Michael Vick deserves forgiveness (with poll); plus Land Shark, Lingerieball & more

     [Thanks to all who tapped into our live online chat today. We do it every Monday from 1-2 p.m. Click here to join live, read transcripts or post a question any time. Click on Twitter.com/gregcote to join the following. It's fast, free and has been shown in lab tests to reduce body fat by 10 percent].

     There is a full column from me on this posted online now (click here) and in the Monday newspaper. Suffice to say I think Michael Vick soon will have paid his fair debt for his dog-fighting sins (two years in federal prison) and deserves both reinstatement by the NFL and a fair chance from the rest of us -- football fans, media and animal lovers alike. What he did was terrible. His punishment was just. But he has done the time for doing the crime, and does not deserve a life or career sentence.

     Take a dip in our poll and elaborate with a comment if you'd like. Note: We'd ask PETA members to restrict their comments to 5,000 words. [Update: PETA, please do not picket my house. Unless naked women are involved. Thank you].

Online Surveys & Market Research

     [Congrats, and thanks. You made the above our 61st blogpoll to surpass 1,000 votes within the first 24 hours. Keep 'em coming!]

     Landshark/LandShark/Land Shark update!: The Dolphins announced today that the defrocked Dolphin Stadium, renamed after a bad beer, should be referred to as Land Shark Stadium (three words), not as Landshark or LandShark. Hmm. Confusing. I say to hell with it and let's just keep calling it Dolphin Stadium. You with me?

     Lingerieball: The Miami Caliente of the Lingerie Football League held a "mini-camp" Monday at the Sunrise arena. No, seriously. Pictured at right: Somebody who throws a lousy pass, but with exquisite form. [Aside to self: Ask boss for assignment switch from column writing to Caliente beat].

     Fantasy baseball update: Every Monday in da blog I update on you how the Adler's Marlsox are faring in our 10-team ESPN-based league. Not much change. Still 4th place. Still trying to figure out how a team with Ryan Howard and David Wright can be dead-last in homers and RBIs. God bless Johan Santana and Zack Greinke.

Comments

[r. duke]

OK. But hopefully not with the Fins.

[the shadow knows]

fellers,

if one believes that prison rehabilitates, then why not another chance. granted that he did perjure himself and displayed real arrogance during the lead-up to the trial and during the trial itself; however he shouldn't be denied a chance to pursue the only profession he knows. i would feel the same way about him even if he didn't put on one of the great athletic displays i have ever seen in the 3rd quarter of the sugar bowl against the seminoles- america is about second chances, or that was i was always led to believe.

[r. duke]

It's a good point shadow. If he hasn't gotten his act together it won't be long before he's "in debt" again. He can't run from himself.

[Dolphan]

Humans first, then pets...

[mike1]

I'm against it, because we, the average Joe would not be shown mercy, so why should he just because he has skills in sports?

[r. duke]

Sorry but I don't want the guy anywhere near the Fins. Am I going to be venomously outraged and hateful toward him getting a second chance? No but I won't be wearing his jersey either. Call it what you will hippocracy, ambivalence or just plain paradoxy. I don't care. The very idea of him in a Dolphins uniform just because he paid his debt, his skill level, or the wildcat offense is repugnant. Not ready to be Jesus Christ nor ginrai just yet.

[Jimbo]

Parcells won't take him. In a pre-dolphin employment NFL channel bit, Parcells commented that Vick was an average skilled QB and that his return would force Vick to be a part time "slash" or WR.
I feel that the Nfl should not reinstate for at least 1 additional yr. Goodall is pretty tough and don't expect an easy return for Vick.

Atlanta is 10 times better off with a Rookie Ryan than Vick was in his prime. Outside of running, what was Vick good at??

[r. duke]

Torturing and then killing dogs...

[sheeneman]

While I am all for giving someone a second chance (haven't we all gotten one sometime in our lives?), you must remember, he didn't just have his dogs fight TO THE DEATH, he also single handidly BEAT THEM TO DEATH WITH HIS BARE HANDS!!! He also locked them in "rape boxes" over and over again. Oh yeah, did I mention he also had them fight TO THE DEATH?! He should be able to use his college degree he received (for free), oh wait, he didn't get his degree. Anyway, it doesn't matter, since he made millions playing football he should have plenty of money to live on for the rest of his life. Oh, wait... Silly me I forgot,the idiot went through that money like Wilt Chamberlain went through women. I guess we shouldn't expect too much from someone who went to prison for running a dog fighting operation out of his home in Georgia (where it is illegal),when he could have run it from his home in Virginia, where it is legal (gotta love those inbred Virginia rednecks). What a stupid, evil scumbag. Maybe he should have to work for 500 hours in a Humane Society animal shelter so he can see first hand the suffering of our beloved "pets" he might get the picture. Then he should be locked in a "rape box" and let the deliverance guys have at him for a few days. And finally, maybe he could be forced to fight, I don't know, say, a black bear, he might finally be able to get that second chance you say he deserves. What do you say Greg? Would you let him pet-sit your pet? Many former drug addicts become drug counselors, maybe he needs a more humble, fulfilling job. One where he can really make a difference as well as redeem himself in the eyes of the Creator of all creatures great and small, God Almighty (he calls himself a Christian, right?). Besides he can't need more money, he made MILLIONS playing football. Oh that's right, I forgot.....

[sheeneman]

P.S. I am not a member of PETA. Just thought you should know that.

[r. duke]

Now now what would Jesus do? Well as I already said I'm not Jesus. Go ahead give him another shot but not with the Fins. Really Cote I don't even believe you want him here you provocateur.

[r. duke]

Gee ya think Vick would help sell more season tickets?

[r. duke]

Hmm I think he should either go to the Raiders, Cowboys, Jets or Pats. Probably in that order.

[r. duke]

I just don't know Cheesey Whiz smiling Jerry Jones is awfully hard to like. I might actually prefer Vick go to Dallas.

[r. duke]

Your thoughts Hobson?

[Jerry G]

Of course he deserves a 2nd chance, he paid his debt. There are people walking, living and working amongst us with DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide convictions. They killed people. Yet Vick was treated like the worse type of criminal for killing dogs. Something that has been done in this state and elsewhere for decades. That doesn't make it right, but he wouldn't have served a day if he wasn't Michael Vick. What he did was real stupid, but he did his time. Give the guy another chance.

[r. duke]

Well torture is an UGLY thing... However I said give him another chance just not in Miami.

[r. duke]

Correction. Torture is an UGLY UGLY terribly UGLY thing.

[r. duke]

Oh Cote such a topic on Mothers Day. Happy Mothers Day Mrs. Vick!

[r. duke]

I do need to take care though. There but for the grace of God go I.

[Tony Shoes]

I couldn't stand Vick before he got in trouble and I definitely don't like him now. That being said, Vick did his time fair and square. If he's given a second chance in the NFL, good for him. I'm glad there's no way the Dolphins would even look in his direction though, just thinking about Vick sporting a Fins jersey makes my blood boil. The possibility of adding Vick as a wildcat qb is very intriguing though so someone out there will give Ron Mexico a shot.

[r. duke]

I wonder if Vick invested any of his fortune with Bernie Madoff. Ok that's the last batch of dogs*** I fling at Vick. I am now practicing restraint, discipline and sef-control.

[jp]

this isn't even about whether or not he deserves a chance. if you can honestly answer this question with a "yes" then sure, he can be on the field.

would you like your child to look up to michael vick as a public sports figure?

simple as that.

[r. duke]

Yeah jp but there are so many sports stars and entertainers from TV, movies, music etc that I wouldn't want my kid to look up to. I'm not sure what your getting at.

[r. duke]

I mean do we get rid of everyone we don't want are kids to use as a role model?

[r. duke]

Jesus Mary & Joseph I meant "our" not are...

[r. duke]

Take people from world of religion and politics for example. I mean would I be ok with my kid wanting to be like Cardinal Law or Heinrich Himmler? Odessa ran through Vatican right Jimbo?

[r. duke]

God this is one crazy world and human beings are wackiest species on it.

[r. duke]

Oh well, now I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord my soul to keep if I should die before I wake I pray the Lord my soul to take...

[r. duke]

Or better still some really HOT Victoria Secrets angel babe!

[klndry]

He didn't do his time yet. And yet you knight him cleansed. He is a thug. No doubt about that. Dog fighting? Cock fighting? Pitting dumb animals against each other for sport when you are a multimillonaire sports star that has endorsements and a never ending supply of money is the act of a crazy and extremely bloodthirsty person. What little secrets don't we know about this animal? If that is what we caught him doing what skeletons are left running around in his backyard that we know nothing about.
It is way too early to tell if he cares about what he did and therefore talk about reinstatement at this time is at best questionable.

[TheChampionUnderdog]

cote is a douche.

[Jean-Paul Sartre]

There is no exit for Vick or anyone else for that matter.

[RICK THE TRUTH SPEAKER]

THIS WAS A VERY BAD CASE IN MY OPINION OF OVER KILL. HAVING 28 YEARS EXPERINCE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF MURDERING A HUMAN BEING TREATED BETTER THAN MICHEAL VICK . I AM IN NO WAY TRYING TO MINIMIZE WHAT MR. VICK DID, BUT LET'S BE HONEST THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HUMAN AND AN ANIMAL. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH THE PENAL SYSTEM IS THE UN-EQUALNESS OF PUNISHMENT DEALT OUT BY THE SYSTEM.. MR. VICK DEFI NITELY DESERVES ANOTHER CHANCE AND I HAVE NO DOUBT HE WILL GET THAT CHANCE. GOD FORGIVES MAN DON'T

[SwedishPhish]

I think the NFL can let him come back if they want. He is a felon, but there are others in the league. But I do not see how any team could take the hit to put him on their team.

Interesting thing. In my job there is no way a felon could ever get a position. So I am not sure why we continue to give professional sports people the benefits that are not given to everyone else. Let the NFL ban all players who have previous felony convictions and see the rate drop.

He has paid his debt to the justice system, but that does not mean thre are no other consequences in this world.

[r, duke the I don't know what the f*** is going on village idiot]

well cyanide might be an exit. best to be on the safe side though. cyanide, a luger and the red army avalanching down on you. yup that would be an exit of sorts. absolute hard to say. either there is a God or this is all a very bad joke. the jury is still out.

[rsmithgi]

There are a limited number of spots in the NFL. I would prefer to use them to give other young men a first chance.

Mr. Vick should get on with his life. He has served his time, but that doesn't mean that I want to see him on Sundays in the NFL. No one "deserves" to make millions of dollars playing a game. It is a privilege given to a very rare few. IMO, if you throw that chance away due to your own stupidity, you don't get another chance. Mr. Vick didn't make a mistake. He chose an evil path.

I wish him no ill will. There are billions of people that get through life just fine without being a professional athlete. Mr. Vick should just join the rest of us.

[Armando]

Man it always amazes me how people can be so high and mighty. Vick deserves a 2nd chance period. Yes what he did was sick and disgusting but the man did his time. Is not very American to keep trying him over this. Everyone needs to move on and let him get back to his. I hope the NFL reinstates him. We need to not listen to that bunch of crazies from PETA.

[Rob]

To practice in any professional occupation should be considered a privilege and not a right. Once you have done something that stains your personal or professional reputation that profession also suffers, especially when you represent a sport in what is considered a prestigious league in the NFL. Many of these athletes, both good and bad, are role models to our children. The NFL should take responsibility in giving a serious look at such offenses to figure out the type of image they want to project to the public.

[baddogs55]

some of you who have comments against vick sound pretty bad too. WOW!

[DavidW]

I do feel he deserves a chance. Many of the players in sports get away with much worse, drugs, DUIs, beating their wives, etc. I think what really sets this apart is it doesn't really fall into "I went out and had a few too many" or a "heat of the moment" issue. Not that those statements condone the behavior, it comes down to a premeditated and methodical plan by Vick.

Vick planned these fights, and viciously had these animals killed by other dogs or in some cases with his bare hands. I read several articles that detailed exactly what he was accused of, and the evidence used against him. The problem really comes with just how disturbed is Michael Vick? Just reading these details was enough to make me sick to my stomach. I would think that a majority of people couldn't even think to do the things he did.

He has been punished for this enough. The one thing I have not heard anything about is Vick receiving any form of counciling. Playing the role of an NFL Team Owner, I would take into account that he has been punished to the full extent of the law but I would be deeply concerned that Vick is clearly a troubled person and I would also take into account what he is doing to seek treatment for this behavior.

[Chevyboy79]

I bet that 27.5% of the 27.6% who voted so far stating that what he did was to awful to forgive or forget claim to be Christians. What Vick did was awful but I'm not going to condemn the man for that when we marvel people in history (including Presidents) who owned slaves or may have even had a hand in murdering them!!! This society is so backwards. How about those dog lovers go out and protest for those being murdered in Darfur. I forgot, a human life is not worth as much as a dogs life. Afterall, a dog is a mans best friend...

[Travis]

He deserves another chance. He got thrown in jail for the "mistreatment of dogs." Dogs don't have souls, just as every other animal in the animal kingdom. Why don't they just start throwing us in jail every time we swat a mosquito? Yeah, he "broke the law" and he "deserves to be punished," but at least he's not out there killing people under the influence of alcohol behind the wheel. Stallworth will probably only get a slap on the wrist, but Vick's actions deserve years and years in jail.

"I killed someone while drunk driving, and I'm watching from the outside as Vick does time for setting up a few dogfights."

Complete BS

Vick is still one of the best at what he does. Get him back out there.

[Ron E Dee]

Will "they" give EVERYONE involved a second chance? Then YES!

Or...ONLY the gifted person that can line pockets?

[Louis]

It's a horrible crime; but he's paid his debt to society -- let the guy live his life. He shamed himself, not "the integrity of the game." The steroid users, drug users, game gamblers get to come back. Why shouldn't he?

[r. duke]

Hmm no souls. That presupposition might make it easier to kill something, deeming it a mere object. I'm not arguing mosquitos and dogs however, there is distinct possibility everything has a soul provided souls do in fact exist. Torture no justification except for being one sick, twisted and perhaps brain damaged individual. I'm not sure how much lining of pockets Vick will actually be doing for anyone. Alot of people can't wrap their minds arounds cruelty to animals particularly given they often give such unconditional love for so little in return. Uphill battle for Vick all the way but if some owner wants to pay him to play in NFL so be it. Just not Stephen Ross...

[r. duke]

Off topic of Mr.Vick for a moment. Has anyone heard of or seen movie "Slumdog Millionare?" My God what a terrific film. Look it up on internet if you want more info. Truly horrendous, mindbending and inspirational tale with its fair share of humor. My wife informs me I must be living under a rock as "Everybody is talking about this movie!" Well not to me they haven't and besides it's nice and cool under rocks affording one a great deal of privacy.

[Tony Shoes]

I'm not making a judgment on Vick one way or the other. I respect the justice system because it works more times than it fails. Vick was tried, convicted, and sentenced. Vick will be finishing his sentence and the man is entitled to go back to work, in this case his job is playing football. No, of course you don't want your children looking up to Vick as a role model for obvious reasons, but you cannot deny Vick his right to work. The NFL is more than a sport, it's a business! If Vick can still run, someone out there will take him and try to utilize his talents. It's not perfect, but it's fair.

[Paul]

Personally I think Vick is a thug who happened to have athletic ability up the yingyang. I don't htink he was a great QB. All legs no QB feel.

However, firstly, unless all previously convicted athletes are not allowed to play in the NFL he should be allowed back.

Secondly, I grew up in the country and the assignment of which animals rate human level treatment and which ones don't is largely a result of the viewpoint of certain groups. I know very moral men who where very capable of shooting their farm dog of 10 years. Ggranted they didn't torture them but the point is people who have dogs sleeping with them and cuddling on the couch have very different views on whether they could put their dog down by their own hand. In short not everyone agrees with how much a part of the family a dog is or isn't.

As I stated, Vick is a thug who has value to someone because he has athletic skill. When he no longer has that skill, no NFL team will want him and he will be thrown to the curb. The qualtiy of the person will dictate if he remains in the hearts of the fans.

My guess is he won't.

[OC Dolphin]

duke,

Your wife has got you pegged. Perhaps you need to go by the alias of Barney Rubble while under that rock. Slumdog has been past tense long before it won the Oscar for best movie of the year back in February. In fact, Slumdog has already spent his million; he's just doing okay now, and the young contestant is now retired and a great grandfather of six :-)