This is how Vick makes it back to the NFL

[Earl]

A team that hasn't been able to find a QB for decades, and local media willing to forgive.

January 6, 2009
BY CAROL SLEZAK cslezak@suntimes.com
Now that general manager Jerry Angelo has established quarterback as the Bears' highest priority, I'm thinking about Michael Vick. He's scheduled to be released from prison July 20, and he has made it clear he wants to resume his football career. He's an intriguing possibility for a team in search of quarterback help. I wonder if this town could forgive his crimes.

Before his hidden life became public knowledge, Vick was the most exciting player in the NFL and one of its most popular players, as well. The former No. 1 overall pick is a three-time Pro Bowl selection and took the Falcons to the playoffs twice. And while he wasn't a great passer, his running ability made him a constant threat. Defenses had to respect him, and they did.

Let's assume he will leave federal prison rehabilitated in every way. Let's assume he has learned the serious nature of his crimes and is repentant. Let's assume he is drug-free. Let's assume that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstates him. Under these circumstances, is there any reason why the Bears shouldn't be interested in him?

No, we don't know what kind of shape he'll be in after nearly two years in prison. But Vick always has been a remarkable athlete, and he's only 28. Good quarterbacks are tough to develop and tough to find on the open market. The position has been a particular challenge for the Bears throughout franchise history. Not that I'm ruling Kyle Orton out of the picture, mind you. But Angelo has made his priorities clear. If nothing else, he wants to see competition at the position. Vick would do the trick.

Vick needs to apologize first
But I wonder if people can get past the dogfighting. Can they get past the fact that Vick tortured and killed helpless animals? His crimes seemed particularly heinous to most of us. The public outcry was enormous. Americans love dogs. Our vilification of Vick was immediate and complete. When he's released, one of the first things he must do is make a sincere public apology. To convince people that he understands the cruelty of his actions, he'll have to team up with animal-rights organizations. That's his best hope to keep the animal brigades off his back. But sports fans have a long history of forgiving. If Vick still can play, and play well, we'll forgive him, too.

The Associated Press recently spoke to PETA spokesman Dan Shannon, who said PETA will reconsider its position regarding Vick if he gets ''as active fighting against dogfighting as he was participating in it. ... That will determine not just how PETA reacts, but also how the public and the NFL and individual teams react.'' Fair enough, considering Vick's crimes. Sometimes jail time isn't enough. Sometimes society demands more.

When considering Vick's future, let's not pretend the NFL is filled with perfect citizens. For every all-around good guy like Mike Brown, there's another Plaxico Burress or Pacman Jones or Tank Johnson waiting to be found out. Vick deserves a chance to resume his career. There will be strings attached, of course. Morals clauses and counseling sessions and whatever else the league or a team might ask for to cover its risk. But in all likelihood, Vick will get another chance somewhere. Why not here?

Let's not forget that he already has paid a huge price for his crimes. In addition to his loss of freedom, he has lost all his money. He was once the most popular athlete in Atlanta, but the Falcons have made it clear they want nothing to do with him. He was the kind of guy kids emulated. No longer. He has a lot of work ahead of him to rebuild his reputation in the community. But when it comes to the league, all that matters is whether he still can play. He deserves a chance to put his mistakes behind him.

Better option than McNabb
If Angelo isn't convinced that Orton is the guy, and Vick is available, is there any reason why the Bears shouldn't consider him? A lot of fans would like to see Donovan McNabb return home to Chicago, but McNabb is still the Eagles' property, and he's also 32 and pretty beat up. Matt Cassel? The Patriots reportedly will put the franchise tag on him, which would make him an expensive acquisition if they decide to make him available.

If Angelo goes the free-agent route, he'll have to settle for an older player such as Kerry Collins or Jeff Garcia to fill the gap or go with a comparatively inexperienced, unaccomplished younger player such as the Bills' J.P. Losman, whose one promising season came in 2006. None of the available options is a sure thing.

Not that Vick is a sure thing. There are plenty of hurdles ahead for him. But when the time comes, any team in search of a quarterback should at least give him a look.

Here is the link to the article...http://www.suntimes.com/sports/sleza...arol06.article


Well BP.net your thoughts?

[rabernet]

As a die-hard Atlanta Falcons fan, I felt very betrayed by Vick last year.

He's paid his debt to society, and I wish him well, but we'll keep Matt Ryan as QB - IMHO a much better QB than Vick was. Sure, Vick is flashy - and I first took notice of him when he was playing for VT. I remember saying to Karl - "Wow! What a lethal combo! A QB that can run like that!" And when Atlanta recruited him, I was very excited.

However, I'd have to say that overall, to ME, his performances fell short. He was not consistently good, and his passing game left something to be desired.

If another team wants him, great. I just hope he doesn't break the hearts of their fans - and that he's truly changed.

With Matt Ryan, now we really DO have the complete package QB!

[Drew87]

He has turned a new leaf in life, I think he should have every chance to succeed again. He has had everything taken away from him, Had been to the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I think he should have his chance to prove himself again. Plus HE IS A KICK BUT QB

[wolfy-hound]

Sorry, I wouldn't support any team that hired him. Just because he's a quarterback, he should have the "Aww he's real sorry" card played?
If he had been a reptile seller, who was caught stomping snakes to death when they didn't sell at a show, and was put in prison for 2 years.. would you then say "Well, he's better now! Of course he should attend herp shows again!"
Why should he have any opportunity to rise up in the public eye? To tell folks that as long as you have a good PR team you can do whatever you like? To tell kids that if you have a stupid talant to play a game, you can get away with immoral acts?
I'd be terribly disappointed if the Bears did hire him, or the Falcons took him back. Let him go drag around in the indoor football arenas or better yet.. go get a JOB and work at a regular real life job.
He paid his debt by the penal code, but I don't think anything he does would erase the moral debt he's incurred by glorifying dog fighting. Tons of kids that idolized Vick now will boldly state that dog fighting isn't that bad. IF he manages to leap into animal causes with both feet, and not behave like a spoiled prima donna when he gets out, then eventually maybe... but right out of prison? No way, IMHO.

[Typical_08]

I wonder if this town could forgive his crimes.

In what some have called the most corrupt city in America? Sure they could.
(no offense to anyone who lives there. Ive got some good friends there)

I think what he did is horrid. But once a his sentence is satisfied, he is a free man.

[jknudson]

Coming from a Bears fan, I hope they don't scout him. It would be a media nightmare for the Bears and I think would be more detrimental than good. Vick would spend more time interviewing than practicing.

Yes, they need an accomplished QB to help out the team, but I say look somewhere else.

And personally, I don't think he's repented for his crimes. All his punishments were court ordered...yes he may have realized after a bit of jail time what he did wasn't exactly right, but I don't believe he thinks what he did was entirely wrong. Inexcusable.

[mainbutter]

The point of prison is you go do it, do your time to be punished, and that's it.

This guy is going to get "punished" after prison way more than the average joe who participated in dog fighting simply because he is a celebrity. I don't care one bit about what happens with football, and my opinion is that he should have as much of a chance at getting a job he is qualified for as anyone else. However, I think the public memories of something as horrible as dog fighting will taint him the rest of his life and prevent him from ever playing in the NFL again. But I guess he should have thought of that before being such a.. well I'm not going to use that language here.

He'd make a killing writing a book though.

[catawhat75]

I don't think he should ever be allowed to play again and I don't think his punishment was enough.

[grammie]

I totally agree with wolfy and catawhat. He needs to be shunned, a chance to be given back the golden life is beyond belief.

[Typical_08]

Would you think that a normal person had been punished enough for receiving the same punishment?

Here is my thing. He received punishment within the law. If we do not like the punishment the law dishes out, then we are the ones that are responsible for getting the punishment for that crime changed.

Calling for a punishment that is more strict for one person, but not another who committed the same crime would be akin to violating his eighth amendment rights.

He is not going to be given anything back. I believe that he is going to have to work twice as hard as before to get the "golden life" back.