Goodell Weighing Reinstatement, 4-Game Suspension for Vick

Suspended quarterback Michael Vick reportedly met Wednesday with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to discuss what is anticipated to be a conditional reinstatement into the league, possibly as soon as next week.

One NFL source told FanHouse on Thursday that if Vick satisfies the commissioner's requirements for reinstatement, it's expected that he will receive at least a four-game suspension to start the 2009 season, but that Goodell may allow Vick to join a team in training camp.

The catch: no NFL team has expressed any interest in signing the newly-freed Vick to a contract.

Cooper: Will Any Team Sign Vick? | Mariotti: Timetable: Not for Year, if Ever

The NFL would not confirm the meeting. "We have been consistent in saying that we are not going to comment on the details of the review process while it is taking place." NFL spokesperson Greg Aiello told FanHouse.

Goodell said earlier this week he wanted to resolve the issue of Vick's possible reinstatement to the NFL, "as soon as possible," but the commissioner did not say when that might occur. Goodell also has said he needs to see signs of genuine remorse from the quarterback, as well as evidence that Vick has made changes in his lifestyle before he permits the former Atlanta Falcons star to re-enter the NFL.

SI.com, citing sources, said Vick and Goodell were spotted leaving the security offices of Buckley Peterson Global Inc. in Allendale, N.J. about 4 p.m. ET Wednesday. Vick was described as being accompanied with a "huge" entourage, and driving away from the building in a Cadillac Escalade. Goodell was seen leaving about 10 minutes later. Both were described as looking somber.

Vick just completed a 23-month federal sentence for his part in a dogfighting and gambling operation, after being released from home confinement and his electronic monitoring device on Monday. In accordance to federal law, Vick served at least 85 percent of that sentence. He remains on probation.

On Tuesday, Vick met with NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith, according to George Atallah, assistant executive director for external affairs of the player's union.

The fledgling United Football League has stated it would be interesting in signing Vick for its inaugural season. UFL coaches Jim Haslett, Dennis Green and Jim Fassel all have said publicly they would welcome Vick on their teams, although the Orlando franchise, coached by Haslett, acquired Vick's rights in the UFL's recent allocation draft of players not under contract in the NFL.

"Obviously his values are a little different than mine or yours probably," Haslett told the Orlando Sentinel, "but as long as he does what he's supposed to do, I think he deserves a second chance. Out of the four cities in this league, this would be the city that would probably accept him.

"People will want to see him play. He was a great quarterback. He has a .700 percent winning record. But he hasn't thrown and he hasn't played much football lately, obviously, and there are a lot of unknowns about what the NFL's going to do."

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)

7-23-2009 @ 8:21PM

James said...

I'm sure there's going to be a bunch of "Vick" haters rallying around if he gets his reinstatement with a 4 game suspension...but once he gets the rust out and starts putting up the "W" they'll forget all about the foolishness he was involved with...watch and see.

7-24-2009 @ 7:48AM

Hugh said...

Mr. Vick served his time and is entitled to move on with his life, and re-enter the workplace. That said, the fact that he appeared with "a huge entourage" tells me that he hasn't learned anything. The hangers-on, (his so-called friends) are what ruined him in the first place. As long as he can't lose the gang mentality, it won't be long before he violates his parole and that will be the last we hear from Michael Vick. Watch and see.

7-24-2009 @ 8:27AM

Wooden Nickel said...

Bullsh!t - He should be banned for life.

7-24-2009 @ 8:51AM

spnxtlvl said...

Do you really think "murdering innocent dogs" is "foolishness" come on. Times are changing, there are more dog owners than actual fans of the NFL. What M.Sick did was pure evil. Slamming a dog over and over until it dies?? Drowning a helpless dog?? Watch and support him if you want, I am always for the innocent animals.

7-24-2009 @ 9:20AM

carolprudm said...

Dear James
Dogfighting is not "foolishness", it is abuse

7-24-2009 @ 9:26AM

mister8116 said...

this disgusting human being should and will pay if any team wants to take this dope!

7-27-2009 @ 12:26AM

gsan201 said...

Hugh said...
Mr. Vick served his time and is entitled to move on with his life, and re-enter the workplace.

Just as in other HIGH Paying jobs that involve Ethics Clauses,When someone in the Company Disgraces the job and the Profession,These people not only lose their JOB,but are not allowed to Perform in the Same Profession and NO One will touch them. YES he should be abe to get back to Work but just like the Other Joe's That can no onger be in let's say Banking or some other Profession HE should have to find a different LINE of WORK like they do. Cops that end up with felony charges end up losing their jobs and many no longer are alowed to be in that kind of job anyore so They NEED to HAVE the Same Standards for this guy.

BIGBOY BRWN said...

ANY MORE SUSPENSION IS JUST PURE HATRED ON THE PART OF COMMISSIONER HE HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR SOMETIME VICK HAS AND VICK ALREADY LOST A LOT OF MONEY TO TAKE ANY MORE MONEY IS USELESS TO THE NFL HERE IS A MAN THATS HAS FILE BANKRUCTY AND THE MONEY COULD WELL BE USE TO GET HIM OUT AND MAYBE HE WILL DONATE TO SOME DOG HUMANITY, ITS JUST WOULD BE UNFAIR UNION SHOULD SPEAK UP ABOUT THIS ASSUMPTION OF A EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME FROM VICK PLAYING. THE HILL MO HILL AND MOUTAIN HE MUST CLIMB MENTALY AND PHYSICALY IS ENOUGH BURDEN ON THIS KID ENOUGH IS ENOUGH SOMEBODY NEEDS TO KNOK ROGER GOODELL OFF HIS BUBBLE

7-23-2009 @ 10:56PM

Mahmoud said...

i agree with you 100% all these tree huggers who treaten to not watch football again, who the heck cares if you do or not , your not impportant, i noe what he did was wrong, but he paid his debt to society, he should be given a second chance, and what gets me mad is that once the league is getting pressure from the media that if you sign him, itll make the team look bad, well look hes better then romo rusell, orton( why the hell is he in the league) , jackson, edwards, collins, and many more people i mean the goal is to win the championship for your city with the best talent available but the tree huggers are the ones that are causing america to become soft its a mans sport if you dont like it stop watching it and go hug a tree.

7-24-2009 @ 9:35AM

This is obvious that you are not well educated in the matter of society. M.Sick did his time. Does he deserve a 2nd chance? Yes. What gives him the right to just waltz back in to the N.F.L.? This is all about the "example" for future generation. Is Stallworth coming back to the N.F.L. for his alcohol related "Murder" in Florida? Probably not. This 2009 N.F.L. season is "Changing" for the future of the sport. Look around you BigBoyBrwn...American is changing. Americans are getting tired of the spoiled athletes getting away with practically anything. This is not about the race of M.Sick...it has everything to do with the race of the humankind.

7-23-2009 @ 8:43PM

angelaontheloose said...

That dude is a demon possesed piece of trash. I'd be afraid to consort with some one who is that full of hatred.

7-23-2009 @ 8:41PM

Fat Boy said...

New contest: what team would be dumb enough to sign this virus?

Your brand will be ruined.

7-24-2009 @ 3:30AM

Big Daddy said...

I guess if it was up to you, he would have gotten the death penalty. This man was convicted of federal dog fighting charges. He did not killed no body. He paid his debt. You being the idiot that you are would treat someone who killed or raped a child better and you call him a virus. The real virus is people like you. The man was wrong in what he did and has been punished for it. He has the right to put his life back on track. He has a right to earn a living and it happens to be playing football that he does well. If being a idiot was against the law you would never get out of prison.

7-24-2009 @ 9:18AM

user name: Big Daddy--
you sound like a f**king idiot. M.Sick got off light on his "dog fighting". M.Sick "Murdered" do you understand?? "MURDERED" innocent dogs. Does he deserve a second chance in society and work? Absolutely. Does he deserve a chance to play in the NFL??? This is not the authority of any one commenting to this blog. Only (R.Goodell)Hopefully the Commish will do the right thing. We all have our judgement dealing with this horrible example of a human being. A lot people write and say..."he didn't kill a human" my God people this is not about M.Sick killing humans, he "MURDERED" innocent dogs. Do you want little kids around the world thinking that the U.S.A allows somewhat talented athletes get special treatment? Playing in the N.F.L. is not a "RIGHT" for M.Sick. For all you about 2nd chances. Convicted robbers can't work at a banks. Convicted Pedophiles can't work in schools. Do the right thing Roger Goodell.

7-23-2009 @ 8:53PM

t said...

How about a new rule:

No one plays in the NFL in the same calender year in which he served jail or prison time. Period.

That'd make players think twice about breaking the law.

7-23-2009 @ 8:54PM

Mary said...

Let him try to outrun pitbulls for the season!!!!

7-23-2009 @ 8:59PM

cliff said...

uh he did his time ,everybody deserves a second chance

7-23-2009 @ 10:10PM

DEBBIE said...

That may be true..he served his time. How many OTHER convicted felons do you know that can put their indescretion behind them and get back into the work force... yup..only celebrities!