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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year yesterday by the Associated Press. I think Falcons owner Arthur Blank had hoped for Matt to have a shot at the starting quarterback position this season when the team drafted him third overall back in April. But I’m sure he didn’t expect this kind of success this soon — not for Matt and not for the Falcons as a team as the prepare to play the NFC West champion Arizona Cardinals Saturday in a Wild Card Playoff game. As one would expect, Matt was typically well-spoken of the award:

“There’s a number of guys who had great rookie seasons this year, so to even be mentioned in that light is nice. It’s certainly a great honor, and I think it speaks to what we did as a team this year.”

I’m sure Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson is one of the guys Matt was talking about. It had to be a close call. Nevertheless, Matt had a great season by any player’s standards, but especially for a rookie QB. He completed 265 of 434 passes for 3,440 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He had a respectable 87.7 passer rating and also contributed with 104 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. His 3,440 passing yards ranks sixth in a single-season in Falcons history and he became only the second rookie quarterback in NFL history to have over 3,000 passing yards. Impressive.

When you think about what the Falcons organization and the fans went through in watching their supposed savior quarterback Michael Vick being led off to prison and their proud franchise reduced to jeers amidst the embarrassment of former head coach Bobby Petrino, this has to be an especially proud moment. From 4-12 in the basement of the NFC South last season to 11-5 and a Wild Card berth this season, the team can look to their Rookie of the Year quarterback as a building block for many years to come.

Source: AtlantaFalcons.com, Photo: Newscom

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Matt Ryan NFL Offensive ROY

The Atlanta Falcons gave wide receiver Joe Horn his unconditional release from the team today, something he had been seeking since OTAs this past offseason. The Falcons couldn’t trade Joe, so they let him go. They will have to eat his guaranteed $2.5 million salary for 2008. Naturally, Joe couldn’t have been happier, but he also expressed sorrow:

“It’s a sense of sadness because after every game last year and after the first two preseason games, I had to look at Mr. Blank and know that he deserves a winning team and he deserves a championship. I was here and couldn’t make it happen. It’s kind of sad for me leaving.”

Despite being 36-years-old, I think Joe has some football left in him and now he’s free to negotiate with any team that’s interested. Among those teams possibly looking for a veteran receiver are Dallas, Jacksonville, Seattle, St. Louis and Tennessee. Apparently Joe’s agent went all out by contacting every team (except the Falcons, of course) to gauge the interest in his client.

Joe’s had a nagging hamstring injury that has kept him out of voluntary workouts and the Falcons’ first two preseason games, but he says he’s 100% ready to run. Expect a needy team to make a move for his services quickly.

Sources: NFL.com, Miami Herald

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Atlanta Falcons Release Joe Horn

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Joe Horn said today that he will ask to be traded from the team rather than serve a reserve role this season. He might just be blowing off some steam after what was apparently a pretty disappointing weekend minicamp, but I can’t blame him for his displeasure.

“I’m not rocking the boat. The main reason I came here last year was for (owner) Arthur Blank. His character, his passion and the way he takes care of his people. I relish the opportunity to play here. I haven’t talked to Mr. Blank, but so far the way it seems, I think they want to go younger.”

First of all, I think it was a travesty he was forced out of New Orleans a year ago. He was the heart and soul of that team, both on- and off-the-field, and they should have found a way to keep him. Joe can still play and could fulfill a much greater role as a starter on a team that has less rebuilding to do. Atlanta is filled with youth at the receiver position (Roddy White, Laurent Robinson, Michael Jenkins) and Joe is 36-years-old. It makes more sense for him to flourish in an established offense than to spend the last couple years of his career mentoring young receivers from the sidelines and catching an occasional ball from a rookie (Matt Ryan). Still, I think the Falcons value his experience and like the depth he gives them. If it were two years from now, I’d say ok. But Joe Horn deserves a starting role somewhere.

Source: AJC.com, Photo: Newscom

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Joe Horn Plans to Seek Trade From Falcons

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In an interview with the New York Daily News, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Michael Vick is playing football in prison to keep himself in shape.

“Apparently, there was a prison football team and he played quarterback for both sides ….. He’s written me a couple of times. I’ve written him back, he’s stayed in touch ….. I just try to be supportive and as understanding as I can be. He talks about the process he is going through and what he has learned, the lessons of life, how he’s going to come out a different person. He’s sorry he has affected so many people in a negative way — the league, our club, our fans. He feels awful about that. The letters sound quite sincere to me. From a mental standpoint, he sounds good.”

At least this is good news, but the whole situation is a sad state of affairs. Michael is at the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth, KS (the minimum security satellite prison camp), serving a 23-month term after pleading guilty last August to a federal dogfighting conspiracy. Even if he is released in July 2009 (keep in mind Michael will go to trial on state dogfighting charges in Virginia this June), he will have lost several seasons in the prime of his career — or what’s left of it. The bottom line here is hoping Michael comes out of this experience a changed man for the better. And it looks as though that is happening. If he can get back into the National Football League on top of turning his life around, it will be the best possible scenario. I hope both of those things happen.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Michael Vick Playing Football in Prison

Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison today. That’s longer than two co-defendants because he lied about his involvement when he was supposed to be coming clean to the judge who would decide his fate. He received a harsher sentence than the others in the federal conspiracy case because of “less than truthful” statements about killing pit bulls. Michael said he accepted responsibility for his actions, but U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson said he wasn’t so sure. I’m not so sure, either. Despite his early surrender, a public apology and participation in an animal sensitivity training course, Michael was denied an “acceptance of responsibility” credit that would have reduced his sentence. Judge Hudson said evidence, including statements by the co-defendants, showed Michael was more directly involved than he admitted. Judge Hudson also mentioned that Michael had been deceptive on a polygraph test. Though that evidence was not admissible in court, the results were discussed.

I think Michael’s been trying to find the easiest way out of this mess since he got himself into it. I’m sure he felt he was the invincible Michael Vick, a sort of superman who could get away with whatever he wanted to, but obviously, life doesn’t work that way. Now, I don’t blame him for doing what he could to get the sentence reduced, but Judge Hudson wasn’t buying into it.

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, whose team is playing on MNF against the New Orleans Saints tonight, said:

“This is a difficult day for Michael’s family and for a lot of us, including many of our players and fans who have been emotionally invested in Michael over the years. We sincerely hope that Michael will use this time to continue to focus his efforts on making positive changes in his life, and we wish him well in that regard.”

Michael has thrown his financially comfortable life away. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution estimated that he has financial losses of $142 million, including $71 million in Falcons salary, $50 million in endorsement income and nearly $20 million in previously paid bonuses. Funny as I’m reading those outlandish numbers, I actually thought it was more than that.

This whole situation is a very sad disaster for all involved. Michael is obviously paying for his mistakes and as I’ve said before, I hope the nearly two-year jail sentence will find him a better man when he regains his freedom. According to defense attorney Lawrence Woodward, Michael is already on the road to recovery:

“He just wants a chance to prove himself when all this is over. But the other thing he said to me, which I also think is important for everyone to know, is that he understood that some of the things he was doing in life and off the field were dangerous, and he told me he feels lucky that he’s alive and not hurt and now it’s all about the future.”

I guess you can’t ask for much more than that from the guy. He made a terrible mistake. He admitted his mistake. He’ll do the time for that mistake and lose everything he had in terms of his career and money. He’s been pretty much stripped down to nothing. Does he deserve another chance when he is released from jail? Of course he does. Will anyone give him one? That’s yet to be seen.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Michael Vick Sentenced to 23 Months, Deception Added to the Punishment

Just hours after Michael Vick filed a plea agreement, admitting to conspiracy in a dogfighting ring and helping to kill pit bulls, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him indefinitely without pay. The Commissioner said he would review the suspension after all the legal proceedings had run their course.

Michael acknowledged bankrolling gambling on the dogfights, but denied placing bets himself or taking any of the winnings. He also admitted that dogs who were not worthy of the pit were killed “as a result of the collective efforts” of himself and two co-defendants. But Michael wasn’t about to squirm out of this situation by massaging the truth. Commissioner Goodell found no reason to wait until Monday when U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson will formally accept the plea and set a sentencing date likely to land Vick in prison for one to five years. The Commissioner said Michael’s admitted conduct was “not only illegal but also cruel and reprehensible.” Even if he didn’t personally place bets, Goodell said in a letter to Michael yesterday (in part):

“Your actions in funding the betting and your association with illegal gambling both violate the terms of your NFL player contract and expose you to corrupting influences in derogation of one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an NFL player. You have engaged in conduct detrimental to the welfare of the NFL and have violated the league’s personal conduct policy. You are now justifiably facing consequences for the decisions you made and the conduct in which you engaged. Your career, freedom and public standing are now in the most serious jeopardy. I hope that you will be able to learn from this difficult experience and emerge from it better prepared to act responsibly and to make the kinds of choices that are expected of a conscientious and law abiding citizen.”

Commissioner Goodell then gave the Falcons the green light to “assert any claims or remedies” to recover $22 million of Vick’s signing bonus from the 10-year, $130 million contract he signed in 2004. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank released the following statement:

“Today, Michael Vick admitted his guilt to very serious charges related to his earlier indictment. His admissions describe actions that are incomprehensible and unacceptable for a member of the National Football League and the Atlanta Falcons. We respect and support the Commissioner’s decision today to place Michael Vick on an indefinite suspension. As with other actions he has taken this year, the Commissioner is making a strong statement that conduct which tarnishes the good reputation of the NFL will not be tolerated. We hope that Michael will use this time, not only to further address his legal matters, but to take positive steps to improve his personal life.”

This is really a sad story in so many ways. Obviously, some dogs were brutally hurt and/or killed and that unfortunately can’t be reversed. And Michael Vick has probably thrown away his NFL career in the process. We know he’s going to jail so he’s also thrown away his freedom. And the despicable acts of cruelty he was involved in are shocking to those who knew him as a very different person. I’m not one of those people. I didn’t “know” Michael, but my only run-in with him left me with the impression that he was a thug. I’ve carried that opinion around for years and after having watched this whole situation play out (and a number of other “incidents”) over the years, I’m not one of those people who is surprised. What I do hope for is that Michael will emerge from this a truly changed and better person.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL Suspends Michael Vick Indefinitely

Atlanta Falcons owner and CEO Arthur M. Blank composed this letter to Atlanta Falcons fans today:

“We know you’re anxious to hear more from us regarding the indictment of Michael Vick and its implications to the Falcons. Please be assured that we are working diligently on exploring our options and getting the right people involved in this situation. This an emotionally charged and complicated matter. There are a wide range of interests and legal issues that need to be carefully considered as we move ahead, including our need to respect the due process that Michael is entitled to. Also, this situation affects everyone — our club, our players and associates, our sponsors, our fans and the Atlanta community among them — so we must consider all of our customers in making any decisions. Given the differing perspectives and strong feelings around this issue, we probably won’t make everyone happy, but we are committed to doing the right thing. As the owner of this club that’s, ultimately, my responsibility. In the meantime, know that I’m saddened and distressed about this — not for myself, but for our fans and community who have been so loyal to us. We will do our very best to continue to earn your support.”

I wouldn’t want to be in Mr. Blank’s shoes this week. On the one hand, he’s dealing with a player who is giving his team (and the NFL) a seriously bad image. On the other hand, this player has not been charged with any crime yet. What would you do if you were Arthur Blank?

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Atlanta Falcons Owner Addresses Fans