Another team turned down the opportunity to sign reinstated NFL quarterback Michael Vick.How does that sound to folks? Vick did two years in federal peniteniary. Doesn't the guy deserve a shot at returning to sports?
Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn told the media his team wouldn't sign Vick "at this juncture."
Zorn says he wishes Vick the best and is sure the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback will return to the NFL.
The Redskins join a long list of teams — including the New York Giants, Jets and Dallas Cowboys — that have said they don't want Vick after he served 18 months in federal prison for running a dogfighting ring.
Rick Moran makes the case at Pajamas Media, "Does Michael Vick Deserve a Second Chance?":
Michael Vick is going to get a second chance. Like almost all the 408 other NFL players who have been arrested on felony charges since 2000, the league is granting him the opportunity to return to stardom — despite committing crimes relating to gambling (Vick insists he never bet on the dog fights) that some believe should have disqualified him from ever lacing up a pair of spikes again. At one time, prosecutors were discussing the possibility of bringing charges under the organized crime statute known as RICO — a turn of events that would have meant the end of his career since he would have been sentenced to at least 25 years. In that way, Vick dodged a bullet, as he did when several similar state charges against him were plea bargained down to three years probation.That's insightful. I didn't know Rick was such a sports aficionado.
None of us are granted the insight to look into a man’s soul and discover if he truly is remorseful and willing to change his ways. All we can do is judge someone based on our ability to interpret a person’s attitude toward their transgression and how they carry themselves from that point on.
Michael Vick appears to have made many of the right moves. He has paid his debt to society and given more than a million dollars to fund the care and rehabilitation of some of the dogs he so barbarically used. He has even agreed to Commissioner Roger Goodell’s suggestion that former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy “mentor” the 29-year-old man to make sure he makes the right “decisions.”
But despite our longing to welcome back tarnished heroes with open arms, Vick’s crimes may be a bridge too far for the very image-conscious NFL. Despite Goodell’s conditional reinstatement of Vick, there has been very little interest shown by the 29 NFL teams in signing him, with many completely ruling out the possibility. It seems that there are indeed some things that are unforgivable — or, at least in the NFL, unmarketable.
My sense is that Vick's talents are what will make or break a comeback. A team needing at elite QB may not be too worried about image-consciousness. As long as the league's going to let Vick play, he should at least get a chance to compete for both attention and success.
See also, Bleacher Report, "ENOUGH! Michael Vick Is Not This Interesting."
7 comments:
I'm guessing either Raiders or Lions.
-Dave
The problem is that Vick isn't an elite quarterback. His passing skills are average. I read an article somewhere that speculated he'd be a decent running back, especially in a wildcat type offense. I agree with that. Should he get a second chance? I'd be inclined to say yes, as he served his sentence. hasn't someone ever given any of us a second chance?
Billiam,
As a life-long Atlanta resident, as well as a looooooong suffering Falcon's fan, many of us here considered him to be a gift from God.
Particularly those of us who were stupid enough to buy four season tickets for the '99 season.
Ever eaten $1300 before?
-Dave
Dave, nah. I also don't have $1600.00 for Packer season tix, nor the bogus PSL. I don't deny he's exciting to watch, and runs VERY well. I draw the line at calling him 'elite', though. If his passing was half as good as his running, wow! It wasn't. Of course, you need more than a quarterback to get far in the play offs.
No. The man is sub-human.
It is interesting that what was supposed to be an exchange about whether he deserves another shot at the NFL becomes a discussion about the potential loss of value of season tickets. "Yea, he should get to play again because if not, I lose money." As a convicted felon who served his time, he deserves the opportunity for a second chance at a productive life. Voting and education are rights that should be restored for all felons. Playing in the NFL is not a right, however, it is a privilege and he screwed it up. let someone else who will appreciate it have his spot.
I think Mike should get a second chance simply because we give everyone else second chances in this country. Remember Leonard Little, Ray Lewis, Randy Moss, Chris Carter, Michael Irving? All of these guys did some horrific things including acts that took the lives of human beings due to their negligence. So to deny Mike the chance to play would be hypocritical and wrong. He made the mistake of being a careless, immature and heartless just like the other men mentioned in my post and others not mentioned. The sad part is when he was playing he never met the potential of how good he could be and maybe now with nothing to lose and everything to gain he will show everyone how good he really is as an Eagle.
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