The Next Move For Vick … Tuesday Cup O’Chiefs
On Monday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell tried to split the loaf with the Michael Vick case.
He conditionally reinstated the quarterback, while keeping him suspended for what could be the first six weeks of the NFL regular season. That suspension could be much shorter.
It was a victory for Vick because it provided the former NFL icon with a timeline for his return to the game and allows him to sign with any team in the league right now. He could be in an NFL training camp tomorrow if he found a willing partner to sign him.
But it was also victory for all those who think Vick has not yet paid his debt to society for his reprehensible actions involving dog fighting and lying to cover up his actions. There’s now more that Vick must go through to earn back the privilege of playing professional football.
If everybody feels like they got something out of the deal, or did not get everything they wanted, then it’s probably a good compromise.
But it was certainly a compromise.
Vick was suspended indefinitely back in August 2007. He pleaded guilty to federal charges involving dog fighting. Throughout the process he repeatedly lied about his involvement to both the Falcons and Goodell. As he waited for sentencing, he tested positive for marijuana.
Vick’s crimes were born of arrogance; he believed he was above the law, wouldn’t get caught and if he did, would find a way out of his predicament. It’s something that had been embedded in him since he was a top jock at the high school level and his transgressions were forgotten or swept aside. Somebody was always getting Vick out of trouble so he could keep playing football.
Now, after spending time in the federal prison in Leavenworth, Vick says he’s a changed man, he knows right from wrong and he is willing to take responsibility for his action.
“As you can imagine, the last two years have given me time to re-evaluate my life, mature as an individual and fully understand the terrible mistakes I have made in the past and what type of life I must lead moving forward,” he said in a statement released by his agent.
“I fully understand that playing football in the NFL is a privilege, not a right, and I am truly thankful for the opportunity I have been given.”
Again, all that is easy to say. Actions speak far louder than words and apparently Vick’s actions have convinced Goodell that he should release him from his indefinite suspension and give him a chance to play again.
“I accept that you are sincere when you say that you want to, and will, turn your life around, and that you intend to be a positive role model for others,” Goodell said in his letter to Vick. “I am prepared to offer you that opportunity. Whether you succeed is entirely in your hands.
“Needless to say, your margin for error is extremely limited. I urge you to take full advantage of the resources available to support you and to dedicate yourself to rebuilding your life and your career. If you do this, the NFL will support you.”
The Commissioner said during a Monday press conference that he spoke to a large number of current and former players and coaches as he went through the process of deciding what to do with Vick. He said the responses were “very mixed.”
“I do recognize that some will never forgive him for what he did,” Goodell said. “I hope that the public will have a chance to understand his position as I have.”
His position? Vick’s position right now is that he must earn money and get himself out of bankruptcy. That’s what playing football is all about. This isn’t so much about Vick the man, as Vick the bread-winner, about Vick the bank account.
Goodell said Vick agreed to undergo psychiatric testing, which determined that he was capable of returning to the NFL but needed continued counseling. He said preventing Vick from playing at the start of the regular season was not punishment but an opportunity for Vick to gradually transition back into the league. “I have thought about every alternative, but I think this gives him the best chance for success,” Goodell said. “We are not looking for failure here. We are looking to see a young man succeed.”
Everyone hopes that Michael Vick succeeds, but right now it’s about the money and not about the man. Getting back in football may simply re-enforce some of the character problems Vick has suffered from over the years. His future might be helped more by spending time working on his head and his heart, rather than his arm and his legs. If football is his salvation, then Vick hasn’t learned anything during his two years away, because football will eventually be taken away again, and what then?
It’s good that the Commissioner set up what amounts to a trial period to allow him to come back to the league. Maybe that will mitigate the potential for him to fall back into his old patterns of behavior, while giving Goodell the chance to shut the door if he stumbles or doesn’t back up what he has promised to do.
Now that this decision has come down, Vick must find a football home. It will happen, you can count on that. But it won’t be easy. It’s hard to image any team bringing him while they were in the first weeks of training camp; there’s too much exposure to the public, with open workouts, the media and the like. It would become a circus. The teams that are training away from their facilities generally break camp after the second pre-season game, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if that’s when a team makes a move on Vick.
SIGNINGS & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE
BRONCOS – signed second-round draft choice S Darcel McBath, fourth-round S David Bruton and sixth-round QB Tom Brandstater.
COWBOYS – signed fourth-round draft choice LB Brandon Williams, fifth-round choices CB Michael Hamlin and K David Buehler.
49ERS – signed third-round draft choice RB Glen Coffee.
PANTHERS – signed third-round draft choice DT Corey Irvin.
RAIDERS – agreed to terms with second-round draft choice S Michael Mitchell.
RAVENS – released TE Quinn Sypniewski; signed WR Biren Ealy (Saints).
VIKINGS – released CB Charles Gordon.
SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …
Born on July 28, 1936 in Ellensburg, Washington was OT Jack Stone. A member of the original Dallas Texans, he played 14 games in the 1960 season. He then spent the 1961-62 seasons with Oakland.
Born on July 28, 1960 in Bayonne, New Jersey was LB Walker Lee Ashley. He joined the Chiefs as a Plan B free agent before the 1989 season from the Minnesota Vikings. Ashley played in 16 games that season with 15 starts. He contributed 59 tackles and an interception that he returned for a touchdown against Houston and QB Warren Moon.
How long before the Raiders call….even if they do have a QB? Al is probably seriously considering it. Has Vic changed? Only time will tell. Who are the likely candidates to risk time and money on him?
Don’t count out the Donkey’s remember they do not in any way have a quarterback
Bring on the chiefs news it has been a long time coming! Enough about those other teams Bob we want chiefs news and signings not M.Vick news.
I would rank the top 5 teams interested in Vick as: Redskins, Seahawks, 49ers, Raiders, Jaguars.
Jason Campbell is in his make/break year. I’m leaning towards break.
Hassalbeck is over the hill and Jim Mora is in Seattle now.
49ers, well the cabinet is bare.
Raiders are the Raiders.
Jaguars would be higher but they had character issues last year and may not risk Vick.
Rumor is, the Patriots are interested too.
Was also reading last night where Pioli had made comments backing off his “no way” attitude toward Vick. Strangely though…the story is gone this morning. Hmmmm….
Everything that was said about Vick can be said about LJ:
1. law problems: 4 female assault charges
2. immature
3. thinks he is ‘above the law’/doesnt have to listen
4. now playing for the money
5. needs continued psychological counseling.
Although I think it is great that LJ blogs (because it is a positive outlet for his emotions)…it is also a window into his life and what he finds important, and (unfortunately) that hasnt changed.
He loves the lifestyle more than football. By all accounts, that is not a Pioli type of guy.
I even remember reading an article by Mr. Gretz, pleading for LJ to turn his life around, pleading for him to sell the Maybach, ditch the entourage, and get back into football.
See for yourself. LJ is all about the party and the bling. http://blog.toonicon.com/
Pro athletes are above the law and we all know it. Pete Rose is up for reinstatement and eventually HOF. OJ and LJ different, ok , but above the law. Bryant at hotel and not big ben. On it goes. If you can dribble a ball or run fast, you get special handling.
Vick’s problem is not many are talking about him as a QB. Slash, RB, or Slot because he is a exceptional athlete. If so, he has no track record to prove he can do any of that. If a team wants him as a QB, he was a pro bowler but a real crap’s shoot if he will succeed.
I’d be fine with the Chiefs signing Vick, but I doubt it’ll happen. He has to go to a team with a rock solid, established QB and Coach.
I think it’ll be NE, Pitt, Indy, or NO. Places where there’s no chance Vick starts, but he’ll be a weapon to play at times.
Tony Gonzals would be sick & want back if KC got Vick in here as a running back — quarter back.
In today’s football you more than just need a few just good players. The need for special talent is a must!
Never thought I’d say this but I’d wash my hands of the Chiefs if they signed Vick.
I doubt very seriously if we have to worry about Vick coming here. Like most FA’s with other options…he isn’t going to want to come to a team that’s won 5 games in the last two years.
We already have QB who is dangerous as a runner with subpar passing accuracy in Tyler Thigpen. He’s a classy guy to boot, so I doubt we bring in Vick. The Pats, Raiders, Cowboys, or Skins wouldn’t surprise me one bit but my guess is that Vick winds up playing for his old head coach, Jim Mora Jr. up in Seattle. They could use a decent insurance policy in case Hasselbeck gets hurt again and they don’t have a QBotF on that team right now. Vick is better than Seneca Wallace.
Off-topic, but per KC Star Chan Gailey will be calling the offensive plays this season (for now):
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/1349780.html
I think it’s a smart move on Haley’s part. Hopefully he has the patience to stick to that decision.
look at the stats. I honestly dont know if Vick is an upgrade to seneca wallace. Seneca has a better career and season completion percentage, better career and season qb rating, and still averages 5.6yrds rushing.
http://www.nfl.com/players/senecawallace/profile?id=WAL501121
http://www.nfl.com/players/michaelvick/profile?id=VIC311467
Those considering Vick as a returner/reciver should pay close attention to his 55 career fumbles, 27 of which were lost. Whatever his role, he will have to do a better job protecting the ball.
Could be an interesting fit in Minnesota if/when Favre quits messing with them. I could see him in SF or Dallas as well. Jerry Jones just can’t help himself and he has a T.O. void now. Noboday talks about them much, but the Panthers could put him to work as well and he would be close to home. Personally, I would like to see him just go away with no suiters, but he will be back in the money shortly. He will have many teams to choose from despite what they say publicly.
I really don’t agree with Vick coming back, but I do understand it. I also will grudgingly support it. I understand the side of the argument that says that he’s done his time, and now we see if our judicial system in place has really served its purpose: to change a man for the better.
On another note, if the Chiefs were to take him, I’d support it. I really would. Based on Pioli’s history, I’d like to believe that he’d know what he was doing. I mean for crying out loud, Tony Dungy of all people will be looking over Vick’s shoulder for the whole time he’d be with a team. I’m too big of a Chiefs fan to just dismiss them, because they decided to pick up a controversial player. I don’t remember everyone running for the hills when we took on Andre Rison … which was a mistake.
Rison was hardly a mistake. He was successful and played at a Pro-Bowl level when he first got here. He made Grbac look competent.
Roger Goodell has certainly been ‘Commish’ since he took over: he is to reactionary and proactive what predecessor Paul Tagliabue & MLB counterpart Bud Selig were/are to polite staidness/sloth, in most cases.
Goodell is reminiscent the late NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle in his zeal: that Rin doesn’t agree with all that Goodell has done may affirm Bob Gs reference ‘compromise’, here the land o’ fandom.
Vick is but the latest object lesson RG – there was also Pacman Jones – the 2 Henry’s: Travis & Chris – Brandon Marshall too, who even now will be making an encore appearance in Rog’s Court – soon enough Plaxico Burress – and the hits will just keep on comin’, appears.
Fair enough… Rin is in agreement with Goodell’s firm handed approach to the aforementioned. As to Goodell’s other Magellan-like forays, such as NFL gone global nee games in Europe, and aft probably on Mars, well…
May just be my aversion to progress, said because in fact there is no progress really, only decline in as much as EM Cioran alluded: “Progress is the injustice each generation commits with regard to its predecessors.”
That be for another blog howe’er, one wherein we once more repudiate
s “any 22″ illogic and the like…
This is off topic but I read on ESPN that Josh Cribbs and the Browns are quickly coming to an impasse on his contract situation. Personally, I think Cribbs is worth a minimum 3 mil a year if not 4. He’s been as dangerous as a return man as Devin Hester and he’s got some versatility. He could contribute as a wildcat QB, RB, WR or maybe even a safety in hail mary situations. Plus, his 70 special teams tackles in 4 seasons is a stat that is widely over looked. I’d be willing to part with Jamaal Charles or a draft pick to bring this guy in. He’d upgrade our team in multiple areas and we certainly have the cap room to give him a deal he’d be happy with.
Thoughts?
I’d love to see Josh Cribbs in a Chiefs uniform. As you said, much like Devin Hester…he’s a threat every time he touches the ball, and can tackle on the other side of the return game. He would give us that “dangerous” return man again, which we’ve missed tremendously…and be a great “change of pace” guy on certain offensive plays.
That being said…I’d hate to give up Charles for him. Charles has shown some real potential. Seeing him go somewhere else and kick ass would be painful.
I’d love to see Josh anywhere but in KC…he adds so little herein to the blog.
colby,
Couple of thought’s, Cribbs could definitely help the Chiefs out but, Didn’t the donks draft Moreno with their first pick, and sign a ton of other backs in the off season?
I think it would be wise to hang on to Charles right now, the Chiefs Running back situation is far from settled. Even if LJ can get back to being productive, Charles would be a nice change of pace guy.
Cribbs would be worth a trade, maybe a DJ but that’s doubtful as they too are going to a 34 D.
And then there’s the whole thing of trading within your own division, which adds even more complications.
please give me a break on the i don’t want m. vick back in the league. the man has paid dearly for his crime. please. you can get a manslaughter charge and get less time than that. he was no problem child before this. now do i condone what he did? no. but the man has served his time. let the man earn a living.
Rin Tin Tin…he adds so little herein to the blog.
Check. And affirming.
I don’t personally have anything against Charles, it’s just that RBs are a dime a dozen with the exception of the truly elite ones. The reason I singled out Charles is that the Browns have questionable depth in their backfield, he’d compliment Jamal Lewis well, and they are already talking about using their other RB, Jerome Harrison, as a PR and slot receiver as well. It sounds like they would be willing to part with Cribbs, but they’d probably want someone who could contribute both as a RB and as a KR and Charles would fill the bill.
Plus, I’m a big fan of both Jackie Battle and Dantrell Savage as our backups and that kid Jarvaris Williams could be our version of Ben-Jarvis Green-Ellis, who was a very productive, unheralded rookie RB for the Pats last year.
LOL,
I don’t know why I had it in my head he played for the Donks!!
So forget the complications of an inner-division trade.
But unlike Scott who (to borrow from Al Campanis) “hasn’t the necessities” at least Josh knows when to say ‘when’ – which is to say “go sleep it off.”
(PS) If you behave yourself/get sober, Rin willst show you how to make those little grinning smiley faces that daily taunt you… heh heh heh
Rin Tin Tin says:
“(PS) If you behave yourself/get sober, Rin willst show you how to make those little grinning smiley faces that daily taunt you… heh heh heh”
Thanks for the offer…but no thanks. One smiley-happy idiot is enough around here. Makes you look like a 12 year-old girl chatting with her BFF, actually.
As far as the “get sober”? LMAO! Ummm…if ANYONE here has a problem with being coherent, it’s you.
Scott said
“Thanks for the offer”
- any weekend, Don Birnam…
“…but no thanks.”
- so, it’s the lush life for you…
“Ummm…”
- (drumroll)…
“if ANYONE here has a problem with being coherent”
- you can show them how…
Scott
on a typical bender his…
Hey Rin,
You know how in every crowd, there’s always one guy that’s too stupid to know when to shut up? And the more he talks…the more he looks like an ass? Only he’s not smart enough realize it?
Well, I hate to break the news to you…but in THIS crowd, that guy is YOU.
Scott That has to be the best description of the dog >I have read so far . Jerk – ass h*** – the only opinion has to be his > just ask him .Well you don’t even have to ask .
Time for Scottie’s anthem, umpteenth verse same as the first:
2, 3, 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGJMYxEJDn8
(even with the music turned down, Scott is easy to spot; he’s the one wearing the dress…)
heh heh heh
findthedr have you lost your mind. To compare Vick to Senca Wallace is absolutely ridiculous. Last I check Wallace never won a playoff or even led a team to the playoffs. Vick may not impress people with great compeletion percentage or passer rating neither does Big Ben either. But the point is like Big Ben the kid wins football games bottom line. To compare him to Wallace is absurd. Thats not showing good football sense saying something like that.
And Hemi please taking Rison was no mistake. That guy played at a pro-bowl level with the Chiefs and was the best wide receiver the Chiefs have had in the last 2 decades. I’m not counting Gonzalez he plays tight end. But just pure wide receiver Rison made big plays with his time here in KC by far no mistake. We haven’t had a play making wideout like that in a Chiefs uniform since.