Don’t Come Around Here No More

Roger Goodell, telling Michael Vick to stay away from Falcons training camp and handing down really the only decision that was possible at the time, included a statement that makes me a little regretful that I called him an asshole last year. A little.

"While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the National Football League to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies, including the Personal Conduct Policy," Goodell said in a letter to the quarterback.

This is the distinction that some people aren't getting. Vick doesn't necessarily have to break the law. His actions only have to portray the league badly in order for Goodell to be able to take action. If he is found to be involved in any way with dogfighting, he will be, at the very least, suspended.

The league said this decision was made so they can review the indictment and then make a decision as to his future in the NFL. I suppose that's a good idea, but I have a feeling that Goodell is doing Arthur Blank a favor by taking the decision out of his hands. No matter what decision Blank made, he would be criticized (probably by Emmitt Smith) and Blank is going to have a hard enough time this season trying to turn Joey Harrington into a quarterback.