Falcons seeking to trade rights to Vick

Published on February 13, 2009 by Seahawk Fanatic     

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Atlanta general manager Thomas Dimitroff said Friday the Falcons will try to trade the contract rights on Michael Vick to another team.

In an interview that appeared on the team’s Web site, Dimitroff said, “With regards to Michael Vick, we’ve decided to seek a trade of his contractual rights to another NFL club.”

Vick is currently in federal prison on felony charges related to dogfighting and is scheduled to be released in July.

Vick has a contract that runs to 2013 and calls for him to receive a base salary of $9 million and a bonus of $6.43 million in 2009. The remainder of the contract is worth $45.11 million, with another possible $3 million in Pro Bowl bonuses.

“We feel a trade is the best move for the Falcons, and it’s also in the best interest for Michael,” Dimitroff said. “This has been a really unique situation from a variety of standpoints and because we will actively be involved in a trade situation, I don’t envision our organization speaking any more about this subject publicly until it’s reached a resolution.”

He said the Falcons have had no discussions with other teams because Vick is under suspension by the NFL, “but we think some teams might be interested in exploring a trade.”

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello Friday reiterated commissioner Roger Goodell’s statement when he suspended Vick on Aug. 24 2007 that he will review Vick’s status when legal proceedings are done.

Vick’s attorneys did not immediately return e-mail or telephone messages left at their offices.

Dimitroff said if the Falcons are unable to complete a trade, they will re-evaluate. He said a decision would be made that is in the best interest of the team.

The Falcons made a move last year for a quarterback, taking Boston College’s Matt Ryan as their first round draft choice. He was last year’s rookie of the year after leading the Falcons to the playoffs.

Tags: Base Salary, Boston College, Commissioner Roger Goodell, Contract Rights, Contractual Rights, Draft Choice, E Mail, falcons, Federal Prison, Felony Charges, Flowery Branch Ga, Ga Atlanta, Greg Aiello, Legal Proceedings, Matt Ryan, michael vick, Nfl Club, pro bowl, Rookie Of The Year, Telephone Messages