Tuesday, August 21, 2007

VICK PLEADS TO CHARGES



There are no winners in this situation unfortunately. Oh I'm sure in some ways PETA and the ASPCA will have some measure of victory for a cause they've been fighting to bring to light for many years.

But if some real good is to come from this, my hope is that young players on the collegiate and high school level realize that behavior is important regardless of who you are, that character counts. However, the coaches and administrators at those levels have to show the same desire to do the right thing as the federal prosecutors showed by swooping in before the Surrey County prosecutors had the chance to allow this crime to be washed away by using their "favorite-son" home court advantage with Michael Vick.

Now it's Roger Goodell's turn to show that his newly-minted conduct policy applies to star players as well as the 53rd man on the roster. If his policy is to have any teeth and any hope of modifying behavior, he has to show the same type of discipline he showed Pac-Man, Tank and Chris Henry. Because to my knowledge, other than Tank, nobody else went to jail yet for what they did to bring the NFL wrath down on them. And like Tank's time-out, the Vick punishment has to run consecutively with the federal sentence, not concurrently. If it runs concurrently, it will send the message that they aren't really serious, that there are two tiers of rules, one for the marquee players and one for the replacement parts. Watch what they do, not what they say. It's was easy to say they wanted to be tough on bad behavior when the player was easily replaceable. Let's see how easy it is now.

Finally, on a side note, it's my opinion that unless Vick gets some serious psychological counseling and maybe some spiritual counseling, that there is no chance that he comes back, never mind as a player, but as a person. I see all the talking heads speculating on "How soon will he be back?" instead of focusing on what kind of person will he be when he does get back? How are we going to go about changing the heart and mind of a person who would do the type of things that were done without conscience and remorse? It's always easy to be sorry after you got caught. Something is wrong in the heart and the soul of a person who would do the things he would do when he thought nobody was looking. When he thought he wouldn't get caught.

But he has taken the first step on the road to rehabilitation and gaining back the respect of the fans. Some are focused on what he's lost. A lot of money, endorsement, prestige and fame. And yet when I heard he had taken that first step, I heard the words from Tony Dungy's book "Quiet Strength: Principles, Practices & Priorities of a Winning Life" running through my mind.

"And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?"
--Matthew 16:26

Michael Vick needs to focus not on the world he just lost, but instead on finding his own soul. I hope at sometime during his rehabilitation that Michael hears those words and understands those words. Because at that point he will have taken the most important step back. Peace.

1 comment:

Pirate said...

Great post. I personally have thought Vick was nothing more then a talent promoted higher then his contribution alog time ago. So when this dogfighting issue came about I was not surprised since he already projected an, "I'm better then everyone" attitude already.

I have seen involved in coaching young talent for nearly the last 20 years and have seen this haughty behavoir beig part of the strut for quite awhile.

I have always preached to my kids and those I have coached, "Be humble or be humbled". I think Vick is beig truly humbled.

Giants Top Minor League Prospects

  • 1. Joey Bart 6-2, 215 C Power arm and a power bat, playing a premium defensive position. Good catch and throw skills.
  • 2. Heliot Ramos 6-2, 185 OF Potential high-ceiling player the Giants have been looking for. Great bat speed, early returns were impressive.
  • 3. Chris Shaw 6-3. 230 1B Lefty power bat, limited defensively to 1B, Matt Adams comp?
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  • 7. Aramis Garcia 6-2, 220 C from Florida INTL projects as a good bat behind the dish with enough defensive skill to play there long-term
  • 8. Heath Quinn 6-2, 190 OF Strong hitter, makes contact with improving approach at the plate. Returns from hamate bone injury.
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  • 11. Jacob Gonzalez 6-3, 190 3B Good pedigree, impressive bat for HS prospect.
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  • 13. C.J. Hinojosa 5-10, 175 SS Scrappy IF prospect in the mold of Kelby Tomlinson, just gets it done.
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2019 MLB Draft - Top HS Draft Prospects

  • 1. Bobby Witt, Jr. 6-1,185 SS Colleyville Heritage HS (TX) Oklahoma commit. Outstanding defensive SS who can hit. 6.4 speed in 60 yd. Touched 97 on mound. Son of former major leaguer. Five tool potential.
  • 2. Riley Greene 6-2, 190 OF Haggerty HS (FL) Florida commit.Best HS hitting prospect. LH bat with good eye, plate discipline and developing power.
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2019 MLB Draft - Top College Draft Prospects

  • 1. Adley Rutschman C Oregon State Plus defender with great arm. Excellent receiver plus a switch hitter with some pop in the bat.
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  • 3. Zack Thompson 6-2 LHP Kentucky Missed time with an elbow issue. FB up to 95 with plenty of secondary stuff.
  • 4. Matt Wallner 6-5 OF Southern Miss Run producing bat plus mid to upper 90's FB closer. Power bat from the left side, athletic for size.
  • 5. Nick Lodolo LHP TCU Tall LHP, 95MPH FB and solid breaking stuff.