Everyone has an opinion on Michael Vick's future. 

Roger Goodell has an opinion, the Atlanta Falcons already voiced their opinion, other NFL teams and their fans have quite a few of their own, and I'm sure animal rights groups have some as well. 

When it comes down to it, the only opinion that really matters, is that of the man pictured above. 

That photo was taken on New Years Day 2003, during Vick and his then Atlanta Falcons' improbable victory over Green Bay, the Packers' first ever playoff loss at Lambeau Field. At that time, Vick, just 22-years-old, had everything in front of him: stardom, sponsors, money, and legions of fans, all an athlete could ever really hope to achieve.

The only problem was that his idea of the future had a few twists that no one could ever see coming.

Vick quickly became a caricature of himself. Analysts turned on him, the Ron Mexico controversy lit up the Internet, and the conviction and jail time in relation to the dog fighting ring provided the final straw for what was left of the Vick supporters. 

Once brimming with promise, his star quickly turned infamous, and now, Vick, at age 29, threatens to fade away with some of sports' other tragic heroes.  

The interesting part about all this, and the factor that many people seem to ignore, is that only Vick can determine what happens next. The simple fact of the matter is that certain things absolutely will, and absolutely won't happen.

For instance, Vick will be playing in the National Football League next season. No matter how some outside forces may feel about Vick, further punishment by the league would be unnecessary when his almost two years behind bars are factored in. Those two years off from football, the game that had defined his very existence to that point in his life, may have been even harder to deal with than the idea of being in prison itself.

In addition, it's foolish to think that there won't be a team that's willing to give Vick a chance on their roster in 2009. Are there some teams that will absolutely be put off by the circus that will no doubt surround him? Absolutely, but just as confident as I am in that fact, I am equally confident that there are teams that know what having a player like Vick could mean. 

All that's left for Vick is to put in the work to get his body back to an NFL level and find a team that he feels is a good fit for him. 

What kind of team should he be looking for? 

Well, a team with a solid, established QB, perhaps aging or unspectacular in some way, an established running game, and powerful presence, be it on the roster or the coaching staff.  I'd also think he would avoid certain major cities, where the firestorm that is the media might grow a little out of control. 

Tennessee provides a very intriguing option. 

Coach Jeff Fisher provides the steady hand for the ship, and they have a viable option at quarterback in Kerry Collins, while Vick's progress back to being an NFL QB can be monitored. Not to mention, a running game with the likes of Chris Johnson and LenDale White will provide a nice counter punch to whatever Vick can provide.

Carolina would be another potential suitor, and if he's looking to disappear, hiding out in Seattle with his old coach Jim Mora might not be so bad. 

Again, that all depends on him. 

The days where the world was handed to him on a silver platter are over, right now he's no better than any other NFL castoff looking for another chance.

While NFL fans across the nation brace themselves for a possible resurgence of the Vick that we saw stumble from invincibility over the past few years, they silently hope it's a return of the promising kid they all took notice of six years ago on New Year's Day.