Falcons Release Vick From Contract

Quarter back Michael Vick, already on suspension from the NFL, has been released from his contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Vick, just out of federal prison for running a dogfighting ring and still under house arrest, learned earlier today that his contract with the Falcons has been terminated. Vick last played for the Falcons in 2006. When he signed on in 2003, the player out of Virginia Tech received a $37 million contract. At its website, general manager Thomas Dimitroff wrote the Falcons spent "a considerable amount of time talking with other teams," however nothing materialized. Team officials informed Vick of his release by phone. No word yet from NFL officials on whether Vick will be allowed to return to the league. Now a free agent, Vick is free to sign with another team. NFL rules allow teams to sign a suspended player.

Michael who? Falcons open camp, don't mention Vick

With no mention of former quarterback-turned-federal inmate Michael Vick, the Atlanta Falcons got off to an upbeat start to training camp Saturday, even with the reality of a massive rebuilding job threatening to dampen all the smiles and giddiness.

"I'm not going to talk about last year, but I'll talk about right now," said linebacker Keith Brooking, one of the few veterans left after the Falcons cleaned house during the offseason. "On the drive up here yesterday morning, I was so happy, so excited. I called about 20 people on the way up to tell 'em how fired up I was about coming to training camp."

Brooking's excitement is understandable after what happened a year ago, one of the grimmest seasons yet for a franchise that already had endured plenty of heartache.

Vick, the most famous player in Falcons history, admitted to running a dogfighting ring and was sent to prison for a nearly two-year sentence. New coach Bobby Petrino lasted all of 13 games before abandoning the team to take a college job at Arkansas. After winning only four games, Atlanta was left with no other choice except to start over.

Rich McKay was booted upstairs to make way for a new general manager, Thomas Dimitroff, who claims to be 42 but looks much younger. Mike Smith, the defensive coordinator in Jacksonville, was handed his first head coaching job. But the biggest changes came on the field.

Alge Crumpler, Warrick Dunn and Rod Coleman were let go to free up salary-cap space. Outspoken cornerback DeAngelo Hall was dealt to Oakland. The Falcons signed Michael Turner, the top running back in the free agent market, and drafted quarterback Matt Ryan - Vick's eventual successor - with the No. 3 overall pick.

While Turner and Ryan are the cornerstones of the new Falcons, the team is probably another offseason or two away from filling out a playoff-contending roster.

"It's always like that when you start over, draft a lot of young guys and come into camp without a veteran team," said receiver Roddy White, one of the few bright spots last season. "But it's all there for our young guys. They're going to have to step up and make the best of the situation. I'm actually kind of happy. We get to sneak up on some people and hopefully get some wins."

The Falcons sure won't mind flying under the radar a bit after reporting for camp a year ago in a circus-like environment.

Dueling groups of protesters worked the front gate, angrily debating the merits of the case against Vick. While the team went through its first practice, someone hired a plane to fly over the field pulling a banner that said, "New Team Name? Dog Killers?"

"I guess there is probably a little less media coverage this year from what I understand," Ryan said, letting slip a wry smile. "I think the message from the top down through the organization has been to focus on the future. We haven't talked much about last year. It's all about a fresh start and getting ready for 2008."

Talk about a fresh start. The Falcons have the look of an expansion team with 18 rookies, eight others who have yet to play in the NFL, and 15 more entering just their second season in the league. That leaves fewer than half those on the 80-man camp roster with more than one year of pro experience.

At least the Falcons had everyone in camp, reaching deals Friday with their last two unsigned draftees. Offensive tackle Sam Baker, the second of their first-round picks, and linebacker Curtis Lofton, a second-round choice, were both on the field for the opening practice, ready to compete for starting jobs.

"It was huge to get it done so all I've got to worry about is football now," said Baker, the son of outgoing Arena Football League commissioner David Baker. "You miss a day during training camp, it's like a week. You really can't afford to miss any time."

While much of the attention in camp will undoubtedly be directed toward Ryan, the No. 1 quarterback for now is Chris Redman. He finished strongly last season after becoming the third guy to get a crack at the starting job, and he's not ready to give it up to some hotshot rookie just yet.

"I think I earned my respect around here," Redman said. "I had an opportunity last year to get in there and I took full advantage of it. I want to keep it going."

The players sure welcomed holding their first practice under overcast skies, the temperatures rather mild for a July in Georgia.

Then again, this franchise can't wait for the sun to come out again.

(The Associated Press)

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Tour de Georgia

Racing in the US for the first time, a citizen of Belarus, a former region of the USSR, won the Tour de Georgia yesterday. Twenty-five year old Kanstantin Sivtsov took the overall lead Saturday in a grueling climb up Brasstown Bald Mountain, while his teammate, New Zealand’s Thomas Henderson won the race’s final stage in a final sprint through downtown Atlanta yesterday.

Falcons new quarterback

The Michael Vick era is officially over in Atlanta Falcon’s history. The Falcons drafted their quarterback of the future, Matt Ryan from Boston College. It was a position Vick was sure to have until he was convicted and imprisoned on dog-fighting charges last year. The new quarterback is part of a campaign to put a new face on the Falcons.

Braves lose

The Atlanta Braves lost to the New York Mets yesterday, 3-6.

5 Falcons Fined for Vick Messages

White. (NFLplayers.com)

Roddy White and four other Atlanta Falcons were fined by the NFL for violating uniform regulations with tributes to Michael Vick during last week's Monday night game.

Vick, Atlanta's suspended Pro Bowl quarterback, was sentenced to 23 months in prison on federal dogfighting charges the morning of Dec. 10. The Falcons played at home against New Orleans that night.

After scoring a touchdown, White displayed a "Free Mike Vick" T-shirt under his jersey.

He, along with tight end Alge Crumpler and cornerbacks DeAngelo Hall and Chris Houston, were fined $10,000 each. Crumpler, Hall and Houston all wore black eye strips with written tributes to Vick, which the league called "displaying an unauthorized personal message."

Wide receiver Joe Horn was fined $7,500 for pulling up White's jersey to show the black T-shirt with handwritten white lettering. The fines were confirmed Tuesday by NFL spokesman Randall Liu.

Hall also had a poster of Vick on the field during pre-game introductions.

The Falcons lost the game 34-14.

(The Associated Press)

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Falcons in 20-13 win over Panthers

Atlanta Falcons' Alge Crumpler (83) runs into the end zone for the 30-yard, game-winning touchdown as Carolina Panthers' Quinton Teal (28) reacts in the fourth quarter of the Falcons' Sunday 20-13 win, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)

Joey Harrington took the hit. Alge Crumpler did the rest.

Just before he was drilled to the turf, Harrington found Crumpler over the middle for a 30-yard touchdown with 20 seconds left to give the Atlanta Falcons a 20-13 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Crumpler, who returned after missing the previous two games with ankle and knee injuries, caught the short pass over the middle and sliced between safeties Chris Harris and Quinton Teal for the score. Harrington watched from his back after being hit by Thomas Davis, then limped off the field as the Falcons (3-6) won their second straight game.

Warrick Dunn rushed for 89 yards, 47-year-old Morten Anderson kicked two field goals and the Falcons' defense turned in their second straight strong performance to avenge a home loss to Carolina in Week 3.

It was especially sweet for DeAngelo Hall. The cornerback who was called for 63 yards worth of penalties, including two personal fouls while jawing with Steve Smith, prevented a TD on Carolina's best scoring chance.

Trailing 7-0, the Panthers went for it on fourth-and-inches from the Atlanta 20 early in the second quarter. Testaverde lofted a pass to the sideline and Smith made a leaping catch over Hall. But as Smith was trying to get to the end zone, Hall knocked the ball away. It rolled into the end zone and then squirted out of bounds for a touchback.

Testaverde was just 13-of-28 for 153 yards. Matt Moore came in on the final play to throw for the end zone, but was intercepted to finish off another frustrating day for Carolina, which has used four quarterbacks this season.

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(The Associated Press)

Falcon player cleared of animal cruelty

Gwinnett County's district attorney has dropped a felony animal cruelty charge against Atlanta Falcons player Jonathan Babineaux. DA Danny Porter said his office did an exhaustive investigation, ending with the decision to dismiss the charge.

The probe began in February after police charged Babineaux with killing his girlfriend's pit bull mix. Investigators later verified the dog had a history of unprovoked attacks, and that a trainer had told Babineaux to spin the dog on a leash when it was aggresive.

The Falcons' organization stood by Babineaux in the midst of its quarterback, Michael Vick, facing dog fighting allegations. Vick eventually pleaded guilty to charges in a separate case against him.

Georgia sports for Monday, November 5th

The Falcons returned to action and recorded a win in the 20-16 decision over the San Francisco 49ers inside the Georgia Dome Sunday afternoon. Warrick Dunn ran for 100 yards, including a 9-yard TD run. Fullback Ovie Mughelli also had a 1-yard run for score, while Morten Anderson provided a pair of 4th quarter field goals. The win pushes Atlanta’s record to 2-6 for the season.

Recapping the college football action from Saturday-—the Georgia Bulldogs outlasted Troy in Athens, 44-34. Georgia is ranked 10th in the nation, and will host number-18 Auburn on Saturday.

Georgia Southern is in a three-way tie atop the Southern Conference standings, after their 38-35 win at Wofford Saturday. The Eagles are 7-2 overall, and 4-2 in the conference. They are tied with Wofford and Elon atop the conference.

NBA action last night had the Atlanta Hawks suffer a tough loss at Detroit 92-91. The Hawks are now 1-1 – they won their opener Friday night against Dallas.

From pro hockey, the Atlanta Thrashers complete a good trip with 4 wins in 7 games, including a 6-4 win at Tampa Saturday. The Thrashers are now 5-9 overall.

Falcons wing past 49ers, 20-16

Atlanta defenders DeAngelo Hall (21) and Lawyer Milloy (36) go for an interception as San Francisco receiver Vernon Davis (85) gets turned the wrong way in the second half. Milloy intercepted the ball in the 20-16 Falcons win. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

The Falcons actually won another game, even though most of their fans didn't get to see it.

Warrick Dunn became the first Atlanta back to run for 100 yards this season, Ovie Mughelli had the first TD rushing of his career and the Falcons won a matchup between two of the league's worst teams, holding off the San Francisco 49ers 20-16 Sunday.

The game was blacked out locally the first time that's happened in Atlanta since 2001. The Georgia Dome was far from packed after 56 consecutive sellouts, the city clearly losing interest in a losing squad that no longer has Michael Vick to liven things up.

Dunn rushed for 100 yards on 27 carries, including a 9-yard touchdown. Mughelli, a fullback who essentially serves as another offensive lineman, scored on a 1-yard plunge with just his third carry of the season. Morten Andersen handled the rest of the scoring for the Falcons (2-6) with a couple of fourth-quarter field goals.


Falcons QB Joey Harrington (13) runs for a first down as he is pursued by San Francisco defenders Patrick Willis (52) and Derek Smith (50) in the fourth quarter. Atlanta won 20-16. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

San Francisco (2-6) lost its sixth in a row with another dismal offensive performance. Leading rusher Frank Gore (sore ankle) didn't play and Alex Smith, playing with a taped-up throwing shoulder, completed only 17 of 38 passes for 149 yards, with three interceptions.

(The Associated Press)

Georgia sports for Tuesday, October 16th

The Falcons had the focus of Monday Night Football last night, and were drilled at home by the Giants 31-10. Atlanta actually held a 10-7 lead in the game in the 1st quarter before the Giants took control. New York QB Eli Manning threw a pair of touchdown passes to go along with 303 yards through the air. The Falcons saw their record fall to 1-5.

Georgia sports for Monday, October 15th

NFL action tonight for the Atlanta Falcons has the team home inside the Georgia Dome for a matchup against the New York Giants. The Falcons enter play with the 1-4 record.

From the college football weekend just wrapped up--narrow wins for Georgia and Georgia Tech, while Georgia Southern suffered a narrow loss. Georgia's Bulldogs kicked a field goal as time expired to upend the Commordores at Vanderbilt 20-17. Tech's Yellow Jackets held-on down at Miami's Orange Bowl for the 17-14 win over the Hurricanes. For the Eagles of Georgia Southern, it was the tough overtime defeat on the road at Elon, 36-33.

Georgia meanwhile, has suffered another key injury. A week after seeing senior Thomas Brown go down, the team has lost another running back in senior Kregg Lumpkin. The injury from the game at Vanderbilt is believed to be his left ankle and left knee. He may be done for the season. Georgia thinks there is a chance that Brown could return for the October 27th game against Florida.

There is sad news for the Georgia Bulldogs athletic family--former basketball standout in the late 80's, Alec Kessler has died at the age of 40. Kessler collapsed and died of an apparent heart attack Saturday in Pensacola, Florida. Kessler was a member of the Georgia team that won the only basketball SEC title in school history--1990. He was also a first-round NBA draft pick.

Georgia sports for Wednesday, October 10th

The Falcons have lost veteran offensive lineman Wayne Gandy for the remainder of the season. Gandy suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee late in the team's loss to the Titans in Nashville last Sunday. For Gandy, it's the first major injury of his 14-year career. This represents another blow for the Falcons, who are already struggling in the face of a 1-4 start to their season.

Off the field, an arbitrator has ruled that the Atlanta Falcons can recoup almost 20-million dollars in bonus money paid to suspended quarterback Michael Vick. The team argued that Vick knew he was in violation of the terms of his contract when he engaged in illegal dogfighting activity. Vick awaits sentencing in December, after pleading guilty to a federal dogfighting charge in Virginia. The Vick-contract case now goes to a U.S. District judge in Minneapolis.

Texas college bans Vick t-shirt

Texas Tech has banned the sale of a T-shirt bearing the likeness of Falcons quarterback Michael Vick hanging the dog mascot of Texas A&M. The red and black shirts read "VICK 'EM" in an apparent reference to the Aggies' slogan "Gig 'em.” The back of the shirt shows a football player wearing the number seven Vick jersey holding a rope with an image of "Reveille" at the end of a noose. Vick faces up to five years in prison after pleaded guilty to federal dogfighting charges.