In case you missed the gigantic media showcase on one of the biggest headlines of 2007, I’ll recap. Michael Vick was quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons from 2001 to 2007. He was arguably the most exciting player on turf during that stretch. Vick was highly agile, very fast, and had a cannon arm. His running ability often made it difficult for other teams’ defense to stop the Falcons. Double cover his receivers? He’d hand the ball off to his running back. Stuff the line? He’d throw a long bomb down the field. Manage to jam up the running back AND stop the receivers? He’d take off like a rocket downfield. Vick was arguably the best dual threat offensive weapon in the history of the NFL.Vick, however, made a horrible off-field decision. He started a dog-fighting ring based out of his home in Surry County, Virgina. In April of 2007, police executed a search warrant looking for drugs owned by Vick’s cousin. Instead, they found Vick’s dog fighting ring. Vick was accused of not only hosting the dog fights, but allowing illegal betting on the illegal sport AND also torturing and executing animals that didn’t perform well enough in their matches. Sick stories are told of what occurred in his facility. In the end, Vick and three associates were convicted and sentenced to prison sentences. Vick began serving a 23 month sentence in December of 2007. Just this last week, he has been freed from Federal custody. Now begins NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s task of deciding whether or not to reinstate Vick.The animal lover in me says it’s not enough- serving 18 months of a 23 month sentence for the things I’ve heard Vick did isn’t enough. I’m SURE it’s not enough for PETA[1]. The only thing that makes me waver on that point is the fact that a federal judge, who would surely want to make an example of Vick, is satisfied with 18 months. I’m still torn on this subject.I’ve heard sports radio hosts discuss how Vick should or shouldn’t be suspended from the NFL by Goodell now that his sentence is over. Should he be suspended? Let me ask you this: if you ran a multi-billion dollar corporation and one of your star salespeople were convicted and served felony time on these charges, would you welcome them back with open arms? The fact of the matter is, if Vick were a common worker and not an athlete, this discussion wouldn’t be happening. Open and shut, he’s a felon in a gross capacity. Not only is he fired and barred from working for that company again, he’d have a hard time finding work elsewhere.Let’s say Vick is reinstated after a 4-8 game suspension (which I think will absolutely happen). If you were the GM of an NFL team, would you sign him? Why or why not?