Send Him to the Dog Pound!

I'm not a dog owner (or a PETA faggot!) so this isn't me going off because I have fond memories of playing ball with Fido or Lucky in my head, this is about honestly assessing a horrific crime and its aftermath. What Michael Vick did was inexcusable...consider that for 7 straight years, he woke up every single day knowing that his money, his house and his friends were ending the lives of living beings. For over 2,500 days, Vick and his boys put these living beings through hazing and torture that no college coed could ever handle. And for nearly three quarters of a decade, Vick seemingly did this with little or no remorse. How do I come to that conclusion? Because he lied to the Feds and Roger Goodell after he was busted.

But Brendan, we are a country of second chances.

You're absolutely right, we are a country that allows our athletic villains to become heroes sometimes overnight (i.e. Ray Lewis), and Michael Vick is a classic example, the man has gotten more second chances than Bret Michaels.

Consider this rap sheet folks:

- Early 2004, two men were arrested for distributing marijuana, the car was registered in Vick's name

- October 2004, Vick was apprehended in an airport for allegedly stealing a Rolex watch

- March 2005, Sonya Elliott accuses Vick of knowingly giving her genital herpes

- November 2006, the famous "free bird" salute to the Atlanta fans

- January 2007, Vick again apprehended at an airport for having a water bottle that allegedly contained a secret compartment to carry marijuana

- April 2007, after appearing on Capitol Hill to persuade lawmakers to increase funding for after-school programs, Vick missed a connecting flight in Atlanta to Virginia. He later failed to show-up for another seat booked for him later that evening. He also did not attend his scheduled appearance at the congressional breakfast where he also was to be honored for his foundation's work with after-school projects. Vick's mother, Brenda Vick Boddie, accepted an award from the Afterschool Alliance on her son's behalf.

Does this sound like a guy who deserves a umpteenth chance, does this sound like a guy who is contrite and recognizes right from wrong, does this sound like the kind of guy an NFL owner, GM and coach are going to want to defend to the public?

The other argument of course is that others...Leonard Little, Adam "Pacman" Jones and most recently, Donte Stallworth ...have committed far worse crimes. I agree both crimes were heinous in nature, but both were also mistakes in judgement, unbelievable stupid decisions made on a given night...Vick's crime though, which occurred each and every day over seven years, speaks more to his character and the true makeup of the man.

And aside from the morality issue, will he even be any good should he get back on the field? His game has always been predicated on speed, something that certainly diminishes with age and surely, took a hit after two years in jail. He doesn't have a great arm, is often injured, was never a great player outdoors and aside from the historic victory at Lambeau Field in the 2003 playoffs, rarely has Vick come through on the game's biggest stages.

I do suspect though that Vick will ultimately be reinstated in the league (I doubt immediately) and some owner, perhaps looking to sell tickets, will give him a second chance, but be forewarned, in my estimation Bad Newz Kennels wasn't just a hobby, it was a lifestyle and lifestyles rarely change with time.