Where Should Michael Vick play in 2009?
Recently, former Atlanta Falcons QB Mike Vick finished up his prison sentence for organized dog fighting. In the past days, NFL Commisioner Roger Goodell lifted Vick's suspension, and gave Vick permission to sign with a team, as long as he sat out the first 6 weeks of the season.
Regardless if you think the 6 weeks suspension is fair (I personally do) the question arises, what team will sign Vick, and will Vick even be a QB?
To answer the latter question first, I'm not sure. Two years out of the league is a long time. The league changes every year, and if you are not even playing, you are behind. Add in the fact that Vick wasn't the most accurate QB, completing a little over 50% of his passes, but Vick got stuff done and won games.
Vick is arguably the most athletic QB to ever play in the NFL, but two years out of the league, I'm not sure how good his best assest is: His speed. I'm also not sure how good a shape he is in.
Personally, I see Vick playing the "Wildcat" offense, since he is a decent passer, it could add a new wrinkle, or a WR/special teams guy. I don't think his speed will fall off much once he gets back into the groove.
So, since I think Vick will be playing a specialist role on teams, that limits the teams that will take him. First, look at the AFC East.
Buffalo already has one big distraction in Terrell Owens, so I don't think they are going to take on Vick, nor do I see the Jets taking him either with Sanchez the pegged guy of the future. I also don't see Miami taking him either.
The Patriots are an interesting situation. They already have an established guy in Tom Brady, and they have a history of taking guys with peppered pasts, as well as high profile athletes who haven't won the big one yet.
In the North, I don't see the Ravens, Bengals, or Browns taking Vick. Baltimore has Joe Flacco at QB and don't need the distraction, the Bengals have had enough criminals, and the Browns have a young QB as well in Brady Quinn.
The Steelers could take in Vick. Coach Mike Tomlin is a protege of former Colts coach Tony Dungy, and Dungy is mentoring Vick. But, the Steelers have a reputation of not taking players with criminal convictions, and I don't think they want to start with Vick. So, the Steelers, I think, are going to let others mess with Vick.
The South has been the Colts division, and they could take Vick, and he could play WR if he can catch, but I don't see Manning hooking up with Vick for touchdowns. The Texans could use the QB, but like I said earlier, I don't think Vick will be an every down QB, and that also takes out the Jaguars and Titans.
In the West, the Chargers, Broncos, and Chiefs really don't need him, as they have needs elsewhere. The Raiders could take him. Vick can throw the deep pass, and that is something that Oakland seems to have a fetish for.
So, in the AFC, it is down to the Patriots and Raiders...but what about the NFC?
In the East, the Cowboys and Giants don't need the hassle. Dallas just went through getting rid of their distractions of TO, Pacman Jones, and Tank Johnson, they don't need the drama. The Giants are in the same boat dealing with Plaxico Burriss.
I just don't see Vick fitting in with the Eagles, just doesn't strike me, but the Redskins could use Vick. Again, not sure if Vick will be an every down QB, but GM Dan Schnieder is known to shell out big bucks on risky investments, and Vick at QB would be a risky purchase.
In the North, the Bears have Jay Cutler at QB, and Devin Hester as a specialist, so Vick's service won't be needed. The Lions don't need the distraction, they just need to win a ball game with their new QB, Matthew Stafford. Green Bay just got done with the Favre soap, so they will probably be wanting a break from the mainstream.
The Vikings could use Vick. Again, if Vick can play QB, he could get them over the hump.
In the South, it is safe to say the Falcons won't resign Vick. New Orleans already has a specialist in Reggie Bush, and the Buccaneers don't need Vick either. The Panthers are an interesting look. Jake Delhomme is an aging QB, and the Panthers could use a younger QB.
In the West, I don't see a team that would use Vick.
So, out of the NFC, we have the Vikings, Panthers, and Redskins added with the Patriots and Raiders.
The Panthers and Vikings are pretty similar teams. Both have strong defenses and look to field top notch running games-the Panthers with Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams and the Vikings with Adrian Peterson. Both running games mean Vick wouldn't have to pass much.
Still, I don't think the Panthers want that extra motivation from the Falcons when they tie up, but the Vikings I could see getting Vick, now that Favre is staying retired.
The Redskins could take him as well. QB Jason Campbell hasn't panned out yet, and Vick would have Clinton Portis to run the ball, but I just don't see Vick in a 'Skins jersey.
The Patriots, though have taken players, don't seem like they need Vick. They have a loaded offense and a tough defense. Also, not sure how the locker room would work with Vick and Randy Moss in the same locker room.
The Raiders I think would take Vick. Owner Al Davis loves QBs with big arms, and Vick has a big one. A team that runs the ball, and pulls the playaction pass is right up Vick's alley, so the Raiders I think would be a great fit for Vick.
Between the Raiders and Vikings, I can't decide.
So, expect to see Vick on Week 7...and he will either be in a purple and yellow, or the black and silver.
Regardless if you think the 6 weeks suspension is fair (I personally do) the question arises, what team will sign Vick, and will Vick even be a QB?
To answer the latter question first, I'm not sure. Two years out of the league is a long time. The league changes every year, and if you are not even playing, you are behind. Add in the fact that Vick wasn't the most accurate QB, completing a little over 50% of his passes, but Vick got stuff done and won games.
Vick is arguably the most athletic QB to ever play in the NFL, but two years out of the league, I'm not sure how good his best assest is: His speed. I'm also not sure how good a shape he is in.
Personally, I see Vick playing the "Wildcat" offense, since he is a decent passer, it could add a new wrinkle, or a WR/special teams guy. I don't think his speed will fall off much once he gets back into the groove.
So, since I think Vick will be playing a specialist role on teams, that limits the teams that will take him. First, look at the AFC East.
Buffalo already has one big distraction in Terrell Owens, so I don't think they are going to take on Vick, nor do I see the Jets taking him either with Sanchez the pegged guy of the future. I also don't see Miami taking him either.
The Patriots are an interesting situation. They already have an established guy in Tom Brady, and they have a history of taking guys with peppered pasts, as well as high profile athletes who haven't won the big one yet.
In the North, I don't see the Ravens, Bengals, or Browns taking Vick. Baltimore has Joe Flacco at QB and don't need the distraction, the Bengals have had enough criminals, and the Browns have a young QB as well in Brady Quinn.
The Steelers could take in Vick. Coach Mike Tomlin is a protege of former Colts coach Tony Dungy, and Dungy is mentoring Vick. But, the Steelers have a reputation of not taking players with criminal convictions, and I don't think they want to start with Vick. So, the Steelers, I think, are going to let others mess with Vick.
The South has been the Colts division, and they could take Vick, and he could play WR if he can catch, but I don't see Manning hooking up with Vick for touchdowns. The Texans could use the QB, but like I said earlier, I don't think Vick will be an every down QB, and that also takes out the Jaguars and Titans.
In the West, the Chargers, Broncos, and Chiefs really don't need him, as they have needs elsewhere. The Raiders could take him. Vick can throw the deep pass, and that is something that Oakland seems to have a fetish for.
So, in the AFC, it is down to the Patriots and Raiders...but what about the NFC?
In the East, the Cowboys and Giants don't need the hassle. Dallas just went through getting rid of their distractions of TO, Pacman Jones, and Tank Johnson, they don't need the drama. The Giants are in the same boat dealing with Plaxico Burriss.
I just don't see Vick fitting in with the Eagles, just doesn't strike me, but the Redskins could use Vick. Again, not sure if Vick will be an every down QB, but GM Dan Schnieder is known to shell out big bucks on risky investments, and Vick at QB would be a risky purchase.
In the North, the Bears have Jay Cutler at QB, and Devin Hester as a specialist, so Vick's service won't be needed. The Lions don't need the distraction, they just need to win a ball game with their new QB, Matthew Stafford. Green Bay just got done with the Favre soap, so they will probably be wanting a break from the mainstream.
The Vikings could use Vick. Again, if Vick can play QB, he could get them over the hump.
In the South, it is safe to say the Falcons won't resign Vick. New Orleans already has a specialist in Reggie Bush, and the Buccaneers don't need Vick either. The Panthers are an interesting look. Jake Delhomme is an aging QB, and the Panthers could use a younger QB.
In the West, I don't see a team that would use Vick.
So, out of the NFC, we have the Vikings, Panthers, and Redskins added with the Patriots and Raiders.
The Panthers and Vikings are pretty similar teams. Both have strong defenses and look to field top notch running games-the Panthers with Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams and the Vikings with Adrian Peterson. Both running games mean Vick wouldn't have to pass much.
Still, I don't think the Panthers want that extra motivation from the Falcons when they tie up, but the Vikings I could see getting Vick, now that Favre is staying retired.
The Redskins could take him as well. QB Jason Campbell hasn't panned out yet, and Vick would have Clinton Portis to run the ball, but I just don't see Vick in a 'Skins jersey.
The Patriots, though have taken players, don't seem like they need Vick. They have a loaded offense and a tough defense. Also, not sure how the locker room would work with Vick and Randy Moss in the same locker room.
The Raiders I think would take Vick. Owner Al Davis loves QBs with big arms, and Vick has a big one. A team that runs the ball, and pulls the playaction pass is right up Vick's alley, so the Raiders I think would be a great fit for Vick.
Between the Raiders and Vikings, I can't decide.
So, expect to see Vick on Week 7...and he will either be in a purple and yellow, or the black and silver.
Hi! Best idea, but will this really work?
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