LEAGUE WON’T ACT ON POTENTIAL REINSTATEMENT OF VICK UNTIL HE’S OUT OF CUSTODY

In the wake of the Falcons’ declaration that they’ll try to trade quarterback Mike Vick, we’ve confirmed with the league office that no action will be take as to his status until after Vick is released from federal custody and petitions the league for reinstatement. Vick will conclude his federal sentence for conspiracy charges relating to interstate gambling and dogfighting on July 20. “I said that I would not sit down and consider the case until he had put his legal situation behind him,” Commissioner Roger Goodell explained two weeks ago, in an NFL Network interview with Adam Schefter. Asked whether he believes Vick could play in 2009, Commissioner Goodell said, “I haven’t really looked at it that closely. I’m not trying to dodge your question but from my standpoint, I look at this factually when it comes to my desk. I will want to meet with Michael at the right time, and I will want to understand where he is, but I’ll consider a variety of factors before I make that decision.” Though the league hasn’t commented on the precise manner in which the reinstatement process will unfold, the reality is that it will take some time. “Ultimately, and to a large extent, Michael is going to have to manage this in a way that he has to show remorse,” Commissioner Goodell told Schefter. “He has to show to the general public, not just to me, that he clearly understands he made a mistake, that what he did is not acceptable, and that he’s changed his ways and he can be a positive message going forward for people about how to overcome a mistake. He’s paid a big price. He’s lost a career, at least temporarily, he’s lost a tremendous amount of money, and he has to recognize that the general public is going to expect him to demonstrate that remorse and be a positive influence if they are going to give him an opportunity. I will balance that.” As a practical matter, this will significantly affect Vick’s ability to play in 2009. He last suited up for a game in December 2006, and he’ll be required to learn a new system without the benefit of participation in the offseason program, training camp, or the preseason. So why would anyone -- other than perhaps the Raiders -- want to trade for a guy whose chances of actually contributing to the cause in the coming season hover somewhere around nil? We can understand why the Falcons want to move on. But with so many questions swirling around Vick, they might not be able to do so until 2010, at the earliest.