Tom E. Curran • E-mail

With a handful of teams taking a number and waiting in line to kick the tires on a conditionally reinstated Mike Vick (and the rest of the league happy it doesn’t have to) let’s take a logical stab at where Vick might land.

And by logical, we mean weighing the factors — football and otherwise — that are going to determine where he gets his W-2.

OWNERSHIP
This is the most important domino that has to fall before Vick puts on a helmet again. Who is willing to go through the negative publicity Vick engenders? Who is willing to sign checks for a guy who body-slammed dogs to their death? Who is either so secure with their fanbase or so desperate to win or create interest that Vick makes sense? Who has a wide benevolent streak that sees Vick as a redemption project?

Well, we can rule out Atlanta. But Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said back in March at the owners’ meetings that he “believes in giving a second chance” and would defer to his football people. Et tu, Tuna?

Saints owner Tom Benson also said he’d be inclined not to go after Vick but would let his football people at least make a recommendation. Raiders owner Al Davis will do what he wants. Bills owner Ralph Wilson seems particularly bent on making a Super Bowl run at his advanced age.

Jerry Jones and Dallas? Hmmm. Jones said in May when asked about Vick that Tony Romo is his guy, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t be enticed. The Jerry has changed his mind in the past. Still, you have to wonder if they have the stomach for Vick after three years of the T.O. circus.

Special feature 3 things to know about each team Tom Curran and Gregg Rosenthal break down the crucial info as NFL training camps begin NBCSports.com

The Kraft family probably would run like hell from Vick.

The Steelers have been mentioned because of their franchise stability and solid, respected ownership but don’t you get to be solid and respected by not hiring guys like Vick? Seems a stretch. Redskins owner Daniel Snyder should not be ruled out. He could be sufficiently intrigued by Vick to make that leap, although it might be a hard sell to the fanbase in and around D.C.

The Wilf family in Minnesota desperately wants to win (witness the current Favre-o-rama) and shouldn’t be ruled out. Wayne Weaver, owner of the Jaguars, might also be willing.

FANBASE
Let’s be blunt, dogfighting is a predominantly Southern pursuit. Exclusive to the South? No. But more prevalent there. So one can reason that fanbases in places such as Miami, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Carolina, Tennessee, Houston and Dallas would be more likely to shrug off Vick’s hobby than, say, New York, New England or San Francisco.

Also, which fanbases are more inclined to worry more about on-field results than hand-wring about which players are bad guys? Probably one in which the NFL entrant is the only real game in town. So Jacksonville, Buffalo, Tennessee — most of the small-market teams — would probably get a little less resistance from fans who don’t have a dozen different options on where to spend their sports entertainment time and money might be more willing to swallow their distaste and root on Vick anyway.

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