Thursday, January 18, 2007

Thursday 01/18 A.M. Quickie:
Vick. Airport. Pot. Scandal!

Michael Vick: Up (in the Air) in Smoke? Rag on airport TSA workers all you want, but they appear to have caught Michael Vick in a situation that makes the Ron Mexico thing look like a non-story by comparison.

Water bottles with secret compartments? For pot?! That he had to throw away at the security check-in line like the common traveling dude? That he tipped off by being so reluctant to throw away? That TSA subsequently investigated precisely because he was being so weird about it? That revealed not just a hidden compartment that makes the Whizzinator look simplistic, but residue of something that likely was pot?

Forget the implications of all that. Right off the bat: How stupid is Mike Vick?!?! On so many many levels...

I suspect that Vick won't get the benefit of a mainstream media quasi-coverup on this one like he did with the Mexico thing. So, given that this will be the dominant story of the day both for the MSM and bloggers - easily eclipsing the lead-up to the Conf Champ games - what the hell do you make of all this? Besides the inherent hilarious details and opportunities to mock. Have at it!

Nothing else is going to be on the radar like the Vick story today, but here are a couple other things worth contemplating:

Marty Schottenheimer to keep job: Well, it's nice to have the clarity that we can declare that at least one team, the Chargers, will not win the Super Bowl next season.

UNC waxes Clemson: After that unbeaten start, the Tigers bandwagon is now officially empty.

NBA Trade: I've always felt that Al Harrington was overlooked and underrated (particularly considering that he was a prep-to-pro success story despite being picked at the end of the first round), so I'm glad he'll get a chance to flex in Don Nelson's offense. (Meanwhile, who wants to bet that this isn't Mike Dunleavy's final stop this season?)

Webber's Pistons debut: 2 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 17 minutes. Meh. (Oh, and the Pistons lost to the Jazz. So double-meh.)

Colt Brennan returning to Hawaii: Given that he set all sorts of QB passing records last season, what might he do in '07? Meanwhile, as a Heisman Top 5 finisher, put him in the Top 3 for next season: (1) Darren McFadden, (2) Brian Brohm, (3) Colt Brennan. Could he lead Hawaii to a crash-the-BCS season?

Bonds thinks McGwire, Rose should be in the Hall of Fame: Just when you thought McGwire's HOF chances couldn't get any worse...

-- D.S.

89 comments:

Natsfan74 said...

Vick is by far the most popular player, but the 2nd best quarterback in Atlanta. This may give Petrino the opportunity he needs to play Schaub. Best case for Atlanta is Vick gets a 4-game suspension and Schaub gets at least 3 early wins. With that, the Falcons have the opportunity to deal Vick or move him to slash.

Anonymous said...

Gee, Another Millionaire Athlete who thinks he can get a way with something get caught what a shocker!!!!! And now we get to listen ESPN all day and night for the next three days disect and analyze what this means great, I guess this means time to skip sports center for a couple of days.

nep1293 said...

Vick being a pothead actually explains a lot, now we have to find what he did on the mornings of the 4 TD games. Something tells me he plays better when he's high

Anonymous said...

What's the big deal? He needed a little something extra to get through the flight. Maybe he's not good with planes...

I'm interested to know exactly how the compartment was constructed. Apparently it made the bottle seem as if it were completely full of water.

Brian in Oxford said...

I found it on TSN, too....

Like Mike Vick couldn't just BUY more weed wherever he landed, sheesh!

Natsfan74 said...

This story is available everywhere except on the WWL. I first saw it on msn.com, and then on the drudge report. I cannot believe that ESPN would ignore this.

I wear a Ron Mexico #7 Jersey to all Virginia games (go 'Hoos) and am frequently amazed by how many people don't even know that story. ESPN has done a good job protecting their boy.

Anonymous said...


Here's the police report,
from the Atlanta local paper. You'd think Vick could afford better than Airtran - can't you afford to charter something when you've got a $130 million contract?

Anonymous said...

This is beyond stupid.

This is why you have entourages in the first place, to make sure stuff like this doesn't happen.

I'm sure we'll see plenty of jokes today about him playing for the Bengals/Trailblazers etc.

But this is just stupid, especially with a new coach and fans here already irritated with him.

jhawkjjm said...

Matt Schaub is secretly cheering somewhere. Bobby Petrino is wondering why he left Louisville and wishing Brohm decided to enter the draft.

Brian in Oxford said...

I also see Lindsay Lohan's entering rehab. Wow....

Never. Saw. It. Coming.

Anonymous said...

So, for you legal buffs out there, what charges does Vick face? Obviously there's a possession charge, but can this be considered trafficking?

Anonymous said...

Well, it hasn't made the WWL front page, but the AM Jump found it:

Michael Vick is a cheapskate
The head scratcher isn't that Vick allegedly tried to sneak a water bottle that doubles as a marijuana container through the airport, even though passengers haven't been allowed to bring liquids over three ounces for months. Nope, the head scratcher is that a man making millions still flies AirTran! It was cute when he flew AirTran on his first few flights to Atlanta after being drafted. But now? Is he saving to put a down payment on a Chevy Malibu?

Brian in Oxford said...

or vice versa...

Anonymous said...

Ok, enough Vick talk becuase in the end we all know nothing is going to happen to him, no suspension, no jail time, no fines.

DAN LET'S HAVE THE QUICKIE!!!!!

Tortfeasor said...

What do you expect? The guy can barely read.

Drake said...

Joe

Since it was just traces, the only thing they could get him for is paraphernalia, I believe.

Anonymous said...

OK, Just want to wanted to say I finally watched the first 4 hours of 24 and at the end of the 4th hour that last 15 minutes left me completely speechless.

Brian in Oxford said...

I think the Chargers are plotting like the Giants are....put up with one more year, then go all out for Cowher.

As for the Heisman, I think some good DB should start making Heisman poses after any INT or knocked-away pass. Put yourself in the voters' minds! How about a lineman, after a good pancake? A DL, after a sack? Campaign on the field, baby....

And wow, talk about your slow sports day. Only a month until pitchers and catchers report?

Anonymous said...

How about that LaRoche/Mike Gonzalez trade?

With Gonzalez/Soriano/Wickman at the end, if they get even decent pitching we should have an entertaining NL east race all year.

Pittsburgh you got one of the up and coming 1b. He hit 7th in slugging last year, his swing is so effortless.

Drake said...

Can't believe P & C's report in a month!

Brian in Oxford said...

perhaps a Goodell-injected gag order?

jhawkjjm said...

ONly reason Bonds would campaign for those two is because he knows that he has no chance of getting because he's just as guilty as they are.

Funny that I still don't see the Vick story on the front page of espn. hmmm...

Trey (formerly TF) said...

Joe said...
So, for you legal buffs out there, what charges does Vick face? Obviously there's a possession charge, but can this be considered trafficking?


Depends on how much exactly was found, sounds like there was very little which will rule out any trafficking offense. However, The state need only prove intent to traffic and knowledge that he possessed the drugs.

More than likely (although I'm not 100% familiar with Florida's laws right now) he can get off doing a few hours of community service and paying a fine for the amount it sounds like he had.

Joe (Dayton)

Drake said...

It's the NFL, a WWL cash cow, they're not going to do anything to tarnish it. Look at the Merriman situation, for as roid-ragey as they get on baseball, that story was pretty quiet.

Anonymous said...

SI.com does have the story on its headlines.

According to the AJC.com (the atlanta newspaper) tests on the bottle could "take months"

BLUE said...

Ok, so why didn't he just throw the bottle away? I mean how much do these things cost? The pictures from that link don't make it seem too ingenius, or that it would be all that expensive.

Anonymous said...

Just got this joke from a friend of mine and had to share it.



Peyton Manning, after living a full life, died. When he got to heaven, God was showing him around.
They came to a modest little house with a faded Colts flag in the window.
"This house is yours for eternity, Peyton," said God. "This is very special; not everyone gets a house up here."

Peyton felt special, indeed, and walked up to his house. On his way up the porch, he noticed another house just around the corner. It was a 3-story mansion with a Silver and blue sidewalk, a 50-foot tall flagpole with an enormous Patriots logo flag, and in every window, a New England Patriots towel.
Peyton looked at God and said "God, I'm not trying to be ungrateful, but I have a question. I was an all-pro QB, I hold many NFL records, and I even went to the Hall of Fame."

God said "So what's your point Peyton?"
"Well, why does Tom Brady get a better house than me?"

God chuckled, and said:

"Peyton, that's not Tom's house, it's mine."

Sheldiz said...

Speaking of college basketball.... Villanova beat Notre Dame (20) last night. woot.

Not important to anything in anyway... but exciting for me, and that's what really counts. it was bad, too 102 - 87. Go cats.

And Vick is an idiot... i'm sure my 5 year old cousin could come up with a better way to sneak pot onto a plane.

Aitch said...

Oh lord, is this gonna turn into a debate about why pot should be legalized? Actually come to think of it, that's be a good debate. Have at it kids! lol

Anonymous said...

hmm... i doubt suspension...

but wouldn't this be a convenient excuse for schaub to emerge?

hmmm... tar heels win. can they move up?

any comments on lunardi's weekly ncaa watch?

Mikepcfl said...

CNN has seen fit to link the Vick story on it's front page, but the WWL still hasnt.

Anonymous said...

anyhow, isn't marijuana technically legal (in the medical sense)?

Anonymous said...

ok....

any guesses as to who will do it?

mort? john clayton? pasquarelli?

Anonymous said...

I have no problem with Vick doing pot. Surely, most athletes do some form of illegal drugs. Vick wants to smoke a little pot and chill after a tough day of practice? Ok. Wants to smoke up some and go out with his friends to a bar? Ok. I really don't give a shit, I did pot in high school and college. Big whoopity fuckin' do.

However, needing it so badly that you haul it to the airport? STUPID. You can live with out it for a while. It won't kill you.

This reminds me of Aaron Sorkin (creator of West Wing) getting busted with shrooms at an airport.

Natsfan74 said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Mega said...

Are they sure it wasn't MARCUS VICK?!

Natsfan74 said...

OK, Maybe ESPN was right. It's 11:30 and I am already over this.

Better college for quarterbacks -- Virginia produced Brooks and Schaub, Virginia Tech produced Mike and Marcus Vick?

It took me a long time to get on Colt Brennan's bandwagon, but now it's full steam ahead. That guy is awesome. Heading back to UH for another season will get him to a top 5 draft pick and Heisman finalist. More importantly, I respect that he wants to give something back to the program that helped save him.

Anonymous said...

While marijuana is legal in Canada, the only US law I'm aware of that made it medically legal (in California) was struck down by a federal court last year. And there is no way it's legal to have on a flight.

The irony is that the NBA is supposedly unpopular because of this stuff, but the NFL is about 10 times worse. It just gets more favorable coverage from ESPN.

This IS a big deal. It IS illegal. It IS stupid. It IS a sign that he shouldn't have been quarterbacking to begin with. Between Michael and Marcus Vick, there shouldn't be a coach left in America willing to gamble on these guys. This shows how powerful and dangerous Nike's and ESPN's and NFL's money is.

Between this, the steroids thing and ESPN's constant snowjobs, I'm becoming more of a soccer fan. I can feel it. Foxsports.com carried this story immediately, btw.

Anonymous said...

I revise my statements. It was just pot residue? Still though, taking your fancy device that you carry pot in is probably a bad idea. Got this link at Deadspin, which is what he might have been using.

Anonymous said...

colt brennan > brady quinn IMHO...

dunno with brohm... but one thing we can expect,

hawaii chuckin'....

Anonymous said...

cmfrost, that was about as original as the Gene Keady/Bob Knight version I heard 20 years ago

Gregg the Obscure said...

Think it through.

Arthur Blank is very concerned about a good image for his team.

Michael Vick is the public face of the team.

Michael Vick is caught (1) breaking the law in a way that is (2) reckless, (3) stupid and (4) cheap.

As others have mentioned, Vick could have used a mule, used a more creative hidey hole, thrown out his Miami stash and replenished in Atlanta, taken a charter plane or, oh yeah, obeyed the law. Celebrities are coddled and rarely held to account for anything, though, so that last foolproof option wouldn't have occurred to him.

Maybe Blank will try to uphold his standards, but somehow I doubt it.

Anonymous said...

yep... kudos to the TSA.

at least we know they are doing their job...

anyhow, any good news that we can discuss... i hate negative vibes... :)

Anonymous said...

Weird that ESPN isn't reporting. Hell, even NFL.com has it up...

http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/ATL/9939005

ESPN is waiting for a writer to add one sentence to the story so we can get the "ESPN's John Clayton reports Michael Vick might have had pot in a water bottle" headline later today.

Unknown said...

Oden shaved his beard off.



I think that's important.




Vick is a dumbass. Really all that needs to be said.

Sheldiz said...

ditto jo fer.

Anonymous said...

Jo fer, it's not even about the pot. The pot is just a symptom.

For a millionaire to get to such a ridiculous place, he had to be really stupid, lazy AND immoral. All three are signs of bad leadership. It's clear that Jason Whitlock is right: Vick is a coach-killer. He doesn't do his homework, he's obviously a pothead if he's gone to this extreme, and together with his brother, there is now enough smoke to yell FIRE!

Quarterbacks are the COOs to the coach's CEO. They get paid millions not because they're fast or have good hands. They need that AND they need to lead and execute. Vick has proven that he can do neither. It's clear that Vick has been surrounded by a bunch of enablers, and when he didn't perform this year, they let this happen.

It's time to drop him. Let him go to the Raiders, if necessary, but get rid of him. And no more Nike commercials, PLEASE.

TJ said...

I'm on board that ESPN's non-coverage is more of a story than the actual story itself. But its hard for me to drum up a lot of righteous indignation against guys getting caught with pot. It used to be easy, but then I came to college and decided against passing moral judgment on literally every person I know.

Anonymous said...

bias, perhaps?

Anonymous said...

sure helps to be a BMOC there, right?

Anonymous said...

This whole Schottenheimer thing got me thinking: would you rather have the next 10 seasons go as playoff-bound, but Super Bowl-less, or 1 SB and 9 sub .500 seasons? As a Browns fan, I'll get neither, but I'd take the 10 playoff bound seasons with no SB any day after what I've been through since '99!

Anonymous said...

The story on ESPN.com at 12:37. Rather a positive spin, describing his brother as a Miami wide receiver. Let's just forget all the lawlessness, that wouldn't be relevant to the news at all, eh?

As for everyone saying marijuana is no big deal? I would have trouble buying a pothead's merchandise for my child. And if the NFL isn't child-friendly, it won't be on every Sunday afternoon in the future.

Sheldiz said...

Marijuana is only a "big deal" b/c its illegal. If i've come to terms with telling my (as of now, hypothetical) children that I did it, i have no problem explaining professional athletes' use of it.

Sheldiz said...

oh and does anyone else think that maybe he wasn't "trying to get away with" anything???

looking back on my college days... i definitely had "oh shit, i totally forgot that joint was in my bag" moments.

i'm not saying it isn't stupid b/c he's so visible. but i have a hard time believing he consciously thought "i'm vick, i can bring pot to the airport!"

i still don't like him much... but i'm willing to give him a little benefit of the doubt here.

Anonymous said...

I'll agree Pot can be a symptom of a poorly rounded athlete.

(Insert Nate Newton joke here)

Unknown said...

As a Syracuse fan, it is hard to like Vick. He spurned Syracuse to go to Va Tech because he didn't want to be the next Donovan McNabb, he wanted to be the first Michael Vick. Many have felt that was the beginning of the recent doldrums that Syracuse football is in now.

He is an amazing runner but mediocre passer at best. He doesn't quite make up for the inconsistent passing with his running.

Unknown said...

Oh, yeah, what is the Ron Mexico story regarding Vick? I have never heard it.

BLUE said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

You have to marvel at WWL's whitewashing of the story with their headline:

"Vick's water bottle raises suspicion, but no charges"

Anonymous said...

Dave said...
In response to buckibrownsbacker:

I'm taking Dan's side on this one (as he has pointed out so many times before:ex: Marlins). I would definately take 1 Super Bowl over 10 perpetually disappointing playoff seasons where your team comes up short for a decade straight.

1/18/2007 12:50:35 PM


Amen to that...speaking from experience as a sox fan, there was no joy to always coming close. Things are much better now that cherry has been popped.

And the above posters are right, this isnt about pot, or the nfl, vick is just a dumb SOB walking into an airport with that, knowing how security is these days.

BLUE said...

See this is why Vick shouldn't be a QB. He should have read the defense and called an audible to change the play. Instead he stuck with the original play and got sacked. Fricken Idiot.

Anonymous said...

SO this does it, Vick traded to the raiders for the #1 pick. Flacons get Schaub, dunn and calvin johnson, crumpler on the field together, Raiders get well another malcontent

Brian in Oxford said...

randy moss'll like that....duuuuude.

Anonymous said...

This Vick talk is getting old, actaully it got old about 98 posts ago.

Is there any other big story today worth talking about????

Anonymous said...

ok...

the saints o vs the bears d...

watcha think about clayton's analysis of the game?

Anonymous said...

I think the real key is which Chicago Defense is going to show up. The one that has been getting score on the last couple of weeks or the dominant defense they had the first 10-12 weeks of the season.

The way I see it if there defense continues to play they way they have over the last 4 or 5 weeks the Saints I can see winning by 10+.

Anonymous said...

If you missed my earlier post I wanted to repost it,

Just want to wanted to say I finally watched the first 4 hours of 24 and at the end of the 4th hour that last 15 minutes left me completely speechless.

Brian in Oxford said...

I predicted last week that Rex would get them a late win, and now he'll be overconfident this week (instead of being "relaxed" in the postseason)....so the Saints are my pick. They won't play great either, but I foresee substantial Rexcrement.

(really, I just made that up....thanks!)

Drake said...

I don't think the bears defense with out Harris and Brown will be able to stop the Saints. Since the Bears won't be able to win a shoot out, I say the Saints win.

The only way they win is if there are at least two crazy special teams plays where the Bears score.

Anonymous said...

ravens won with caretaker dilfer...

Brian in Oxford said...

That creepy squinty guy? They didn't explain him last year too well, so at least maybe we'll have some insight.

So far I like the performance by Dr. Bashir from DS9. Of course, turning this into a 24 ramble and invoking *star trek*, no less....I could get suspended from the blog, so I'll shut up on it.

Anonymous said...

Just finished putting my predicitions up on my blog, Check it out.

http://cmfost.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

I agree I cant wait to the creepy squinty guy gets is ass kicked but the ending last week still left me in shock.

here is a question, Curtis Dead or Alive?

Also you go to love Kumar, Sunday and Monday he is a terrorist, Tuesday he is a rapist on Law and Order SVU

Natsfan74 said...

The Bears/ Saints game is such a toss-up. I don't care which Bears D shows up, the real question is which Rex will show up, the one with 7 games of 100+ passer ratings, or the game with a 0? The Bears need at least 28 to win this week. I don't think Sexy Rexy has it in him. I think it is Saints 27, Bears 14, or something like that.

Anonymous said...

Here is a questions is there really a good Rex Grossman.

Looking at some of his stats from the season I would say No

300+ Yards Games - 1
better then 60% Completetions - 5

For the season;
54.6 % Completetions
23 TDS
20 INT
73.9 QB Rating

To me that is so average.

Anonymous said...

Which one does not belong?

QB#1
65% Completetion, 4397 YDs, 31 TDS, 9 INTs, 101.0 Rating

QB#2
64.3%, 4418, 26, 11, 96.2

QB#3
61.8%, 3529, 24, 12, 87.9

QB#4
54.6%, 3193, 23, 20, 73.9

BLUE said...

I saw an interview with the guy who plays curtis and he confirmed that he was dead. Now he could just be saying that, but typically the stars wouldn't say something like that if it was just a hook.

Anonymous said...

Curtis is dead, this is directly from the 24 Espisode Guide

9:53 A.M.
Jack finds Curtis outside with his gun held up to Assad’s forehead. Jack tells him to put down his weapon by order of the President. Curtis refuses. Jack says that he gave Assad his word that he would protect him. As Curtis keeps his gun trained, Jack begs him to stop. “I can’t let this animal live,” Curtis says. Jack shoots Curtis in the neck and the TAC members shuffle Assad to safety.

9:55 A.M.
Jack drops his gun and raises his hands in a gesture not of surrender but of despair at Curtis’s death. Jack walks away in tears. He vomits and falls to the ground.

Natsfan74 said...

QB1 = Manning
QB2 = Brees
QB3 = Brady
QB4 = Rexcrement

Is that right?

Anonymous said...

Natsfan wins the prize, except for I do not have a prize to give.

Anonymous said...

I'm going with the two best quarterbacks here, Brady and Brees make it to the Super Bowl.

Brian in Oxford said...

Anyone have any thoughts about Peyton being too ramped up? Home game....the all-day delay with the late start....he'll already know who's in the super bowl (could be NO, another effect)....To pile all that with the "pressure to win the big one"....makes me wonder how he'll start out.

Pats might be better off losing the toss. (I really like the old, score last in the first half, then start out with the ball in the second, deal...)

Or the Pats could be down 7-0 before they see the ball. Early pressure to answer on NE.

BLUE said...

Remember folks, Brees is only 1-1 in the playoffs, same as Rexy, so playoff experience is out the window for those QBs

Drake said...

Repeat of the '85. Bears find a way to win. Manning craps the bed again.

Somebody fire up the Superbowl Shuffle video!

Chaddogg said...

Could everyone stop saying that Rex is the problem with the Bears right now?

Every Bears fan knows that Rex is focused, pissed off (at the media for giving him such a hard time when he only put up one of the best season's in Bears QB history, as pathetic as it may be), and will be fine if Ron Turner does what is smart: pound away all day with Benson and TJ.

The problem is the defense, which has not been forcing turnovers and has not been stopping the run or pass that well. Stopping the run is because they lost Tommie Harris to injury (plus he hurts on pass defense since you lose his ability to put pressure on QB) but I think the real problem isn't losing Mike Brown, but actually losing (and now not starting) Todd Johnson. Johnson was really solid in run defense (really hard hitting safety), and never out of position on passing plays (he's even forced some fumbles/INTS with big hits on receivers).

Lovie needs to pull Chris Harris, who has been LOST in the safety position against both the run and the pass. Losing Mike Brown is not the problem....not having Todd Johnson out there (now) is.

Unknown said...

Letter from Tom Brady's Poodle

Some funny stuff here.
http://www.themightymjd.com/

A friend sent it to me and had me dying.

My top 3 ranking of all time QBs in terms of ability to throw the ball:
1 - Marino
2 - Peyton
3 - Fouts

Now if we are talking all round QBs including accomplishments in the postseason then it is a different list.

Anonymous said...

ok... so what if peyton manning is the best qb...

tom brady is the best clutch qb right now....

(and big props to adam v.)

Anonymous said...

The ability to throw the ball is no way to rate a QB, Hell Drew Bledsoe is a great thrower of the ball but you would not call him a great QB. You need to look at everything the QB brings to the table in order to judge his greatness.

Anonymous said...

i agree with those 3...