Your Michael Vick link fiesta

July 18th, 2007 | Posted by PostmanE

Thanks to a difficult, time- and energy-zapping apartment search last night, I wasn’t around the computer during the revelatory Michael Vick indictment … so basically everything that can be said has already been said. The blogosphere is ablaze, the radio pundits are on the prowl; it’s a great eat-the-poor moment for anyone with a forum and the ability to talk and write to their heart’s content. (Ahem: us included.)

Still, for all the bluster, does Vick really face any sort of punishment here? Legally, yes. Pragmatically, no. As With Leather writes today, NFL stars simply don’t get in trouble for this sort of thing, especially when they’re involved with a group of their friends/associates/hangers-on. They have more to lose, and both they and their circle realize this, so no one’s about to turn their meal ticket into a jailbird. Rather, like Ray Lewis before him, Vick will likely be offering up evidence on whoever was the hands-on guy at the ring. Wouldn’t you?

Instead, the most likely punishment for Ookie will be from Goodell, who, given his recent track record of layin’ down the motherfuckin’ law, will probably push Vick out for at least eight games. At best. Which is worse: being chronically involved with strippers and shootings or being indicted for an illegal dogfighting ring? We’ll find out what Roger thinks.

In the meantime, here’s some more stuff from people who know what they’re talking about far more than I:

– Sports Frog pares through the maelstrom and delivers some solid opinion. {Sports Frog}
– MJD gets an exclusive, tell-all interview from a not-exactly-real Vick relative. {The Debriefing}
– Biggest sports scandal of the summer? If Bonds doesn’t figure in, you bet. {Dan Shanoff}
– PETA is pisssssed. {PETA}
– Jason Cole discusses the likelihood of suspension. {Yahoo! Sports}
– Finally, MDS and Co. at the FanHouse really ripped this thing up last night. Seriously, every possible angle, even a discussion of Vick’s newsworthyness in the big scheme of things. {FanHouse}
– UPDATE: Bucktown Skins Fan sends along video footage of Vick’s new shoe campaign … complete with totally inconvenient animated pitbulls. Ouch, Nike. {Bucktown Skins Fan}
– UPDATE: Simon on Sports forwards this ESPN link, which has a pretty impressive explanation of all things indictment. {ESPN}
–UPDATE: Um, Atlanta probably wishes they had Matt Schaub back right about now. {Dave’s Football Blog}

Got a link? E-mail us, or post it in the comments. Here’s to midsummer Ookie!