Arthur Blank, the clumsy owner of the Falcons who once pushed Mike Vick around in a wheelchair like a manservant when the QB was injured, went into the booth on MNF last night. He was asked about the potential for Vick’s return. Form your own opinions on whether what he said was racist or not.

Here is a fact: Per federal law, Vick will have to serve 85 percent of his 23-month sentence, so he definitely won’t be out of prison until at least the spring of 2009. There may or may not be a chance that he plays in the 2009 season, but speculating on this is silly because nobody knows how long of a suspension NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will add once Vick walks back into society. Will Goodell say, ‘he’s suffered enough’ and not add a suspension?

Now, time for opinions: Assuming he stays in shape (not like there’s a whole lot else to do in prison) we think Vick will play again in the NFL. Eventually, Vick will quit being a cocky bastard and act repentant in front of Barbara Walters or whomever, and public opinion will shift – if it hasn’t already . Some folks may scratch their heads and say, ‘hmmm, was two years too harsh for killing dogs?’ People will root for Vick because America loves a good comeback, and at least one team will give him a tryout as a slash-type player. Or a cornerback (definitely not a QB). If Mike Shanahan is still coaching, our money’s on him. Vick might not be effective, and maybe he’ll only get burn on a crappy team with no hope, but somebody will take a chance on him.

The Sentence Reflects the Lies (Washington Post)
Will Vick ever play in the NFL after jail sentence? (SI.com)
Bad choices catch up with Star athletes (USA Today)
Michael Vick Oversentenced (Juiced Sports Blog)