Michael Vick, who is now free after servicing 18 months in prison for running a dogfighting ring, has been reinstated July 27th by NFL commisioner, Roger Goodell, with conditions. It’s possible that Vick could be playing in regular-season games as early as October. All the regular-season games can be seen on Dish Network’s NFL Network. But the first thing he needs to do is find a team to play for. Vick can take part immediately in preseason practices, workouts, and team meetings and can play in the final two preseason games as long as he can find a team that will sign him. Several teams have already said they would not. Teams obviously are very concerned with a potential public relations backlash if they were to bring Vick into the fold at this time. Once the season begins, Vick will be allowed to participate in all team activities, except the games, and Goodell would consider him for full reinstatement by Week 6, (Oct. 18-19) at the latest. What do you think of the current status of Michael Vick? Do you think that Roger Goodell should have reinstated Vick at this time? What teams do you think would be willing to sign Vick to their rosters? So far, the owners of the New York Giants, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, and, of course, his former team, the Atlanta Falcons, who just released the 29 year old quarterback in June, have said they are not interested in him. Now, that Goodell has formally reinstated Vick, some teams will likely start calling, looking to acquire his services. Obviously, Roger Goodell feels that Vick has now shown sufficient remorse for his horrendous, violent acts against these dogs before he would even consider reinstatement. Goodell has accepted Vick’s sincerity when he says he wants to, and will, turn his life around, and that he intends to be a positive role model for others. So the NFL is prepared to him him a second chance, and some say that’s all that he could hope for at this time. In fact, isn’t that all that Vick should hope for right now? Even Goodell said that when he spoke to several current and former players and coaches as he weighed his options, the responses were ‘mixed’. He must expect expect to get a similar response from football fans around the country as this matter plays out. At the same time, Goodell acknowledged that he knows that some will never forgive him for what he did. He said, “I hope the public will have a chance to understand his position as I have. ” Vick has admitted that over the last two years, he has had the time to re-evaluate his life, mature as an individual, and fully understand the terrible mistakes he had made in the past, and determine what type of life he must lead moving forward. Only time will tell where this story goes next as we watch it unfold on Dish Network’s NFL Network this season. By: Frank Bilotta