Today's Special: Cheap Laughs

Sorry to "cheap out" on you two days in a row with a short post, but I am embarking on a new exercise regimen this morning and need to focus because in "shape" is not a adjective I would use to describe myself at this moment. Lord help me.

Anyway, My Guy is away on bizness in the great city of Philly. He went to the Flyers game last night and told me that he saw no less than a dozen people wearing these around the city.

Gotta love a city with a sense of humor.

Payton Is A Gangsta Manning

To continue yesterday's conversation about criminals in the NFL, my blogger buddy Chris from Maugeritaville commented on my Michael Vick editorial:

"Seriously, if you're going to ban guys from the NFL for being criminals, we'll be left with a two-on-two game . . . Peyton Manning and Greg Jennings against Kurt Warner and Warrick Dunn."

A great point. But I hate to break it to you Chris, as it brought this little gem to mind. (and dammed if I couldn't find a better clip of it. The voice is out of synch, but you get the point)

Yes, the NFL looks to be in great shape with role models like our poster boy Peyton.

Michael Vick Is Free, But Is He Free?

Disgraced and suspended former NFL Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick ended his 23 month federal dogfighting sentence yesterday. Vick's attorney announced to the media that Vick has been released from federal custody as scheduled, and Vick no longer has to wear the electronic monitoring bracelet that he wore during the last two months of the home confinement portion of his 23 month sentence. In other words Michael Vick is a free man. But is he really free?

29 year old Vick was convicted and sentenced to two years for horrific crimes against animals. Some would say he did his time. Others would say there is no redemption for the crimes he committed by torturing and killing dogs in his dogfighting den of hell. Either way Michael Vick will forever be synonymous with the evil crimes he undoubtedly committed. Granted, he did his time and hopefully his penance, and one would argue that he deserves some sort of chance to resume a normal life and live in peace. I would agree. But do we have to allow him into our living rooms on Sunday afternoons and root for him or his team with our families and friends? That is the question.

Vick's legal troubles cost him an estimated $100 million in salary, endorsements and his future earnings. If you're gonna do the crime, you've got to do the time. Pitty the thief who's not sorry he stole, but is so sorry he got caught. It was Michael Vick and Michael Vick alone, who ruined his legacy and quite possibly his life, so does he deserve a second chance in the NFL? I wonder.

Let's put aside his disgrace for a moment and troubleshoot his NFL comeback.

• Chances are Vick is in great shape. Not much else to do in Leavenworth except hone his 29 yr old NFL athletic quarterback body to a chiseled perfection.


• Vick has surely lost his timing, but how difficult is that to get back? Odds are he is hungry for a victorious return to the gridiron.


• Vick has been released from his former team, the Atlanta Falcons, in June of this year. Who would want him? Depending on his QB ability, post incarceration, which team is desperate enough to take on the PR nightmare that would be Michael Vick at hero position.


• What does an NFL with a highly compensated Michael Vick playing weekly say about America? What does an NFL without a Michael Vick, banned for life, say about America?

There are those who say that Vick has done his time. NFL Commish Roger Goodell wants to have a sit down with Michael about his future in the NFL and is quoted in today's Boston Herald as saying, "Michael did an egregious thing. He has paid a significant price."

Indeed, Mr. Commish, as I would not want to be in your shoes when the time comes to make the Michael Vick decision.

I doubt if Michael Vick will ever be free.