Coach Mike Singletary did not express interest in acquiring Vick during a question-and-answer session with reporters following a state-of-the-franchise event Monday in San Mateo. But Singletary created plenty of intrigue when he also did not rule out Vick as an option.
But, now, the 49ers are ruling it out.
"The 49ers are not interested in Michael Vick," said a team spokesman Tuesday evening.
Team insiders have said for several weeks that 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan does not consider Vick a viable option for the team's future. McCloughan has not spoken publicly about Vick, and he does not plan to speak about any player under contract with another team. Vick remains under contract with the Atlanta Falcons.
McCloughan is likely being extra-cautious after the 49ers forfeited a fifth-round draft pick last year after the NFL ruled the club was guilty of tampering with Bears linebacker Lance Briggs.
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said last week he is actively seeking to trade Vick, who is expected to be released on July 20 after serving a prison term on federal dog-fighting charges. It is not known when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will lift an indefinite suspension and clear Vick to return to the playing field.
Niners president Jed York also addressed the Vick issue on Monday, saying any such football decision would rest with McCloughan and Singletary.
"It's up to them to show that somebody who's had issues in the past can be a part of this team. But that's not something we've discussed, and I doubt that would happen,"
On Dec. 10, 2007, Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison. He is currently serving his term in
* * *
The 49ers become at least the fourth NFL team to publicly express no interest in acquiring Vick:
--
--Detroit coach Jim Schwartz said, "We want to keep an open mind toward just about anybody, but when you talk about Pacman (Jones) or maybe Michael Vick, I don't think we're in a position as a team that we can go in those directions."
--A Jets spokesman said, "The Jets have no interest in Michael Vick."
* * *
Senator Byrd put it best - the hottest places in hell are reserved for "the souls of sick and brutal people who hold God's creatures in such brutal and cruel contempt."
Took the words right of my mouth. He doesn't deserve to wear an NFL uniform – especially one with the colors of red and gold.
That's good, because someone at work asked me about the rumor and I told them there is no chance of Vick in a Niner uniform and that if it did happen I would have no part of the NFL as long as he was on the team. I would have to order the Rugby package off direct TV and root for the NZ All Blacks.
Matt, thanks for putting that to bed. I can not believe the way people on the radio started to run with that. It does not even remotely fit the niners style!
Good deal. I would cease being a Niner-fan if that dirtbag ever joined the club. It was bad enough watching Lawrence Philips' meltdown after he got here. I hope Vick is out of the NFL for good. I don't believe in 'second chances' when you're sick enough to be mutilating animals for fun.
Matt, there seems to be some misconceptions about what the Singletary offense will look like. Part of that is due to the constant talk about the emphasis on the running game. Singletary cleared it up by saying it wasn't about running all the time, but about "being able to run when we wanted to." Then last night, he made it again unclear by saying that we would sit on a 3 point lead and "throw when we have to." I am not sure what his vision of offense is like anymore.
Based on your understanding, what NFL offense would the Singletary offense most look like if his offensive vision is perfectly achieved? Would you be able to ask him directly what team we would most look like in his vision? Is it more like the boring 09 Titans, or is it more like the Steelers, who I think have great balance of run and pass. I think using an example is the clearest way that he can communicate his vision. Thanks a lot!
Okay Matt ya got me.
Nothing but posturing. They don't want to be accused of tampering again, simple as that. They're as open today as they were last night.
The 49ers aren't interested in Vick?...well DAH!
Like I said in the previous post there was NO way the 49ers were going to bring in the non-QB Vick. Suddenly I hear crickets!
hi,
greetings from israel. i am a niner fan for 20 years, and an addict of this blog for 2+ seasons.
this is my first real "need" to post here.
if the niners sign vick me and the niners are done. i have a dog and three cats, in my own opinion people like vick should be shot.
this might just be me, and the niners can maybe live with losing me and people like me, but if they do it i quit, end of story for me.
love this blog, keep rocking hard, just no vick please. don't mention him at all if all possible. his name should be taboo, he can go flip burgers at mcdonalds is my view on him, and it is giving him a real liberal break.
he deserves nothing, nothing. would billy walsh look at this guy? absurd thought to mention him with our legacy.
hi,
greetings from israel. i am a niner fan for 20 years, and an addict of this blog for 2+ seasons.
this is my first real "need" to post here.
if the niners sign vick me and the niners are done. i have a dog and three cats, in my own opinion people like vick should be shot.
this might just be me, and the niners can maybe live with losing me and people like me, but if they do it i quit, end of story for me.
love this blog, keep rocking hard, just no vick please. don't mention him at all if all possible. his name should be taboo, he can go flip burgers at mcdonalds is my view on him, and it is giving him a real liberal break.
he deserves nothing, nothing. would billy walsh look at this guy? absurd thought to mention him with our legacy.
I think the Michael Vick thing was overblown.
Singletary was just saying 'never say never' because as a man, he knows that Vick would need to prove that he has reformed and not be a distraction to the team.
Furthermore, this is football guys. We aren't asking any one player to be the freaking Pope. Personally, I don't think Vick is a good QB as his completion percentage is spotty and he rather run than stick it out in the pocket.
Plus, in regards to those incarcerated, if someone committed a crime and they do the time, when, oh when, can we forgive them and accept them back into society? Crime and punishment.
Yet some of you want to be judge and jury as if you never committed a sin in your lives.
Hypocrites one and all.
Traj
Hi Matt, Some team will take a flyer on Vick and if he produces and wins isn't that the name of the game in pro sports. A good PR guy can turn a sinner into a saint. It seems the hybrid DE/LB is one of the toughest positions to figure out. A guy that goes 6'5 240 and does a 4.5 40 seems too good to be true but so many have not panned out. Go for the Beef that's my vote.
I don't get this comments - "if they sign vick I am done as a fan" - as if the niners really need any of you whinning hypocrites......talk less as if its your money being spent on this players....... who are you to judge?
Leavenworth? Isn't that where Johnny Cash did his time? Maybe Vick will release an album when he gets out. Perhaps even some oldie type country and western album. Talk about breaking the mold.
Who are we to judge? Seriously? Vick was TRIED before a JURY of his peers, and PROVEN guilty. He has been JUDGED already. Personally I believe all convicted felons should be banned from the NFL if they really want to put a stop to this criminal culture in the league. Vick is welcome to return to SOCIETY, but I'm sorry, I don't welcome him back to my TV screen.
Now with the Vick nonsense behind us now the 49ers need to go after Garcia with the thought of drafting a QB in the later rounds of this year's draft. Some 49er fans don't get the benefit of bringing back a guy like Garcia. Some fans actually think that if the 49ers brought back Garcia that they would see this as the future. Garcia would simply bring back a winning tradition that's been missing for awhile now. Garcia would be a stop gap while the 49ers nurture a young QB in this years draft. Garcia would also bring instant confidence & swagger back to the offense while they go thru this transition. Since the 49ers ARE in transition why not get in position of playing for a playoff spot with a playoff QB in this process?
I wouldn't be so sure that the door is closed on Vick just yet....where there's smoke, there's fire....and I am starting to think that this has more to do with not wanting to lose another 5th rounder than it does with truly not having interest in the vile creep.
With all the attention on a smash mouth offense, nobody has devoted much attention to the what Singletary is clearly assuming: he'll have a lock down defense. Yet super duper pash rusher is not on the FA list, nor can one reasonably expect to get one in the draft. Ergo, with the lone exception of FS, the players needed ARE ALREADY HERE. That can only mean that Singletary expects Balmer, Macdonald, Haralson, Lawson, Terell Brown, and Reggie Smith to blossom big time this coming year. Which is how teams go from 7-9 to 11-5 and nobody sees it coming.
I’m excited for the Combine this weekend. If our positions of interest in Free Agency are: offensive line, safety, wide receiver and quarterback. Then I have to think OLB and CB are the top Draft priorities. Everett Brown, Brian Orakpo, Aaron Maybin, or Malcolm Jenkins are the four odds on favorites to be our #10 pick. The next tier would have Cushing, Maualuga, and Raji as outside shots. Again, don’t be surprised if the Niners are pulling a Denver from a few years back showing ZERO interest in Jay Cutler or a Round 1 QB and then surprising everyone by drafting him (i.e. This year it would be Sanchez).
Matt, thanks for posting this story and putting the matter to rest. Good move by the 49ers to make a public statement to clarify MS' remarks.
Indicates Momma & Poppa York are still in charge despite what little bear Jed may think.
"A good PR guy can turn a sinner into a saint. "
It would take some time, but I agree. Donating his time and money to animal rescue shelters would be a step in the right direction. If he could be had on the cheap, he'd be one HELL of a 'wildcat' QB. I actually like the thought of Pat White for that same reason... along with his versatility.
Clearly, Vick should wind up in Cleveland, so he can play in the Dawg Pound.
I'll take Vick under one condition. That when he runs out of the tunnel he comes out with a pack of pitbulls.
Didnt Coach Sing say he wants WINNERS?
"A good PR guy can turn a sinner into a saint. "
Disagree. Go ask the other pariah, OJ Simpson, and his publicist.
Good Grief, can we get on to something useful? No Michael Vick? Why not No Brittany Spears? Does that mean she is still an option? This is a bottomless pit.
I have a hunch the guys we sign in FA are going to be head scratchers like Raye was. Blue collar tough guys most people have never heard of.
Matt wrote:"The 49ers emphatically closed the door on any possibility imprisoned quarterback Michael Vick will suit up for the club in 2009 or beyond.
Coach Mike Singletary did not express interest in acquiring Vick during a question-and-answer session"
THANK GOD!! Mr. Sing must of talked to a priest and was told he'd be excommunicated and changed his sinful way!!
Skeeber? You're the only one that's blind because you see something NOBODY "sees!" Most see it as a good season if the team can be 8 and 8 under Mr. Sing!
Matt wrote: "Coach Mike Singletary did not express interest in acquiring Vick during a question-and-answer session with reporters following a state-of-the-franchise event Monday in San Mateo. But Singletary created plenty of intrigue when he also did not rule out Vick as an option.
But, now, the 49ers are ruling it out.
"The 49ers are not interested in Michael Vick," said a team spokesman Tuesday evening.
I COMMENTED THAT MR. SING WAS INEXPERIENCED!! THIS IS THE PROOF!! NOT MUCH UPSTAIRS WITH THE NEW HC!!
cmon just listen to urself....
.lol...terry did you really have to scream out loud?...this is proof?....:) ..u r a funny guy......
Does Vick deserve a second chance (as I heard Gary Radnich advocating today)? Absolutely. He has been convicted in Federal court and will soon be released from a Federal prison. His second chance will hopefully be in a State of Virginia court on similar charges. Similar charges, not identical charges, so there will be no double jeopardy.
If the team takes in Vick many, many fans within the SF City limits would completely disown the team - let it go to L.A. they will say. San Francisco is a big-time, diehard dog loving city. What Vick did is unforgiveable. Agree that the majority of the 49ers fan base are located outside the city limits but the dog loving climate within the bay area(for 49er fans) is very similar. Coach Sing... let Michael Vick stay in the South where they adore dog fighting. Football is part of the sports entertainment industry, dog fighting isn't in this part of the country. We don't want him here, we can't play with him here, can't do it.