PAUL WOODY: Goodell shouldn’t delay decision on Vick
SPECIAL REPORT: MICHAEL VICK
Michael Vick now is free to move around the country, provided he checks with his probation officer.
Vick is far from free to join an NFL team. He remains suspended indefinitely by Commissioner Roger Goodell.
A decision on Vick's football future needs to be made as quickly as possible, not for Vick's sake, but for the sake of closing the debate on Vick's future.
Vick, former star quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons and Virginia Tech Hokies, ended the 23-month portion of his sentence for felony dogfighting yesterday. He is on probation for three years.
Simply mentioning Vick's name creates a firestorm of comment and heated exchanges.
The feeling here is that his treatment of defenseless animals was so repugnant he has lost the privilege of playing in the NFL.
The league has gotten along quite well without him and can continue to do so.
Others believe Vick has paid for his crime and deserves the opportunity to resume his career.
Only Goodell's opinion matters now.
Goodell has said he would consider the quarterback's future when Vick completed his prison sentence.
Goodell also has said he wants to meet with Vick and see genuine regret. Goodell has not said when that meeting will occur, but Vick no doubt will apologize and appear contrite.
Goodell will try to determine if Vick is sincere, but that is an almost impossible task. All Goodell can do is make his best guess.
Whatever Goodell decides, the commissioner needs to do so soon.
We've had enough speculation on who will be interested in Vick, whether Vick's skills are intact and whether he deserves to resume a high-profile career after committing low-life crimes.
Goodell owes Vick nothing.
Vick lied to Goodell when asked about his involvement in the dogfighting ring.
Vick lied to Arthur Blank, owner of the Atlanta Falcons.
Vick embarrassed Goodell, Blank, the Falcons and the NFL.
Goodell is under no obligation to lift Vick's indefinite suspension. But a resolution is needed.
Goodell owes the league's 32 teams a decision. The first training camp opens Friday, and everyone will be at practice by Aug. 2.
An Associated Press survey in November found that at least six teams would consider signing Vick. Those teams must work out roster issues stemming from adding Vick and how he will fit into their offenses.
Coaches need to know whether Vick will be available immediately or after eight games this season or not until the 2010 season. Teams need to evaluate Vick's physical and mental capabilities.
Any owner who considers signing Vick must determine if the move is worth the public outcry that will accompany a man who brutally killed defenseless dogs.
Ever since Vick was accused of funding and operating dogfights, the debate has raged over whether he would or should play in the NFL again.
It is time for that discussion to close. Goodell is the only person who can end it. He should do so sooner rather than later.
Contact Paul Woody at (804) 649-6444
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Reader Reactions
......As someone once said, “nothing personal”, but your words are out there….....Do you really think Vick reads the internet?..........The haters?....Hmmmmmmmm, and why would someone think to themselves,.......“Oh yea, Vick broke the law, and hurt many people, he is a swell fellow…..He knows how to throw a football and run really fast, and that is the most important thing I can think of”..........If you call some group, “the haters”.....What do you call your group?......
Cant wait to see you back on the field Vick, ignore the haters
..........Vick does not deserve a return to the NFL….At some point, society has to determine, enough is enough, and vote no to Michael Vick…...Didn’t some philosopher once say, “History repeats itself”...yes, (Mr. Rufus Historie, 1553)...I wonder if knew Michael Vick?
Goodell does not need to be any any hurry. He does not owe that to Vick, he owes Vick nothing. Frankly I do not see how Vick can face the man after looking him in the eye and lying. I hope Goodell takes his time and remembers Vick’s lying ways. I also hope Goodell waits until 2015 to decide one way or the other.
Michael Vick Is Animals’ Best Friend Souvenir Hand Carved Art Tile
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I agree, a decision needs to come soon. My thoughts & hopes are that if he is allowed back into the NFL and a team decides to pick him up, he can use the big bucks (although how big at this point probably won’t come near to what he was paid before) to help animal causes & rescue organizations, such as the one in Utah that took in some of his dogs. I have followed them on the Best Friend’s website, and one in particular stole my heart, Cherry. But other than dogs, this place also houses animals of all kinds, and their expenses are beyond what I could imagine. There are also many local places close to Vick that definately could use the $$$, so I say let him go for it. He’s already served more time than the others that were involved. He has a family that he needs to take care of as well, and this is all he knows (that I’m aware of).
Not a Vick fan here, but there are plenty of people with questionable histories/morals that play in the NFL.
GO Oakland Raiders, MY PICK 4 vICK
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