Falcons hold press conference to discuss Vick indictment

By: T. Love

From the moment Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank stepped up to the podium, two things were painfully evident. Michael Vick has lost probably his No. 1 supporter and his days in Atlanta are numbered.

The Falcons held a press conference today to discuss the indictment regarding Vick.

Blank stood in front of a room packed with reporters and spoke briefly about the allegations before opening the floor to about 60 minutes of questions. Blank was joined by General Manager Rich McKay and head coach Bobby Petrino to answer the questions asked by reporters.

As an organization, the Falcons weighed every option and planned on disciplining Vick before NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stepped in and told them to hold off before the league investigation was complete. Blank stated that the organization was going to suspend Vick for four games, which was the maximum under the current collective bargaining agreement. The banishment from camp seemed to appease all parties for the time being.

“We need to provide Coach Petrino, his staff and our players with the ability to focus on preparing for the upcoming season,” said Blank. “This has been a difficult week. We are not here to pass judgment on guilt or innocence… [however] we cannot allow this latest development to disrupt what the Falcons are trying to achieve on the field.”

This was probably the best scenario as Friday’s practice, which would have been Vick’s first, would have turned into a media circus at the Flowery Branch facility.

From the options weighed, a paid leave of absence was never considered. Blank clearly did not want Vick to separate himself from the team and still be paid for sitting idly.

Makes sense.

McKay and Blank made it clear that all questions regarding the indictment would be answered today and afterwards, there will be no questions answered regarding the situation. The front office brass is more concerned about preparing the team for the season and Vick will handle his legal problems on his own.

During the press conference, Petrino announced that Joey Harrington would be the starter of the team until further notice. When asked if the offense would have to be altered since Vick took most of the snaps during the offseason, Petrino had a solid answer that may have calmed even the most skeptical Falcons’ “fans”. The former Louisville coach stated that the playbook is huge and that they will find Harrington’s strengths and weaknesses, then tailor from there.

Maybe Harrington can resurrect his career in Atlanta and lead this team to victory. That would be a great situation in a perfect world, but doubt outweighs optimism. The last time Vick was absent from the Falcons’ roster, Doug Johnson could start for more than 50% of the teams in the league. No need to elaborate on that season.

The outlook of this season is not looking good at all.

Morale is low, but that is nothing a little preseason football can’t cure. Life and the Falcons move on and we have to pull through without Vick. It is time for real Falcon fans to show themselves. This team needs us more than ever and I will be rallying around them from start to finish.

Go Falcons!!!