Atlanta general manager Thomas Dimitroff acknowledged in an interview on the team's Web site that the Falcons have decided to trade the rights to their suspended quarterback, Michael Vick.
"With regards to Michael Vick, we've decided to seek a trade of his contractual rights to another NFL club," Dimitroff said in a Q & A with AtlantaFalcons.com. "We took a number of steps in the 2008 season, including using our first pick to draft a quarterback. We feel a trade is the best move for the Falcons, and it's also in the best interest of Michael.
"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."
Vick is serving a 23-month sentence at the federal penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kan., for his role in a dogfighting conspiracy. He is scheduled for release July 20 but could serve the last few months of his term at a halfway house in Newport News, Va., his hometown.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello on Friday reiterated commissioner Roger Goodell's statement when he suspended Vick on Aug. 24, 2007, that he would 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.
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.
"As long as Michael is suspended, his salary is tolled, but his signing bonus money would be part of the [salary] cap," Dimitroff said.
Dimitroff 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."
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Dimitroff said if the Falcons are unable to complete a trade, the team would re-evaluate.
ESPN'S Ed Werder reported that according to a highly placed team source, the Dallas Cowboys have had no discussions within their organization about the possibility of trading for the rights to Vick.
Last April, the Cowboys became the first team in NFL history to complete a trade for a player under suspension at the time of the transaction when they acquired Adam "Pacman" Jones from the Tennessee Titans.
Two more teams have taken themselves out of the running for the quarterback. Asked about Vick, Tampa Bay Buccaneers GM Mark Dominik said, "No, I don't see that in our future," according to the Tampa Tribune.
And the New York Post reported that according to a New York Jets spokesman, "The Jets have no interest in Michael Vick."
The Falcons made a move last year for a quarterback, taking Boston College's Matt Ryan as their first-round draft choice. He ended up as the league's rookie of the year and led the Falcons to the playoffs.
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