“It goes back to my Pittsburgh days,” Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter said during a Wednesday conference call, referring to his “hate” for the Patriots.
“I felt a certain way, after some things came out, way back when I was in Pittsburgh, some AFC championships I lost to them, couple times. Come to figure out a few months later why we lost,” Porter said. ” So yeah, I have a natural hate for them. Period. And that’s just gonna be with me forever.”
Porter was referencing the Patriots videotape scandal, which was uncovered in 2007.
We got our hands on the tape. Here it is, for your viewing pleasure:
Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Michael Vick Friday that he is suspended from the league without pay, according to NFL.com.
Below is Goodell’s statement from NFL.com
“Your admitted conduct was not only illegal, but also cruel and reprehensible. Your team, the NFL, and NFL fans have all been hurt by your actions.”
“Your plea agreement and the plea agreements of your co-defendants also demonstrate your significant involvement in illegal gambling. Even if you personally did not place bets, as you contend, your actions in funding the betting and your association with illegal gambling both violate the terms of your NFL Player Contract and expose you to corrupting influences in derogation of one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an NFL player.”
“You have engaged in conduct detrimental to the welfare of the NFL and have violated the leagueâs Personal Conduct Policy.”
“I will review the status of your suspension following the conclusion of the legal proceedings. As part of that review, I will take into account a number of factors, including the resolution of any other charges that may be brought against you, whether in Surry County, Virginia, or other jurisdictions, your conduct going forward, the specifics of the sentence imposed by Judge Hudson and any related findings he might make, and the extent to which you are truthful and cooperative with law enforcement and league staff who are investigating these matters.”
“I have advised the Falcons that, with my decision today, they are no longer prohibited from acting and are now free to assert any claims or remedies available to them under the Collective Bargaining Agreement or your NFL Player Contract.”
Source: NFL.com. Aug. 24 – 6:50 p.m. et
Adam Schefter of NFL Network has reported that holdout DL Michael Strahan may return to the New York Giants training camp as early as Thursday, just as the Giants break camp. Aug. 20 – 11:51 p.m. et
According to the Virginian-Pilot Falcons QB Michael Vick agreed Monday to plead guilty to federal dog fighting charges. Vick will now face up to 18 months in prison and a suspension from the NFL.
Adam Schefter reported that the league suspension will not run concurrently with Vick’s jail time. Per Schefter, the earliest Vick could return to football is in the 2009 season.
Attorney Billy Martin said Vick reached an agreement with prosecutors after consulting with his family over the weekend, reports NFL Network.
“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 was quoted in a statement from NFL Network. “Michael wishes to apologize again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter.”
Vick’s plea hearing is scheduled for Aug. 27 at 10:30 a.m. et, when it will be known exactly what Vick admitted in the plea agreement. The NFL will wait until that information is released to announce their decision regarding Vick’s suspension.
“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 league said in a statement on NFL Network.
“We will conclude our own review under the leaugue’s personal conduct policy as soon as possible. In the meantime, we have asked the Falcons to continue to refrain from taking action pending a decision by the Commissioner.” Update: According to the Washington Post, Vick’s representatives are attempting to arrange a meeting with Goodell before the commissioner decides what discipline he will impose on Vick.
Source: Profootballtalk, ESPN.com, NFL Network, Rotoworld.com, washingtonpost.com.  Aug. 20 – 7:15 p.m. et. Updated Aug. 22 – 9:21 a.m. et
According to Sirius NFL Radio, the Denver Broncos have traded DT Gerrard Warren to the Oakland Raiders for a conditional fifth-round draft pick. If he’s on the Raiders roster when the season opens, the Broncos get the pick (that’s the condition). Update: The deal includes a play-time incentive, according to Adam Schefter of NFL Network. If Warren plays in 50 percent of the defensive plays he get an additional $2 million.
Source: Sirius NFL Radio, NFL Network. Aug. 20-11:45 a.m. et. Updated 11:14 p.m. et
There is still no word on Michael Vick’s potential plea deal–however prosecutors announced their intentions to file a superseding indictment that would include new charges, namely racketeering, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Source: Rotoworld.com, Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Aug. 19 – 5:55 p.m. et
Denver Broncos DE Ebenezer Ekuban tore his Achilles tendon Saturday against the Cowboys and will likely be lost for the season, reports denverbroncos.com.
Running back Travis Henry also suffered a sprained MCL in his left knee. According to denverbroncos.com, he will undergo an MRI in Denver soon.
Source: Profootballtalk, Denverbroncos.com. Aug. 19 – 10:18 a.m. et
Michael Vick’s attorneys spent all friday negotiating a plea deal for their cleint, but no decision is expected to be made until at least Monday, report Adam Schefter of NFL Network.
Falcons owner/CEO Arthur Blank said Friday that believed the plea deal would happen Friday night.
It seems to be a pretty clear indication there will be some sort of plea entered, Blank said Friday in an interview with Sal Paolantonio. When? I’m not positive.
The fact that Michael has himself in this kind of sitaution is very disturbing.
I thought I got to know Michael very well…obviously there’s lots of his personality that I didn’t know.
These statements today are certainly not consist with what he’s told the Falcons as an organtization… and it’s certainly not consistant with what he told the commissioner as well.
I haven’t really talked to Michael of late for all obvious reasons and I haven’t really wanted to have any further conversation with him until we get further clarification on all this.
Source: Profootballtalk, NFL.com, ESPN.com. Aug. 18 – 5:35 a.m. et
ESPN has reported that Falcons owner/CEO Arthur Blank expects a plea agreement from QB Michael Vick to be completed Friday night.
Vick’s two co-defendents–Quanis Phillips and Parnell Peace–entered guilty pleas today. Both defendents said Michael Vick funded the dog fighting operation, was present at at least five fights, and participated in the execution of dogs.Â
Source: Profootballtalk, ESPN.com. Aug. 17 – 8:39 p.m. et
Adam Schefter is reporting that the New England Patriots have locked up DE Ty Warren with a five-year, $36 million extension with $17.5 guaranteed.
Warren had two years remaining on his rookie deal, according to Profootballtalk. Warren was a first-round pick in the 2003 NFL Draft.
Source: Profootballtalk. Aug. 16 – 10:57 p.m. et
