BY Gary Myers
Daily News Writer
Michael Vick, who has missed the last two NFL seasons after pleading guilty to his role in illegal dogfighting, was conditionally reinstated by commissioner Roger Goodell Monday.
Vick, a free agent, will be permitted to sign immediately, participate in training camp and the final two preseason games, but Goodell won't consider him for full reinstatement to play in regular season games until the sixth week of the season. Once the regular season starts, Vick can participate in all team activities other than the games until Goodell's review.
Former Colts coach Tony Dungy, who visited with Vick while he was in prison, has agreed to continue working with Vick as an advisor and mentor.
In a letter to Vick Monday, Goodell wrote: "My decision at that time will be based on reports from outside professionals, your probation officer, and others charged with supervising your activities, the quality of your work outside football, the absence of any further adverse involvement in law enforcement, and other concrete actions that you take that are consistent with your representations to me."
Vick, the former Falcons quarterback, is likely to be signed by a team interested in using him in a part-time role as a Wildcat quarterback, which would take advantage of his running ability. The Raiders have been most prominently mentioned. Some think Vick would most prosper in a structured enviroment such as New England or Miami.
In addition, Goodell wrote: "This step-by-step approach is not meant to be a further punishment and should not be viewed as such. Instead, it is intended to maximize the prospect that you can successfully resume your career and your life. I believe that a transitional approach with a strong network of support will give you the best opportunity to manage effectively the various issues and pressures that you will inevitably face in the coming weeks and months and earn your full reinstatement."
Vick had been suspended indefinitely since August of 2007 after pleading guilty to federal criminal charges relating to his involvement in an interstate dogfighting enterprise. He was released from federal custody July 20 but is still serving three years of probation.
The NFL said in a statement, that in his review, Goodell considered the court records, written submissions made by Vick, his representatives, and others, reports and recommendations of outside professionals, interviews with family and associates conducted by NFL Security personnel, numerous conversations that Goodell had with current and former players and others, and a hearing on July 22 at which the commissioner spoke in person with Vick, his representatives, and NFLPA officials.
Vick, a free agent, will be permitted to sign immediately, participate in training camp and the final two preseason games, but Goodell won't consider him for full reinstatement to play in regular season games until the sixth week of the season. Once the regular season starts, Vick can participate in all team activities other than the games until Goodell's review.
Former Colts coach Tony Dungy, who visited with Vick while he was in prison, has agreed to continue working with Vick as an advisor and mentor.
In a letter to Vick Monday, Goodell wrote: "My decision at that time will be based on reports from outside professionals, your probation officer, and others charged with supervising your activities, the quality of your work outside football, the absence of any further adverse involvement in law enforcement, and other concrete actions that you take that are consistent with your representations to me."
Vick, the former Falcons quarterback, is likely to be signed by a team interested in using him in a part-time role as a Wildcat quarterback, which would take advantage of his running ability. The Raiders have been most prominently mentioned. Some think Vick would most prosper in a structured enviroment such as New England or Miami.
In addition, Goodell wrote: "This step-by-step approach is not meant to be a further punishment and should not be viewed as such. Instead, it is intended to maximize the prospect that you can successfully resume your career and your life. I believe that a transitional approach with a strong network of support will give you the best opportunity to manage effectively the various issues and pressures that you will inevitably face in the coming weeks and months and earn your full reinstatement."
Vick had been suspended indefinitely since August of 2007 after pleading guilty to federal criminal charges relating to his involvement in an interstate dogfighting enterprise. He was released from federal custody July 20 but is still serving three years of probation.
The NFL said in a statement, that in his review, Goodell considered the court records, written submissions made by Vick, his representatives, and others, reports and recommendations of outside professionals, interviews with family and associates conducted by NFL Security personnel, numerous conversations that Goodell had with current and former players and others, and a hearing on July 22 at which the commissioner spoke in person with Vick, his representatives, and NFLPA officials.
