Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank revealed Tuesday that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell asked him not to suspend Michael Vick until a league review was completed.

Blank told reporters that he planned to suspend Vick, who is facing felony charges stemming from a dogfighting ring, for four weeks — the maximum permissable under the collective bargaining agreement between the league and NFL Players' Association.

Michael Vick was indicted July 17 on charges of illegal dogfighting.
(Marc Serota/Getty Images)

"The commissioner asked us not to take any action until he completed his review of the situation," Blank said. "And we agreed to his request."

Vick, 27, was ordered Monday by Goodell not to report to training camp, which opens Thursday, the same day the quarterback is due in federal court in Richmond, Va., for a bond hearing and arraignment.

"While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the NFL to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies, including the personal conduct policy," Goodell wrote in a letter to Vick.

Goodell further justified the decision during Tuesday's joint media conference with NFLPA chairman Gene Upshaw at Washington. 

"Let me make it very clear that the NFL is very disappointed that Michael put himself in this position," Goodell said. "In no way do we think that dogfighting or anything related to dogfighting is acceptable.

"We think it is despicable, frankly. We're looking at this from the long term.

"We understand how our fans are reacting to this [and] it's very emotional for all of us. But we have to remember that we are still at a state where these are charges, these are allegations."

Vick, a three-time Pro Bowler who set an NFL record for quarterbacks by rushing for 1,039 yards last season, will be replaced at training camp by veteran pivot Joey Harrington, who joined Atlanta on April 9 — three months after Bobby Petrino was hired to replace Jim Mora as head coach.

"I absolutely have no regrets of taking the job," said Petrino, who signed a five-year, $24-million US contract with Atlanta.

"This is a big obstacle. But I do believe this is the best job."

Indicted on July 17

Vick and three other defendants were indicted July 17 on charges of competitive dogfighting, procuring and training pit bulls for fighting, and conducting the enterprise across state lines.

If convicted, Vick and the others — Purnell Peace, Quanis Phillips and Tony Taylor — could face up to six years in prison and $350,000 US in fines and restitution.

"These charges are extremely serious," Blank said. "This is not about playing football in 2007.

"This is about having a life going forward. My only personal suggestion to Michael would be to focus on his defence and focus on putting his life together.

"This is a very difficult process he will be going through over the next couple of months. It's very difficult to do that and focus on football at the same time."

According to the indictment, "Bad Newz Kennels" was allegedly a dogfighting ring operating out of a property owned by Vick in Surry County, Va.

Dogs were allegedly housed, trained and even fought to the death — or close — on the property, and losing dogs were sometimes put down by drowning, electrocution, hanging or gunshot.

Authorities seized 66 dogs, including 55 pit bulls, and equipment commonly used in dogfighting.

Purses for the dogfights ranged from hundreds to thousands of dollars, excluding side bets, the indictment alleged.

"This sort of behaviour is really horrific," Blank said. "But these are charges — we have to let the legal process play out."

Vick is a 53.7 per cent passer as a pro, having completing 930 of 1,730 pass attempts for 11,505 yards and 71 touchdowns with 52 interceptions in 74 NFL games (67 starts) since being drafted first overall by Atlanta in 2001 — the year he and the three defendants allegedly became involved in dogfighting.

Vick signed a 10-year, $130-million US contract extension on Dec. 23, 2004.

With files from the Associated Press