Word: Vick released from prison

Michael Vick, the former Atlanta Falcons star quarterback, was released May 20 from a federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan. He will be completing the final two months of his 23-month dog-fighting sentence in his Hampton, Va., home.

"Without one single doubt, Vick’s skill level will return. Will a team be interested in bringing him in to play? That’s difficult to determine right now on two levels: public relations and football. ... He must be willing to do whatever it takes to help a team win as he rebuilds his life and career."

— NFL exec Mike Lombardi, from his May 18 entry on National Football Post

“He’s erratic throwing the ball because of his mechanics. ... It’s not his feet or his arms, it’s his release. … But now that they’ve got all these spread offenses, the Wildcat they’re running, a guy like Michael could be tremendous.”

— Roger Theder, San Diego Chargers assistant coach, quoted May 17 in the AJC

“I think Michael is just like so many other guys that I have seen. ... It’s a young man that made a mistake and is looking for a chance to recover and move forward.”

— Tony Dungy, former Super Bowl-winning Indianapolis Colts head coach, to the AJC after meeting with Vick in Leavenworth

"We're not interested in being part of a cynical ploy that's nothing but public relations. ... We believe that the behavior he has shown might very well be an indication of psychopathy and we're asking for a brain scan and a thorough psychiatric evaluation."

— PETA spokesperson Daphna Nachminovitch, on PETA's rejection of Vick's offer to participate in an advertisement for the group