Vick Couldn't Scramble Out of This Mess

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=3523993

By LARRY O'DELL Associated Press Writer
RICHMOND, Va. Aug 25, 2007 (AP)

Michael Vick can only hope he will get more leniency from the judge than he did from the NFL.

Roger Goodell's letter informing the Atlanta Falcons quarterback of his suspension reads almost like a goodbye, the NFL commissioner doing nothing to hide his disgust and his disdain.


Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick scrambles during the first quarter of an exhibition football game against the Tennessee Titans, in Atlanta, in this Aug. 19, 2005 file photo. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

A similar reaction by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson, who will be presented with Vick's plea agreement on Monday, could mean years in prison.

In court papers, Vick admitted bankrolling "Bad Newz Kennels" and participating in the killing of dogs in the dogfighting operation. But he tried to deflect much of his culpability in the grisly enterprise onto his friends.

That didn't deter Goodell, who was quick to hold Vick responsible, suspending him indefinitely and without pay Friday from the job that made him a millionaire and a superstar. The decision, on the brink of the season opener, left the Falcons without their headline player.

Goodell made it forcefully clear Vick wasn't helping himself by trying to pawn off blame on his three co-defendants in the case.

FULL story at link.