Aaron Rodgers was named MVP of Super Bowl XLV and all he got for winning the award was the key to a shiny, red Camaro convertible.

That is chicken feed compared to the key Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway presented to Michael Vick, the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year.

Mike's Mug Shot

The key was presented to Vick by Caraway, reportedly at a club. Caraway, however,said he was focused on “the children.” Apparently, because Mike Vick talked to some kids about staying out of trouble, Caraway felt that was an act worthy of handing out a ceremonial key to the city of Dallas.

In 2007, Michael Vick was convicted of a felony for his involvement in a dogfighting ring. He served 19 months in federal prison.

On ESPN Dallas, Caraway defended himself by saying, ”The message and the kids are far greater than all this response about, ‘Why give him the key to the city?’ He is telling kids and exchanging with them the rights and wrongs of the things that he did and encouraging kids to further their education and to not deal with the drugs. To obey their parents and pick the people they hang around.

“That’s a message I would challenge anybody to say that not one kid across America shouldn’t hear from people in notoriety such as Michael Vick.”

The flap created over Caraway’s decision to honor Vick in such a way resulted in a quick response from Mayor Tom Leppert, as city hall went into damage control.

The Dallas Morning News reported on Leppert’s response:

The gesture, and the outcry that ensued, led to a quick call from Mayor Tom Leppert that the city review how council members hand out ceremonial gifts, with the clear suggestion that guidelines become more restrictive.

“We don’t condone it and clearly didn’t approve it,” Leppert said of the Vick award. “It’s unfortunate, and I would rather have not seen the situation.”

The key that Caraway gave Vick — a gold-hued, six-inch key bearing the seal of Dallas — is less than official, according to explanations from city officials.

Richard Hunter, of 1190 AM, a Dallas radio station, was covering the Michael Vick event in an official capacity. Hunter claims that he and his wife adopted one of the dogs “rescued from Vick’s dogfighting house of horrors.” He recorded the ceremony, which you can see by clicking here.

Hunter also tried to talk to Vick about the dog he had rescued, ostensibly to let Vick know how the dog was doing. He was, however, rebuffed by a bodyguard.

Hunter said, “Two questions, Mike?”

A bodyguard responded, in a rather hostile manner, “Nothing, man. He’s got nothing he wants to tell you. I am going to tell you one more time to get the (expletive) out of my face.”

Hunter says that, while one bodyguard cussed him, another physically restrained him.

Hunter called out, “You said you are worried about the dog’s, Mike. Now is your chance to talk.”

The bodyguard restraining Hunter said, “We don’t care about the dog.”

Dwaine Caraway seems to be a stand-up guy. He went on the Dunham and Miller, a very popular morning show on KTCK 1310, the Ticket, in Dallas. Caraway did not really defend himself, but explained his thought process behind his actions. Of course, as Gordon Keith aptly pointed out, Caraway “wrapped himself in the force field of ‘the children.’”

That is always a good strategy, if you can make it work. Whenever you do something really stupid, just say you were doing it for the children.

Giving the key to the city of Dallas— whether it is the real, bona fide symbol of the city’s gratitude, or some not-quite-official replica of it— ought to be more carefully considered.

Caraway admitted as much, when he said to Dunham and Miller, “I don’t think I will be giving any more keys away any time soon.”

I would recommend, in the future, Caraway consider the recipient’s resumé first. If it reads “Felon” or “Philadelphia Eagle” anywhere on it, put the key back in your pocket.

OK, Blue Bloods. Nobody likes to lose…not even in the preseason. But if you are going to lose, that is a better time than any to do it. Games that don’t count don’t count.

Losing 31-10, you might think would indicate that there were few positives to be taken from the game. That just isn’t so. I saw plenty to smile about last night. Here are some things that come immediately to mind:

Martellus Bennett and Felix Jones

The Cat!

Marty B and Felix are not your typical back ups. They are frontline talents whose skills will – or should – be prominently displayed all season long. If The sight of Martellus catching a short pass in the flat, scooting past one defender, and bowling over another for a first down doesn’t get you stoked, then your stoker is broken.

And Felix…wow!

In the 1970s the Cowboys were the best team in the NFL at running the screen pass. Why? Because of Tony Dorsett. His vision, burst, patience, and speed made him a threat to score at any time. The screen pass got him outside the tackles, on the corner, where it often became mano y mano, catch me if you can.

They frequently could not.

Say hello to Felix Jones. The Cowboys haven’t had the combination of burst, vision and break away speed that he brings to the team since the great Dorsett. He showed again last night that if he can stay healthy, he is a weapon every opposing defensive coordinator will have to account for…and the screen pass will live again in Big D.

David Beuhler

After getting the jitters out, the linebacker-size kickoff specialist sent a kick eight yards deep into the end zone. Touchback! Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? Especially since the Cowboys were the NFL’s only team not to record a single touchback in 2008.

He also pegged a 35-yard field goal, which is just icing really.

Tony Romo

For all the haters out there (and there are plenty of them), Romo remains one of the league’s top playmakers at the most important position (by far) on the field. Witness the touchdown pass to Jason Witten. Pump, move those feet, dip that shoulder, he’s open..fire!

Quickest release in the league? If not, it’s within milliseconds of whomever is faster.

Jason Garrett

That TD drive was a nice display of mixing things up, spreading the ball around, and using all of his weapons. And did anyone besides me notice how much more “presidential” on the sideline Garrett looks than the Pillsbury Doughboy, aw shucks, so-called head coach?

Keith Brooking

Yes, it was only one sack, but…nice!

Jon Kitna

He’ll do, won’t he? Nice to have a backup QB who could probably start for about half of the league.

Concerns? Sure! Plenty of them, but most of them have to do with reserves rather than starters. I would say the biggest concern at the moment is the injury bug. If the wrong people go down, it could be a long season. If the Cowboys stay relatively healthy, they won’t be losing to the Raiders 31-10 come Thanksgiving.