ATLANTA – Falcons Owner and CEO Arthur Blank said Monday that his team will “move on” in light of Michael Vick’s guilty plea in federal court in Richmond, Va. and examine multiple factors when it comes to deciding the quarterback’s fate with the team.
“We cannot tell you today that Michael is cut from the team,” Blank said. “Cutting him may feel better today emotionally for us and many of our fans but it is not in the best long-term interest of our franchise.”
President and General Manager Rich McKay echoed the owner’s statements, saying the team must look at legal, contractual, salary cap and football aspects when looking to the future.
Vick, who was suspended indefinitely by Commissioner Roger Goodell Friday, officially submitted a guilty plea Monday morning. He is classified as a suspended player and, according to McKay, will remain that way for the immediate future as the team works to recoup money awarded to the player when he signed his last contract.
McKay didn't elaborate on many details involved in the team’s grievance, but said a letter was sent Monday morning starting the process. Because of Vick's suspended status, his $6 million salary for 2007 comes off the team's salary cap, McKay said.
He also said the team is pursuing the funds not in spite, but strictly for the best interest of the football team. He is optimistic about the team’s future when it comes to the salary cap.
“We feel very comfortable that we’ll have plenty of room going forward to field a competitive team," McKay said. "We don’t at all feel we’re in a box or a bad situation.”
McKay said every dollar the team is awarded from its petition would be credited toward next year's salary cap.
McKay and Blank spoke to more than a dozen television cameras from stations local and national and about 50 reporters. Members of the team's Board of Directors Hank Aaron, former quarterback Steve Bartkowski and former Atlanta mayor Ambassador Andrew Young were also in attendance.
Blank said Vick called him to apologize last Monday when news first broke of the quarterback’s plea agreement. He said Vick’s comments today, which included an apology to Head Coach Bobby Petrino, Blank, his teammates and children who follow his career, is the first move in his personal recovery process.
“It was a brief conversation, but I think it was a very sincere conversation,” Blank said.
“When you see Michael go into that courthouse, that’s a little different now,” added McKay. “I can say, personally, that was tough to see… I thought he did an outstanding job of taking the first step in what’s going to be a lot of steps.”
Blank made it clear the team will respond by moving on with the football season. It will do so in front of sellout crowds at the Georgia Dome, as the owner also announced Monday that the team’s season ticket sales this season were at the highest level in franchise history.
He said team partners have also been understanding and that the Vick situation will “not compromise what (the Falcons) stand for.”
“I could not be more proud of our head coach today than I’ve ever been in the past,” Blank said when asked about the Falcons’ next steps. “He’s done an unbelievable job focusing himself, his staff and the players on the responsibility of football… My view is they have moved past this. It doesn’t mean they’re going through some personal emotions and mourning -- we all are -- but they’ve moved past this and focused on their job.”
MORE RESPONSE TO VICK'S PLEA
- VIDEO: Arthur Blank and Rich McKay Press Conference: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
- Falcons respond to NFL suspension
- Falcons issue statement regarding Michael Vick plea
- Alge Crumpler and Wayne Gandy Press Conference
- Keith Brooking and Warrick Dunn Press Conference
- Head Coach Bobby Petrino Press Conference
- FALCONCAST: Matt Moore presents highlights of Tuesday's press conferences
