Vick on a short leash

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Michael Vick's back.

Well, sort of.

The National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell granted the dog-killing Vick to a conditional reinstatement to the league yesterday after the all legs and no accuracy former Atlanta Falcons quarterback served two years in prison for his involvement in the dog fighting ring that quickly become national headlines.

Yes, Vick has paid a very steep price both personally and professionally for many giant off-the-field decisions.

Now, he's getting a chance to get back to his sport and his profession, but Goodell didn't cut Vick much slack.

You would think serving time behind bars in prison would be enough punishment, but Goodell, who clearly wants everyone to know he's in charge of the NFL and wants people to fear him based on his iron-fist rulings, put Vick in a ever-so-tight collar with his stipulations to get back into the league.

Under Goodell's ruling, Vick can partake in training camp (well, if someone wants to sign him and is ready for a media circus throughout the season) and play in the final two preseason games, but can't take the field until Week 6 at the earliest. So basically he's still suspended from the NFL until that time since he can't play in a real game. Well, Goodell could lift that ruling and reinstate him fully before that at any point, but do you really think he will? No, then Goodell will appear soft, and we all know he doesn't want that label like the Indianapolis Colts receivers have.

Is it fair? Personally, I don't think an added sentence is necessary, but Goodell must feel like Vick still has much to prove before he'll let him play again. He's luckier than most, considering he'll still have a job, maybe, right? 

I'm willing to bet Vick knows he's under a microscope and one more bad move and he'll be banned from the league forever. But this structure is what Goodell feels is necessary before Vick can really consider himself back in the league. 

Remember, actions speak louder than words.

There really shouldn't be much complaining from Vick and his camp, considering Goodell could have really been a tough guy and banned him from the league forever. Ask MLB hit dog Pete Rose how it feels to be left out in the cold and banned from the sport he so loves? 

At least for Vick, he is getting another chance.

That leash is tight, but Vick is still breathing!