Will the NFL treat him as it has several other players in recent months? Or will quarterback Michael Vick's high profile get him special treatment?

Michael Vick was ordered by commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday to stay away from the Atlanta Falcons' training camp until the league reviews the dog fighting charges against him.

"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.

The NFL said Vick would still get his preseason pay and Goodell told the Falcons to withhold any disciplinary action of their own until the league's review was completed.

Goodell told Vick the league would complete its review as quickly as possible and that he expected full cooperation. The review is expected to involve conversations with federal law enforcement officials so the NFL can determine the strength of the case against Vick.

These are serious charges -- and Vick has been less than forthright throughout this case. If only for the sake of the league's image, Michael Vick needs to be off the field this season. And, as Captain Ed notes, the nexus between dogfighting and illegal gambling raises a troubling issue about Michael Vick's on-field integrity.

Posted by: Greg at 01:47 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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