Morning Jolt: Vick still the NFL's most disliked

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Nov 8, 2011

Tuesday, November 8

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With the help of his success in returning to the field, Michael Vick has slowly been rebuilding his reputation, endorsement by endorsement, public reparation by public reparation, and gentlemanly appearance by gentlemanly appearance. Is [Vick] back in the public's good graces? ... [Not] so fast. Vick has clearly made some public reparations over the past two years with his strong play on the field and gentlemanly behavior off of it. But these things have a way of taking time. The latest public surveys from Nielsen and E-Poll Market Research, a tracker of public perceptions of athletes and other celebrities, show that Vick still stands as the least liked player in the NFL. (Forbes.com)Comment

Marlins chasing Reyes

Credit Florida for making its priority clear in free agency. The Marlins are so enamored with All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes that they were in contact with the player at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, the moment the free agent signing period could begin. A contingent of high-ranking front office executives for the Marlins were spotted at Miami International Airport on Wednesday headed for New York, where Reyes' agent, Peter Greenberg, keeps his offices. If the Marlins were able to sign the Mets shortstop, it would necessitate a position change for Hanley Ramirez, something he said in September that he would welcome and accept. "It would be nice to play next to him," Ramirez said at the time. "He's an energy guy." (Miami Herald)Comment

Shaq blames Kupchak for Lakers exit

Shaquille O'Neal left few stones unturned -- or unthrown -- in his new book. O'Neal reserves the harshest criticism, however, for Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak. O'Neal speaks of Kupchak in only six pages. ... But that's enough prose to label Kupchak as the main culprit behind Shaq's hasty departure from the Lakers. According to the book, Kupchak promised to grant Shaq a contract extension following the 2003-04 season and not to discuss their contract negotiations publicly. Once the 2003-04 season ended, however, O'Neal was disturbed by an apparent interview in which Kupchak revealed the Lakers' plan to hold onto Bryant while keeping their options open with O'Neal. (Los Angeles Times)Comment

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