Michael Vick Waited too Long to cut his Deal!

I never went to law school; but one thing that I have observed from covering numerous indictments and trials is that if you're guilty, you'd better have sprinter's speed to the US Attorney's Office to cut your deal with Prosecutors before your partners in crime get there. The first person who enters a plea bargain in exchange for testifying against his "old buddies" is certain to get the lesser sentence.

Let's face it. Any Monday morning quarterback knew that Atlanta Falcons star quarterback Michael Vick was the "target" in the federal government's investigation into illegal dog fighting and gambling.

Why didn't Vick realize his exposure to prosecution? It seems, Michael Vick either believed his fame alone would get him off or if there would be "trouble", he could assemble the best legal defense team that money would allow.

He did get the best available attorney in Billy Martin. But Vick was too late in making "the call". All Martin has been able to get Vick was perhaps less prison time...a year to 18 months instead of the five years he was facing had he gone to trial and been confronted by his co-conspirators testimony and the mounds of evidence gathered at Vick's Virginia farm, including the remains of Pitt Bulls.

Michael Vick's three "home boys" will be out of the slammer long before he sees daylight because they marched into the US Attorney's Office first to admit they were animal abusers and killers and downright losers who were more than willing to turn in their meal ticket (Michael Vick).

They'll do time for their roles in operating the "Bad Newz Kennel"; But Michael Vick will get the lion share of the prison stays because he was the last to agree to a plea deal. That's how the system works.

Twenty-five days after he declared that he looked forward to clearing his name, Vick said on Monday through Billy Martin that he will plead guilty. A hearing is scheduled for Aug. 27.

"Mr. Vick has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to those charges and to accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made," Martin said in a statement. "Michael wishes to apologize again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter."

Vick's admission of guilt should end the talk of a racial conspiracy against the star quarterback. It won't end the hit and hurt he's put on his fans especially those in Atlanta and other urban areas.

It might end the protests by pro animal rights groups; but it won't end the hurt caused by the news that innocent dogs were bred, brutalized, forced to fight and then killed.

I said some time ago that we needed to hear from Michael Vick. Now we have..That's a good thing! For Michael Vick it means an immediate end to a career and our chance to witness more greatness come Sunday afternoons. Next up, the NFL which today issued a statement.

"We totally condemn the conduct outlined in the charges, which is inconsistent with what Michael Vick previously told both our office and the Falcons," the NFL said.

Gene Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players Association, said in a statement:
"We believe the criminal conduct to which Mr. Vick has plead guilty today cannot be condoned under any circumstances. Speaking personally, as I have previously stated, the practice of dog fighting is offensive and completely unacceptable. I can only hope that Mr. Vick, who is young man, will learn from this awful experience."

In a telephone interview with the Associated Press, Martin said Vick is paying a high price for allowing old friends to influence his behavior, but he emphasized that his client takes full responsibility.

"There were some judgment issues in terms of people he was associating with," Martin said. "He realized this is very serious, and he decided to plead so he can begin the healing process."
The lawyer said salvaging Vick's NFL career was never part of the discussions.

"Football is not the most important thing in Michael Vick's life," Martin said. "He wants to get his life back on track."