Ex-NFL star Vick released from federal custody
By LARRY O'DELL, Associated Press Writer Jul 20, 7:06 pm EDT


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HAMPTON, Va. (AP)The electronic monitor came off Michael Vicks(notes) ankle and made him a free man Monday.

Now he just has to get on Roger Goodells calendar and convince both the NFL commissioner and team owners hes reformed and ready to play.

Itll be no small task.

Vicks release after serving 23 months on a dogfighting convictionthe last 60 days in home confinementcame a week before NFL training camps open for veterans.

It is going to take a lot of hard work for Vick to make it back, said New York Jets veteran wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery(notes).

He is a talented player, so someone will give him a shot, Cotchery added. He just has to take advantage of it.

The last NFL game Vick played was on Dec. 31, 2006, months before he was indicted on federal dogfighting conspiracy charges in July 2007. At 29 years old, Vick could play several more years in the league.