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Volume 8, Issue 74 (Saturday, July 7th)Hi Folks, Hope you're having a great weekend. It's the slow time of the year but we've still got the stories you need to know. So let's get to it. JSITE NEWS A.
New Footballguys Podcast - The Audible - Vito Stellino From Florida Times Union
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. ATL - Feds Find Dog Remains On QB Vick's Property2. ATL - QB Vick Indictment Unlikely 3. NE - Ticket-Sales Suit Against Patriots Gets Green Light 4. CHI - Bears Pass On QB O'Sullivan 5. DEF - CIN - No Long Term Contract For DE Smith 6. DEF - CIN - LB Thurman Waiting And Hoping 7. DEF - SD - Rookie LB Waters Arrested ATL - Feds Find Dog Remains On QB Vick's Property Source: Dave Forster, The Virginian-Pilot Contrary to a previous report from ESPN, Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick is not out of the woods. After removing the remains of 7 pit bulls during their first search on June 7th, federal authorities removed the remains of another 10 carcasses buried in shallow graves at Vick's property on Friday. As reported earlier, Vick was not named in the federal documents that were filed this week, but what they failed to add was that no one was named in said documents. Meanwhile, a Surry County grand jury is scheduled to convene on July 24th. Federal authorities have not commented on the case at all. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I found it interesting that ESPN seemed to be taking the "not to worry" angle. This looks as potentially ugly for Vick as ever. Maybe more so. All this really shows however is that dog fighting was going on at the house. I don't think anyone really doubted that. The issue will be if investigators are able to tie Mike Vick to the dog fights there. The bottom line is like it or not, this seems a long ways from going away. ATL - QB Vick Indictment Unlikely Source: Chris Mortensen & Len Pasquarelli, ESPN/Associated Press Falcons QB Michael Vick is not named in court documents filed by federal authorities. Vick is unlikely to be indicted in the dogfighting federal investigation, according to information gathered by the NFL and Atlanta Falcons. The authorities have told the Falcons and league that there has not been any evidence that can be tied to Vick with the alleged dogfighting ring. Law enforcement authorities have privately told league and team officials that at least three people are expected to be indicted but the identities of those individuals were unknown. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I'm interested to know more about the sources that Mortensen and Pasquarelli have. Both men are extremely well respected so I'm sure they have their reasons for holding this opinion. But it'll be interesting to see how it develops. NE - Ticket-Sales Suit Against Patriots Gets Green Light Source: Bruce Mohl, Boston Globe A Suffolk Superior Court judge is allowing StubHub Inc. to proceed with its countersuit accusing the New England Patriots of trying to monopolize the resale of its own tickets. The Patriots sued StubHub in November, alleging that they were encouraging fans to ignore the state's anti-scalping law and the team's prohibition against reselling tickets for a profit. The Patriots-StubHub legal dispute is being watched closely by the ticket industry. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] No fantasy value but something to watch for you guys that buy game tickets from resellers. CHI - Bears Pass On QB O'Sullivan Source: Brad Biggs, Suntimes.com Apparently, the Bears' depth at quarterback is so good that there is no room for the co-MVP of NFL Europe. J.T. O'Sullivan's contract was terminated, a move the club has yet to announce, reducing to four the number of quarterbacks on the roster. When the offseason program ended last month, it was unclear whether undrafted free agent Chris Leak would make it to training camp, which opens in less than three weeks. Now it appears he will receive that opportunity.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This certainly says something for Chris Leak. And maybe for what the Bears think of NFL Europa. O'Sullivan will likely get another shot with another team. DEF - CIN - No Long Term Contract For DE Smith Source: Geoff Hobson, Bengals.com Bengals DE Justin Smith's agent, Jim Steiner, said that there have been no discussions with the Bengals to sign Smith to a long term deal. Smith's $8.66 million franchise player salary will stay on the books until the end of the season if a deal doesn't get done before July 16. "Nobody is mad about that," said Steiner. "I think we're all happy and ready to go into the season." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I wonder if Lance Briggs will see this? I find it shocking that Smith will be OK with playing this year for just $8.66 million... DEF - CIN - LB Thurman Waiting And Hoping Source: Geoff Hobson, Bengals.com Bengals MLB Odell Thurman is waiting for the league to make a decision on his application for reinstatement into the NFL. It's believed the decision could be announced as soon as Wednesday, July 11. That's the anniversary of Thurman's year-long suspension for violations of the NFL's substance abuse policy. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] You IDP guys will want to watch what happens here very closely. If Thurman is reinstated, one has to wonder if he'll be able to stay on the right track. We'll see. DEF - SD - Rookie LB Waters Arrested Source: WPDE ABC News TV Chargers rookie LB Anthony Waters was arrested Friday and is accused of hitting a man with his car after the man threw a rock at him. He was released on $1,000 bond and no trial date has been set. Waters is being charged with assault and battery. He was selected by San Diego in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I promise I don't make these up... That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great rest of your weekend and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. J |
