Vick Reinstated, Can Participate Immediately

"Michael Vick has been conditionally reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who will then decide on the quarterback's full reinstatement for Week 6 of the regular season.

Vick can participate without delay in preseason practices, workouts and meetings and can play in the final two preseason games -- if he can find a team that will sign him.

Once the season begins, Vick may participate in all team activities other than games, but could play as soon as October.

Goodell called a news conference for late Monday afternoon."

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Owens Weighs in on Vick's Return

"Buffalo Bills receiver Terrell Owens is disappointed in the way NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is considering Michael Vick's reinstatement now that the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback has served a 23-month prison sentence for his role in an illegal dogfighting ring.

Owens called the possibility of an additional Vick suspension to start the season, possibly for four games, "ridiculous" while meeting with reporters after Sunday morning's training camp session at St. John Fisher College.

"The Michael Vick situation, I think, is unfortunate," Owens said. "I think the way the commissioner is handling it is unfair to Michael Vick. I think he's done the time for what he's done. I don't think it's really fair for him to be suspended four more games. It's almost like kicking a dead horse in the ground.

"A lot of the guys around the league need to speak up. I think the players' union needs to step in because the guy's already suffered so much, and to add a four-game suspension onto a two-year prison sentence, I mean, that's ridiculous."

League sources told ESPN's Sal Paolantonio and Chris Mortensen on Thursday that Goodell is expected to announce details of Vick's conditional reinstatement, allowing the three-time Pro Bowler to sign with an NFL team.

Owens wouldn't speculate whether Vick will be signed by another NFL team, but claimed Vick deserved the opportunity.

"Why shouldn't he?" Owens said. "There's a number of guys around the league that have done far more worse things than that and gotten a second chance. So I don't see why he shouldn't.""

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Goodell to allow Vick To Sign With A Team

"Michael Vick could be on his way back to the NFL if a team signs him before, during or following a four-game suspension levied by Commissioner Roger Goodell.

ESPN.com reported Thursday that Goodell issued a conditional reinstatement for the suspended former Falcons quarterback that will allow Vick to attend training camp if he signs with a team, but will still suspend Vick for the first four games of the 2009 season.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, however, told The Associated Press on Thursday no decisions on Vick's future have been made.

"This is a serious matter," Aiello said in an e-mail. "We are engaging in a careful and thoughtful process."

Vick, fresh from serving 23-months in federal prison for dogfighting, met with Goodell Wednesday, hoping to restart his NFL career, according to published reports.

The two met Wednesday afternoon in Allendale, N.J., ESPN.com reported, citing a unnamed league source.

Sport Illustrated reported on its Web site that Vick and Goodell were seen departing from Buckley Petersen Global Inc. around 4 p.m.

Vick left in a Cadillac Escalade; Goodell in a BMW 10 minutes later, according to SI.com. Eyewitnesses described the two as having "somber" looks on their faces.

Aiello declined to confirm the meeting when contacted by The AP.

On Tuesday, Vick met one-on-one with NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith.

That same day Goodell, who suspended Vick indefinitely, said he'll make a decision "in the near future" on reinstating him.

In order for Goodell to reinstate Vick, he must show remorse and convince him and the public that he is reformed.

The animal rights group PETA issued a statement Thursday reiterating its resistance to Vick rejoining the NFL unless he first undergoes a psychological evaluation."

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Jets, Giants Have 'No Intrest' In Vick

" If Michael Vick manages to get reinstated into the NFL, don't expect to see him playing for either local team.

Both John Mara and Woody Johnson shot down any possibility the former Falcons quarterback, whose 23-month sentence for his role in a dogfighting ring ended yesterday, would suit up for either team.

"No," Giants owner Mara said with a laugh. "On a lot of levels, no."

Johnson was also adamant about Vick not becoming a Jet. "There's no interest," said Johnson.

The Jets have had plenty of issues at quarterback in recent years and drafted USC's Mark Sanchez with the fifth pick in this year's draft. He will battle with Kellen Clemens for the starting spot.

"We've got Kellen Clemens and now we have young Mark Sanchez, so I think we're good on quarterbacks," said Johnson, adding that even if they weren't set, he likely still wouldn't be interested. "I don't think we'd go in that direction."

The owners were outside their new stadium for the first ride on the train that will run to the Meadowlands for games starting this season.

And while it's clear Damien Woody and Jerricho Cotchery won't play with Vick, both Jets said he should be allowed to suit up somewhere.

"I feel like he's done his time and there's a time to let them move forward with their life," said Woody, who also understood why a team would decline to bring him in. "There's a lot to go in to bringing [him] aboard, especially in tough economic times. You've got sponsors and you always have to take those things into consideration."

"I hope he takes advantage of it if he's able to get a second chance," Cotchery said. "It's gonna take awhile to rebuild his image . . . but he's a talented player. Someone will give him a shot.""

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Vick To Orlando UFL Team?

"It has been speculated for some time that Michael Vick, of whom you've heard, is apt to play in the UFL before he returns to the NFL. The UFL, as you might not know, stands for the United Football League, a start-up that includes all of four teams.

On ESPN.com, Pat Yasinskas speculates that Vick would most likely land in Orlando. (The other three franchises are based in New York/Hartford, Los Angeles/Las Vegas and Sacramento/San Francisco. If this sounds confusing, here's a fine explanation of the UFL from Ted Fleming on the Tampa Bay Sports Examiner.)

Yasinskas' reasoning: The UFL operates on a regional basis, and Orlando would get dibs on anyone who has played in the NFC South. Also: Orlando is coached by Jim Haslett, who worked against Vick while coaching the Saints and who worked with Vick's cousin Aaron Brooks in New Orleans.

In Fleming's story, Haslett is quoted thusly: "I know Michael personally, playing against him and spending time with him and I think he is a pretty good kid. "Obviously, his values were a bit different than mine or yours. To make a long story short, out of the four cities, I think this would be the city that would be the best to accept him and give him that second chance."

And would Vick be welcome in the UFL? According to Vinny DiTriani on NorthJersey.com, league commissioner Michael Huyghue posed that question on the UFL Web site and 80 percent of respondents "were positive about the prospect.""

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NFL commissioner turns focus to Michael Vick's future

"Commissioner Roger Goodell says he is beginning to focus on evaluating Michael Vick's future in the NFL.

But Goodell said Thursday his decision on the former Atlanta Falcons star quarterback will come "in due time" and not necessarily before the season begins.

"I haven't given a timeline," on a decision about reinstatement, Goodell told The Associated Press during a telephone interview.

Goodell says he has yet to speak to Vick, and won't sit down with him until after Vick is released July 20 from home confinement and federal custody.

Vick is currently suspended from the league because of his involvement in a dogfighting ring."

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