Get Out

This isn't a local case. There won't be a slap on the wrist. The Federal Government rarely loses cases, and they don't indict for publicity, or for voters. Michael Vick is going to jail. Period. And if all of what is in the indictment is true - he should stay there for a long time.

As a Falcons fan, you have to wonder what they are going to do. They brought in Bobby Petrino because he was an offensive guru and disciplinarian. Now, their marquee player, who needed Petrino's help the most, is engulfed in heinous accusations because someone didn't act as the latter of Petrino's most visible traits earlier.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 99% of federal cases from 2000-2005 resulted in convictions. This, of course, includes the Enron case, and the Scooter Libby case - and I don't think President Bush will be commuting Michael Vick's sentence any time soon.

Time to move on. Time for the Falcons to open up the starting quarterback job to anyone besides Vick. D.J. Shockley, Joey Harrington, even...ugh...Chris Redman. Oh, and there's a guy named Culpepper currently in the market for a new team. The worst thing he's ever been accused of doing is receiving some special attention from a stripper in plain view of boaters on Lake Minnetonka. While disgusting - definitely forgiveable.

I know Vick is innocent until proven guilty, but that doesn't mean he has the right to keep playing football while on trial. Cut him, suspend him, bench him - do whatever you can to make him not be a distraction. The Falcons brought in arguably one of the brightest offensive minds in football, and he has provided a high quality coaching staff in turn. There is so much invested in this team right now, don't waste it by post-poning the inevitable.