I bet those of you who read us regularly thought you’d be getting this post last night, or perhaps scheduled to go live bright and early this morning.

Sorry.  We had to get our thoughts together, since for once we actually have some. (We know, right? Stop the presses.)  These thoughts of which we speak you’ll find under the jump if you We’re really glad Vick signed.  Unequivocally, without reservation.

What he did was disgusting and cruel.  The pain those animals were in is awful to think about and justifiably angered just about anyone with a heart.  And then, he went to prison.  He served his time, did a ton of community service hours to which he was sentenced (and which he continues to do), and seemed to be attempting to understand what was wrong with the culture of the “sport” (which we put in the most sarcastic or generous quotationmarks possible) he had been engaged in.

There are those who say that playing professional sports is a privilidge that should be reserved for those who lead blameless or mostly-blameless lives, who are worthy of being role-models.  But taking responsibility for your actions, as we discussed yesterday with Josh Hamilton? That’s worth modeling and so is taking punishment that is deserved.

So is giving someone who has paid their debt to society another chance.

What he did was gross.  But he doesn’t deserve to be out of the game he clearly loves forever.  He deserves to be out long enough to hurt, sure.  That’s the penalty the commissioner and the judge both imposed.  So once he’s served his time, we’re glad he’s getting a shot.