The major story in the NFL has been NFL commissioner Roger Goodell conditionally reinstating Michael Vick. Essentially, Vick will be able to sign with a team and play in the final two preseason games along with attending team functions and practices. Goodell can then reinstate Vick by Week 6 of the NFL season if he believes that he is ready to come back.
The real question that people are starting to ask now is which team wants to deal with the baggage of Michael Vick? Peter King of SI.com has mentioned that the New England Patriots might be the best for Vick due to the structure of the team and protection behind Tom Brady.
Outside the Patriots and possibly the Raiders, would any team want to deal with an ex-con along with the backlash from fans from a player who fought dogs? Sure, teams will have some interest in Vick but they have to deal with the media circus surrounding him. Even if Vick comes back as “Mike Quick”, is it really worth it to put him in your locker room? Currently, four NFL teams have already said no to Vick, The Washington Redskins, the Dallas Cowboys, the St Louis Rams and the Miami Dolphins.
Would I want Mike Vick on my team? Of course, if I am a general manager, I want to win football games and Vick is a talent that could help me win games. The real issue you have to deal with is support for your team if you sign him. However, if your team makes it to the Super Bowl with Mike Vick, people will forgive and forget.
The world is a frugal place where people will thumb their noses at an individual but if their team wins the Super Bowl championship, he will be championed as a hero. It really is sad on some level.
The question will be answered in the next couple of weeks regarding the Vick saga but is he worth the risk? (There is now a report now that Vick is close to signing with a team but it is not specified who it is.) If I am a NFL general manager who is on the short leash, I would take Vick. Fans can say whatever they want but they will pay money to come see the games and in the end, that’s what NFL teams want.
This is not the court of public opinion or the court of “he said, she said.” This is sports; people will talk regardless of the story. It is nice to see that Vick is a free man but he is still not free from people’s perception of him.
Does any team want Mike Vick?
