Which NFL Team Will Defy PC Logic and Take Michael Vick? Anyone?

When Michael Vick was sitting behind bars in Kansas, it was politically correct for NFL teams to swear off any interest in the disgraced former Falcons quarterback. Heck, it was practically de rigueur to Just Say No to Mike Vick.

Now that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has declared Vick eligible to sign with a team and join that team in training camp, will it become more about good football business and less about social acceptability to consider a proven playmaker? Will team owners, general managers and coaches actually make room for this guy on their rosters?

"I would not be surprised at all to see a team come out this week and sign him,'' said one NFL executive, who asked to speak off the record and then quickly added that his team would not be the one taking on Vick. " A lot of teams are asking, 'If I bring in this guy, just what could he do for me?' ''

One scenario being floated about by various NFL executives: A team may latch onto Vick immediately by signing him to a one or two-year contract, keep him on the training camp roster until the second preseason game, then waive him and bring him back in Week 2 of the regular season. That way, a team is not fully guaranteeing his 2009 salary.

Goodell's strict ground rules set forth for Vick toward full reinstatement may be enough to attract a fence-sitting team. One slip-up, and Vick is gone, per NFL rules. No loss of investment there.

Then again, any team that takes a chance on Vick also may protect itself with a split contract -- in other words, Vick would earn a certain amount of money if he makes the 45-man game day roster, or a lesser amount should he find himself among players 46 through 52 on the inactive list.

Of course, if Vick has more than one team interested in him and he can be selective, these contract caveats likely go out the window.

The negative publicity stemming from Vick's admitted acts of barbaric animal cruelty are nauseating enough that every NFL city will have picketing fans and animal rights' groups standing firm at stadium entrances. They'll make life miserable for Vick on the field and off.


Is Vick even worth it?

"He's a great athlete,'' one NFL source said, "but he's not the smartest player out there. Can he learn a new offense and a new system in a matter of weeks? Can he play quarterback in an offense that wants him to stay in the pocket? Those are big questions."

Said another executive, who also did want his name used, "There aren't many teams that can afford to hold onto a roster spot for a player who may or may not work out long-term." Other NFL sources suggested a small market such as Jacksonville might be a less distracting destination for an NFL player certain to attract negative press and attention wherever he goes. Plus, the Jaguars' backup quarterback options include 36-year-old Todd Bouman.

All this said, which teams may throw diplomacy to the wind and sign Vick? Here are some destinations that have been mentioned in league circles -- how some make sense and others don't.

• Miami Dolphins: Multiple NFL sources say that Bill Parcells, Dolphins' Executive Vice President for Football Operations, is openly contemplating bringing Vick into his organization. The Dolphins need playmakers, and the Miami offense already makes good use of the "Wildcat" option, which featured Ronnie Brown lining up in the shotgun, and determining whether to run for the end zone off direct snaps, hand off or pass.

Vick's skillset would be perfect for the Dolphins' scheme. But there are a lot of influentual dog owners in South Florida who may not be as welcoming.

• New England Patriots: Bill Belichick's structured football operation was instrumental in turning a wayward Randy Moss into a model teammate and the NFL's single-season record holder for touchdown receptions (23). Belichick worked wonders with Corey Dillon, too. Why not Vick?

While Belichick's disciplined environment might help Vick assimilate quickly back into an NFL-structured lifestyle, the Pats don't have a lot of open roster spots to waste on a player that may not be available until Week 6 of the regular season.

• Oakland Raiders: It's just too easy to automatically say every troubled NFL player can find a home in the arms of owner Al Davis in Oakland. Not so this time. Other NFL mavericks, rebels and bad boys have worn the Silver and Black. But it's important to note this fact: As long as Amy Trask, the Raiders' groundbreaking chief executive officer, remains in the organization, you will not see Vick in a Raiders uniform.

Trask is heavily involved in several animal rights, animal adoption and animal support groups. She is on the board of directors of Tony La Russa's ARF (Animal Rescue Foundation) organization. Trask would never stand for a confessed animal abuser, torturer and killer in the Raiders' organization.

• San Francisco 49ers: New head coach Mike Singletary has been vocal in his desire to serve as a sort of "Father Flanagan" mentor and counselor to NFL players. The 49ers don't exactly have a solidified quarterback plan in place, with Shaun Hill and Alex Smith set to openly battle for the starting job in training camp. Players there have expressed support for the one-time Falcons star.

Could Singletary open a West Coast "Boys Town" for Vick?

Forget it, the 49ers insisted Monday. "We've been pretty clear on this. The organization is not interested in Michael Vick,'' 49ers spokesman Bob Lange reiterated.