Article courtesy of signonsandiego.com written by Michael Stetz on November 14, 2009.

I petted a pit bull the other day.

Normally, I keep a healthy distance, but a person who cares for such dogs told me to check one out, show it some love.

You might be surprised.

The pit bull’s name is Patrick and he’s stuck in a local pound.

And what do you know, he wagged his tail and licked my hand.

I’m not sure what his chances are of finding a good home, though, given the reputation that pit bulls have. One pit bull expert puts it at 1 in 600.

Some of the blame for that belongs to people like football star Michael Vick, who’s in town today.

You know, of course, what Vick did to pit bulls.

He’s now playing for the visiting Philadelphia Eagles, trying to restore his image and financial footing. He’s making a lot of yardage in the effort.

Last week, a federal appeals court ruled he could keep more than $16 million in bonuses he received from his former team, the Atlanta Falcons.

Touchdown!

But what about the type of dogs that are commonly used in the vicious blood sport that Vick once participated in? How are they doing?

How’s Patrick, a 3-year-old pit bull?

I’ll bet Vick is enjoying a nice hotel room during his stay in San Diego. I’ll bet he’s getting room service. I’ll bet he has nice fluffy towels.

Patrick paces around on a hard floor. He’s in a metal cage.

He was one of about a dozen or so pit bulls and pit bull mixes I saw at the San Diego Humane Society’s shelter in Mission Valley.

Oh, many pits are adopted out, but it can be challenging. Many consider such dogs to be nothing short of monsters.

To be sure, over the years, they’ve been responsible for some horrifying attacks on people and other dogs.

Some places, including Camp Pendleton and other military bases, have banned them because they are considered too mean.

Many insurers won’t offer home insurance if you own a pit.

But advocates say, don’t blame the dog, blame the owners and backyard breeders who have ballooned their numbers.

And blame people like Vick.

Vick’s appearance at today’s game is causing protest. The San Rafael-based organization, In Defense of Animals, is staging an action today at Dog Beach in Ocean Beach.

If Vick, a backup quarterback, enters the game, he might get booed. But, who knows, he might get cheered. His jersey was the fourth-best-selling one earlier in the season.

I know he served 23 months of federal prison time for running a dogfighting ring and got whacked financially, but I still think he’s getting off easy.

Pit bulls aren’t.

It was Bill Smith, the CEO of Main Line Animal Rescue near Philadelphia, who advised me to visit a pit bull. Smith ran an ad in our newspaper this week, asking others to do that as well.

They need the love, he said.

He’s also donating five bags of dog food to the Helen Woodward Animal Center for every time that Vick gets tackled in today’s game.

He did the same thing for a Washington, D.C., shelter when the Eagles traveled to that city, to play the Redskins.

Vick was tackled three times in the Redskins game — not a lot of dog food. So Smith is also welcoming donations, to beef up the effort. For the Washington game, he received 4 tons of dog food.

Smith is on the front lines of this ongoing pit bull tragedy.

Last week, his shelter received a fighting pit that had been set on fire because she was past her prime. She didn’t make it.

Vick killed dogs, too. The investigation into the ring showed that he and his cohorts hanged, drowned and electrocuted them.

It’s why Micaela Myers of Pit Bull Rescue San Diego can barely stomach the idea of Vick being in town. Myers’ organization will not protest, though.

Vick is working with the Humane Society of the United States and speaking to youths to discourage them from dog fighting. That’s blunted some activism.

“There needs to be outreach,” Myers said. “If he can help, then that’s good.”

But she doesn’t think he’s really remorseful. She thinks he’s doing this to re-establish his football career.

Myers owns two pit bulls, both adopted. Her organization finds homes for about 100 pit bulls a year.

Nicole Rattay has to fight the stigma, too. She runs Just A Dog, another local pit bull rescue agency.

Rattay is also caring for one of Vick’s dogs, Iggy, who was found tied up at the Virginia home he used as his dog-fighting base.

Iggy is still suffering emotional scars, she said. He’s a doll, said Rattay, who sees one bright spot in all of this.

“The case with Vick has allowed the public to see these dogs as victims,” she said. “Before they were seen as complaisant or willing partners.

“They’re not. They’re just dogs.”

So at halftime, hit the pound. And pet a pit bull. It won’t kill you.

Some good facts in this article. Not the most well written however that last line made the article for me.

Mes passages en Touraine se font rares, mais c’est pour la bonne cause que je suis remonté dans ma ville natale le week-end dernier. En effet, le Val de l’Indre Canoë Kayak organisait le double sélectif régional de Veigné.

Ce fut deux journées de compétition très denses où j’ai jonglé entre préparatifs, rangement, courses en canoë biplace et kayak monoplace! Bref, je n’ai pas mis longtemps à m’endormir dimanche soir!!!

Malgré des conditions climatiques difficiles dues aux rafales de vent le samedi, on peut dire que l’organisation de ces deux courses furent une réussite pour le VICK et ce, grâce au grand nombre de bénévoles monopolisés pour l’occasion.

Un grand merci à ma famille et mes ami(e)s qui étaient là pour m’encourager au bord, ça reste toujours un plaisir de venir courir à Veigné!

Vous pouvez retrouver l’article de presse ici, ainsi que quelques photos sur le site de Patrick Robert.

A bientôt,

Raphaël

Un gros travail de la part Mathieu Morverand vous permet de retrouvez les images, vidéos et articles de presses du marathon de l’ardèche sur le site du VPA.

En complément, l’article parut aujourd’hui dans la nouvelle république: NR-Ardeche09

A bientôt,

Raphaël

1. Colts – They keep winning even though they needed the help from Lady Luck
2. Saints – This team also keeps producing the goods.
3. Vikings – The bye week will have done this team the world of good.
4. Bengals – Huge game this weekend.
5. Steelers – See above
6. Patriots – Brady versus Manning is just going to be fun to watch.
7. Cowboys – Romo is showing some signs of actually be quite good.
8. Broncos – This team needs a win soon to stop the rot.
9. Cardinals – They keep showing that last years play off run away from home wasn’t just luck.
10. Falcons – Atlanta finally have the running game going.
11. Chargers – Rivers and co pulled the win out of the bag last week.
12. Eagles – McNabb and co need to start beating some decent teams and not just the poor ones.
13. Ravens – What has happened to this teams defence.
14. Texans – Houston were so unlucky to not win last weekend versus the Colts.
15. Jets – The defence needs to come off the bye week with all guns firing.
16. Giants – New York is slowly falling apart.
17. Packers – Massive lose to Tampa Bay pretty much ends all hope this team had of making the playoffs.
18. Dolphins – The wildcat nearly worked again versus the Pats but not quite.
19. Bears – How can this team win games by so many points then lose games by so many points?
20. Jaguars – Just keep giving the ball to MJD and then hit Sims-Walker on the play fake.
21. Panthers – This team just needs to run the ball more often.
22. 49ers – Has Crabtree ruined the 49ers chemistry?
23. Seahawks – I just can’t decide how good or bad this team is.
24. Titans – Tennessee has finally gotten the running game going and suddenly they are winning.
25. Bills – Will all this Vick talk distract the team?
26. Raiders – How will Oakland hurt itself his week?
27. Redskins – Washington isn’t far off being the worse team in the league.
28. Chiefs – If Kansas wants to be taken seriously they need to beat team like Jacksonville.
29. Rams – Steven Jackson is still the only plus point in this team.
30. Lions – They need to win a few more games this season to call it progress.
31. Buccaneers – Freeman is a huge plus point for this team and he may turn into this years Aaron Rodgers.
32. Browns – Do you get the feeling their will be a new coach next season.

Current NBC broadcaster and former NFL coach with 1 superbowl ring Tony Dungy has spred a rumor to Sports Illustrated that if the Philidelphia Eagles to not choose to keep and pay QB Micheal Vick 5.2 million next year the buffalo bills are a close second pick for Vick. Having a injured Trent Edwards as of this season the Bills have had to go with Ryan Fitzpatrick to throw the ball for their team. So where did Dungy come up with this dark idea? Supposedley Dungy heard the two objects {vick and bills} talked about maybe signing a contract but it never went through. So to find info on this rising story please check back with my blog because when I get news I post it, when others hear rumors they don’t. Please keep up the viewing thanks.

Vick may be headed to Buffalo, according to Tony Dungy

The Buffalo Bills and Michael Vick have something in common this season — neither have had much going for them. The Bills, as we know, have been their post-Flutie selves, while Vick, though on a winning team, hasn’t seen much of the field with the Eagles. Prior to tonight’s Philly-Dallas game, Tony Dungy had a little suggestion Bills fans might find a bit interesting: Vick, who he’s been mentoring since his release from prison, might find himself in Buffalo in 2010.

Vick, who signed a one-year contract prior to this season, has a team option for next year at $5.2 million. Considering the season Donovan McNabb is having and that he hasn’t seen much action, it’s unlikely he’ll be back in Philly.

“It’s technically up to Philadelphia,” Dungy said on NBC. “If they want him back, he has to stay there. If they don’t there are some teams looking for quarterbacks.

“I think a dark horse is Buffalo,” he added. “They talked originally. There was some communication there. I think it would be a good fit.”

So Trent Edwards isn’t the answer? I could’ve told you that awhile ago. Oh yeah, I did.

David já faz tempo que esta fazendo a linha los hermanica e nós já aprovamos (estou fazendo a mesma linha, fikdik) e agora Vick resolveu aparecer com seu novo cabelón pras ricah copiar! Ficou bom esse amassadinho neam? Um dia fiz um tão incrível no meu tmbm, mas foi um único dia, depois disso nunca mais consegui repetir o fato!

I have to credit Barstoolsports.com with this report.  I was reading through their blog and stumbled across a very interesting story.  A Philadelphia woman was arrested Tuesday in a very odd attempt in attaining world series tickets.  I will let her ad on Craigslist speak for itself:

“DESPERATE BLONDE NEEDS WS TIX(Philadelphia)

Die hard Phillies fan – gorgeous tall buxom blonde – in desperate need of two world series Tickets. Price negotiable – I’m the creative type! Maybe we can help each other!”

Needless to say, later today(Tuesday) she was picked up by an undercover cop while she attempted to execute her deal.

Personally, this story has resurfaced my feelings of how sketchy a website Craigslist is, I mean only there could you possibly find an offer this compelling.  While looking for jobs this summer, my friend Sam would look through Craigslist each day for new offers.  The same offers were always found, such as:

Http://capecod.craigslist.org/tig1226264745.html

$10 an hour – no ex. Necessary – Male to pose for male artist

I’m a male artist and I wish to do paintings and drawings of the male nude; If you are a guy in your 20’s or early 30’s in good shape with nice definition, then please just contact me. I’m free all day Sunday, Wed, Thurs, and Friday during the day-but we can talk nights as well.

……

Anyways lets face it, I think the people that post all these jobs online have to be criminals

(Too Soon?)

Either that or just senseless people who don’t realize what they sound like.  I thought it would be funny though to show a few funny Craigslist posts however that were discontinued from the website involving notable sports figures. 

1.) FREE SPORTS MEMOROBELIA

“No money necessary, just come and grab whatever merchandise you please. Just leave your name, number, and hotel room you will be staying in two weeks from now.

-sincerely OJ

2.) HANDGUN FOR SALE

“Need to unload my piece for some money, price will be determined in a few weeks. Will determine price after meeting with some elected officials.  WARNING: if interested do not carry gun in sweatpants.”

3.) NEED $$

“Willing to sell whatever necessary sports memorabilia or bling possible in order to pay bills. Items include signed footballs, madden video game, and many heavy shiny gold chains(packaged with various Sean John clothing items).  I care about these items as much as I care about rottweilers, please help.”

McNabb works his mojo on the field with his magic fingers.

We’re nearing the midway point of the 2009 NFL season, and here in Philly it’s been another painful ride thus far thanks to McNabb and the Eagles.

Fortunately for area folks, Jimmy Rollins and the South Philly Bombers (Motown) will soon be squaring off against Derek and A-Rod’s Big Adventure (Summer’s Eve) later this week in a ‘roid battle of the bats. This World Series will either end with Philly burning because Philadelphians are happy about the team repeating, or NYC burning because Philadelphians are happy about the team repeating or mad because they lost to the Yank-these.

Wrap it up, Donovan!

I don’t hate McNabb. I really don’t. He and his mother are not only responsible for getting me to eat Campbell’s Soup, but to also consider the idea that sometimes a pro QB –who pukes in big moments, sits on the sidelines more than a husky kid on a track team and throws more bad passes than a drunk frat boy–that sometimes a man needs his mother’s teat to help him through the bad times life.

As a matter of fact, because of how his legacy is sure to be remembered I’ve come to consider McNabb the “Condom Quarterback”.

What’s a “Condom Quarterback” you say?

Allow me to explain.

The Kids Don’t Get It Explains How Donovan McNabb is a Condom:

• In my early, randy college days, my friends and I went everywhere with a condom in our pockets. Parties, professor office hours, bars, dorm meetings, keggers, the dining hall–we were ready. The condom stayed in the pocket , because, well, that’s where it needed to be. But then, when the “time” came, it was never really effective–you’re suddenly making a mad scramble to get it, fumbling with it, palms sweaty, teeth gritted…and so, something was always lost when it was probably easier just having it out of the pocket. And sometimes, because it’s been in the pocket so long, when it does come out, it looks a little old and worn. I mean, that condom’s been in the pocket for a long time now–and really, you’ve only let it stay in your pocket at this point only because you’ve had it for so long, and at this point, you’re determined to see it finally get used–even if it means it might not really be any good anymore and may well break at the big moment. And now, presto, it’s like 9 years later and you’re the dad with the crackhead baby that everyone associates you with– you know, like Andy Reid with Donovan, or Andy at the family dinner table. That’s Donovan.
  

  Helmet-ed for her pleasure.

• Like a condom, Donovan’s almost like sensation of the real thing (like say the Manning boys)–but falls just a bit short.
• If it’s on, someone’s sure to be getting f-cked in the next 48mins.
• His arm: I mean, sure, we’d all like for that arm to be magnum-sized, but really, who are we fooling? It’s pretty average.
• Might score a lot, but ultimately doesn’t produce.
• …with all that being said, the condom’s still the safest, surest bet man’s got to date. Better than the pump-and-pray method (Kolb). Better than just trying to do it yourself (Westbrook). And it’s certainly still better than going raw dog (Vick).

I’m a little late in catching this news, it seems, but that doesn’t change how I feel. As most of America knows, all-around douchebag Michael Vick was vaulted from NFL fame to national infamy when it was discovered he had been operating an illegal dog fighting ring for more than FIVE YEARS.  And he was not just the money-man, letting his underlings do their evils to the dogs without his knowledge. He “trained” the dogs, he starved the dogs, and he killed the dogs without mercy.  Even after reaching a plea agreement, he has denied the last point, but there remains evidence against him. In any case, the prosecution accepted a deal with him in spite of his continuing shifty behavior during allocution and even his failing a drug test while out on bail.

23 months later, he was out as a free man. He attempted to file for bankruptcy, which was denied. But then lo and behold, the Philadelphia Eagles decided to give him a job for the bargain price of $1.6 million. As an avid Giants and Jets fan, and having lived in the same town as a bunch of crazy Eagles fans, I never thought there was a single act that could make me despise the Eagles even more. Boy, was I wrong.

Now, I realize that 1.6 million dollars is a small fraction of what he made before he became the world’s largest publicly known douchebag, but really, but should any NFL franchise be giving a spot to this guy? As much as I dislike the Eagles, they were pretty cool when it came to getting rid of players with bad character. In fact, Eagles owner Jeffrie Lurie has been quoted as recently as August saying in the context of signing Vick, “We put a tremendous emphasis on character. I know we’ve had the best record in the NFC this decade and I really attribute it to having a very high character group of players.”

Vick = high character? DOES. NOT. COMPUTE.

I think you can tell a lot about someone’s character from how they treat animals.  There’s a special circle of hell for those who torture man’s best friend for sport.  Perhaps there is a point of redemption for Michael Vick, but does 23 months in jail and a million-dollar income qualify?  My better angels are deathly silent, and all I can hear is screaming in my head saying, “Why, Karma, why?”  There are plenty of people in this country with talent who would not come out of such a situation this well; it’s because he made money and made the NFL money before all of this stuff came to light.  Special rules for special people.  It turns my stomach.  Suffice to say, I’m not ready to forgive Michael Vick.

Ok, that’s all old news.  Vick has since played in two or three games (with zero impact), so what’s pissing me off now? Apparently, it was leaked that Vick and Nike reached an endorsement deal a couple weeks ago. Later that day, Nike denied it: ”We have agreed to supply product to Michael Vick as we do a number of athletes who are not under contract with Nike.” People may accept this at face value, but frankly, I don’t. They’re giving their stuff away for free now?

In fact, there are other skeptics around. Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal reported a quote from an unnamed player agent: “They do contracts for their product-only Nike guys,” said the agent. “If it’s a merchandise-only deal, they absolutely do contracts.” Basically, itwould be a FIRST in the business if Nike were providing product without a contract.

I’m not buying it. In fact, I’m not buying Nike so long as they have a relationship with Vick. For me, that’s pretty annoying, but doable. I don’t buy Nike shoes — they hurt my feet — but I did buy their uber-cute apparel.  Well, I guess now I don’t have to feel bad for wearing comfortable clothing stitched by children in China. Michael Vick just pushed me over the line.

I just don’t get it.  Why would Nike have a contract with such a scumbag, or any kind of relationship whatsoever?

You know what kills me — is that he SUCKS.  In all this effort giving him a second chance, was it worth it?  Of course it is — all of you are making money of it.  God forbid, we TEACH our children that evil acts are punished or being mediocre won’t make you millions.  But in the meantime, Nike, you won’t get one dime from me.

Video courtesy of cbs5.com.

Audie and his new family

Sports reporter Kimberly Coyle reports the facts of the Vick case and enlightens us on former Vick dog Audie’s progress.

Click here to watch.

Consider me a new Kimberly Coyle fan!

By Matthew Bowers
The Virginian-Pilot
© October 20, 2009
NORFOLK

Marcus Vick, younger brother of NFL player Michael Vick, on Monday appealed a probation-violation conviction and a sentence of 20 days in jail. He received 30 days instead.

However, he can serve the time on weekends, Circuit Judge Jerrauld Jones said.

Vick, 25, pleaded no contest on his appeal, stipulating through his lawyer that he missed multiple appointments and counseling sessions and that he tested positive for marijuana in violation of conditions of his probation before his last hearing.

http://hamptonroads.com/2009/10/marcus-vick-appeals-receives-stiffer-sentence

Must be like his dog killing brother.

I don’t know where to begin, losing or the fact that the Oakland Raiders led almost the entire game. The PHILADELPHIA EAGLES allowed one of the worst teams in the NFL to beat them; not only was I disappointed, I’m still in shock. Okay, I can understand if the Eagles had lost to the Vikings or the Colts, maybe even if they had lost to the Panthers, but the Raiders! Maybe it’s time for the  McNabb era to be over because when a team can’t score on the Raiders, the team that has given up outlandish amounts of points this season, something is definitely wrong and a change is in order. I still can’t understand it or have come to terms with the fact that the Eagles lost to the Raiders. I can honestly say I will not watch another Eagles game for the rest of the season! But the Raiders, I don’t know, maybe it’s time for the Vick era to begin in Philly. Losing to the Raiders is worse than having PETA on your back.

Article courtesy of cbs5.com on Oct 14, 2009.

A Bay Area pit bull advocacy group says Michael Vick has declined an invitation to visit eight of his former dogs this weekend when the Philadelphia Eagles are in town to play the Oakland Raiders.

The group BAD RAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pitbulls) told The Associated Press on Wednesday that it extended the invitation through the Eagles to Vick last week to view his former dogs that were part of the dog fighting operation at Bad Newz Kennels in southeastern Virginia.

BAD RAP co-founder Tim Racer said the group picked a location that would have allowed Vick to view the dogs from behind a window at a distance that satisfied the conditions of his parole that bar him from being near animals.

Racer said the Eagles informed him Wednesday that Vick would decline the offer. An e-mail sent to an Eagles spokesman was not immediately returned.

“We understand Vick is trying to right his wrongs and is very interested in redemption, but you can’t find redemption without acknowledging your victims,” Racer said. “Making amends to the dogs themselves would have helped to create some closure for many of us, especially those people who worked so hard to keep them from being destroyed. It seems that Vick is not ready to go there.”

Tim Racer co-founder of BAD RAP

Oakland-based BAD RAP absorbed 10 of Vick’s dogs into its foster program after being given permission from the federal government to evaluate and rescue as many of the dogs as possible.

Sunday’s game against the Raiders is the first road game for Vick since being reinstated to the NFL following an 18-month prison sentence for his involvement in a dogfighting ring. A spokesman for the animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said it has no plans to protest the game.

I’ve been asked several times about Vick and why I don’t think he’s sorry for the crimes he committed against the VICKtims. This is a perfect example of why I don’t think he is sorry and why I refuse to forgive him. His “speeches” are a joke and the fact that he hasn’t even called to inquire about the dogs is just more evidence of his insincerity. He’s sorry he got caught, not sorry for the unforgivable things he did to those defenseless dogs.

I like how fellow volunteer Andy put it “What’s the matter Mike, afraid you won’t be able to control yourself and you’ll try and drown one?”

And PETA, PETA!?!?! Of course they aren’t going to protest the game, I wouldn’t be surprised if they bought season tickets for the Eagles! PETA supports Breed Specific Legislation and believe that Pit Bulls are a dangerous breed and should be exterminated. I believe that group more than anything are just shock and awe motivated, publicity seeking hypocrites who should be ashamed for the stunts they’ve pulled and for not fighting for the animals who truly need ETHICAL TREATMENT.

PETA's Meat is Murder Stunt

Mais um artigo interessante de Al Ries (aqui).  Este é um reflexão do porque grandes empresas perdem o bonde quando o assunto é lançar novas marcas em novas categorias.

De acordo com Ries, primeiro uma empresa pequena lança novos produtos e quando o negócio já está bem estabelecido, grandes empresas entram e compram o negócio. Alguns exemplos são Gatorade (comprado pela PepsiCo) e Vicks e Wella pela P&G.

A razão principal para isso seria:

1.  Grandes empresas apenas lançam marcas via grandes budgets de publicidade e propaganda de TV… isso significa necessidade de grande volume;

2. Nome escolhido via pesquisa, o que resulta quase sempre em nomes típicos de extensão de linha… enquanto produtos inovadores quase sempre “começam do zero”

3. Plano de distribuição maciça… esforço para atingir milhares de ponto de venda dilui a força do conceito.

Quando o novo produto em uma nova categoria demora a “pegar”, grandes empresas tiram o investimento e foco, e o posicionam como fracasso.

Já pequenas empresas se esforçariam mais para criar um conceito de produto tão inovador que não precise de grande budget de propaganda (plano de marketing  geralmente focado em relações públicas), e começam com plano de distribuição modesto mas de impacto.

Muitas vezes, a categoria precisa de tempo para “pegar”… tudo bem. O empreendedor continua firme e,  muitas vezes, é recompensado com um negócio sensacional no longo prazo. Red Bull chegou a $10m só depois de 5 anos. Sem dúvida, menos do que a verba de propaganda de qualquer bebida lançada pela Coca-Cola ou Pepsi.

So, now Mike Vick gets a documentary series (read ‘reality show’) that will follow him around day to day. He says that he’s trying to show the world the “good, the bad, and the ugly” of his circumstances after his dog fighting conviction.

I have no problem with him returning to his chosen career (though I won’t let my kids watch his games or buy his apparel) – I agree that he paid for his crimes and deserves a chance at returning to a normal life. Personally, I’d like to pop him in the mouth and hold him underwater every time he loses a football game, since that’s how he treated his dogs, but he has a right to make a living.

However, this new documentary deal smacks of profiteering. It’s one thing to go back to football – his success or failure is tied directly to his own talent and effort on the field – but, this documentary will succeed almost entirely on the notoriety of Vick’s criminal behavior. There is a law against profiting from crimes – it’s why convicted serial murderers can’t write tell-all books with huge publishing advances – and this situation skirts around the limits of the law. It should be cancelled before it even starts.

I don’t know what you think, but my two dogs are in full agreement with me.

Get your TiVos ready for a new show on the BET channel : The Michael Vick Project. This intervention program-sounding title names a new documentary by the one-and-only  animal abuser, who happens to also be the Philly Eagles’ QB. The infamous dog fighter says that

“I just want people to really get to know me as an individual.”

Dude, we know you already. You like to have dogs fight each other. And bet on them. I guess he’s trying to let us see more of his “goody-two-shoes” life to compensate for his lost cred. Or, based on the name, he’s actually put in an intervention program with other people to try and convert himself into a “good” person. In that case, there should be a new video about this by nigahiga soon.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ blog, The PETA Files (anyone smell innuendo around here?), says that,

“People who abuse animals…shouldn’t be given the right of being a role model.”

BET, of course, disgrees, saying that,

“It’s important for us to capture this moment to see what someone does when they have the opportunity to rebuild themselves. It may serve as a road map for young men facing the same challenge.”

Hmm…So they’re saying that teens that are their school’s QB should follow Michael Vick’s “road map” and dog fight, then get caught, then make a documentary? In that case, parents and kids shouldn’t stay up to watch this. Not that anyone would.

So more than two years after Nike cut Michael Vick’s contract for his involvement in dog fighting, they have now re-signed him. Vick will be back rocking the Swoosh on all of his gear again. I personally can’t wait to see the next “Vick’s”. As i recall, his last pair were about the most popular amongst ALL football levels. What do you think about Nike putting Mike Vick  back on their team?

more:

http://www.freepeoplerummage.com/Sports.php

After serving 18 months in federal prison, Michael Vick has been given his second chance.  He left prison with a debt between $10 million and $50 million to creditors.  Once Vick signed a $1.6 million deal with the Eagles, with a team option for the second year at $5.2 million, he helped himself a little.  Now there is speculation that he has signed re-signed a sponsorship deal with Nike.  Vick’s agent says “Mike has a long-standing, great relationship with Nike, and he looks forward to continuing that relationship,”  but “Nike does not have a contractual relationship with Michael Vick,” Nike spokesman Kejuan Wilkins said in the statement to CNBC. “We have agreed to supply product to Michael Vick as we do a number of athletes who are not under contract with Nike.”  Either way it is excellent that Nike always seems to support their athletes and give them a second chance for example Kobe.

Parker is heading to Edmonton

Last month, the Argos caught what seemed like a break when cornerback Byron Parker, a two-time CFL All-Star, was cut by the Philadelphia Eagles to make room for Michael Vick. The Argos, owners of his CFL rights after he spent 2005-2008 with the team, scooped him back up, expecting an immediate impact on special teams and in the defensive backfield. Well, needless to say it didn’t happen. Parker never cracked Bart Andrus’ regular rotation, and last week the coach said he wasn’t better than the “three or four” guys ahead of him on the depth chart and what happened in past seasons didn’t matter. And when Andrus thinks something…well, you’re more likely to win a peeing contest with a horse than to convince him he’s wrong, even though he usually is.

Toronto dealt Parker to Edmonton today for a reported fourth-round draft pick, where he’ll get a chance to play and more-than-likely will produce, Arland Bruce III style. Argos general manager Adam Rita indicated the move was mainly for salary cap reasons, with Parker in an option year and a handful of young players competing for positions. Still, at 28 it’s hard to believe Parker’s best days are behind him and that he can’t contribute on a 3-9 team. Don’t bother trying to convince Andrus of that, though.

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Okay.  I don’t typically talk about a team I know nothing about.  Especially with a audience the size of the internet….  That said…

What in gods name is wrong with the Eagles?  The team has not one.  Not two.  But THREEEEEEE pro bowl QBs!!!!!!

So what is the game plan?  They have no idea.  McNabb gets injured and they decide to tap Kevin Kolb (Kevin Kolb who?)??  Perhaps they forgot they signed Michael Vick.  Or perhaps they forgot he is no longer suspended.

Then they decide to sign Jeff Garcia.  Okay.  This isn’t exactly a stupid move.  I mean if you can afford to have 3 pro bowl QBs, and at the same time manage to get 3 pro bowl QBs who am I to argue it?  But WHY?!?!?  I mean it makes sense for about the first 30 seconds you think about it, and then you go “wait” – “there is something really fishy about this”.

So um what is so fishy?  I’m not quite sure to be honest but I have some ideas.

1. They forgot they have Vick
2. They didn’t realize he can legally play
3. They have issues with Vick being a starting QB – Despite this they signed him
4. The team’s players does not want him to start – In this case tell them to STFU and deal with it
5. Vick isn’t ready to start (physically) – In this case you might want to cut him now
6. Vick isn’t ready to start (mentally) – In this case you might want to cut him now

The Eagles have a group of QBs that on their own could scare most teams.  Together they scare any team that is paying attention.

And I don’t know if this would be a legal formation but…  Could you imagine if Garcia lined up in center and then had McNabb directly to his right and Vick directly to his left?  All of a sudden the other team couldn’t possibly know what is going to happen.  Does Garcia keep the ball?  Does he pass to one of his sides?  If he happens to pass it to another QB does that QB keep the ball or does he send it back (ya we are starting to waste time at this point but whatever)?

What about lining up two QBs.  One slightly to the left and one farther back but dead center?  Who gets snapped the ball?  The closer QB and the farther back QB?

Wildcat this wildcat that.  This team doesn’t need to run the wildcat to cause some serious havoc!  The mere idea of the snap could be a huge problem for defenses!  I don’t get it.  I really don’t.

Maybe this team needs to hire a offensive coordinator that has a imagination.

1 p.m. Tomorrow. The answer to the Vick debate. Or at least the answer to the Vick debate part I.

Will he or won’t he play quartback. After the “controversy” of the I-thought-I’d-be-a-starting quarterback comments (which he cleared up by saying it was an unrealistic dream) where will the wildcat fall.

I’d like to see him play, I don’t deny that. But there are far too many chefs in that kitchen.

Let’s see what Andy has cooked up for tomorrow.