Michael

It's understandable how Michael Vick, in a moment of frustration, could shoot his fans a one-finger salute.

I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation why he tried to tote a water bottle containing a secret compartment and unidentified organic substance through airport security.

And wasn't that whole "Ron Mexico" herpes thing just one big misunderstanding?

Sometimes, trouble just follows a man.

-- Clint Eastwood from "The Outlaw Josey Wales"

Vick, the Atlanta Falcons quarterback who possess an array of moves normally confined to an Xbox, has wiggled out of more sticky situations than MacGyver.

But this time the most notorious native of Newport News, Va., appears unlikely to dodge the sledgehammer. This time, the bad boy label looks like it's going to stick.

It's hard to find an upside -- or defense -- for dogfighting (has PETA formulated an opinion on this yet?).

An 18-page federal indictment alleges dogs housed on Vick's property were electrocuted, hung, drowned and shot.

Based on some of the gruesome details, the chainsaw scene in "Scarface" is "Sound of Music" stuff compared to the mayhem Vick and his buddies allegedly were wielding on unwanted pooches at the place they called, appropriately, Bad Newz Kennels.

This sort of newz is nothing new for the Vick family. Michael and little brother Marcus are part Cheech and Chong, part James brothers. Instead of robbing banks and trains like Jesse and Frank, the Vick brothers have been busy one-upping each other with misdeeds that include charges ranging from sexual assault to brandishing a gun at a McDonald's (both courtesy of Marcus).

Certainly, the younger Vick is neither a model citizen nor future NASA launch technician. But if you want bad and dumb, Michael is your man.

One of the NFL's biggest stars has put his career and $130 million contract in jeopardy, not once thinking that a massive multistate dogfighting ring could be traced to him. Never mind that he OWNS THE PROPERTY where the doggie prison camp was constructed.

That's not good. Or smart. That's Michael Vick, the baddest dude in the NFL (sorry, Pacman Jones) -- and in his family.

Contact sports editor Loren Nelson at (760) 740-3551 or lnelson@nctimes.com.