Falcons Move to Trade Vick

(NEWSER) - Michael Vick may yet fling a football again in the NFL, but it won't be for the Atlanta Falcons. The team today released its former quarterback, who is close to completing his federal sentence for dogfighting, reports the Journal-Constitution. The Falcons had hoped to trade Vick—who is still awaiting word on whether the league will lift his suspension—but got no takers, notes ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas. More»

To raise awareness of pit bull plight, group will match tackles with food

(NEWSER) - A Pennsylvania animal shelter has put a price on Michael Vick’s head—sort of. Main Line Animal Rescue ran an ad in the Washington Post promising to donate five bags of dog food to local shelters every time a Redskin sacks Vick during their Oct. 26 game. “We just need to raise public awareness and this is a good way to do that,” the group’s founder tells the Philadelphia Inquirer. More»

QB: 'I'm glad to have a second chance'

(NEWSER) - Michael Vick says he “won’t disappoint” as a player for of the Eagles, the Philadelphia Daily News reports. “I’m glad to have an opportunity at a second chance,” said the convicted felon and newly signed quarterback. He said at a press conference today he had “ done some terrible things, made a horrible mistake,” but “now I want to be part of the solution and not the problem,” the AP reports. More»

(NEWSER) - Michael Vick can play football again, ESPN reports. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell met with the newly free quarterback today and settled on a conditional reinstatement, sources say. Vick will be allowed to sign with a team—so far, none have said they want him—but will be suspended four games once the season starts. During their meeting, Vick reportedly offered a personal apology to Goodell for lying about his role in a dogfighting ring. The news comes just in time: NFL training camps open next week. More»

Redemption is there in spades, but little talk of horrid crime

(NEWSER) - Critics agree BET's The Michael Vick Project is conveniently focused more on the NFL star's comeback than on the horrid crime that laid him low in the first place. Still, some find the 8-episode "quasi-documentary" appealing:

• Vick presents himself as reformed, Robert Lloyd writes in the Los Angeles Times , but in visiting his old dogfighting compound, he " seems more nostalgic than contrite." No matter. "For many, his redemption will be strictly a matter of his playing football well. And if he doesn't, well, at least he won't be shot, drowned or hanged for it."