Mike Celizic

Roger Goodell has a problem, which means the NFL shares it. The problem is named Michael Vick.

It’s a delicate situation, one that involves a conflict between the obligation to respect the constitutional presumption of innocence and the need to protect the league’s image, which is under increasing assault.

Vick is a huge star, his popularity with the public extending far beyond his recent productivity as a player. He’s also getting sucked into a criminal investigation that began with a drug raid on a house in Virginia that he owns. What the cops found were 66 dogs — 55 of them pit bulls — and evidence that dog fights were held on the property.

Vick has claimed ignorance. He was allowing his cousin, Davon Boddie, to occupy the house and had no idea what was going on there. That’s his story and so far he’s sticking to it.

But ESPN reported over the weekend that an unidentified informant who says he participated in dog fights said that Vick was not only aware of what was going on, he was a major player, betting large amounts of money on the dogs — some of which, the informant says, were Vick’s.

The story isn’t going to go away. The local prosecutor promises that.

Already, PETA and every other organization dedicated to the well-being of animals have their fur up over this. And the bite of a pit bull is nothing compared that of an animal lover. When they sink their teeth in a cause, they don’t let go.

I’m not sure Goodell wants animal-rights activists picketing outside his stadiums. I know he doesn’t want summer camp to be interrupted every three days by new allegations and revelations. And he definitely doesn’t want the public to think he condones breeding animals for the enjoyment some people take from watching pit bulls tear each other to ribbons.

It’s easy to argue that Goodell can’t afford to let Vick play while this case is under investigation. Yes, there’s the presumption of innocence, but there’s also the good of the league, and having someone accused of being involved in a dog-fighting ring on the field is not good for the league.

Goodell can’t find Vick guilty of anything other than bad judgment and having a sleazy relative — yet. There aren’t even any charges — yet.

Slideshow   The Week in Sports Pictures A kayaker flips out, a racehorse eyes the Triple Crown and more. more photos

Just the same, for the good of the game, Goodell could suspend Vick with pay pending the outcome of the investigation — like suspending a teacher accused of a sex crime or putting a cop accused of brutality on desk duty.

This isn’t going to sit well with a lot of Falcons fans, who still hope that some day Vick will be all that he can be and lead their team to the Super Bowl. And it’s going to make things incredibly difficult for the coaching staff, who won’t know who the quarterback is going to be once the season starts.

But there isn’t a lot of choice here. Goodell can let the justice system take its course, but what does he do if Vick is charged and indicted? Does he want an active quarterback shuttling between practice and the courtroom?

Does he want the discussion this season to be about the games on the field or the legal proceedings off it?