VIDEO: Michael Vick scores first TD in over 3 years
Definitely one of the biggest story lines for this weekend was Michael Vick‘s return to Atlanta. There were a lot of Vick jerseys in the crowd (obviously worn by non-dog owners), but nobody could have predicted that Vick – who had only 6 yards passing and 65 yards rushing heading into today – would explode for 2 TDs (1 rushing & 1 passing) in the Eagles 24-7 victory over the Falcons.
Here was Vick’s first TD of the game – and his first rushing score since October 15, 2006:
After the game, Vick – who finished with 48 yards passing and 17 yards rushing – had this to say:
I don’t know … this somehow just isn’t the “feel good” story of the year.
Eli Manning’s 2009 Performance Chart = The Big Dipper
Thanks to Shutdown Corner for this educational graph which illustrates the tumultuous journey of Giants QB Eli Manning so far this season. Not surprisingly, with the exception of game #9 against the Chargers, when Eli plays well, the Giants win. And when Eli craps the bed (like he did against the Saints, Cardinals and Eagles), it leads to a 4-game losing streak.
Yesterday against the Falcons, despite getting off to a horrendous start, Manning threw for a career high 384 yards and 3 TDs en route to a 34-31 OT victory. He spread the ball out to his receivers - Steve Smith, Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks combined for 15 catches for 270 yards – and took what the defense gave him, including some beautiful deep touch passes to the outside. And despite the Giants defense’s best efforts to give the game away in the 4th quarter, the Giants won the toss in OT and Manning was able to get them into FG range to win the game.
So it’s safe to say that as goes Eli, so go the Giants. Thank goodness we have science to back this stuff up.
NFL WEEK 11 LIVE GAME BLOG! THE GIANTS DO-OR-DIE EDITION!
The 5-4 New York Giants face the 5-4 Atlanta Falcons. Equal records, and a good matchup, but it’s the G-Men who must put an end to a dizzying spiral into the abyss.
We’ll be following the action all day long.
Check out the comments section to share your thoughts, vent, and follow the action.
Mike Smith fined $15k, DeAngelo Hall $0 for role in sideline brawl
The AP is reporting that Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith has been fined $15,000 for his part in Sunday’s sideline skirmish with Redksins CB DeAngelo Hall.
Hall, on the other hand, was not fined at all. This may seem a bit odd considering that Hall launched himself into the Falcons sideline seemingly intent on starting trouble (mission accomplished!). But apparently Mr. Goodell saw something different than the rest of us, and decided to punish everyone involved except Hall.
Other fines handed out following the brawl include Redskins safety LaRon Landry ($7,500), Washington defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth ($5,000) and Falcons director of athletic performance Jeff Fish ($2,500).
And again, Hall = $0. Makes perfect sense.
Smith had this to say after Thursday’s practice:
“I received a letter from the NFL office this morning,” he said. “I want to reiterate that I’m always going to have my players’ backs and I’m going to take care of them.”
Good for Smith. DeAngelo Hall is a punk with a history of starting trouble, and it’s ridiculous that Goodell would let him off the hook like that.
VIDEO: DeAngelo Hall vs Mike Smith
From today’s Falcons/Redskins game – here’s former Falcon, current Redskin DB and noted jackass DeAngelo Hall squaring off against the entire Atlanta bench, including Head Coach Mike Smith. Watch for the shock of white hair in the middle of the scrum … it almost looks like Smith might have thrown a right cross in there!:
NFL Gameday: ReadAndReact Buffalo Wing Summit

mmmmm ... wings
Several of your faithful ReadAndReact staffers – TheDarkHorse, Artie Fufkin and steverodgers – will convene in a suburban Denver sports bar this morning to take in this week’s NFL action. Many wings will be eaten. Many beers will be drunk (drank?). Many laughs will be shared. It is a cold, snowy Sunday in Colorado. A perfect day for football.
We’ll be keeping an eye on the Vikings/Steelers and 49ers/Texans as the best early match-ups, along with the Browns/Packers for strictly masochistic reasons. Falcons/Cowboys is the best late game, with the Giants/Cardinals closing things out tonight, in what could be a shootout.
We’ll do our best to share ongoing commentary via iPhone, and you can be assured it will get progressively sloppy as the day wears merrily forward. Enjoy the games!!!
Greg Camarillo caught the ball with his legs
Everyone – including us – is talking about the Stokley TD as the highlight of the season so far. But for my money, this catch by Dolphins WR Greg Camarillo today might be one of the wildest grabs I’ve ever seen:
Too bad the Dolphins lost to the Falcons, 19-7.
VICK HITS THE SCENE WEEK THREE
Without getting into all the sticky details, Roger Godell and the NFL stated today that Michael Vick will be eligible to return to regular season play WEEK THREE.
The Eagles will host the Kansas City Chiefs–who seem extremely ripe for the picking.
Vick's last regular season game was on New Year's Eve 2006. His team at the time, the Falcons, lost 24-17 to the Eagles--his team of today.
Michael Vick Flies the Coop

Michael Vick is out of prison, and now has a lot of work to do in order to repair his image.
Former NFL QB and convicted dog murderer Michael Vick left Leavenworth Prison in Kansas early this morning, managing to evade the throngs of media waiting for him outside the jailhouse. Vick headed to his home in Hampton, VA, where he will finish serving out the last 2 months of his 23-month sentence under home confinement. He will also work a $10-an-hour construction job and remain under federal surveillance.
Vick’s PR machine is already full swing, trying to make a case to Roger Goodell that he is worthy of reinstatement. Oh, to be the soulless devils who make their living working on such a noble cause … I bet they sleep well at night.
Anyway, there’s TONS of coverage on this story out there this morning, so I figured I’d pass along a few links to some of the most interesting pieces we found:
- ESPN’s John Clayton speculates on the 5 teams Vick could end up with
- Falcons Owner Arthur Blank says Vick Needs To Get New Friends [NFL Fanhouse]
- Shutdown Corner examines 4 other NFL Athletes who may or may not be worse than Michael Vick. Jerramy Stevens, anyone?
- Humane Society to work with Vick after his release [Sports Illustrated] … let’s just hope they have the same common sense as PETA did.
- Is Vick seeking a deal for a post-prison reality show? [Reuters]







