That may be the way it all shakes out. I REALLY hope so. However, my OP referred to what has happened right now - that contrast. Right now Vino gets whacked. He's gone from the TdF, and so is his team. His racing career and reputation is also done. Vick, on the other hand, is still getting paid. Even a 4 game suspension has been overruled. That's the contrast I'm referring to.

... Brad

That is a fair point, but I think it is sort of apples and oranges. Cycling has a drug problem, I think we could all admit that. As such, they do things like kicking them off the TdF if they test positive. They have rules in place.
On the contrary, while bad behavior is widespread in the NFL, no one 6 months ago could have said the NFL has a dog fighting problem. The new commish, Roger G, has started to crack down on repeat offenders. Vicks crime is serious (very serious to me) but he does not quite have the threshold of the other players that have been whacked as far as repeat offenses. Secondly, much of this is going to at least start quickly, unlike many of the charges in the PACMAN Jones cases. I think this allows Roger to kind of hold on.

I wish Vick was given a 1 year ban from the NFL right now. I wish that he never plays again. I just think that these will both effectively happen, which is why I have my stance. I am clearly letting what I hope and think will happen change my outlook.

The NFL is moving quickly on this and Vick isnt going to take even a sanp in practice. What more could you want? This is a criminal matter that the NFL is taking its own steps to punish Vick. If VINO got indicted for tax evasion then would the TdF do anything? Would he be kicked off the tour prior to a conviction? Maybe?? Who knows. But you looking to hold the NFL in some lower light because of their dealings with a player on a CRIMINAL matter, it simply does not hold any water in trying to compare it to an infraction within the sporting guidlines.

So true. With the season staged to start next month, we should have some sort of an idea of Vick's future very soon. Timing is everything! :D

... Brad