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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank has made it clear that Michael Vick won't play for the Falcons again. But he said on his way out of the NFL owners' meetings this morning that he has no problem with Vick returning to the league with some other team. Blank also gave some indication of what might constitute the "genuine remorse" that Vick supposedly has to show before commissioner Roger Goodell reinstates him."It goes beyond whether he's paid his debt to society," Blank said. "From a legal standpoint, and financially, he has. But it goes beyond words. It goes to how he's going to live, personally and in the community with others. The people that Michael spent time with and the influence they had on him were a big part of what happened. His ability to separate from those people is going to be critical for Michael."
Blank wasn't speaking for Goodell, but he did say he and the commissioner have had many discussions about Vick over the past couple of years. His comments about the company Vick keeps could be a window onto one aspect of Goodell's decision-making in this case.
"The old expression is 'You are what you eat,' but to some extent, you are you who hang with, too," Blank said. "That's important for all of us."
Owners with less of a direct connection to Vick also were asked about his case on the day he was released from federal prison to begin two months of home confinement that will complete his sentence for dogfighting crimes. The general sentiment seemed to be that Vick shouldn't be prohibited from playing in the NFL again, but that it's obviously up to the commissioner whether to lift his suspension.
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said he "believes in giving people a second chance," though he hemmed and hawed when asked directly whether he'd be willing to acquire Vick if his football people thought it was a good idea. Saints owner Tom Benson said he believes Vick has done his time, but also declined to speculate as to whether he'd personally be willing to give him a job.
Ultimately, this all means nothing for at least two more months, since Goodell has been clear that he won't even address Vick's case until his sentence is completed.
"Once he's concluded that, I will meet with him and I will make a judgment based on our conversation and conversations I have with others," Goodell said today. "And I'll make a decision at that time."
Even if Goodell lifts Vick's current suspension, he could suspend him for all or part of the 2009 season. And once Vick was eligible to play, the Falcons would still control his rights, and would have to trade or release him in order for him to find work elsewhere. Blank said those issues would be addressed "at the appropriate time."
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