Richmond, Va. – This much we know: Michael Vick won’t be on the field when the Atlanta Falcons open training camp next Thursday. He will be in a federal courtroom.
What happens after that was anyone’s guess Wednesday, and there was no shortage of opinions. Suspend the star quarterback. Cut him. Let him play until he is proven guilty of felony charges that he sponsored a gruesome dogfighting operation.
For now, that’s what the NFL intends to do with Vick – let him play. After consulting with the Falcons, commissioner Roger Goodell and top league officials agreed to let the legal process determine the facts.
A person with knowledge of the meeting, who requested anonymity so the case would not be influenced, said the NFL would stick to that position for the foreseeable future, despite its new personal conduct policy.
Vick and three associates must appear next week for bond hearings and arraignments on charges contained in a indictment handed up Tuesday.
The four are accused of competitive dogfighting, procuring and training pit bulls for fighting, and conducting the enterprise across state lines.
Conviction carries up to six years in prison, fines of $350,000 and restitution.
The Falcons face an estimated salary cap hit of about $6 million this year and $15 million in 2008 if they release Vick – devastating hits to any team’s budget.
