United Football League wants Michael Vick

[Hugabear]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/dolphins/content/sports/epaper/2009/07/28/a1c_ufl_0729.html

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While NFL aficionados, players and coaches debate the wisdom of reinstating Vick after he served nearly two years for running a dogfighting operation, the four-team upstart league with its closest franchise in Orlando might be the biggest beneficiary of the discussion.

Few had heard of the UFL before NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell began deliberating Vick's future in the NFL, where Vick was the No. 1 overall pick in 2001. Goodell is allowing Vick to play in two pre-season games and practice with any team that signs him, setting his return around Week 6.

Or Vick could pursue the other option dangled in front of him: He could sign a contract worth as much as $1.5 million to be the star in a league that bills itself as a complement to the NFL, a body shop for football careers with a couple of dings. At the end of the six-week season, which culminates with its championship game Thanksgiving weekend, Vick would be free to sign with any NFL team.
<snip>


The NFL is not Vick's only option - which is what I've been trying to say for awhile.

[Forkboy]

1. They can have him.

[emilyg]

3. With my blessings.

:hi:

[JonLP24]

2. They have been willing to take him for quite some time

Arena football league honors NFL suspension but right now the AFL is uncertain. Last I check Brandon Marshall is still in the NFL so I have no problem with Vick playing.

[Hawkeye-X]

4. Hey - don't knock on Marshall

His latest off-the-field issue was dismissed by the courts....

He doesn't abuse dogs or kill 'em.

Hawkeye-X

[JonLP24]

5. He abused his SO

According to what she has said. The latest incident was dropped but before the charges were dropped when he attended anger management classes.

A woman.. a dog. I care more about the woman.

[Hawkeye-X]

8. Ahem.

Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Arrington Arrested -- NFL FanHouse
Anderson arrested in police prostitution sting - NFL - ESPN
Former Arizona Cardinals player Luis Sharpe arrested | Sports ...

And don't remind us that Denver Broncos signed him up - we already cut him.

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_12461192

[JonLP24]

9. I'm not trying to shit on the Broncos, they are my 2nd favorite team

I looked at JJ Arrington disorderly conduct. Not the same. Luis Sharpe I think he was a third string TE and have no idea what he was arrested for. Prostitution I could care less as long as no one gets hurt. If you wanted to bring up legal troubles by Cardinal players the best example you could've used is David Boston.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4A756xTC0s

Basically 911 tapes of two different instances. His ex-fiancee describes several instances such as kicking and punching. Photos of the assault and one that required stitches. An e-mail where Marshall acknowledges the abuse he sent to his fiancee.

I have no problem with Marshall being able to play in the league but for those who don't want Vick in at all costs I was trying to put some perspective in this that Marshall displayed a pattern of abuse on a human being but had a reduced suspension of one game.

[downeyr]

11. I don't know...

If the woman was abused, she has a choice to end the relationship and get as far away from the guy as possible. If she didn't get away from him, that's a choice. Dogs kept in kennels forced to kill without any choice regarding freedom? I feel more sympathy for the dog than the woman simply on the grounds that one had an opportunity to change the situation and the other didn't. And yes, I've had experience with abusive relationships and I understand what happens in those relationships.

[bluestateguy]

6. Then they are certain to end up just like the XFL

One season and then down the toilet.

[Hugabear]

10. Not necessarily

The XFL was a joke to begin with. It wasn't so much about pure football as it was trying to combine football and pro wrestling. Vince McMahon was one of the XFL's founders, they even tried creating storylines for their cheerleaders. That, and the fact that it played in the spring, which isn't a traditional football period.

The UFL, by contrast, will be playing during the traditional football season, but not going head-to-head against the NFL. The people putting the UFL together have considerable NFL experience - former NFL executives will be running the league, and former NFL coaches will be coaching the teams.

I have no idea how long it will last or if it will succeed, but there is absolutely no comparison whatsoever to the XFL.

[flvegan]

7. So does a certain ring of hell.