If you think Michael Vick won't be a Pittsburgh Steeler...

If you think Michael Vick won't be a Pittsburgh Steeler... you're probably right.

Sure, character counts more the Steelers' locker room than in most places and the ownership represents all that is right in the NFL;  Vick represents some of the worst.  Vick is going to carry a lot of visibility and negative press that is completely antithetical to the Steeler Way.  He's just been released from prison, for chrissakes.

However, setting aside for a minute that Vick could step in immediately as the Steelers kick returner, be into the mix for #3/#4 WR, and be a backup QB...

There are three men who are/would be uniquely capable of embracing the idea of signing Vick to be a slash guy in Pittsburgh for minimal money.

1. Dan Rooney   Dan Rooney has the gravitas within the league to withstand the criticism while selling it as an opportunity to rehab the guy for the good of the NFL.  Almost anyplace else Michael Vick goes, it'll reek of Steve Howe, the drug addict who acted out social dysfunction over and over, only to be continually re-instated because everyone coveted his left-handed arm.  If Jerry Jones does it, it's a risky, grandstanding exploitation.  If Rooney does it, it's a signal broadcast to everyone that the guy did his time and now, we move on.

2. Art Rooney, Sr.  You gonna tell me that Art Rooney would not have embraced this kid and tried to help him if he was truly contrite?  It was precisely the kind of hard-luck case the old man would have appreciated.  Hell, it wouldn't shock me to learn that a hustler like The Chief ran a dogfighting or cockfighting or bookmaking ring as a young man. The Chief would take him under his wing if he thought the kid wanted to be a better person and straighten out his life... he'd see a bit of himself in the young man.

3. Mike Tomlin  You think Vick is a product of growing up in a bad hood, surrounded by losers and thugs and bad apples?  Well, guess who's from the same neighborhood.  Guess who's from right down the damn street from Michael Vick.  That's right, the erudite Head Coach of the Super Bowl Champions.  You think Mikey T would have any credibility with VIck?  Maybe Vick would listen to him in a way he wouldn't hear anyone else.

Let us consider that Vick was not convicted of actually killing any animals.  He may have contributed to their abuse but no one proved he was a party to that.  Regardless, I think he might have a harder time than you'd think transitioning back to the league and through the mess of the press coverage.

Maybe a Super Bowl winning roster is not the place to make risky choices;  maybe it's precisely the place where you could give it a shot.  Either way, Vick would be wise to seek counsel from the Rooneys and their coach, folks who are incredibly qualified to help him... if he is serious about turning a new leaf.