In the best interest of Michael Vick, the Atlanta Falcons and the National Football League it is time for Arthur Blank the Falcons owner to urge Vick to take a leave of absence from the team while he gets his legal house in order.

Right now the most important thing in Michael Vick’s life addresses the issues that threaten his career and his life. He can use the time to rehab his image as well as take a full force attack on the the indictment. If he is found to be not guilty as he has said all along is the case then he will be fine and well on his way to saving his image.

The distractions for Vick and the Falcons have already started and training camp is still about a week away.

Vick will be in Richmond going through legal proceedings on the day they open pre season camp.

The mega star quarterback will then return to Atlanta followed by a press corps worthy of the President of the United States.

At least two groups the Humane Society of America and People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have started a letter writing campaign to the league, the Falcons and to all the sponsors that Vick serves as a spokesperson for to drop the Falcons star or they will urge people not to use those products.

They also plan on doing peaceful demonstrations at all of the games that Vick and the Falcons play at not too mention the teams practice facility.

Most legal minds feel that either Blank and the Falcons or Goodell and the NFL would like to have Vick take a leave of absence in the best interest of the team.

Suspension remains an option but the league and the Falcons risk “tainting the jury pool.” That means if he is suspended for actions that he has yet to be convicted of it would mean that in the eyes of the courts and potential jurors that the NFL and the Falcons see Vick as a guilty man before he has been given due process.

However, by placing him on a leave of absence either by Vicks choice or by the choice of the Falcons they could effectively distance themselves from him while he gets his legal house in order.

Blank also knows that every town that the Falcons go to at this point would be ready and waiting for Vick with plenty of fodder to give the Falcons grief.

So this is up to Blank and Vick at this point, how do they decide to play it. Take a leave of absence. Or play the games sideshow and all.

The answer will come very, very soon.