Michael Vick: What next? (part one)

Another week, another talented Quarterback who's status is up in the air to talk about.

Michael Vick, jailed for his part in a Dogfighting ring in December 2007, will be released from prison this week, and the media frenzy is already starting. Will Vick return to the NFL? The answer is out of his hands, but if Roger Goodell approves his reinstatement before the 2009 season begins, could Vick land on a roster? I believe that Vick has two problems, so I'll address them separately.

Should Mike Vick be reinstated to the NFL?

Vick's release is merely the first step on his path to redemption. Of course, he will first and foremost concentrate on getting his personal life in order, the time will come in the next few months where Vick appeals to commissioner Roger Goodell in an effort to seek employment in the National Football league once more.

There are those who believe that Vick is not deserving of reinstatement, that his callous cruelty to animals and premeditated approach to the execution of those dogs unfit to fight shows a character that is not capable of being reformed. As a dog owner, I can relate to that point of view, but I also think it shows rank hypocrisy. We all make mistakes. Some are worse than others, and some reveal parts of our character that people will not forget in a hurry. Michael Vick will live with the stigma of his actions for the rest of his life. There will likely not be a Ray Lewis-esque Superbowl victory that somehow erases people's feeling towards him. He is guilty, and there can be no argument that what Michael Vick did showed a worrying side to a player who was a role model to millions.

Unfortunately, there are many questions regarding the wider issue of giving a criminal a second chance that I really don't intend to delve into here. Every case is different, and there is no right answer that will somehow uniformly cover all eventualities.

But Michael Vick deserves his chance, and here's why: For starters, he has served his time. He committed a crime and was punished heavily for it. He has lost his entire fortune, his freedom, and ultimately it could have cost him the chance to maintain his way of life. Is that not ample punishment? Murderers have got away with less, and whilst I would never condone or justify Vick's actions, we need to put this into perspective and realise that Vick deserves contempt, but also he needs our help to overcome this.

The partisan nature of football means that many of us were quietly satisfied with Vick's fall from grace. Watching a sportsman lose his personal wealth is engrossing, but when the dust settles, there is another human being under the uniform. What good would it do society in general, to hang Vick out to dry and deny him the chance to earn a living? We're talking about a guy who doesn't have anything else to fall back on, and if anything, I'd say that treating him as a pariah is more likely to send him back toward the people who instigated his downfall. Far better, I think, to give him the chance to repay his creditors, to get his life back on track. He will never get another $130m contract, and indeed, as I'm about to point out, his problems off the field may not be his only issue as regards his personal income.

But that comes with the territory of playing in the NFL. Vick knows what he has done wrong. Even if he doesn't believe what he did was wrong (there is no way of quantifying remorse, you know), he is now fully aware that wider society will not tolerate dogfighting, and I'd class him as 'highly unlikely' to get involved in anything that will jeopardise his NFL career again.

So my appeal to Roger Goodell would be 'Give Mike Vick another chance'. If we turn our back on Vick, we will merely be doing it out of misplaced moral righteousness, and if he were then to go back to his old ways, it would be us who were to blame as much as Vick.

The NFL can succeed in Europe

This is part two of a two part series examining the NFL's attempt to expand into Europe. For part one, click here.

Whilst the tone of my earlier article was somewhat negative, it wasn't intended as such, and it doesn't mean I think the league can't succeed at all over here.

It can, but it needs a long-term strategy that starts at the bottom, rather than getting another short-term gain as we experienced in the 1980's. These gains will quickly be lost again if the league is arrogant enough to believe in the 'product' myth. There is already a British league system, the BAFL (See Right), but it needs significant help to compliment the live experience of NFL regular season games.

If I was Roger Goodell, here's what my plan would be to promote the sport in the UK:

Step One:

Step one is all about education. A lot of the kids we're trying to get into the sport won't have access to the laws of the game, so it's important that they learn at least the basic rules in order that they feel comfortable stepping onto a field. The most obvious solution is the way a lot of kids learn the game - with Computer games such as the Madden NFL series. These games are valuable aids to a sport that can be complex and frustrating to get to grips with if you have no prior knowledge of it.

It's not just the young people who need this knowledge though. If they're to be taught the game, they need teachers. There are already enough people in the UK who know the rules well enough that they could umpire games to a decent level, and to take advantage of that commodity, they should be fast-tracked where possible into refereeing courses around the country. For a lot of people, this will give them a chance to be involved in the sport even if they would usually be unable to take part as a player.

Step Two:

The most important foundation to lay, is that of a grass-roots American Football infrastructure that allows youngsters to experience the game on both recreational and competitive levels. There are already adult teams across the UK that struggle for funding and stadia. They deserve to benefit more than anyone from this new found interest, yet as it stands, the league seems intent on ignoring them.

To do this, the most important purchases are the equipment to allow kids to learn the game from a young age, and with minimal financial outlay. Obviously, pads, helmets, and balls are the items that aren't widely available to most parents in the UK. That needs to change, and to do so, it will take money.

It will also need a youth league system. Ideally, this would take place in schools, who should in many cases have Rugby goalposts that can easily substitute for the real thing with almost no noticeable difference. There also needs to be substantial investment in the organisational tools that are needed to make the game as easy to run as possible. Chains, some way of marking ground quickly, and referee equipment would all be essential, and ideally, rulebooks that allow both teachers and students to pick up the game quickly.

Step Three:

Invest in the University and Club sides that already exist in the UK. These clubs are generally poorly funded, and most competitors are forced to buy their own equipment just to have any chance of playing. There is little or no awareness of these teams in the outside world, which means that new recruits are hard to come by, and most teams are far from guaranteed a full quotient of players for each game. That needs to change, and the only way to do that is with 'proper' investment in the existing structures.

For starters, the University teams should be given free equipment to make it easy for them to practice and play games on a regular basis. This would, in many cases, lead to them becoming a popular alternative to soccer, especially as it caters to players of almost every size, and has large squads that require a multitude of different skill sets.

The amateur game suffers from the same maladies, but the BAFL's (British American Football League) primary problem is simply in a lack of infrastructure to play games. Unlike the university or school sides, they do not have ready access to grounds, officials, or players to allow for the league to function properly. Being without a major sponsor for some time now has compounded the problem, and a semi-farcical lack of financial stability makes it almost impossible for clubs, players, and staff to commit to the game for anything more than one season at a time.

To combat this, teams need assurances as far as stadium rental, transport, and equipment are concerned. These issues prevent the league from growing beyond it's current system, which currently is only able to financially support five teams in the top tier. Once there is a healthier level of competition, it will be much easier for the BAFL to attract sponsorship. In the short-medium term though, the league needs to be prepared to invest money without guarantee of renumeration if it is to help the game itself grow at grass roots level.

Step Four:

The final challenge is to get the game on TV for as many people as is humanly possible every Sunday.

Whilst I and many others subscribe to Sky, who currently hold the broadcasting rights to all Sunday afternoon games, there are millions who do not. These people are denied the chance to watch the game at a reasonable hour simply because of the current TV deals that neglect terrestrial viewers. Even Channel 5, the terrestrial home of the NFL for almost a decade, have announced that they can no longer support broadcasting Monday Night Football, because the game is concurrently live on Sky. What kind of system allows a broadcaster to monopolise and hinder the sport's growth in such a way?

The NFL needs to be back where it belongs: On Channel 4 or the BBC at 6pm on a Sunday evening. This would, I can guarantee, have a massive impact on viewing figures and levels of interest in the sport at every level. Remember that the 'glory days' of the NFL were on Channel Four in the 80's, a terrestrial broadcaster. Whilst it can be argued that Sky has enough subscribers to justify the contract, it can't tick the one box that should be essential to the league: 'Is it available for every person in the country?' While the answer is no, the league should look to at least take one game per weekend and put it on terrestrial Sunday evening TV in the UK.

In theory, the aim should be that within ten years, the league would have an infrastructure in place that allowed University and Pro teams in England to compete on a level that justified being on TV during the NFL off-season. Although this is a long way off, it has to be the aim of the NFL if it wants it's own professional game to be anything more than a passing fad every twenty years. Nothing will replace the NFL, but a thriving British College and Amateur game would be the best way of promoting the sport amongst young and old alike.

Now all we need is somebody to listen.

Football in the Olympics

An interesting article by Mike Florio on Sportingnews.com, proposes that Football (we'll refer to it as American Football for the purposes of this article) be made part of the Olympics. After watching all of 15 minutes of some kind of Swimming, it's hard not to agree that it would be a hell of a lot more exciting than watching that, or Ludo, or Scrabble, whichever event will make it into the Olympics for 2012.

However, I (and I say I because it's only my view, not Wide-Right's) am 100% against any such move, and here's why:

1) There are 16 days to play the required amount of games. That doesn't work in American Football. At best, you could play 3-4 games. You'd need a minimum of 5 (3 group games, a semi final, and a final) to make it work. Until that is possible, keep dreaming.

2) That time frame would also preclude any Professional from taking part. The risk in sending a player over for 1-2 games every 4 years would make most coaches balk, so imagine what playing a dramatically increased schedule would do? No, you'd be looking at amateur/college players to make it work. Then once you say that, you'd be eliminating the top tier of players in the rest of the world. A Catch 22 situation and a half.

3) The Olympics should be the pinnacle of your sporting career - not a nice trip and a chance to add a gold medal to your millions of dollars. Football (the one with feet) is in the Olympics, and in truth nobody cares. People are excited that the new Premiership season starts today, but the Olympics generally passes by a lot of people - and that has pro's in it.

4) Fourthly - and most importantly - is that the competition factor would be zero. I'll dwell on that point in a second, after some choice words from the original article:

The question becomes whether the sport can grow beyond our borders to the point that inclusion in the Olympics becomes a no-brainer proposition. Its ability to do so depends in large part on the ability of the NFL to export regular-season contests to other countries. Hopefully, the next collective bargaining agreement will expand the regular season to 17 or 18 games, creating ample opportunities to send games that count to other countries.

- Mike Florio, Sportingnews.com

That the NFL wants to expand is undoubted. However, the idea that this can be achieved via simply showing people the product on offer is laughable. Why do sales of Tennis Rackets pick up when Wimbledon is on? Why do people start playing Golf as soon as the Masters hits our screens every year? The answer is because the infrastructures are in place to allow young kids to play these sports both casually and competitively, regardless of age.

The NFL - and most commentators - seem to be missing the point completely. If I wanted to play American Football, even as a die hard fan who is obsessed, I'd have no way of doing so, and wouldn't really know where to begin. The sport is not available to schools, which limits the amount of players at it's most basic level. I played Basketball at school, and it generated both ability and interest in the sport.

The sport needs funding at the very fundamental level before this idea could even get past the 'Idiot with a soapbox' phase that it is in now. How about instead of putting money into trying to convince the IOC to accept the sport, give youngsters a chance to play football from the age of 7-8, like kids in America. The natural talent pool exists around the world, it's just that for most kids who grow up with a football at their feet rather than in their hands, their dreams lie in the back of the net, rather than the end zone.

Until that grass-roots funding and support is in place, you can forget about the idea of American Football as an Olympic sport.

NFL International Practice Squad Program - Class of 2008

In the past week the NFL have announced the players who will be part of the 2008 International Practice Squad Program.

The International Practice Squad Program (IPSP), setup in 2004, has seen a total of 22 players join the practice squads of various NFL teams for one season.

While practice squad players are ineligible to partake in regular season games, the experience gained is invaluable to the player's development (even more so now NFL Europa has ceased operations).

Rolando Cantu is currently the only player from the program to go on and feature in a regular season game after the Arizona Cardinals signed him from their practice squad on 29th December 2005. His one and only appearance came in the last game of that season against the Colts. Having retired from the game he now is the Cardinal's Manager of International Business Ventures.

For 2008 a record number of 16 players from 7 countries will join up with teams from across the league.


United Kingdom (5)

Jermaine Allen - New Orleans Saints

The 24 year old, 6'0, 230lb Running Back previously spent the 2007 season on the Chicago Bears' practice squad.

Scored a 33 yard TD run for the Hamburg Sea Devils as they won World Bowl XV. Spent 2006 and 2007 with the Sea Devils recording a total of 179 rushing yards for 4 Touchdowns. Spent 2006 with the Amsterdam Admirals.

Marvin Allen - Pittsburgh Steelers

25 year old 5'10, 185lb Wide Receiver returns for his second spell at the Steelers having spent the 2006 season there.

Spent 2007 with the Miami Dolphins in 2007, Four NFLE seasons - 2005 and 2006 at the Frankfurt Galaxy and 2006 and 2007 with the Rhein Fire.

Jason Brisbane - San Diego Chargers

24 year old 238lb Linebacker was the 2004 British American Football League player of the year.

Holds numerous London Blitz records including Longest Int return (88 yards) and 7 blocked kicks.

Aden Durde - Kansas City Chiefs

28 year old 6'1, 240lb Linebacker spent 2005 as member of the Carolina Panthers but left after testing positive for a banned steroid on August 1st 2005.

Five seasons in NFLE - 2003 and 2004 at the Scottish Claymores while 2005, 2006 and 2007 at the Hamburg Sea Devils.

Shaun Smith - Carolina Panthers

26 year old Linebacker has spent two years in NFLE, 2006 for the Rhein Fire and 2007 for the Berlin Thunder.


Mexico (5)

Eduardo Castañeda - Arizona Cardinals

25 year old 6'2, 248lb Linebacker out of Tecnológico de Monterrey (four of the five Mexican players come from the same college).

Spent 2007 on the Houston Texans' practice squad. Assigned to the Rhein Fire for the 2007 NFLE season.

Mauricio Lopez - Oakland Raiders

28 year old 6'1, 329lb DT.

Spent the 2007 pre-season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Spent 2005 with the Amsterdam Admirals and 2006 and 2007 for the Cologne Centurions where he recorded one sack for a nine-yard loss.

Manuel Padilla - Denver Broncos

24 year old 6'3, 245lb Middle Linebacker. Two-time Mexican All-Star selection.

Ramiro Pruneda - San Francisco 49ers

25 year old 6'6, 317lb OT.

Named best offensive lineman by the Mexican ONEFA three times, won four National Championships with Tecnológico de Monterrey, five-time selection to the Mexican All-Star team which partakes in the Aztec Bowl.

One season in NFLE with the Cologne Centurions but was forced to miss the season after a knee injury. Spent 2007 on the practice squads of the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.

Salomon Solano - Baltimore Ravens

22 year old (will turn 23 in Sept) 6'3, 321lb DT, the only Mexican player in this years class to not come from Tecnológico de Monterrey - College was Tamaulipas.

Spent 2007 with the Detroit Lions. One season with the Rhein Fire included one sack for a six-yard loss.


Germany (2)

Samuel Gutekunst - Seattle Seahawks

24 year old 6'6, 317lb OT.

Spent 2006 with the Ravens and 2007 with the Jaguars. Spent 2005 and 2006 with the Frankfurt Galaxy and 2007 with the Berlin Thunder.

Christian Mohr - Cleveland Browns

28 year old, 6'6, 265lb DE.

Spent 2004 with the Seahawks and 2006 with the Eagles. A 3 year period (2004-2006) with the Berlin Thunder resulted in nine sacks while his 2007 season with the Rhein Fire resulted in three.


France (1)

Sébastian Sejean - St. Louis Rams

24 year old 6'2, 223lb Safety. Attended the Université Laval in Quebec City, Canada.


Russia (1)

Sergey Ivanov - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

20 year old 6'2, 193 lb Safety/Corner.

Spent 2005 and 2006 with the Berlin Thunder and 2007 with the Amsterdam Admirals.


Sweden (1)

Carl-Johan Björk - Cincinnati Bengals

26 year old 6'0, 253 lb Linebacker.

Spent 2006 with the Dallas Cowboys and 2007 with the Green Bay Packers. Spent three seasons in NFLE all with the Amsterdam Admirals.


Japan (1)

Noriaki Kinoshita - Atlanta Falcons

25 year old, 5'10, 179lb Wide Receiver will be a Falcon practice squad player for the second year running.

Was the only one out of the nine Japanese players invited to IPSP trials to make the final sixteen. In three seasons in the NFLE, all with the Amsterdam Admirals, has clocked up 37 receptions for 568 yards and two Touchdowns, 46 kick returns for 1155 yards and 15 punt returns for 233 yards and two Touchdowns.

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