By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor
By now you know that the co-defendant in Michael Vick’s dogfighting case was shot Thursday night outside of Vick’s 30th birthday bash in Virgina Beach. At this point, Vick is “not a person of interest” to the police.
And, according to NFL Network’s Jason LaCanfora, it appears Vick’s status in the NFL will not be compromised by the incident.
“Eagles are still investigating shooting at Mike Vick’s b-day party, but thus far believes Vick ‘was long gone before anything happened,’” LaCanforna tweeted tonight. “According to an Eagles source. They will continue the investigation.”
Michael Vick's co-defendant in the dogfighting case was shot outside Vick's birthday party Thursday night. What does this do to Vick's status in the NFL?
Admittedly, this may be a bit premature, but you have to think the eagles are not liking this one bit whether or not Vick was there when the bullets left the chamber. The man who should cherish his new leash on NFL life has not shown good decision-making in this case. He put himself in a bad situation. He chose to do so.
First of all, why do you feel the need to throw yourself a birthday bash at a Virgina Beach spot with 300 people, including your co-defendants whom you yourself said helped lead you down a path to nowhere?
The fact that Vick is still associating with the people from his dogfighting days raises concern in my eyes. And, we’re betting in Jeff Lurie, Andy Reid and Roger Goodell’s eyes as well. Has Vick even learned a lesson.
To be fair, we posed this question to LaCanfora via Twitter tonight and he responded, “I can assure based on what I’m hearing as of right now the sense is Vick will be okay. We’ll see if more turns up.”
I’m not sure it matter whether or not more turns up. Vick was a dud last year as a Wildcat. The Eagles took a huge gamble and PR hit signing Vick and giving him a second chance. He’s voted the most hated athlete in America for the second straight year. And, yet, he tries to continue rehabbing his image by basically demanding a starting job this offseason and then by hosting a party and inviting his co-defendant?
It doesn’t matter whether or not Goodell suspends Vick over this incident or not. We’re willing to bet Jeff Lurie is having a cow right now and wouldn’t be surprised to see Vick seeking employment with another franchise before the end of training camp.
Hopefully, Vick learns who to hang around with and who to kick out of his inner circle during his third NFL stop. Then again, who would take a chance on him after this latest incident? That’s the question.
I want to start off by saying I have no clue rather or not Vick invited Phillips to this party, but I am willing to bet my money he had no clue he was there. Phillips is one of the co-defendants that spoke out against Vick, he is no longer a friend of his, he’s someone that Vick feels turned his back on him. This was a high security, upscale party, in a very good area, that turned ugly. It is a shame that this has happened and Vick has shown that he is more than capable of making idiotic decisions, but from what I can tell this is not one of those similar situations. Vick has fought to rebuild his image, and anybody who followed Vick, knows with the exception of dog fighting, Vick has been pretty clean. No bar fights, no gang relations, no drug dealings (marijuana use he is very guilty of), no rapes. I just hope it is found that his judgement in this case isn’t as bad as it appears to be.
I sure hope you are right in that Vick didn’t know he was there. That’d make me feel better about this and his decision making.
Vick put himself in a bad spot and lets face it he knew a rough crowd follows him. A party in his honor was a bad idea..I can assure you Godell will make Vick miss 2 games and that he will be released by Philliy..if it is found out that he has been hanging with Phillips his dog fighting buddy he is going back to prison..the feds get word they do not have to prove anything … he has already been convicted your freedom can be taken any time that your are out on early release..early release really means you are out under our terms (FEDS) until they expire..I think more will come to light and as it usually does things will go down hill for Vick..People will say Vick has the right to live his life as he wants …in 2012 or when he leaves football he does ,but while on probation or a NFL player he does not.He lost that right.Before we think that Vick is being treated unfair lets not forget he was the one with the 130 mil. contract that was stupid enough to fight dogs..participate in interstate gambling..fail a drug test while out on bond..drink at a airport when Dungy told him not to drink in public as TG stood up for him..lie to Godell about his role in the dog fights..dumb enough to go to a NY strip club the night before Godells meeting to reinstate him (violation of parole being in a bar) Godell has had enough and I think not many teams will want to mess with Vick..
Vick meant no harm,but this was a bad choice…he needs better people around him and he needs to think…I have been to many a birthday bash and not once was there a threat or even cross my mind that some one would pull a gun..Vick is innocent,most likely of any wrong doing,but you know who you hang out with and the risky behavior your friends bring to the table..He is guilty again of not thinking