The hole just keeps getting deeper for Michael Vick, the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL. Seeing how the two other defendants have worked out plea agreements for their testimony against him, it’s only smart that Vick should do the same, as his lawyers are negotiating. So what does it all mean?
Well, Vick’s lawyers are looking for a prison sentence of less than a year, according to ESPN’s sources. When he would serve it –during or after the season, a la Jamal Lewis- is still undecided. Also, there’s the very strong possibility that he won’t be welcomed back to the NFL this season or next. Further, more charges may be laid on Vick including racketeering.
Atlanta, the city and the team, have endured a lot from Vick. I don’t see that there’s a way that he’s going to stay within the Falcons organization. He’s been too much of a nightmare for the team to not cut ties with.
As for the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell, he has a difficult task in deciding how long Vick should be suspended for. It’s no longer a question of if, considering how he’s dealt with the criminal minds of players like Tank Johnson and Pacman Jones. A year may be appropriate, but might be seen as too lenient. Two years seems about right to me, but there will be a lot of people who will clamour for more time.
John Clayton of ESPN.com had some interesting points concerning Vick’s future in the NFL, if he should be allowed back that is. Clayton wrote that any team that didn’t have a strong owner that would be able to endure the hell-storm that follow a Vick signing, would surely not even consider it. Also, the majority of teams in the NFL have their starters or potential starters already set for the next while making a Vick signing useless. The few teams that could possibly have a need for Vick, on the field, would be Baltimore, Dallas, Minnesota, Miami and Kansas City. You could also argue that Green Bay might need a QB in two years time; hell would have to freeze over before Vick would land there.
While Baltimore has an aging Steve McNair, they also have Kyle Boller and rookie Troy Smith at QB. They might feel comfortable enough with that combo down the road. The Cowboys figure to sign Tony Romo to an extension, but if any owner –besides Al Davis who now has JaMarcus Russell- could handle a Vick signing, it’s Jerry Jones. Minnesota and Kansas City both have young, project QBs who may falter and cause a need, while Miami has been a train-wreck since Marino left.
If and when Michael Vick returns to the NFL, he’s not going to be welcomed. When he gets to prison, he will be welcomed in a fitting fashion, one can only hope.