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As many of you heard, Michael Vick is back on the street. He spent nearly 2 yrs in jail and is now on house arrest following his felony conviction for bank rolling an illegal dogfighting ring. Vick, the former #1 overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons, is currently serving a suspension that was handed down by the NFL's commissioner Roger Goddell. Vick will be on house arrest for 2 months. After he completes that, he will apply to be re-instated back into the NFL. Vick's release from prison and the possibility of a return has sparked a huge debate. Some believe that Vick should NEVER be let back in the NFL. Others believe that he's paid his debt to society and he should have the opportunity to play again if a team wants him. Everybody has an opinion on it. Here's my take...

I think I've been able to view Vick's situation from a different perspective. I'm a fan. Not only am a fan of the Falcons but I watched every game that Mike Vick ever played for my team. Unlike these smucks who've watched Vick on SportsCenter highlights for years. They don't have a clue. I have also owned a dog or 2 for most of my life. I love dogs. I'd own a dog right now if I could. My first memories on this earth involve me and my dog.

Let me preface my statements by saying that what Vick did was horrible and cruel. NO ANIMAL DESERVES THAT! Vick was dead wrong. He can't blame it on ignorance. He knew what he was doing was wrong. To be honest, if he had never gotten into trouble...he'd probably STILL be fighting dogs. Not only what he did was horrible, it was downright stupid. Vick's contract was worth 130 million. There's no way that you should risk 130 million for a few thousand dollar bets. That's what he did. I'll never understand that. You squander millions for thousands??? Now...I wasn't the best student in math...but I know that's backwards. Nevertheless, Vick did time for the crime that he committed. Personally, I don't think he should've served time. But he broke the law and that's it. I don't think you should go to jail for driving 75mph in a 35mph speed zone but if that's what the law is...then you have to obey the law. Vick has paid his debt to society. He doesn't owe me an apology. He doesn't owe me any money. He has kids that he has to take care of. He has a family to provide for. He has a life to live. I can't tell him how he should do it.

The big debate is "should Vick be allowed to play in the NFL again." Some say that he should be allowed to come back. However, there is a huge segment of the sports community that thinks that he should be suspended and not be allowed to play again. Huh? Are you kidding me? It's funny to me how people find "certain things" to stand on their morals. Don't get me wrong...dogfighting is a cruel. But would you want a dude on your team who is a convicted felon for dogfighting (Vick) or a dude who has been convicted of another crime? The NFL is full of dudes who have been in trouble with the law. Wanna dude who killed another human while he was drunk behind the wheel...go pick Leonard Little. Wanna dude who has been brought up on domestic charges for smacking women and even spitting on women...go pick Larry Johnson . Wanna dude who was "involved" but charged with obstructing justice in murder investigation...go pick Ray Lewis. Wanna dude who started a fight in a strip club and a hail of bullets that left a man paralyzed for life...go pick Adam "Pacman" Jones. I could go on and on. The bottom line is that there is crime in society so you;re gonna have crime in professional sports. I'm not absolving Vick for his horrendous act but I don't think killing another human is the same. These dudes are STILL in the NFL but people are saying that Vick shouldn't be allowed back in? Get off your high horse.

Most of Vick's downfall is his own fault. However, some of the blame falls at the feet of his former employer, the Atlanta Falcons. No...the Falcons didn't put 4 grand on lil Sparky. The Falcons made far too many concessions for Vick. The Falcons were too busy trying to cash in on the "Mike Vick Experience". They were too busy trying to make him the face of the franchise and he had no interest in that. Vick is a quiet dude. He was the star who didn't want to be the star. There were far too many times when Vick was the last one on the practice field and the 1st one to leave. You can't be the franchise QB and do that. I have friends in the Falcons front office and they all say that there was too much "coddling the superstar QB." No one will openly say that the Falcons knew that Vick was fighting dogs but they all say that the "Falcons knew SOMETHING was going with him." I can't put alotta blame on the Falcons. Vick was getting paid as much as Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Too bad he didn't dedicate himself to the game like they do.

For those who say Vick should "come back and play another position"...save your breath. The dude made the Pro Bowl 3 out of 5 yrs as a starter. You don't get to be an All-Star just b/c you're mediocre. If Vick came back tomorrow, he's better than half the QB's in the NFL right now. Vick is a tremendous athlete and a decent QB. He needs a lotta work on his game. I remember when people would be critical of him for running too much but if you watched any Falcons games...you'd know why he was running. The Falcons had a horrible offensive line. And we had the worst wide receivers in the NFL...hands down. For as much as the Falcons profited from Vick, they never surrounded him with a decent offensive line nor a great wide receiver. However, things have changed for the Falcons. They made the playoffs last year and have a very good QB in Matt Ryan. Some will say that the whole Vick saga has to do with race. I don't think it does. I know white people who loved Vick and rooted harder for him than anybody else. I know black people who don't like Vick.

In the end, everybody deserves a second chance.

"The value of compassion cannot be over-emphasized. Anyone can criticize. It takes a true believer to be compassionate. No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no one cares or understands."- Arthur H. Stainback