"He'd have a better chance climbing Mt. Everest without snowshoes," said Clarkson, who is credited with the polishing of Matt Leinart and others. "The game is too complicated, and his baggage is too much."
Given at least two years of inactivity -- and maybe more depending on the outcome of state charges against Vick or a suspension superseding his jail time imposed by Goodell -- Clarkson said he wasn't aware of "any curriculum behind bars to give you the ability to maintain your talent."
"There's no chance."
What seems certain is that any Vick comeback won't be made with the Falcons.
Team owner Arthur Blank, who after the 2005 season awarded Vick what was the richest contract in league history, does not seem interested in bringing back his fallen star.
Although he didn't completely rule out the possibility, Blank said Monday, "We have to go forward assuming Michael will not be back."
Vick hasn't said whether he will try to resume his football career, but it's the one job that might solve the financial crisis he seems destined to face upon his release.
Vick has lost the final $71 million of his Falcons contract, and the team is trying in court to recover a $20-million bonus it paid him. He is also being sued for nearly $6 million in loans he has allegedly defaulted on, and he's been ordered to pay about $1 million to care for the dogs that survived his fighting operation.
Steinberg predicted that Vick's attitude toward his Falcons bonus money would be scrutinized by the public -- and especially by Goodell. He also said the quarterback couldn't afford to repeat the missteps that have plagued him since the dogfighting allegations surfaced.
Three stand out: that he tried first to stonewall investigators; the failed marijuana test after his plea; and his first public apology, in which his attorneys delivered a statement quoting Vick referring to missing time with his teammates during "spring training" -- a baseball term.
"He didn't author it, or even proofread it," Steinberg said. "Here's his first public apology, and it's so glaring that he had nothing to do with it."
Still, the agent added, all of Vick's mistakes don't mean that he can't be forgiven -- especially by teams always seeking a competitive edge.
"It's the nature of coaches to believe they can be the one to bring out the best in a player and overcome the difficulties he's had," Steinberg said.
"Coaches love that challenge."
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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mike.hiserman@latimes.com
sam.farmer@latimes.com
