Don't ask me to explain why this is the case, but Michael Vick is getting ready to plea guilty to state dogfighting charges because a guilty plea will help get him out of prison earlier.Apparently to get into a halfway house and out of prison, Vick has to resolve any pending charges, which means he has to get the Virginia charges he's facing cleared up before he has any chance of getting out of Leavenworth. The Virginian-Pilot is reporting that Vick can plea bargain his current state charges (dogfighting and cruelty to animals) without having to face any additional jail time (even though each charges carries up to five years in prison).
By getting all this cleared up, Vick is clearing the way to petition to get back into the NFL for the 2009 season. He could be in a halfway house as early as January. And while he's in a halfway house, Vick could hold a job (like that of an NFL or Arena Football quarterback).
Once Vick gets out, the biggest thing standing in his way to get back to the NFL is Roger Goodell. Goodell has cracked down hard on players who get in trouble (just ask Pacman Jones), so it's hard to see him not slapping an additional suspension on a player who has pled guilty to multiple charges of dogfighting. But we're in relatively uncharted territory here--the Chris Henry's of the world have gotten into trouble multiple times, but no current NFL player has gone through two years in prison for a felony.
The next step after getting through a suspension will be to find a team who wants Vick. The Falcons have made it clear that they won't be that team, which is a smart move by Atlanta. It's hard to envision which team would be the one to face the protests and scoffing that will come with signing Vick, but then Pacman Jones found a team willing to take another chance on him.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-22-2008 @ 6:20AM
Mike said...
I'm sure Jerry Jones has a spot for him.
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10-22-2008 @ 7:56AM
AMart7 said...
Hey, Mike. Say what you will about Jerry Jones, but one thing is for sure - he goes for players with talent. Let no one ever make the mistake thinking Vick was or ever will be an NFL quarterback. The guy should NEVER have been allowed to play the position.
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10-22-2008 @ 9:31AM
jc said...
Vick wasn't a good QB before jail so how can he be good after? Now, Vick in a "slash" role is exciting or how about the "wildcat" offense? As much as I hate thugs in sports everyone does deserve a second chance after jail. So if a double murdering linebacker for the Ravens can celebrate a super bowl victory 1 year after his crime then Vick should have that opportunity as well.
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10-22-2008 @ 9:41AM
JERRY said...
THE PATS CAN GET HIM AND TURN IT INTO A GOOD THING FOR SURE, THERE IS SOME VERY SMART PEOPLE BEHIND THE PATS TEAM AND THEY WILL WORK WITH THE P.E.T.A. FOLKS
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10-22-2008 @ 11:06AM
Dick said...
Forget about Vick getting back into the NFL. One of the things that qualifies for a life time ban in the NFL is gambling. If Goodell wants to stand by his principles he will never allow Vick into the NFL. He gave Pacman Jones another chance and look where that got him. Goodell has to take into consideration the rest of the players in the NFL who have played and acted responsibly throughout their careers. Vick should get a job as a dog catcher. I don't think any coach in his right mind would even consider a guy like Vick which would ruin the reputation of the team as well as himself.
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10-29-2008 @ 7:23PM
cynthia said...
i'm glad to hear that micheal vick will be getting out of jail he should be able to make a living just like anyone that has done time look at martha stewart still on tv look at dick cheney shot someone still vp etc. etc. etc. he didnt kill anyone those are vicious dogs anyway.
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11-22-2008 @ 2:23AM
animal lover said...
Yes he killed those dogs. Maybe he didn't do it directly, but because of his terribly cold heart, many innocent dogs died. Michael Vick did something way worse than Martha Stewart or Dick Cheney. His act was intentional and one of the lowest, coldest things a human being could do. If you don't care enough about innocent animals, which Michael Vick hates, then there's something very very wrong with you. We can all forgive him for what he did if he asks for forgiveness, but the NFL should NEVER let him regain his millions of dollars and just be happy like nothing ever happened. He should work to help abused animals, not work in the NFL to please himself. That would be totally selfish of him to play in the NFL again, and it'd be absolutely stupid for Roger Goodell to let him back in. Yes Michael Vick should get a second chance through our and God's forgiveness, but he shouldn't get more than he deserves and be treated like royalty as a quarterback. DOG KILLING IS UNACCEPTABLE!!!
10-22-2008 @ 11:30AM
brownpride57 said...
im not inclined to give everyone a second chance but vick and anyone that has paid he due to society ,should be given a second chance,then as in pacmans case if he messes up again then he can lower the boom on any player ,and ban them for life without the possibility of being reinstated to play for the NFL,and like the legends of the game that are speaking out on the priviledge of playing ,its not a right to play but a priviledge
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10-22-2008 @ 12:29PM
patrick24 said...
As a dog owner I find Vicks actions as gross. But he has served jail time and lost tens of million of dollars. I also find shotting a moose in the as needless. Vick deserves a second chance. The Jets would be smart to pick him up and put him under farves wing for a year. This is coming from a Giants fan
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10-26-2008 @ 4:14PM
CandiKane25 said...
Vice presidential candidate shoots moose, poses with moose people say she is a great hunter. Uneducated black man trying to show off his money and status by allowing ghetto family members to fight dogs at his property, he get almost two years in federal prison. Hmm, God Bless America? Anyway Micheal Vick was a great quaterback, he did not have a offense line working for him. I am watching the Falcon vs Eagle game now, and I find it amazing how these sorry bastards (Ronnie White and others) can catch for Matt Ryan, but could not catch a ball if their life depended on it for Vick. When did the offensive line learn to block for their quaterback. Matt Ryan just got sacked for the first time today. What is going on. I can't wait for Vick to get out of jail. Whatever team he is on is my new favorite team. Forget the Falcons, and froget you Vick haters. Only God can judge him. God sent him to jail for his sins, and God will release him back into the NFL to whoop the Falcons tail. I can't wait.
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11-15-2008 @ 10:21PM
Vick Lovin Bear's Fan said...
Overlooking all the haters!!! The bears are in need of a good man and I hope they will jump on Vick if he shows interest!
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12-09-2008 @ 3:55AM
Jay said...
Some people are so hypocritical. Look at the way the dairy, beef,pork and poultry industry treats animals everyday. Not to mention all of the laboratory experiments performed on animals to test all kinds of products and drugs. Cows, chickens, pigs, rabbits, mice,monkeys and all sorts of animals can be mistreated and not much fuss is made, but Micheal Vick runs a dogfighting ring and gets treated like he murdered someone, what BS! Abortion doctors kill babies everyday and they don't get treated like Vick.
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