After spending some time at the pleasure of Uncle Sam, convicted dogfighter and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is out of prison and raring for a chance to play in the NFL.
Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the NFL, has said that he can play in the last two games of the NFL pre-season, and might be reinstated in the first six weeks of the season.
Michael Vick says he's grateful. Some sportswriters think that Goodell struck a tough line with him, but Vick himself - as you would expect - was repentant.
Vick: would YOU have him back on YOUR team?
But should an NFL team give Michael Vick a chance to play? Let me help the NFL owners with their decision...
Why Michael Vick should be given a chance
Whether we like it or not, Michael Vick has done his time for the crime.
The pro-dog groups may not like it, but he's been given a second chance at life.
He's also got the guidance for a second chance with former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy.
And for an owner, there's the PR aspect. Nothing good can come out of having one of the nation's highest-profile parolees playing for your team. You might be a pariah for years to come. Your friends may scorn you. But professionally, you'll have the team that everyone talks about.
Alex Ferguson
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And Vick, formerly a star quarterback at Atlanta Falcons and a man who nearly single-handedly turned a rotten-to-the-core team into a competitive one, is certainly an athlete you'd want on your side.
Let's just get this out there: Vick might not be an exceptional human being, but he's one of the best athletes the game has ever seen.
His speed can demolish defences and his quick turns away from a tackle make him difficult to stop. Oh, and his arm was definitely improving before his criminal action foreshortened his career.
And Vick will be out to prove that to the team that gets him. Coming out of prison there doesn't look like there's a shred of fat on him, and he could well be in playing shape by the end of August.
He hasn't had the chance to throw a ball in anger - or run - for more than a year, but if he proves himself on and off the field, your team could have quite a weapon.
Would you pick up Vick? If you're an owner/coach/fan who needs a competent back-up quarterback, then Vick could be it. He gives you incredible options as a team - perhaps a third down quarterback, or as a receiver.
And for an owner, there's the PR aspect. Nothing good can come out of having one of the nation's highest-profile parolees playing for your team. You might be a pariah for years to come. Your friends may scorn you. But professionally, you'll have the team that everyone talks about.
You'll have the 'team that everyone talks about'. And if you help to turn his life around, then you could be the owner of the franchise that turned Vick's life around.
If given the chance, it's odds on that Vick will rediscover his talents. After all, talent doesn't rot in a jail cell - even if the spirit does. And if the talent that is Vick shines out, he could take your team from permanent also-ran to play-off contender.
Why Michael Vick shouldn't be given a chance
Vick happily watched as dogs killed and maimed each other - all in the name of sport.
Worse, he bankrolled it - and then lied to the police, his Atlanta Falcons bosses, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Forget prison. Forget his bankruptcy. A chance? I'd rather see him homeless.
Vick ruined his own career. He went from a much-publicised figure for the latest EA Sports game to a figure of hatred in almost a single bound. Bet he wasn't thinking about that when he was betting on the dogs to fight!
Why should your team bear the burden of that by hiring him?
In the dressing room for the next year, all your team will hear about is the 'settling down of Michael Vick'.
Every locker room spat will be dissected, and every player who tells the media that he doesn't want to answer Vick questions will be seen in a bad light.
Vick will become his own NFL team at the expense of your franchise - and do you actually want that?
Would you sign up Michael Vick? Should NFL teams steer clear of him? Let us know what you think by filling in the feedback form below...
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Comments (7)
Richard Murphy says...
He's done the time for the crime. Michael Vick back playing in the NFL can only be good for the game as he's an exciting player to watch.
Posted 10:39 15th August 2009
John Mitchell says...
Go Eagles!!!!! Best organisation for number 7 to get re-acclimated to professional sports stardom, super 5 will be the best mentor he could hope for on the field and hopefully he will be the extra something for the birds to fly to the superbowl in 2010!
Posted 21:33 14th August 2009
Scott Black says...
michael vick has to be given a second chance, he is a great athlete and i feel he would be of great value to any team in the nfl, his speed is unmatched with any other QB in the league and also he will have that burning desire to prove that he still has the ability and the skills. Furthermore he will want to prove he has moved on and is a better person
Posted 11:35 1st August 2009
Tom D says...
Fortunately, every team has the right to decide whether or not they are interested in the player. He is a free agent, and comes back as a free man, untied to any particular team. As an individual and player, Vick has every right to play again considering he has served his time. He's an incredible athlete, and at the end of the day, someone will give him a chance. He's not going to be the first thug on an NFL roster, and he won't be the last. I'm a huge dog lover, and think what he did was unthinkable......but I also think his punishment was a bit harsh, and was more severe due to his celebrity status. He'll get a chance to play...and unfortunately, it will make for massive viewing audiences in the US. People may say they don't want him anywhere near their team....but those same people will still show up to see his athleticism, and certainly if he helps their team win....the complaints will start to quiet quickly. Welcome to US culture....what a nightmare!
Posted 17:08 30th July 2009
Gary Crawford says...
i definately think he should be given a second chance, what he did was pretty horrific but everyone deserves a second chance if they really regret their actions and learn from it. He was the best running quarter-back many have ever seen plus as said above his arm was improving throughout his career so I don't actually think it would be much risk to pick him up for your team, the only risk is bad press really and at the end of the day any press is good press! In a purely American Football choice and nothing else to do with media etc. he'd be an amazing aquisition so I think that's what these teams need to think about.
Posted 16:56 30th July 2009
Simon Veness says...
Nicely put, Alex. It's a big question for all quarterback-hungry teams at the moment, with plenty of negatives to weigh up alongside the positives. He would certainly be a big improvement on many teams' back-up QBs (and probably better than some first-choice ones!) but he brings a lot of heavy baggage with him, too. My feeling is the Commish is pretty much spot on with his opportunity for a second chance. It would be pretty tough to deprive someone of a chance to earn their living in their chosen profession AFTER serving their public sentence but Vick obviously needs to be squeaky clean - and more besides - in his future behaviour. he could even do some good for the animal welfare people if he chooses.
Posted 16:13 30th July 2009
Paul Callender says...
Whats the point of punishing someone for a set time then when that time is up saying they cant get on with their life afterwards. But having said that I don't think Michael Vick should be able to get on with things as if he's done nothing wrong! As football stars earn a fair bit, he should donate some of his wages to the American RSPCA or an dog related charity.
Posted 14:07 30th July 2009