Terry Foster

Michael Vick a tough fit -- but there is a fit

Freed felon and quarterback Michael Vick is free to sign with any NFL team and begin the process of rehabilitating his career after, hopefully, rehabilitating his life in federal prison. It could happen today. It could happen a month from now. The key question is, will any team step up and sign Vick?

Teams face animal-rights protests, angst from fans and throngs of media covering the Vick trial on the field. Who wants to go through all that? Most teams say they either have no interest in Vick or won't comment.

The Lions say they aren't interested.

Well, someone should show interest. The protests and media scrutiny will eventually disappear. What will be left behind is a better and more diverse football team. Powerful teams such as the New York Giants, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers should all get into negotiations for Vick's services. He would make any of them better.

I know what you're thinking. All four have veteran quarterbacks with Super Bowl rings and aspirations to win again this season. They don't need the 29-year-old Vick or the disruptions that surround him. You might be right.

But here's why Vick can work: They're all veteran teams that have handled distractions in the past. And they're organizations looking for innovative ways to win games.

"It comes down to who is willing to stand behind Vick and give him that second chance," former Lions wide receiver Herman Moore said. "That team has to be that buffer to their fans and show them how it is important to give second chances in life and not lose their fandom. You know, people make mistakes, and the NFL has given second chances to players who have done worse. As a former player you kind of hope it works out for him."

In a recent ESPN poll, 54 percent of respondents said they want Vick to play for their team. And 52 percent said Vick's conditional reinstatement, which will force him to miss at least the first four games of the regular season, was too harsh.

Vick wouldn't start for most teams. But the league is slowly being introduced to a change-up offense called The Wildcat. In one variation of the formation, mobile quarterbacks line up a few yards behind center with the option to run, pass or hand off. You don't run it every series. But it's a nice wrinkle that can make good teams better.

Take a load off

Colts quarterback Peyton Manning could use time to rethink things during some of those dreadful playoff performances. It's the same with his brother Eli Manning, who is more a product of playing with a great team rather than being a great quarterback.

Vick can relieve that pressure for a play or two and give defenses something more to think about. During Vick's last season in 2006, he completed 52.6 percent of his passes, but rushed for 1,039 yards at 8.4 yards a carry.

Do you see the danger here? Vick could be an extra running back on some plays, an extra wide receiver on others and an extra quarterback.

The better teams don't need him right away, which is why NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's conditional reinstatement works just fine.

Vick will be allowed to practice during training camp and play in the final two exhibition games. It's believed he could miss as many as five regular-season games before being allowed to play. The conditional reinstatement caused Buffalo Bills receiver Terrell Owens to criticize Goodell during the start of training camp.

"I think he's done the time for what he's done," Owens told reporters on Sunday. "I don't think it's really fair for him to be suspended four more games. It's almost like kicking a dead horse in the ground. The guy's already suffered so much."

T.O. is missing the point.

Vick killed dogs. He ran a dogfighting ring that was responsible for dozens of dogs being killed or wounded. He also lied to Goodell and to his former boss, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank. How many of us could do the same and get our jobs back?

"He was not candid with me," Goodell said during a news conference. "He was disappointed in himself. He lied to me in his involvement with dogfighting. I accept his apology, but I don't like being lied to, like anybody else."

Goodell didn't make his decision alone. He consulted with NFL players union chief executive DeMaurice Smith and current and former players.

Vick will be mentored at Goodell's urging by former Colts coach Tony Dungy, a Christian man of peace and conviction. Vick should reach out to animal-rights groups and become a spokesperson for them. If Goodell is satisfied following reports from Dungy, Vick's probation officer and new coach -- and if Vick is truly remorseful for what he did -- then Goodell should allow him to play sooner than later.

Why? Why? Why?

I've received questions from Detroit fans wanting to know if the Lions should get into the Vick sweepstakes.

No. No. No.

The Lions are relatively young and are led by first-year coach Jim Schwartz. Besides, they already have veteran quarterback Daunte Culpepper to mentor rookie Matthew Stafford. Moore believes Vick would have been a good fit for the Lions a few years ago. But not today.

"He would have been a welcomed addition because he is so dynamic and for what he brings," Moore said. "But given what the Lions are trying to do and that they are trying to regain focus, it is not something they can endure, even if he is a good fit for the offense."

It will take a special team to find a spot for Vick. He'd fit with a team ready to win a title or, perhaps, with a team like the renegade Oakland Raiders.

Vick is a tough fit.

But there's a fit somewhere for him.

terry.foster@detnews.com