And you thought the Bucs had problems?

I would not want to be on the Atlanta Falcons beat these days. What a mess Mike Vick appears to have gotten himself into with Tuesday's federal indictment in an alleged dog-fighting ring. Good luck to the guys having to sort it all out.

You know, for all the issues the Bucs have with their own quarterbacks, they seem to pale in comparison to this brouhaha. Sure, Chris Simms still hasn't regained his form nearly a year after his splenectomy, the ever-erratic Bruce Gradkowski could end up being the backup and Jake Plummer is... well, we don't know where Jake is.

But it could be worse, Buc fans. While the league hasn't indicated that it will take any action against Vick before the outcome of his case, commissioner Roger Goodell has a lot to consider here. He's taken action against other players in similar situations, though -- in most cases -- those players had prior legal transgressions. Still, the league has set a precedent in the recent past by not hesitating to act before a player's case has made its way through the legal system (i.e. Pacman Jones).

So, if the league acts and Vick is suspended for any length of time, we're talking about the Falcons lining up Joey Harrington, a player even the Dolphins didn't want despite Cleo Lemon being their best quarterback option at the beginning of the offseason. We tend to think Jon Gruden would be okay with this in the Bucs' two meetings against the Falcons.

Anyhow, any thoughts on what the league should do here? Wait or act now? I'm still undecided. What do you think?

Comments

[Derrick]

its a tough call what goodell should do at this point. he was pretty clear about the repeated violations with pac man and henry being determinents in his decision. Vick has been indicted so now he goes to court but he's still innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately for the Bucs I think Vick plays until he's sentenced. However lets get this trial rockin

[Jim Wilson]

While I realize that Vick is innocent until proven guilty, he was indicted for crimes that are so heinous that they should demand action by the Falcons and the NFL. If the NFL can suspend Pacman Jones for a season for his actions, many of which have not been adjudicated in court and probably never will, then Vick should be suspended until his charges are resolved. If the NFL does nothing, they will show that, at best, there is a different standard for "stars" and more realistically that they are money grubbing hypocrits.

[AL]

I think Vick is going to be convicted. These allegations are going to bring up history from the past 6 years, as it is, the state already has witnesses that are cooperating with the police about a dog fight that happened 4 years ago. Now I am just curious to see if Atlanta goes with Harrington or try to make a move for Culpepper. Either way, I think the Buc's should do good against Atlanta this year. And hopefully every other team.

[Tom]

Here is one for all of you "Rich McKay is a genius" and "Bruce Allen is a jerk" fans out there. McKay let Schaub go to Houston knowing that Vick could be in big trouble. The Falcons are going to stink it up this year and McKay will be out of a job.

Allen is not the greatest, but McKay has made some huge mistakes too. Remember Jacquez Green, Reidel Anthony, trading UP for Kenyatta?

[Jason]

If Vick plays this season it will destroy that team! There is no way they can with stand the media pressure and public's distaste for this hole affair.
The league has to do something.. or risk losing all creditablity. This was shaping up to be a water shed year for the NFL, a perge of the thug mentallity which is all to present with some of todays players.
As a Buc fan I hope they try to play Vick, but as a fan of the NFL I believe they have to suspend him until the legal system runs it's course.

[Jason]

First of all I believe Vick is guilty.
Secondly I can not believe that Roger Goodell and Aurthor Blank, two very smart and powerful men are going to let this thug ruin thier creditablity.
I do not understand what their waiting on...
This it's going to be very interesting to watch one scum bag bring down two empires.

[Joe]

While Vick deserves to be considered innocent until proven guilty, in any other job he would be suspended until the outcome of the legal matter. This is why the NFL or the Falcons have to take action otherwise you send a message NFL players are above the law. Do you think a teacher or policemen etc. would be allowed to remain on the job with any kind of indictment.

[Dru]

I am and will continue to be disappointed with Goodell and the NFL as long as Vick is not suspended. These allegations are disgusting and disgraceful. Rich McKay should seriously look into releasing this piece of garbage. He has had previous incidents; Mimai airport, remember? What is the reason for carrying around a water bottle with a hidden compartment? Is he hiding his valtrex pills there? Remember Ron Mexico. He settled out of court on that. That didn't put the NFL in good standing! In fact, the NFL had to set new rules for putting your own name on the back of an ordered jersey. If Vick is not suspended before the start of the season, then Pac Man should be reinstated. The NFL can suspend him for not taking responsibilty of a property that without doubt had a felony occur on it.
Or maybe the NFL should put Vick and Pac-Man in a cage where they have to bite and scratch each other to death and the winner doesn't get a suspension. But that wouldn't be fair to Pac-Man, he didn't do anything as despicable as Vick!

[Carlos]

Al, do you have any access to the evidence in this case? How do you know he will be convicted? For all we know it could be someone trying to bring him in all this. Maybe he had some to do but not as much as the media is suggesting...We will soon know. The airport thing (no drugs found) and Ron Mexico (that was just embarrasing) were little compared to Pacman's problems, so he might get away with some of this. Hopefully he'll get suspended anyways! GO BUCS

[AL]

Hey Carlos, read CNN.

[Lou]

Jug the thug!

[Tim]

I would rather have the combination of Bruce Allen and the Glazer's, than the Arthur Blank & Rich McKay duo. Look at the position they have placed the Atlanta Felons in by giving Ron Mexico a 10-year contract worth $130 million with a $37 million signing bonus and then trading Matt Schaub. Good luck Atlanta, it couldn't have happened to a more deserving team and city. Go Bucs!!!

[Larry]

The Commish has put himself in a tight spot. He has been suspending and fining players left and right. He caused a stir by suspending Adams before due process in the courts. Now an elite showcase player and personal pet of Atlanta owner Blank gets in trouble.The indictment states the charges, there are witnesses, and you can't tell me a guy who has owned a property since 2001-2002 didn't have a clue to what was going on.There appears as much if not more evidence against Vick. The Commish will create a sitituation of loss of respect if he doesn't treat and disipline all players the same way.The reason Vick is in trouble is that people never said "bad boy" to him and continued to coddle and spoil him.And these charges a lot more serious than being a thug in a strip joint or driving while messed up.They are a sign of sick sociopathic behavior.