I want to weigh in on the whole Michael Vick thing, and I promise not to use any bad dog puns as I do so.

I have to admit that I don’t buy a lot of the arguments that are being made concerning Vick these days. The most common opinion in the media seems to be that he’s a bad, bad man who hasn’t yet done enough t earn another shot in the league. I don’t agree, and I think it’s a matter of perspective. I don’t for a second want to make you think that I condone what he did. I’m an animal lover and I’ve had lots of dogs in my life, so I think what he did is worse than terrible. Here’s the thing, though – he has spent time in prison. He was sentenced and he is almost done serving that sentence. I think that that has to mean that, provided he behaves like a responsible professional, he deserves anther chance to be one. There are a lot of guys in the league that have done a lot of really bad hings and have been given another chance – Leonard Little and Tank Johnson come to mind without even thinking about it. Vick’s crimes were worse than Johnson’s, but then so was the punishment. This idea that Vick should never be able to play again just doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t particularly respect the guy, and I’m not sure that I would want him on my team, but I believe absolutely that he deserves another shot. He should be on a short leash, and he should have to remain on his best behavior to stay in the league, but as long as he does that then I get very uncomfortable at the thought of the league making moral judgments that stretch well above and beyond the scope of the legal system. Lord knows that the league is powerful enough already without giving them total control over our thoughts and actions as well.

I also don’t buy the argument that no one is going to want him on their team. Provided he shows remorse and some maturity – and early signs are that he will – then teams will be lined up to sign him. I’ve never loved him as a player, but his skills are unquestionable. He’ll fit as a wildcat option for teams, but beyond that he’s also a better option at QB than at least 10 teams in the league have right now. Beyond that, the guy is going to draw all sorts of attention, and attention equals money for NFL owners. I have yet to hear about an owner who cares about anythingmore than making money. Coaches and GMs are also, by necessity, ego freaks. Several different executives will be convinced that they are smart enough and talented enough to ‘save’ Vick. He’ll draw a bidding war as soon as he is eligible. I’m sure his agent is already doing the background work.

I don’t  like Vick, and I would be just as happy if he never played again, but I must absolutely and vehemently defend his right to play again, and t deny the right to exclude him on moral grounds. The league loves their PR exercises, but this should not be one. If Roger Goodell wants to be a defender of moral justice as badly as he seems to want to then he should resign as commissioner and become a judge or a super hero or something.

That’s my two cents. What do you think?