Mike Vick Gets 23 Months

Yesterday was a pretty good Sunday all things considered. Since there was no Bears game, I could just enjoy watching football without all the hassle of really needing to care. Sure, there's my fantasy football team, but the Swamp Nutz had already wrapped up the division going into the final week of our regular season.

It was a wonderful day.

I wonder how Mike Vick's Sunday was? I hope it was good, because I'm pretty sure his Monday has sucked pretty bad so far.

Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison Monday for his role in a dogfighting conspiracy that involved gambling and killing pit bulls.

The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback could have been sentenced up to five years by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Vick, who turned himself in Nov. 19 in anticipation of his sentence, was wearing a black-and-white striped prison suit.

After Vick apologized to the court and his family, Hudson told him: "You need to apologize to the millions of young people who looked up to you."

"Yes, sir,' Vick answered.

Vick acknowledged he used "poor judgment" and added, "I'm willing to deal with the consequences and accept responsibility for my actions."

That's a long time to spend in prison, for anybody, let alone Mike Vick. It's hard to know if he's going to be able to make a comeback to the NFL after spending two years in jail. As of now, Vick won't be out of prison until October 2009. If he's a good little inmate, he can get out three months earlier in July 2009.

So even if Vick gets out early, he'll still be nearly three years removed from the football field. Most people will have forgotten about Vick by then, so somebody's going to take a chance on him. Whether or not he'll ever even be a shell of what he was before the arrest will remain to be seen, but I don't think he'll ever be a starter in the NFL again.

On the bright side, Vick could have been sentenced up to five years. Still, the 23 month sentence is the longest of the three sentences handed out in this case so far. The two friends who snitched on Vick, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips, each received 18 and 21 months respectively. The third co-defendant, Tony Taylor, won't be sentenced until Friday.

What I'm wondering is, who will be the next athlete to go to jail? I mean, the way things are going in the world of sports right now, it's inevitable that it's going to happen again. Just look at all the big stories taking place off the field.

It all started with Pacman Jones, who gave way to the Bengals and Tank Johnson. Then the Vick story broke, and a few weeks ago Sean Taylor was killed by somebody who broke into his house.

It's not just the NFL either. Barry Bonds is probably the favorite to be the next athlete to do some prison time. Those federal indictments are hard to get away from.

The NBA is getting involved as well, as Indiana Pacers guard Jamaal Tinsley was involved in a shooting incident over the weekend as well. It's at least the third time Tinsley has gotten into serious trouble with the law over the last year and a half.

It's a pretty disturbing trend in sports right now. Mike Vick is just the posterboy.

Foul Balls

The Colts and Patriots Have Changed Places - I've noticed something over the last few weeks, and with each passing Sunday I become more convinced that my suspiscions are true. Both the Patriots and Colts had an easy time of it on Sunday, with blowout wins of the Steelers and Patriots.

But have you noticed that the Patriots and Colts have switched places?

Remember a few years ago, back in 2003 and 2004 when the Colts were lighting up the scoreboard every week and had us all wondering if they could go undefeated? Obviously, they never did. No instead they would run into the Patriots in the playoffs, the same Patriots team that had spent the season flying a bit under the radar thanks to injuries.

They were still winning, but they didn't get as much attention as the record breaking Colts.

Then the Colts won the Super Bowl last season, I don't remember who they beat, and the two teams switched roles. Now it's the Patriots who are setting offensive records, and the Colts are a team dealing with injuries, but a team that seems to be finally hitting it's stride late in the season.

At this point you shouldn't be surprised if the Colts go into Foxboro for the AFC Championship game and put an end to the Patriots dreams of an undefeated season. I know I won't be.

Kenny's Not Inspiring Much Confidence In Me - My biggest concern about the White Sox going into the 2008 season is not the offense. I know the team hasn't made too many changes to it's lineup, save for Orlando Cabrera, but I really don't think we're going to have a repeat performance of 2007 at the plate.

There's just too much talent in the lineup.

No, the thing that scares the hell out of me is a starting rotation that not only still includes Jose Contreras, and has lost Jon Garland, but it also features John Danks and Gavin Floyd.

Neither of which make me feel safe. Kenny on the other hand, he's pretty sure these two are future Hall-of-Famers.

"These are guys everyone would want and most people in the industry view ultimately as top-of-the-rotation guys," Williams said last week at the winter meetings in Nashville. "Our pitching is not going to be a problem this year. We'll be just fine in that area."

Obviously, Kenny has been experimenting with drugs lately. I want to know who these people in the industry that think Gavin Floyd will be a top of the rotation guy are. They should immediately be fired, because it's obvious they know nothing about baseball.

I only say it about Floyd because even though I don't have the same expectations Kenny does, John Danks could develop into a solid #3 starter eventually if not this season.

O.J.'s Eleven

The Law's Gonna Finish What Roger Goodell Started

Suspended NFL player Adam Jones, now sporting a new dreadless 'do, surrendered and was released on $20,000 bail early Friday on felony coercion charges stemming from that strip club melee/triple shooting back in February.

Jones is scheduled to return for a July 27 appearance in Las Vegas Justice Court, his lawyer, Robert Langford, said Friday.

He will plead not guilty to two felony charges of coercion stemming from allegations he threatened to kill Minxx club employees and that he bit a bar bouncer, his lawyer said.

If convicted, Jones faces a maximum of 12 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Asked about his future, Jones had just this to say.

Pacman Never Lets You Down

Thank you, Pacman Jones. Thank you for providing all of us sports bloggers with plenty of stories to fill space. You sir, are a hero. I mean, most people would be smart enough to steer clear of strip clubs and such places after they've already been suspended by their employer for an entire year for things they did at those places.

Not you, Pacman. Pacman can only be Pacman, he cannot be Adam Jones. Adam Jones is boring. Pacman Jones is awesome.

Troubled NFL star Adam "Pacman" Jones is wanted for questioning in a shooting early Monday at a DeKalb County strip club that left one man with minor injuries.

However, police said they do not think Jones was directly involved in the shooting. They believe members of his entourage were involved.

DeKalb police confirmed they want to talk to the College Park native, whose entourage got into an argument with three other men about 4:16 a.m. at Club Blaze, a Moreland Avenue strip club, according to Officer Ariel Toledo, a department spokesman.

When the men with whom they argued left the club, Jones's entourage followed them in two vehicles police identified as a green Dodge Charger and a black Pontiac Grand Prix. Toledo said police believe Jones was in a third vehicle, identified as a Cadillac Escalade, and was not directly involved in the shooting or in chasing the victim's car.

Someone from Jones' entourage allegedly shot into the vehicle they were following, Toledo said. Someone in the victim's car returned fire. One person in the victim's car suffered minor injuries from shrapnel, but refused treatment, Toledo said. The gunfire exchange happened near I-285.

"We're still investigating," Toledo said. "We want to speak to Adam 'Pacman' Jones because we believe the people he was with were involved."

Yes, Pacman, yes! He is learning. No longer is Pacman firing the shots or the loogies, now he's figured out to have his posse do it for him. This shows you the power of the Pacman. Pacman deserves your respect, and he gets it. If not, he's going to have his friends follow you and light your ass up.

Pacman's Just Being Pacman

As already mentioned on We Are The Postmen, I'm not sure how seriously this story should be taken, given it's from MediaTakeOut.com. But after all, we're talking Pacman Jones, so it's also entirely possible the story is true.

Yo MediaTakeOut.com,

Pac Man Jones, the NFL so called star was crazy at this party!!! He threw bottles into the crowd for no reason at all and hit random people while R Kelly is performing! [He also] got in this guys face to start a fight. [His antics] almost ruined R Kelly’s performance.

On top of that, this guy choose Khia, the rapper, to kiss on in VIP…eggghhhh!!!

[At one point during the night] me and my peeps thought it was a chance we was going to get into with this guy cuz of the rude things he was doing!! Throwing up Gang signs galore.

It’s just sad to see in person. Someone who is throwing away all that talent in the trash!! He hasn’t learned a damn thing!!

Also, if you're unsure who Khia is-I know I was-she's best known for her song "My Neck, My Back" which I believe was about licking things. Given Pacman's proclivity for spitting on things, I'm sure these two will make a very wet and entertaining couple.

Maybe they can convince R. Kelly to pee on them.

Tank Learns His Suspension

The NFL announced yesterday that Tank Johnson will be suspended for the first eight games of the season thanks to his love of guns. Seeing as how Johnson has experience in prison, the NFL figured they'd offer him a chance at parole.

The suspension can be reduced to six games with good behavior. So really what that means is Tank will only miss six game. If he doesn't exhibit good behavior, he'll probably be suspended the whole season.

So what are Tank's plans?

''During those six games, I'm going to just do everything I can to be a better man,'' he vowed. ''I'm looking at it like a six-game suspension because I'm very confident that I'm capable of doing everything [Goodell] asked me to do and more. As a professional, you have to deal with adverse situations. And I firmly believe having to sit out six games is going to only give me time to get better.''

Tank also went on to say more about his plans on one day becoming the NFL's Man of the Year.

I don't know what it is, maybe it's just the fact he's a Bear and I'm a homer, but I get the feeling that Tank Johnson is different than Pacman Jones or Chris Henry. I think he's starting to get it. When you look at Pacman or Henry, whenever they talk about what they've done it seems to be through statements by their lawyers or agents.

Tank Johnson actually faces the media and scrutiny in person, and seems contrite.

I hope I'm right.

Because You Can Never Get Enough Pacman Jones

This video is just the latest creation of BradyFan83 over at the YouTube. If you don't subscribe to his video's yet, I suggest you get over there and do so as soon as possible.

He's an American hero.

(Spotted at, where else, The Fanhouse)

Pacman Jones Finally Hires a Publicist

And the first thing he or she made Pacman do is... drum roll, please.... apologize.

In a paid advertisment running in today's edition of The Tennesean, Jones offered up the obligatory athlete mea culpas, claimed to have learned his lesson, and said he was gonna appeal the NFL decision.

Cuz nothing says "I was wrong, please forgive me," like a lawsuit.

Sure hope he "made it rain" for the guy who actually penned this. Cuz even working without a pole, writers have skillz!

Pacman Jones Suspended for Entire 2007 Season

Adam "Pacman" Jones of the Tennesee Titans has been suspended for the entire 2007 season for violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy. Chris Henry of the Bengal recieved an eight-game suspension.

Jones' off-field conduct has included 10 incidents where he was interviewed by police. The most recent took place in Las Vegas during the NBA All-Star weekend. Las Vegas police have recommended felony and misdemeanor charges against Jones after a fight and shooting at a strip club that paralyzed one man.

Henry was arrested four times in a 14-month span, resulting in two benchings by coach Marvin Lewis and a two-game league suspension. He was one of nine Bengals arrested in nine months.

In a letter to each player, Goodell wrote:

"Your conduct has brought embarrassment and ridicule upon yourself, your club, and the NFL, and has damaged the reputation of players throughout the league. You have put in jeopardy an otherwise promising NFL career, and have risked both your own safety and the safety of others through your off-field actions. In each of these respects, you have engaged in conduct detrimental to the NFL and failed to live up to the standards expected of NFL players. Taken as a whole, this conduct warrants significant sanction."

All I can say is, sure hope Lovie is working on a Tankless defense.

Pacman to Bouncer: "I'm Going to Kill You"

Ever since we covered the Pacman Jones story on Monday, more and more things keep coming out. Pacman stated publicly that the Las Vegas police just wanted to question him because he was a witness to the incident, but now the Las Vegas Review-Journal is reporting that more than ten witnesses say Pacman's crew started the fight.

Jones had tossed hundreds of $1 bills on the stripper stage, an action known in street slang as “making it rain.” When one of the strippers started grabbing the money without Jones’ permission, he got angry, grabbed her hair and slammed her head against the stage, Susnar said.

That’s when security guard Aaron Cudworth, a mixed-martial artist with professional fighting experience, intervened and stopped the assault, he said.

“At that point, Pacman said, ‘I’m going to kill you,’” Susnar said.

A melee ensued as Cudworth scuffled with Jones and members of his entourage, Susnar said. Order was eventually restored, and everyone was moved outside. That’s when the gunman opened fire toward the front door of the club, hitting Cudworth, security guard Tom Urbanski and a female customer.

“He goes out, retrieves a gun, then shoots two security guards, pretty much making good on the threat made by Pacman Jones,” Susnar said.

At this point the only thing we really know about Pacman, is that he knows how to treat the ladies. Whether he's spitting on them, or slamming their heads against a stage, he is the epitome of a ladies man.

Play on, playa. Play on.

(Story courtesy of The Big Lead)

On the Bright Side, at Least Pacman Didn't Spit on Anyone

I had read somewhere that rapper Nelly might have been involved in a shooting at a strip club in Vegas during All-Star weekend.

But I was immediately suspicious. Two bouncers were actually hit, and everybody knows rappers never hit their targets.

Well, it turns out it probably wasn't Nelly doing the shooting, but it could have been the Tennessee Titans cornerback, Pacman Jones.

From Sports by Brooks, after hearing a report on Sporting News Radio from host Steve Cofield:

Cofield said Jones, accompanied by a large posse, entered the club late Sunday night with a "Glad Bag" full of dollar bills, and soon began throwing the money at the dancers ("making it rain"). Rappers Nelly and Jermaine Dupri were also at the club, and were throwing money at the dancers from "blocks of singles".

Two of the strippers allegedly began to fight over the cash, and in part because of that confusion, the club owners turned on the lights in an effort to get all the patrons to exit the club.

Cofield noted that after Jones and his group left the club, there were allegedly multiple gunshots from automatic weapons coming from Jones' entourage, resulting in two bouncers being shot (both are in critical condition) and a woman also getting hit with the gunfire (condition unknown).

The Las Vegas police have gone on record saying that they aren't ready to name anybody yet, and that they just want to talk to Jones.

This wouldn't the first time Pacman Jones got into trouble with the law.

In October 2003 Jones was sentenced to a year in jail after beating a fellow West Virginia student with a pool cue in a bar fight. The sentence was suspended and Jones was placed on two years probation, but at the end of his probation the state of West Virginia filed a motion to lengthen his probation after they felt Jones didn't communicate adequately with his PO, and never reported his arrest in July 2005 from an altercation at a nightclub.

Then, of course, there are the two separate incidents in which Pacman allegedly spit on a woman. On August 25th, 2006 Jones supposedly spat on a woman he said had stolen his wallet, and in October of last year he spat in the face of another woman at a nightclub in Nashville.

I guess what I'm trying to say here, is that Pacman is an upstanding citizen, and I am shocked at these newest allegations.

Shocked.

(Story courtesy of the NFL Fanhouse)