8 SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2009 SUNDAY MORNING POST This Week – Record pursuit Tim Dahlberg o hear Roger Goodell tell it, so sickened animal lovers across nothing will ever really be good the decision to America are no longer nearly so enough. conditionally reinstate vivid in our minds. But Goodell promised to make a Michael Vick to the NFL The dogs have also all moved on, decision when Vick’s sentence was came only after much soul- for the most part. Vick paid nearly up, and he didn’t waste a lot of time Tsearching and consultations with US$1 million for the continuing doing it. What he came up with was everyone from Vick’s third-grade care of the survivors, and some a well-conceived plan for teacher to the guy who fills up his have even gone on to cushy lives as reinstatement that relies heavily on Range Rover. family pets. the good intentions of both Vick Even then, Goodell said he As for the others? Well, dead and the people around him, putting didn’t finally make up his mind dogs tell no tales. the onus on the former star until Sunday, which seems Just for the record, I was one of quarterback to prove himself every somewhat surprising because there those who thought Vick’s crimes – day. were a number of media reports and no matter what you think of Vick has been cleared to take filed well before that predicting the Vick they are vicious, despicable part in pre-season practices, commissioner would do pretty crimes – should keep him out of workouts and meetings and can close to what he ended up doing. society and out of football for a long play in the final two pre-season Then again, it wasn’t all that time. games. Once the season begins, tough to figure out. Goodell may I had read all the grisly details of Vick may participate in all team fancy himself as a disciplinarian, how dogs were maimed and killed activities except games, and but there wasn’t a lot of upside to in the name of sport, and was Goodell said he would consider keeping Vick out of the league when especially troubled by the Vick for full reinstatement by Week even the Peta (People for the Ethical statement of an informer who said Six (October 18-19) at the latest. Treatment of Animals) types had Vick and his buddies sometimes If Vick does what he promises, quieted down and the growing put family pets in with the fighting he likely has a career in the NFL consensus seemed to be that Vick dogs just to see them slaughtered. once again. If he doesn’t, there’s had already paid a heavy price for But we live in a society where always that US$10-an-hour his crimes. second chances are almost a construction job to fall back on. Initial reaction to Goodell’s birthright and, no matter how Speculation now shifts to what move confirmed that. No one was heinous Vick’s actions, it’s hard to teams might want Vick and the screaming – at least too loudly – argue against giving him one. He’s baggage he still brings. Some have that Vick should be put in a pit with done all the right things since being already said they’re not interested, dogs who still hold a grudge, and locked up, and seems to have but good quarterbacks are always in the heads of two animal rights replaced the people who formerly short supply. And, suddenly, a Vick All suited up. American golden girl Janet Evans called them “technical doping”, furious Aussie groups reacted by saying little more rode with him with a solid group of signing does not look nearly as risky than they hoped Vick would advisers and mentors such as public relations-wise. legend Grant Hackett branded Fina an “absolute disgrace” for allowing them and Michael continue seeing the error of his former Indianapolis coach Tony What may scare teams away Phelps’ coach has threatened to withdraw the superstar from competition until they are ways. Dungy. more than the idea of a dog killer Even Peta seemed to realise this For some people, that won’t be behind centre is the idea Vick may outlawed. The soon-to-be-banned performance-enhancing polyurenthane bodysuits are fight is about over, which is good good enough. For some people, not be the quarterback he once was. making a mockery of the World Swimming Championships in Rome. Photo: AP news for any NFL club still wary He’s a running quarterback who about signing Vick. Instead of lost two years of his prime, and holding a protest in front of NFL Even the likes of Peta teams might just want to wait until headquarters, the activist group put seemed to realise this he proves he still has his legs in, say Monday Tuesday out a statement saying it would the upstart United Football League simply continue to “watch him like fight is about over, (UFL), before making a move. a hawk”. The four-team league plans to That, of course, was all part of which is good news kick off a six-game season in It will be some of the best sprinting We could see China rival England as the master plan crafted by Vick’s October and its commissioner ever. I would call it ‘Tyson Gay shocks one of the world’s footballing powers advisers long before he got out of for any NFL club still Michael Huyghue said: “I still think prison in Kansas. wary about signing we are the best option for him.” the world’ and the Chinese Super League Vick began by co-opting the Huyghue suggested Vick could ................................................................................................. animal groups by promising to Vick prove to NFL teams that he’s ready US sprinter Tyson Gay gives his headline for his 100m sprint competing with the Premier League work on anti-dogfighting efforts to return – on and off the field – showdown with Jamaica’s Usain Bolt at this month’s World ................................................................................................. even as he resurrected his football during the UFL season. Championships in Berlin English Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore career, and he and his people seem Indeed, Vick’s future remains to have worked every angle just uncertain, despite Goodell’s ruling. right to convince Goodell he is truly A lot of things still have to happen a changed man. before he takes a snap in the NFL Wednesday Thursday Friday Time has been on Vick’s side, again. At least for now, though, too. It’s been more than two years everything is going exactly to plan. since we learned about the horrific things that happened at the Bad ...................................................... It only took us three Schumacher coming If Mike wants an Arena, Newz Kennels, and the images that Alvin Sallay is on holiday years to establish back is the best thing to he just has to say it. If he ourselves as a top team happen to F1. He will be wants a Jaked and they ... unfortunately, we were quick and competitive. don’t want to give it to unable to meet He is just too good not to him free, I’ll buy it for expectations make an impact him. He has options Jason Dasey ............................................................... ............................................................... ............................................................... BMW spokesman Klaus Draeger breaks the Former world champion Niki Lauda predicts Serb Milorad Cavic, though desperate to news of his company’s exit from Formula that Michael Schumacher will be the saviour avenge his Beijing Olympic defeat by One as a team and engine supplier after his shock return to Ferrari Michael Phelps, did not want his rival to be able to use the excuse of wearing an outdated bodysuit in last night’s 100m Monday Tuesday butterfly showdown When it comes to his commitment address the bemused squad when seasons. But while Beckham’s to Major League Soccer, David Ruud Gullit became the richest presence still generates considerable Beckham is a little like the distracted coach in MLS history (US$6 million commercial revenue for the Galaxy, guest we’ve all met at parties. over three years) in November 2007. his desire to continue to be a part- They’re happy to sit and talk, but Byrne had been instrumental in timer – to further his personal they’re always looking around in recruiting Gullit but both he and the ambitions – threatens to wreak case someone more interesting Dutchman were shown the door in havoc with the club’s goals. comes along. August 2008, with the Galaxy in “Having him as a part-time It’s with that split attention that freefall. That, says Wahl, was when player in 2009 and 2010 puts real the 34-year-old midfielder begins his Beckham went lukewarm on strain on the Galaxy and prevents third season in America: publicly American soccer, just 13 months the team from improving as much committed to his five-year deal with into his stay. as it could with a full-time player,” the LA Galaxy but privately looking “With the Galaxy on a 12-game Wahl said. “The next three months for an escape route. winless streak, Beckham grew are important to show whether he Arriving mid-campaign from his increasingly frustrated with his can help the team win on the field loan spell with AC Milan, it’s easy to teammates and the referees, his for the first time since his arrival. see why Beckham is copping abuse fitness suffered and he started giving But, so far, the soccer part of the from the fans.