With Michael Vick's Impending Release Next Year, Should the NFL Reinstate Vick?

Arthur Blank, the "jock-sniffing" owner of the Atlanta Falcons, has made it clear that if and when former NFL star and current federal inmate Michael Vick is released from Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary, that Vick will not be a member of the Falcons. Blank, who likes to hang around on the sidelines ala Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, and in the players' lockerroom before and after games, thus the term "jocksniffer", finally got his fill of Michael Vick aka Ron Mexico in last seasons' dog-fighting scandal.

I have a feeling that if rookie QB Matt Ryan was not in an Atlanta uniform that Arthur Blank might have a different take on things, but that's another article. The subject of this one is: should NFLCommisioner Roger Goodell reinstate Michael Vick, and if he did, what teams might have an interest in Vick's services? If an NFL team did take a chance on Michael Vick, would it be for quarterback or another position?

First of all, let me say that as a dog person, there are three canines in our family, a 13 year old female German Shepherd mix, a two year old female dachsund/black lab/? mix, and a year old fox terrier (we think), all found or adopted from a local dog shelter, I was as offended as anyone over Michael Vick's Bad Newz Kennelz. Any team signing Michael Vick will have to deal with picket signs, protesters and a lot of flack. I believe in second chances, but in order for Vick to be reinstated, there would have to be a lot of conditions and maybe another year out of the league if he were to reinstated at all. I still would have reservations, but who are we kidding?

If Michael Vick can put butts in seats at an NFL stadium, or if an NFL owner thinks Vick can help his team win, Michael Vick will return to the league at some point. If not 2009, then 2010. So what NFL teams might have an interest in Michael Vick?

With Donovan McNabb apparently on the way out of Philadelphia, would the Eagles have an interest in Vick at QB? According to reports, 5 or 6 NFL teams privately have said that they would have an interest in Michael Vick, but not at QB. It's hard to picture Vick coexisting with the leather-lunged fans in Philly. McNabb's backup, Kevin Kolb didn't exactly light it up last week, except for lighting up the scoreboard for the opponent, the Baltimore Ravens, so if Andy Reid survives this season, who knows?

I figure that Cincinnati is a place where Vick would fit right in, what with all the player arrests there in recent years. Plus, the team wears striped unis with orange in the color scheme. Seattle has named Jim Mora, Jr. the head coach when Mike Holmgren retires. Mora and Vick seemed to have a close relationship in Atlanta and Matt Hasselbeck is getting a little long in the tooth.

Denver is another team that wears orange and the Broncos need a running back. Michael Vick could be dangerous in that one cut and go zone blocking scheme in the Mile High City. Dallas owner Jerry Jones already has a boatload of troubled players with TO, Tank Johnson and Adam "Pacman" Jones, but if Jones thought Jeffrey Dahmer could help the Cowboys win a playoff game, JJ would start exhumation attempts pronto. However, even Jerry Jones has his limits and if Felix Jones comes back strong next season, the 'Boys are loaded at running back for a few years and with Tony Romeo, I mean Romo, the team should be set at QB also.

Detroit is a possibility. The team has no proven QB behind ancient Jon Kitna. With St Louis threatening to knock Detroit out of their accustomed position at the top of the crime rankings, signing Michael Vick could restore the roar to the Lions.

Tampa Bay is a possibility. Bruce Allen, the teams' General Manager is the son of George Allen and the brother of George Allen, Jr. the former Senator from Virginia. Ethics do not run in this family. Bruce Allen once signed a player who had been accused of videotaping himself raping an unconscious woman, then tried to justify the signing by saying it was no worse than Bill Clinton's behavior in the Oval Office. If Allen thinks Vick could help this team, he wouldn't bat an eye in signing Vick. Jeff Garcia can't go on forever and an added bonus would be sticking it to a divisional opponent since the Bucs are in the same division with Atlanta.

To sum up, whether we believe Michael Vick should be reinstated or not, I beleive he will be reinstated, probably in time for the 2009 season. Stock up on those Michael Vick chew toys and fire hydrants with an Atlanta #7 jersey and let your voices of protest be heard!