Week in review.

1. Vick released.

Michael Vick is a free man. Commissioner Goodell has conditionally re-instated the former Falcons QB and he's free to sign with any team that is brave enough to sign him. There is clear historical precedent of players being suspended from the NFL and returning to play again. Think Alex Karras and more recently Tank Johnson. What's more important here is that a game changing quarterback is available.

This man is in his prime. I'm going on record as saying he should sign with a very good team (Pittsburgh? New England? San Diego?) and sit out this year. Hone his craft, study the QB position. Vick version 1 was an electric play maker. His speed, mobility and ability to improvise were unprecedented. With the time off let's say Vick has slowed to a 4.5 forty. I'm pretty sure that still makes him the fastest QB in the league, easily. Combine the necessary QB progression with the God given ability that is surely still there and you have a most formidable weapon at the most important position on the field. Who wouldn't want that?

There are three other reasons that I think Vick should sit this year out. Mike Holmgren, Mike Shanahan and Bill Cowher. Holmgren and Shanahan in particular have had incredible success molding quarterbacks into stars. Cowher would build the type of defense that could compliment Vick as an offensive juggernaut. How surreal would it be for one of those head coaches to assume the reigns of a team with Michael Vick as starting QB? I'm just saying.

2. Trade Deadline Passes.

Big names joined big teams as power players gear up for the stretch run. I have to admit, I'm not really a baseball fan until after the trade deadline passes. Players are tested in that they have to prove their real value from August to October. Managers are tested in that they have to control incoming players, assign roles, and deal with the pressure of creating a finished product from varied parts.

In the American League the Boston Red Sox (C/1B/DH V. Martinez), Chicago White Sox (P Jake Peavy), Detroit Tigers (P Jarrod Washburn) and Minnesota Twins (SS Orlando Cabrera) all made moves intended to make their rosters as formidable as possible. In my opinion the teams that made moves for starting pitchers did the most to improve themselves. If you can't get quality innings from your top 3 starters this time of year then you're in big trouble.

In the National League the Philadelphia Phillies (P Cliff Lee) and Los Angeles Dodgers (RP George Sherrill) made the most noteworthy moves in what could only be considered the rich getting richer. Both teams have to be the class of the NL are probably made the aforementioned moves with each other in mind. Advantage Phillies. Hamels and Lee form a duo that could be indomitable.

3. Manny and Ortiz tested positive in '03.

Okay, and? Look steroids are a tired story. Alot of guys used. Right now it seems as if the powers that be only care to out the "stars." To me what's truly damaging to the game has to be the prevalence of drug use in the sport itself. From the utility infielders to the relief pitchers everyone was looking for an edge.

Baseball doesn't seem to have lost it's luster. It's still popular and the game remains beautiful to purists. If the holier than thou baseball people hope to clear baseball's tarnished reputation then it'll take more than big names. It will take an honest portrayal of the drug culture that infiltrated America's pastime. Everyone that was at fault will have to be made accountable. Let's see what happens.

4. Favre stays retired.

The courting of Brett Favre by the Minnesota Vikings died this week. I'm not shocked that the Vikings attempted to improve their team. I am however shocked and appalled that they felt the answer was a 39 year old QB and not a complement to Jared Allen at the opposite defensive end position. Or maybe a game changer at linebacker to match the star power in the division. Wait, how about a big play wide receiver to complement the running game?

In short Favre wasn't the answer anyway. I'm glad the fiasco is over.

More sports stories will drop next week and I'll have more first class analysis. Tune in again, same time, same station.