When Vick was conditionally reinstated by Goodell last month after serving 18 months in federal prison for operating a dogfighting ring, as well as torturing and killing dogs, it included a suspension of up to five regular-season games, with the possibility of it being reduced if Vick proved to Goodell that he was serious about turning his life around.
Before making his decision, the commissioner met yesterday morning for 50 minutes with Vick and Eagles coach Andy Reid at the team's hotel in North Jersey. He also spoke by phone for about 45 minutes with retired Colts coach Tony Dungy, who has been mentoring Vick.
Shortly before meeting with reporters in a conference room at the league's Park Avenue offices at 4 p.m., Goodell called Vick and told him the exact length of his suspension.
"I think he's making real progress," Goodell said. "I think he has a better feel for the challenges ahead of him. We have spent a lot of time talking and meeting. We have given him a mentor in Tony. He's got a great organization that he's with that has given him a lot of structure and resources.
"I think he's demonstrating his commitment. He's demonstrating he's going to use better judgment going forward. At the end of the day, though, it's a gut check.''
Vick will miss the Eagles' first two games, against Carolina and New Orleans. The first game he'll be eligible to play in is against Kansas City at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 27.
He can practice with the team while he's suspended, but only if the Eagles put him on the 53-man roster. The Eagles must make their final cuts by tomorrow.
