The Atlanta Falcons... better off without Vick?

Okay, like I wrote in my mission statement, this blog will be analyzing, investigating and exploring possibilities surrounding the Michael Vick dog fighting case, as both a dog lover and a football fanatic. Though not as provocative and not requiring as much investigatory work as my last post, I want to speculate on how the Vick-less Falcons are performing thus far, three weeks into the NFL season

Man, when it comes to Vick, there are just so many damn questions. See...?

Here are the facts. Three weeks have passed in the 2007 NFL regular season. The Atlanta Falcons have played three games, without their starting quarterback of the last five seasons, and lost all three games. In comparison, the 2006 Falcons, with Vick at the reigns, started with two wins and one loss.

Joey Harrington, the starting quarterback of the Falcons, has filled in admirably for Vick. After three losses, Harrington's quarterback rating stands at formidable 90.6, which currently ranks him 15th among this season's active quarterbacks. This time a year ago Vick's quarterback rating stood at a lesser 75.7, yet they had two wins. Through three games this year, the Falcons are averaging 10 points a games, which ranks them 30th among 32 teams, and have managed to put up 318 yards of offense per game, good for the 20th spot. This time a year ago, they were averaging 10 points a game and boasting 284 yards of offense per game.

An interpretive perspective (from http://www.angryt.com/)...


Though I have no real way of proving this, I have thought that the Falcons ticket sales have severely decreased on account of Vick's indictment and subsequent guilty plea. Offering one perspective on the possible plummeting of ticket sales, here is a quote taken from Jeff Schultz's web page: “Dude, there are people selling season tickets on the lower level, 50-yard line for below face value,” said Daniels, who had been on a waiting list for tickets for three years. “That’s unheard of in any market.”

I previously stated that I have no evidence of proving that a decrease in ticket sales has occurred because of Vick's legal troubles. But there is statistical evidence that ticket sales have dropped since Vick's indictment and plea. The first home game of 2006 drew a paid attendance of 70,828, while the first home game of the 2007 season garnered a crowd of 68,175. I think that Vick, who was undoubtedly the most popular and innovative Falcon player I've experienced since I've been following football, even of all time perhaps, gives the life to the Falcons' fan base. However, the offensive production and the drop off in season opener attendance (a marginal 2,653 people marginal) between this year and last, pose the question: Are the Falcons really any worse without Vick? I think not, but time will tell.

I didn't intend to have an answer to the title question I asked. Rather, I wanted to examine some statistical evidence and mill over some hypothetical situations. The Falcons have their first nationally televised game on October 15th, the Monday Night game. It will be interesting to see if viewership increases or decreases compared to previous weeks.

Punishing "Ookie"

Anxious to find out what punishment awaits Michael Vick? Don't think he should be punished? Completely indifferent? Regardless, on December 20th Michael Vick will be sentenced for pleading guilty to the felony charge of conspiring to operate an interstate dog fighting ring, which carries a maximum of five years in prison. Under federal law, Vick will be incarcerated for no less than twelve months. Knowing that the ill-fated Virginian has not yet received a sentence, let's take a look at all the other ways he has been punished.



Endorsements
Even before entering his guilty plea, it seems "Ookie" (Vick's dog fighting alias) got hit the hardest in his wallet. According to Wikipedia, Vick was a spokesman for various companies, the majority of which were related to athletics. Coupled with his contract, his endorsements landed him on Forbes Top 100 Celebrities just two years ago. Now you would be hard pressed to find any functioning endorsement with Vick's name on it. Some of the most prominent companies to disown or shelve Vick-related products include Nike and Reebok. I read on Wikipedia that Nike has suspended Vick's contract and stopped the production of his custom shoe and that Reebok will no longer produce or sell Michael Vick jerseys. NFLshop.com, the biggest Internet supplier of NFL related memorabilia, no longer offers products associated with Vick. Denouncing their association with Vick, several noted trading card companies have stopped producing his card. Safe to say, merchandise revenue will no longer be a prosperous source of income for #7.

Commissioner Goodell
Becoming the commissioner of the National Football League just over one year ago, Roger Goodell already has a track record of zero tolerance and harsh rulings. To various offenders employed by the NFL, for offenses committed on the field and off, the commissioner has handed down year long suspensions, dismissal from team facilities, mandated community service, and some hefty monetary fines. All the above mentioned actions taken against NFL players and staff resulted before Vick's guilty plea. Accordingly, it was no surprise to see Commissioner Goodell throw the book at Vick. Goodell's ruling stated that Vick would be suspended indefinitely for one year without pay. As of now, he will be allowed back into the NFL at a later date, but who knows when that opportunity will present itself?

So, while he has not been officially sentenced, you can see how Vick has been disciplined outside of the courtroom. Without endorsements contributing to his income and the inability to work for at least one year, his finances must be dwindling. What about his 37 million dollars from his contract signed in 2004? Just imagine all the money he has spent since then and all the lawyer fees he has amassed since this investigation began. Not only that, but later this month the Atlanta Falcons plan to make a motion to recover 20 million dollars of the original 37 million. Personally, I am satisfied from now until December 20th.

Three Vick-Eteers!

Knowing that there would most likely be an abundance of available information about Michael Vick and the recent media firestorm engulfing his situation, it seemed rather logical to search for related blogs. The three blogs I have linked, in the blog roll to the left, were not necessarily the most informative or useful, rather I felt these blogs were all representative of different stances on the dog fighting charges Vick has plead guilty to. Also, they were all posted within the last month or so.

Blog #1 (Hotblondemilf/Fox Sports)

Opinionated? Yes...

Passionate? Certainly...

Constructive? Not really...

As if the title of the blog wasn't indication enough, this blog was quite childish. Denoted by accusations, juvenile name calling and a demand for castration convey the feeling that this blog is more of a rant than a casual, written criticism. The anonymity of the Internet really seems to encourage people to say what they want.

While I don't disagree with some of the points raised by the author, particularly about dog fighting being a sick crime, the majority of the opinions given have no coherent flow of thought. Mentions of racism, disapproval of the Atlanta Falcons, and the inner workings of Vick's eventual jail stay, as described by the author, all nullify credibility.

Upon first glance the format appears to be standard, but there are several instances of bad grammar and incorrectly spelled words.

Blog #2 (Sarah Whitman/PEEK)

In comparison, this is a much more constructive, thoughtful blog. This blog, written by a woman named Sarah Whitman, takes an alternate approach in examining the Michael Vick case. Rather than condemning the cruel actions performed against dogs, she uses dog fighting as a platform to make light of the apparent blind eye that the NFL and the public posses in regards to domestic/spousal abuse.

I felt that this post was very well written structurally, grammatically, and in premise. I welcome varying viewpoints and I thought that Ms. Whitman, who has been published before, helped to make known a different awareness. I had had not yet stopped and thought about the points she made. Why is it publicly accepted when a professional athlete commits an act of violence against a loved one, which seems to be happening with a greater frequency, yet this debacle is drawing attention and condemnation from all reaches of the country? I felt like I was reading a professional editorial.

Blog #3 (Sylvia Richardson/FanNation)

This blog seemed as if it were written in defense of Michael Vick. The author Sylvia Richardson, acknowledges the crimes brought against Michael Vick, but rather than condemning him, Richardson calls for forgiveness. Citing religious morals, Richardson deems that we are not fit to judge.

Then, as if speaking to Vick himself, Sylvia concludes her concise blog by suggesting that Vick not attempt any sort of return to the athlete/celebrity life later on down the road, rather seek a normality outside the scrutiny of television cameras and the like.

The format in which this blog was written was what I have come to understand as standard, in that there were no graphics, it was three to four paragraphs in length, and contained several line breaks with no real spacing in between the lines of text. In addition, she used spell check.

Furthermore, there was a noticeable comment bank situated right underneath her post, composed of a few negative suggestions and remarks. Without resorting to underhanded tactics, Richardson defended her points and addressed the concerns of her commentators with poise and rationality. I thought this was favorable in light of the first blog’s immature mannerisms.

Michael "Puppy Love" Vick

Originally I wanted my blog to be centered on a more pleasant uplifting subject, but despite all the excessive media coverage, I am vehemently intrigued by the Michael Vick controversy. I have been following this case as both a football fan and as a dog lover. I could give a shit less about cats, as they are incredibly stupid.

Personally, I applaud Michael Vick, recently suspended quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, for the way in which he has handled the indictment brought up against him to date. Originally, he denied involvement of any sort, though he acknowledged that some dog fights might have taken place at his residence in Virginia. As more and more allegations surfaced and proceedings began, primarily his co-defendants turning in guilty pleas in order to testify against Vick himself, Vick seemed to begin to acknowledge the truth and abandon the charade. Last month, pit against an overwhelming amount of evidence and mounting prosecution, Vick entered and guilty plea and awaits sentencing December 20th. In his first and only public press conference, I thought he handled himself as professionally and earnestly as possible, despite the predictable, stereotypical mention of finding Jesus. He faulted nobody else, spoke with a regrettable tone and presented himself with a remorseful demeanor.

Aside from acceptance of the charges brought to him and the manner in which he has conducted himself, I find his actions hideously deplorable. No, he is not the only person to have been found guilty of such an inhumane crime, but he is the most well known public figure to commit this act. Modern day athletes are celebrities, whether they would will it or not. Being a celebrity enters you into the public eye and all the scrutiny that is associated with it. Since he has been found guilty, I believe that judgement can be passed, but by a man in a black robe with some judiciary prowess. I can only judge the actions, which lead me to believe that Michael Vick should be punished to the full extent of the law.

I have so much more to say, but very little time. I will continue this entry at a later date and time.