It’s hard to argue that Vick in the Patriots offense wouldn’t be intriguing, and I’m not about to do that.  I think that the question of being disappointed in his not being a Patriot has to ultimately come down to personal choice. For me, it comes down to a choice of being entertained by a remarkable athlete vs being entertained by remarkable athletes who haven’t done unspeakable things to animals. 

My preference – and I’d guess it’s shared by others – is to follow football for the enjoyment of the game without the dark element. It’s about wanting to see people you can believe in do well.  It’s about supporting something I believe in and people I can feel good about..



I can’t get there with Mike Vick.  I think it was his complete lack of remorse in the face of the allegations (see above) that turned me off. His demeanor when others questioned him about his actions spoke volumes of his personality and his character.



Yes people can change. And yes people deserve a second chance. But I’m not convinced that can happen when you get paid millions of dollars to play a sport.  Mike Vick expressed remorse AFTER he had everything taken away from him.  Would he still feel the same way if he were to receive probation, or a lighter sentence?  Maybe, but I doubt it.



People tend to forget, Vick had plenty of character issues before the dogfighting problems, including this lovely incident where he flipped off Falcon fans. (see photo)

I just can’t picture a guy like that in New England, regardless of how much he’s repented and promises not to disappoint his supporters.

There are other players who can do similar things as Mike Vick (Julian Edelman). It's much easier to cheer for a guy like Edelman than Vick, and you don't have to feel like you've compromised you rmoral fiber in the name of the game to do it.

The decision by the Patriots not to add Vick to the roster shows that family values still matter.

 

Are you seriously comparing Mike Vick to Randy Moss?

Say it ain’t so.

Sure Moss had issues, no one can deny that.  Moss also made a point of going out of his way to be good to kids.  He was hardly in Vick’s league even with the faux moon in Green Bay.

Worse, Vick’s sins are long and egregious.  He’s a convicted felon who did such reprehensible things that it’s hard to believe he can be repentant for all of it.

This isn’t a case of minor issues we’re talking about.  Vick did 18 months of hard time in Federal Prison.  Moss’s actions weren’t even a speed bump on the road that Vick paved.

Read the list of findings in Vick’s case and you’ll get a good idea why so many people are violently opposed to his return to the NFL.

THEN THERE"S THIS:

What makes me wonder is the NFL’s decision to start marketing Michael Vick youth jersey’s (VICK JERSEY)  before the guy does anything to redeem himself publicly as an Eagle.

That’s ridiculous. They're selling his stuff to KIDS!

Who thought THAT was a good idea?

Even the Eagles are concerned about image. They're already taking Corporate sponsors off their website because of the Vick backlash.  Yet the NFL is ready to cash in on the move. ..  Wow.

With all that being said. I’d like to see Mike Vick the football player if he can be a separate person from the one who was convicted of such heinous crimes.  Unfortunately, Vick can’t be separated.  He’s done some every bad things.  And on his way to prison he still didn’t realize what he did wrong.

One look at this should have clued him in.

You think he’s changed? Good luck with that. I’m willing to bet he relapses once the money’s gone. 

As a Patriots fan, do you really want this guy in New England’s record/history books?

Thanks, but I'd rather see Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Tedy Bruschi and others win or lose, I don't need a Mike Vick fix to want to watch the Patriots 

So what I'm saying is no, I'm not really disappointed he's not here.