Stepping in for the controversial Rosie O'Donnell, Whoopi Goldberg spent her first day on "The View" creating some bluster of her own by defending the behavior of Michael Vick. With her surprising defense of the Falcons quarterback, Goldberg appeared ready to take up the role that O'Donnell used to bring the show its high ratings.

Goldberg defended Vick by insisting that "from where he comes from" in the South that dogfighting wasn't all that unusual. She likened the bloody sport to "cockfighting in Puerto Rico."

Co-host Joy Behar seemed astonished by Golberg's comments and asked her about dog torture and dog murdering. Goldberg stated that it was all part of the same thought process, that for dog fighting, the dogs are sport.

Vick has pleaded guilty to the charges and has been suspended indefinitely by the National Football League. He is awaiting sentencing in December.

Goldberg was selected to replace controversial O'Donnell who spent less than a year on the show.