Has the public perception of a beleaguered Mike Vick already begun to change? I don’t know, it just seems that since Vick signed with Philadelphia on August 13th mainstream media has forgotten about what put him in this situation in the first place. Doesn’t it seem like some are trying to sweep the dirt under the rug a little prematurely? Reading about the boo birds that rained down on Vicks parade during today’s pre season game at the Meadowlands helped put it all back in perspective. Things just got a little too mushy in Philadelphia.
NFL Commisioner Roger Goodell has kept a very short leash on the Mike Vick reinstatement experiment. With all the hoopla surrounding the star crossed athlete’s comings and goings this should be expected. Which is why Goodells ruling today to allow Vick to play as early as week 3 surprised me. Did that just fall into his lap? Vick’s debt to society isn’t really supposed to mean THAT much to me is it? I mean, what has he really done to prove that he is a changed man? What has he done to warrant a reward when everyone else expected him to be out until at least week 6?
Well-respected former Colts coach Tony Dungy has been deployed to the “Mike Vick is a better person” camp. Ok, Surround yourself with good people. Check. Goodell revealed that head coach Andy Reid had “definitely provided (Goodell) with useful feedback” in regards to the situation. Alright, positive remarks from his peers. Check. Vick himself said “I have been trying to show (Goodell) that I’m moving in the right direction. I’m changing my life for the better.” Very nice, remorseful undertone with a touch of I’m a changed man. Check. Check. Check. On the surface its working almost seamlessly. But when Vick got photographed at a Philly airport bar sippin on some sizzurp last week, it provided onlookers with ammunition to question his judgment again. Really? So soon? Look, I don’t really want to make a huge deal out of this but it just surprises me that he would even come close to touching anything ever again after all it took for him to get back to the NFL. Maybe he and Goodell already predetermined it would be ok. Maybe he has pre-flight anxieties. Maybe he didn’t care. He didn’t violate the terms of his probation and apparently that is good enough for Goodell.
So long as Vick remains apologetic, soft spoken and out of “real” trouble the show will go on. At least I can play with him in Madden again.
-MJK
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7 comments:
haha the comic cracks me up
I like the comic too...its a dogs world....give Vick, the humble new soul a pooper scooper.
Everyone needs a second chance.. The Vick story is high profile he gets the chance to prove himself
Angel Dungy is there to keep him on the straight and narrow..Vick just fell in with the wrong friends,before, so now he has new friends.
I love the topic you wrote on. Its very relevant right now and just begging for somebody to throw in their opinion on it.
Also, the cartoon and title are great. Very creative and better than i could do.
On the negative side, you should've started with a little intro on what exactly happened (Vick being cleared to play in week 3). I know because I watch hours of sports shows daily and always check espn.com, but not everyone is quite as obsessed with sports as I am.
The second to last paragraph is great, the best of the entire post. Good quotes to throw in there. It also provides the flip side of "what if Michael Vick isn't a changed man" by bringing up his drinking at the airport. Very nice.
Great article man, its a great way to start fresh.
Thanks guys- David- I struggled with the opening paragraph as well and your thoughts mirror mine. I almost started the post with my 2nd paragraph but felt as though the opening paragraph that I used would help pull the reader in a bit more. Also, I was hoping the links would help provide a good backdrop but maybe those are a bit more cumbersome than helpful. Ill try and tackle it a bit more, Ill catch you online and see whats up.
3-Dot- I wasnt trying to portray this as me not feeling like vick deserves a second chance...but there have been instances leading up to the situation as it currently stands now that make me wonder if he is deserving of such media leniency now...
gotcha and on that note, maybe its old news at this point...its a 48 hour newscycle and maybe its waiting to reload after game 3...cant talk easter eggs when its labor day...if ya know what I mean...got to pull the trigger faster...
I was already over this news when you brought it up.
maybe you should smack down the Roiders and their decision making
anyway its a good tune-up...stay ahead of it and someone will pick
Considering it was posted the night of the ruling I am sorry you feel that way. This wasn't a vick is back issue. It is a statement on the situation as it currently stands and goodells ruling is the latest. It's easy to talk Easter eggs in august when the title is portraying how lucky vick is to have his suspension reduced
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