-man Jones will be back on the field. If not watch them fill a law suite against the NFL for Racism or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bowhunter56 Posted July 29, 2007 Report Share Posted July 29, 2007 I agree with John......he was stupid! What an idiot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 Hey, he can always try out for the NBA. They're still actively recruiting gangsta's over there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mehunter Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 I read today that one of his co conspirators plead guilty today and will be sentenced later. I bet the feds offered him a deal!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckbuster11 Posted July 31, 2007 Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 Vicks buddy is rolling on him already. He says Vick financed the entire operation. I think Mikey is going to see some jail time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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