No Vick Fireworks for 4th?
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
No Vick Fireworks for 4th?
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Update: The Eagles have issued the following statement:
Under normal circumstances, we would not issue a public statement regarding a matter still under investigation. However, due to the intense speculation that exists, we believe it is important to make a statement this afternoon regarding Michael Vick.
"Following the incident that occurred in Virginia on the morning of June 25, Michael and his representatives promptly contacted law enforcement agencies, the Philadelphia Eagles and the National Football League. The Eagles were provided with very detailed information during that discussion as to what took place at the event. Those details have not changed in any way over the course of the last week. Our investigation to this point has confirmed and has been consistent with the information that was originally communicated to us.
Furthermore, any report or speculation that suggests the Eagles are considering releasing Vick are not true. We will continue to gather information and monitor the situation and we will not have any further comment until that process is complete.
Right in the middle of the holiday weekend, what should plop uninvited onto your Eagletarian's barbecue grill than a strangely-sourced Associated Press report saying that the Birds are "strongly considering" releasing Michael Vick.
Strangely sourced because the report is attributed to someone "familiar with the team's thinking."
I dunno, maybe I'm strange that way, but if I were going to report something like that, I'd want it from someone who actually worked for the Eagles, and was PART of the team's thinking. I'm pretty darn "familiar" with their thinking myself, but unfortunately, that doesn't make me an authoritative source on personnel moves.
For the record, I did talk to somebody from the Eagles about the AP report, and he called it "total crapola." I'm calling that a strong denial.
Here is the substantive part of the report: "The person says the team might cut Vick no matter what police conclude during their investigation of a shooting that followed the quarterback's birthday celebration in Virginia Beach last week. The person spoke to The Associated Press early Saturday on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation."
Are the Eagles, at some point, going to end up washing their hands of Vick over this? I'd say it's about 50-50 right now, being familiar with the team's thinking, as I am. I think, obviously, Vick didn't need to stir up any sort of controversy, so the part about the police not needing to charge Vick for the Eagles to act certainly is true. Right now, Vick's biggest problem is the video that seemingly undercuts what he said originally about the timeline of events.
But again, if nothing more emerges, how fair is it to cut the guy because somebody got shot outside a party he held? Even if you think signing him was a mistake -- and I do -- shouldn't he be directly implicated in some way, before you take away his job?
Comments (50)
God the Eagles annoy me sometimes.— Gigs1777
So much talent, so little grey matter.— dogman5- The eagles are morally bankrupt for keeping this guy. How much fun it would be to see them never make the playoff again. And this comes from someone who cried when the lost the Super Bowl. Such a waste of emotion. Losers.
- Les, I hope that Vick had nothing to do with the shooting itself (for his sake, not that I really care abut him anymore), and I hope that the Eagles sever ties with him (and he's suspended, if not expelle4d from the NFL). I agree with Sheridan's take the other day. I was not dead-set against his original signing, partly because a class act like Tony Dungy championed his cause. And, you can put me with those that thought - even if he never fulfilled his other-worldly potential with the Falcons - that he was a very good, if unconventional qb. I don't get people's arguments on his behalf. His co-defendant - whom he is not allowed to associate with - is (by most accounts) present at a party in MV's honor (thereby breaking the probation, unless there's a great explanation) and he gets shot within (by most accounts) three minutes after MV is seen by surveillance cameras getting into his car. The Eagles can do what they want right now, but yes, it would be very fair - and prudent - to cut ties right now.— MG44
- he is a POS dog killer and convicted felon, u thought he would change?— lukebonbon
Comment removed.- The worst signing in Eagles (and maybe Philly sports) history.— brian
- Mike Vick's great!— thinkdontspew
- Comment removed.
- The Eagles shouldn't be in this situation in the first place because he should have absolutely been black-balled by every team in the league. Sure, he paid his time in jail, but it is beyond me how people can think a thug like he is able to be rehabilitated. He was a loser and will always be a loser.— Izzie
- The Eagles drafted Vick in a losing attempt to win a Super Bowl. Lurie, Reid and Banner are desperate- and it shows. And Reid, in particular, has forfeited his ability to make good decisions for the team because he can't even keep his family on the right path. Truly pathetic in every way that matters. Let Vick go and reestablish the team as one where character does matter.— padogsrule
- Comment removed.
MG44- your point is well spoken and spot on. I'll only add this to it: Fat Andy is so very quick to release players approaching, at or over 30 yrs old. Sometimes for their lack of play, their contract or just because of age (see-Dawkins, etc.), yet we're on the decision-making fence with a broken-down quarterback, who's eroding skills and less-than-ideal background (in the minds of many and who would normally never be given a second glance by Andy & co.), remains on the roster. I sense that the "moustach" has a hidden agenda (much like the one that kept Mc5 here for a year too long, plus his secret thrill of having a Wildcat option that fools no one) that compells him to keep Vick here until political correctness states otherwise. If Reid still maintains his "total control" position, why wouldn't he release him because of this bad publicity other than him being notoriously stubborn or perhaps denting his pride. Haven't we given him the proverbial "second chance"? Must we walk away from this with egg on our face, thus tarnishing the "Gold Standard"?- MG44, I would like to know what Dungy's take on all this is. As you said, he championed Vicks cause to get him in the league, but it seems as if he now has stepped away from any contact or comments about Vick. It's like he's the Eagles problem now. It's not only from this latest incident, but basically since he's been reinstated.— watsonmr
- Vicks lawyer stated he was long gone when the shooting took place, a half hour or more, then the report is there is time stamped video that Vick left 4 min before the shooting which happened a block away. Sounds to me like the story changed.— keepitreal1234
- I really think there are a lot of narrow minded people out there. Do as I say not as I do. I am sure that everyone here is not perfect and make mistakes and paid for their actions. They should able to continue to do what they do. Why should Vick be held to a higher standard than anyone else? Forgive and forget, the land of the free and the brave, stand up and support someone when it's not easy if it turns out to be the wrong decision so be it. We can hold are heads up high for it and can benefit by in the future— BBAX
- Where was Vick speaking out about the two dogs that were executed in Philly last month...oh thats right he was planning his birthday party.— keepitreal1234
- I really hope they keep him, alienate a larger fan base— keepitreal1234
- Dump the garbage.— autolykos
- Real news is that Vick is on the way out the door as the Igs agree to give Ryan Leaf a chance to redeem himself— mick314
BTW: Who runs these forums, a crack head?? Get the posts up pronto. For a major newspaper in a major city, this is really lame and this forum staff underperforms to the same level that Vick did last year. Upgrade your code and move into the 21st century at least since we are now fully ten years into the new century.- Am I correct that vick was given the 1M dollars to just retain him longer into the training season & the remaining 4-5 million isn't garenteed?? If so the Eegle ownership should get rid of him before camp by a trade or just release him right out. Keeping this cancerist bad apple into camp would be a far bigger mistake then the keeping of BOZO THE CLOWN 3-4 years too long.— jwatson
- why not wait till its official,and if he had any INVOLVEMENT,THEN RELEASE HIM,OR KEEP HIM. so far he's not involved,let him stay,with some kknd of restrictions.— t_darb_56
- Forget the party or that Quannis Phillips was there...The major point is that the guy that shot Quannis is a "Vick associate" (either mikes or marcus'...multiple ppl have said this- they all know who shot him) The fact that Vick is still hanging out with a guy willing to shoot another human being over a "cake slap fight" tells me that this moron hasn't learned anything. Vick always has been and always will be a dumb thug. Release this POS yesterday.— Teddy_Beckersted
- I cn't believe some of these people on here. Mike Vick did some horrible things in the past and he was punished for it. It is time to forgive him. People have no forgiveness in their lives and can't move on with ife. The recent incident was totally not Michael Vick's fault. He clearly left before the crime occured. Was the victim invited to the party? It doesn't appear so. Security should have never let that guy. Please give it a rest. The eagles are not realeasing him and the NFL will not suspend since he didn't violate his pribation. He did report the incident right away to all parties.— knmcmahon
- Only way Vick's going to be cut by the team is if they have proof he shot Q-phillips, who by the way, should not have been at the party in the first place. If anything, the video evidence proves Mike Vick left the scene before any shooting. Since all the Philly media does is speculate, i'm speculating that Q-Phillips shot himself. POW— BooDuhBud
- Darn it, I was hoping for a Happy 4th of July with my dog running free at the park off his leash. Sorry Casey, back in the house, good dog.— John663
- Eagles are doing the right thing at this point. If it's found he violated probation,they'll probably cut him. If this stupid party somehow doesn't violate his probation, then he's a guy of questionable character in a league run by people of questionable character. It makes sense to cut him if you cut Roger Goodell or Andy Reid (and Phil Sheridan). Made no sense to sign him, but he is the best 2nd string QB they have. And he now knows the offense. Just ignore the guy. Last thing Mike Vick wants to be is the typical 2nd stringer, totally ignored by all.— tacklinjoe
- Comment removed.
- LMAO at how the media is playing you haters for the next 4 weeks until training camp. They gotta keep up some kind of bogus narrative since its a slow time in the sports news cycle.— mlr710
- Sometime people get caughtup in bad luck ,it don't always mean they are a bad person or respondible for what happen around them .Give the man a chance at what he's good at.Football !!!— Nadine Phillips
- Yeh mir710, they even have you posting. lol Enough already with the social experiment. This is the NFL. Vick don't fit this offense and tha alone is reason to move on. I'm sick of it.— greenflyer
- This just in......Michael Vick is selling tickets to his backyard BBQ tomorrow. VIP ticket upgrades include cheeseburgers and bullet-proof vests.— jibberjabber
- We break into this string of comments to let readers know of news that will bring you to tears. On cnnsi.com they reported that Stephen A. Smith left the Philly newspapers two days ago and is now a free agent. We will have a week of silence followed by everyone wearing black. No one knew the NFL like Stephen A.— tacklinjoe
- Vick is a total disgrace to the Eagles and Philadlephia. I will NEVER get over the fact that Vick terrorized and killed numerous dogs, over numerous years. If that doesn't raise a huge RED FLAG(!) I don't know what does.— chrissmith
- Unless/until Andy gets a reliable #2 QB into the fold, Vick is here until the League bans him. IF they DO get a legit #2, I hope Andy gets that piece of excess baggage OUTTA HEEEERE!— TBear
- Two more things...1) ;tacklinjoe;...don't tease a guy Bro, is Screamin' A REALLY gone?? and 2)'mick314'... you are SUCH a hoot, man! GLAF (Giggling Like A Fool)— TBear
- shhhhh, the gun's under Vick's front seat!! Don't tell anybody!— notsofast
- Vick's brother Marcus isn't much better. Their parent(s) did a fine job of raising them. Both of them are thugs.— The_Unknown-Poster
- Now Vick's chief apologist, Tony Dungy, says "the only thing (Vick) is guilty of is using bad judgment and attending and publicizing parties open to the public and utilizing his name to get people there. Hopefully he learns from this." How about lying regarding when he left the club and continuing to associate with people involved in the sordid world of dog-fighting? How many of Vick's "learning experiences" and parole violations will it take for Dungy, the Eagles, The Humane Society and Goodell to stop enabling this man?— mrsmax
- Comment removed.
- Marcus is not responsible for 300 grown people outside the building across the street when the party is over for 25 minutes he is paying the bill and Michael and his wife were gone for 5 minutes. If something happens after an event over and across the street or a little down the street the host is not responsible or liable. Now if you have a problem it is with The Supreme Court, Sarah Palin and the NRA!!! So take it up with them Media. If Michael Vick and his wife were gone and it was a party for him then why did people, Quannis Phillips included sit up there 25 minutes after the party was over and 5 minutes after he and his wife had drove off. THIS SHOOTING DIDN'T EVEN HAPPEN AT VICK'S BIRTHDAY PARTY BECAUSE IF IT HAD THEY WOULD HAVE CAUGHT IT ON CAMERA. THE SHOOTING HAPPENED A LITTLE DOWN THE STREET Vick had Security and cameras at the party and he was gone with other NFL players and his wife. ARE THEY SUPPOSE TO GO OUTSIDE AND YELL GET OUT OF HERE. GET. THAT'S THE CITY POLICE JOB!!!— joethaplumber
- Let me get this right, the shooting took place 4 min after vick left and it happened a block away...doesn't that mean they could have ended up together? Forget the Ed Block Courage Award, I smell Nobel Peace Prize— keepitreal1234
- Tbear, I don't know if cnnsi.com has it right, but that's what they reported. Stephen A. is a free agent, gone from the Philly newspapers, they said. My shirt is soaked with tears.— tacklinjoe
- Get rid of him before training camp. He's not a character guy, he's a distraction, he sbsolutely doesn't fit the Eagles WC offense if he had to run this team due to a Kolb injury, he's just got to go.— Z-Force
- i don't know where to start other than the inaccuracies that were posted. A) Vick was in jail for dog fighting not tax evasion... that was just stupid, B) The wildcat produced multiple touchdowns against division opponents and big plays throughout the season... to call in ineffective is absurd. C) E A G L E S are the best team in nfl history and I will root for them no matter who is on their team. E A G L E S EAGLES!!— aman1711
- jwatson.....just remember to visit us here and post the day after "bozo" shreds the Eagles' D and laughs all the way back to DC. You're clueless, man.— philly449
- I simply do not like the entity that is known as the Philadelphia Eagles anymore.— davekrieg
- Comment removed.
- Philly449----Maybe 4/5 years ago but no chance in hell at this stage of his career! BOZO THE CLOWN for president, couldn't do any worse then the one in office now!— jwatson
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Eagletarian is your home for comprehensive coverage of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Les Bowen
Daily News Staff Writer
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Daily News NFL Columnist
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