On Monday July 27, 2009 NFL Commissioner Roger Goddell reinstated former Falcons quarterback and accused dog-fighting ring operator Michael Vick on a conditional reinstatement. The general conditions of his reinstatement, as reported by AP NFL writer Barry Wilner state:

"Vick can immediately participate in preseason practices, workouts and meetings and can play in the final two preseason games if - if he can find a team that will sign him."

While a number of teams have already said they would not, some teams should consider doing so, and who else would I suggest but the New England Patriots.

From a logistical standpoint, the Patriots lack any sort of skill in the backup quarterback position behind Brady. They are stuck in a logjam of four un-proven and inexperienced youngsters who have combined, seen less offensive playing time then recently departed (and dearly missed) Mike Vrabel over the past five seasons. Vick is a proven winner and competent quarterback that despite some moral and ethical mishaps could calm the stormy waters of the Patriots depth chart.

I also believe that, while dog fighting is wrong and I think it is a despicable act, two years in jail is more then enough punishment. I think any jail time for an act like that is more then enough punishment considering Donte Stallworth killed a man and only got 30 days in jail. Vick deserves a shot. How can a team like the Vikings or the 49ers or the Jaguars or the Broncos or the Redskins go after one of the (if not the) most athletic and dangerous quarterback with their feet that the NFL has ever seen with their current quarterback situation? Vick is an offensive machine. While he may not have the most accurate arm, he has one of the strongest and when all else fails, he is as good with the ball in his hand as most running backs and receivers in the open field. To call him a threat with the ball in his hands is an understatement.

Can anyone say wildcat? The dumbest formation in the NFL (in my opinion) was designed with a player like Vick in mind. Any team, and I mean any team that runs some form of the wildcat would be stupid to not consider having Vick on the sidelines. Or better yet, line him up in the backfield alongside your quarterback and he can run or pass form their. Throw to him in the flat then let him bomb it down field or run for extra yardage. He's what offensive coordinators dream about having on their team and on the sideline and if not his off-the-field activities, he would be the highest paid player in the NFL and would put more fans in the seats based on his sheer entertainment value then any other player on the planet, and if he gets signed, I bet he boosts attendance of whatever team he goes to, the same way people would pack stadiums to see people like Barry Bonds after the steroid allegations imply with the intention of booing him as loud as they could. Vick will put bodies in the seats of every stadium he goes through.

But back to the Patriots. What other coach could you imagine trying to control a player like Michael Vick at this point? Oh right, its Bill Belichick. The same guy who silenced Randy Moss and Corey Dillon, and has created a locker room in which the only person who receives any more attention then anyone else is his quarterback and none of it is bad. Vick would come into that locker room and be put in his place. He would put up or ship out and he would play. And I mean that he would actually play. Belichick would have so many uses for a player like Vick that as a sports fan I cannot even begin to comprehend. But most importantly, he would be the best reserve quarterback in the NFL next season and sure as hell the most entertaining one. Too bad number 7 is already taken, maybe he can do something like Ron Artest and pick some number close to his heart, but whatever number he picked, I will root for him.