Well now I am starting to think that the NFL is going to throw Mike Vick under the bus on this one.. the real reason they are getting involved in my opinion is that there are more players tied to this deal and they want the information... THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF MIKE VICK THE QB...
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/falcons/stories/2007/05/24/0525nflvick.html
Flowery Branch — NFL security has contacted investigators in Surry County, Va., to offer its services in the investigation of illegal dogfighting at a property owned by Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
NFL security personnel visited Surry County offices Thursday unannounced, the person told the AJC. They also had made calls to local officials.
Also, Surry County investigators have spoken to, or plan to speak with, persons who claim to have information regarding dogfighting at the property, the person said.
The NFL declined specific comment on involvement in the investigation. League spokesman Greg Aiello said it is routine for NFL security to get involved in legal matters with players and other league personnel.
Investigators have not interviewed Vick, according to Commonwealth Attorney Gerald Poindexter, the prosecutor in the region.
"Not to my knowledge," Poindexter said Thursday.
Vick flew to Virginia after completing the third session of offseason team workouts Thursday at Falcons headquarters in Flowery Branch.
Investigators met Monday to examine evidence in the case. Charges have not yet been filed. Vick has denied knowledge of dogfighting at the rural property.
At least six people lived or worked at the property, Poindexter said. Vick's primary residence is in Duluth, but he did occasionally visit the Virginia property, which is near his hometown of Newport News.
Poindexter has said there was evidence of dogfighting in a two-story house on the property — 66 dogs, mainly pit bulls, were seized — but there might not be enough to file charges at this point. Poindexter emphasized that the investigation is far from over.
Eyewitness testimony has not been needed to gain convictions in dogfighting cases, but "it would help" in this investigation, Poindexter said.
There is no timetable in making a decision to bring charges, Poindexter said.
Based on other recent dogfighting investigations, Vick could play through the season before finding out if he will be cleared.
In a recent federal dogfighting case in Ohio, it took investigators 14 months to file charges. It took 11 months for investigators to gain the conviction of Stacey A. Miller of Richmond, Va., for dogfighting and animal-cruelty.
Under the league's new player-conduct policy, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and/or the Falcons could take disciplinary action if Vick is suspected of being involved in dogfighting.
The presence of NFL security shows Goodell is closely watching the situation.
Poindexter, Surry County Sheriff Harold Brown and other state and local investigators reviewed evidence seized from Vick's property in a two-hour meeting Monday. A representative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture also attended.
The USDA was involved in the investigation that led to charges in the Ohio dogfighting case.
"We don't comment on, confirm or deny whether we've got any investigative activity ongoing pertaining to a particular situation or incident," said Paul M. Feeney, Deputy Counsel for the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Agriculture