By Brian Moore
July 4, 2009

A common topic for fantasy football folks is whether they should acquire, trade, or release the players that are expected to be suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

In a deep dynasty league, I don't see why they couldn't sit at the end of your roster. Many of us have had far worse players in that roster spot over the years.

For not so deep dynasty rosters, I'd hang onto Plaxico and Vick but not Donte.

For redraft, let's look at things a bit deeper:

Plaxico shot himself in the leg with an unregistered hand gun. Due to countless crimes with unregistered hand guns, New York has especially strict laws about unregistered hand guns. Did Plaxico buy it from some shady person on a street corner? Or did he buy it in a store and just got lazy about registering it? There's a big difference. The latter is just a lazy lack of responsibility for which I can imagine commissioner Goodell not suspending him now. The former invokes many creative thoughts of crimes real and from Hollywood movies. (I've received several differing reports as to which it is).

Plaxico was offered a plea deal by the district attorney with the notion that it was a one time deal; if he didn't sign it, they would seek the maximum penalty. Either he or his lawyer acting on his behalf, seemed to decide that stringing things along through the court system was a good response to that. Now, Plaxico's trial isn't expected to take place til 2010. How do you guess the D.A. feels about that?

Plaxico did something dopey with the gun and shot himself inflicting great pain unto his own self. He didn't hurt anyone else.

Gun control is a problem in this country and making an example of someone(although I'm not a fan of this response) could do alot of good, in the long run.

I would guess Goodell was probably on the fence, for 2009, as Plaxico did hurt himself. The recent death of Steve McNair will stir up gun control thoughts in his mind; it has to doesn't it? There is a strong possibility he is suspended for 2009. All in all, I think the commish would just follow New York's lead and emulate the court's decision to a degree. He'd be "free and clear" for 2009 but maybe he'd be suspended in 2010 after his trial.

Have to pick:Plays in 2009

Plaxico still has some pro bowl caliber years left in him. He has yet to seem old despite his proximity to the tenuous 30 year age group. It would be unusual but, it might be a novel idea for a team to sign him to a few year contract even if he's suspended. In 2010, they'll have a pro bowl wide receiver. In 2009, he can do some community service which(aside from being good for the community) may just help ease the fans tensions about signing a criminal.

Donte Stallworth not only drove drunk but killed a man doing so. As I understand it, the family of the victim wanted the case closed quickly so they pleaded with the district attorney to work out a plea deal, no matter what. Well, Donte only received 30 days in jail. Sure there was a fine and probation but...30 days? Geesh. After the plea agreement, it came out that Donte also had marijuana in his system at the time of the accident.

It seems Goodell's initial reaction is to suspend players indefinitely until he has a chance to thoroughly review the case and make a firm decision. For Donte, I just can't see him playing in 2009. Dui? Vehicular manslaughter? Marijuana? Goodell has a venerable "pu pu platter" of choices of which he can suspend him for in 2009.

Michael Vick is an attraction the others aren't. His superspeed and athleticism made him one of the top marketing prospects the NFL has ever seen. In short, he was a money-maker for the NFL. Vick has served his sentence and paid his debt to society.

As I understand it, he has already been suspended for a year. The new football league, the UFL, is trying to get him to play in their league. While fans may not admit to being fans of his anymore, they'll be curious about his athleticism enough to watch. Does Goodell want to see his former money maker go to a different league? Or is he the dog fighting ring leader Goodell wants no part of?

I think that since he has already served his debt to society, been suspended a year, and likely not offered anywhere near the sized contract he had, Goodell might let him play in 2009.

What position Vick will play has always been an intriuging question. He was developing as quarterback and did lead the Falcons deep into the playoffs. He was not yet the comfortable passer that tore defenses apart with his wise decisions and darts to speedy wide receivers. There was plenty of developing left to be done. Having sat in jail for a year, another position seems like a distinct possibility. It might be easier than having him play what some call the most difficult position in sports:the quarterback position. I know many have said he should play runningback or wide receiver. I guess I can imagine him playing wide receiver. I don't think his narrow frame could take the pounding that runningbacks do though. He'd be a novelty act that quickly winds up on injured reserve. The position I'm most intrigued by for Vick is free safety. No one has ever been able to properly gauge his blurring speed, what's to say an opposing quarterback would? After one or two games, I'd bet team wouldn't even bother throwing deep against Vick the outfielder free safety. He would probably be a liability as a tackler, but if a defense is planning on their free safety to have alot of tackles they probably aren't a very good defense to begin with.

I'm a dog-lover and I'm only recently coming around to the idea that Vick will be allowed back into society and not incurring the wrath of 20 dogs inside a dog fighting ring in some eye for an eye form of justice. He will return and I guess we have to accept it.

Draft Plaxico late but not too late. Don't draft Donte. Don't bother drafting Vick unless he is playing quarterback.