For the imprisoned Michael Vick, finding remorse could be a lot harder than one would assume. NFL Commissioner  Roger Goodell made it clear just over a month ago that it isn’t going to be a cake walk getting back into this league. Though Godell hasn’t clearly explained what he considers remorse, but it is as clear as day that the game’s warden isn’t allowing the cliche, “I served my time”   

 

“I’m not going to make a judgment until I know all the facts on Michael Vick. I think it’s clear he’s paid a price, but to a large extent he’s going to have to demonstrate to the larger community — not just to the NFL community and to me — that he has remorse for what he did and that he recognizes mistakes that he made. Everyone makes mistakes, but he has to show that genuine remorse in his ability to be a positive influence to correct the things that he did wrong publicly.”

 

So as the former quarterback plans for his exit from prison life and into the forty hour work week, it seems the best help possible person to get his life together is none other than Tony Dungy. Dungy, who is slated to visit Vick at the Leavenworth Kansas penitentiary lodging him, was originally thought to be an emissary to the commissioner’s office. But now, according to Pro football Talk and The Dan Patrick Show, requests to talk to Dungy have come from the Vick camp itself.            

Dungy, who is easily one of the most influential, respected and passionate men in the game, let alone America, says he will talk to Vick as if he were his son. Dungy, who lost his own son before the 2005 season, will focus on Vick’s relationship with god and how everyone will be against him when he first pushes to be reinstated.

Dungy brings great insight to Vick through his experience. As a African American quarterback in the ’70s, Dungy went under center for the University of Minnesota, despite all of the racial tension in the sport. His voice has been heard all over the world. Using Dungy to springboard a reinstatement is genius.

If everything falls into place, and Vick truly does have remorse, can numbers fall into place fantasy wise in 2009? As much as I want to say don’t get your hopes up, I think it is a real possibility.

Various reports suggest that Vick plans on being in the NFL in September, and despite nobody biting on a trade with the Falcons for just a seventh rounder at the 2009 NFL Draft, there has been, at points, some interest. Though he has never been considered a true thrower in his time in the NFL, he is a true game changer with his feet. Vick, who averages more rushing yards per attempt than Tom Brady does in yards per attempt, could be used in specific scenarios on the field. It isn’t going to come at quarterback.

Vick, who has only thrown over 2,500 yards once and has never accumulated over twenty touchdowns, has always had a hard time completed his passes. In his last season on the field, he only completed roughly 53% of his passes. The 29 year old has always shown a reluctancy to learn the quarterback position. And with two years out of the game, most GMs would rather go with someone younger, and more willing to learn. But if a team wants to take the Pat White approach to Vick, then we could see some results on the fantasy playing field (if he can someway dig his way out of the six feet trench he dug himself).

Consider this: In 2007 the Falcons Offensive went from 32nd in passing yards, to 18th under Joey Harrington, Chris Redman and Byron Leftwich. But without Vick in 2007, The Falcons ground game suffered, dropping from 5.47 YPG to 3.95.  The 2006 Falcons rushing game was one of the five best in the history of the NFL, in terms of efficiency.  

Some analysts, such as Cold Hard Football Facts believes that Vick could be the perfect size as an NFL running back. At 6′1″ and 215 pounds, Vick is almost identical in size to Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson.  Could he take the punishment on every down? Of course not. But finding a way to hand off the ball to number 7, where he doesn’t have to go between the tackles could be successful. He just has to hope that some dog lovin’ safety doesn’t come up to mesh his body with the grass below his feet. 

At this point, it is tough to say what will happen in 2009. For all I know, he could become the face of the new UFL (I want him in the new UFL fantasy league!) But like any jail-breaking fleet footed athlete, there is intrigue.