Michael VickThe name has been the brunt of many jokes. The victim of nasty snarls. A curse word in the NFL. Michael Vick has not had an easy year this year.
As everyone knows, Vick was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison. While there, PETA has gotten their media blitz by forcing Vick to undergo numerous mental activities and quizzes to make certain that he won’t “relapse” back into his dog-fighting self after getting released.
On June 20 of this year, Vick will be released from prison. While good news for the Vick family, that doesn’t mean he can go straight to playing football. There is still a certain issue involving the cold-blooded Roger Goodell. When Vick was found guilty, Goodell suspended him from all things NFL. Vick couldn’t sport an official Falcons hat without an unpleasant reminder of how his life had gone awry.
How would Michael Vick look in a purple jersey? The truth of the matter is simply that I would be happy with anyone other than who we currently have under contact. Jackson is not the answer… short- or long-term.
Vick’s style of play is extremely unique; this isn’t news to anyone. Making plays with both his arms and legs, Vick would be able to evade pass rushers by simply scrambling in his mobile pocket. With Vick, a superb offensive line isn’t as crucial as it is with Jackson.
Vick’s playmaking ability through the air would force opposing defenses to think twice when loading eight guys in the box. This would bring Peterson back to his rookie form.
While there would be positive aspects to Vick playing football in Minnesota, there are negative ones as well.
For one, there would be the obvious media frenzy if ever Vick was reinstated. Would that attention be positive or negative? Would it hinge upon whether he brought wins or losses to the Vikings? How would that effect the potential new stadium?
The most probable situation would be Vick playing for the new United Football League, where commissioner Michael Huyghue says Vick has “a 98 percent” of playing with them. Michael Vick would most likely prefer to return to the NFL, assuming some team wants him, will pay him money, and that he is reinstated.
That again leads to the ultimate question: will Goodell reinstate Vick? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.
Michael Vick
January 28th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Great article Andrew, I almsot included Vick “If the Fans had their way, who would guide the 2009 Vikings?” article. It would definitly be interesting to watch.
January 29th, 2009 at 6:54 am
I’m not sure Michael Vick would still be the same player. He’s 28, would be 29 for the 2009 season, and that’s the usual age where running backs begin to deteriorate. Vick has always been a (mediocre at best) quarterback who was an amazing athlete. I think he would be forced to throw more, and that’s never been his strong point.
Granted, his lifetime QB rating is 75.7, his completion percentage is only 53.8. I just don’t see him as being very good anymore, when I never thought he was anything more than average anyway.
And the media? I don’t think ol’ Mr. Wilf would like that too much.
I always thought the Falcons should have used him as a slot receiver/runningback hybrid like Reggie Bush and put Shaub in at QB. But that was me.
January 31st, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Yeah, now that I think about it, Wilf would do anything to keep Vick away.
Thanks for bringing up the most important factor of the Vikings; the owner.
February 13th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
I would welcome Vick for these reasons. Open up the game for Peterson and the receivers, aquire yet another running threat.
February 14th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
If Vick joined the Vikes, the running game would be unstoppable. No way this happens, though; the Vikes have never had such luck.
February 17th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
true vick will be older but dont forget he didn’t take the beating most running backs take. If he where to come back he would still have the same speed as when he left considering he trained properly while he was lcoked up.
February 26th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
is this a stupid joke?? first off your poll on the left asks if our first round pick should be:
a. Quarterback (Sanchez and Stafford will be gone, are you really saying we should take Josh Freeman with our pick, adding ANOTHER young qb to our team? (booty and jackson))
b. Offensive lineman (legit, probably will sign in free agency tho, there are TONS of good tackles in FA this year
c. Defensive Tackle (we have the best DTs in the NFL, a weak QB, OT, DB, and WR and you really offer DT as a choice??
now that we are going to add Sage, another subpar QB, its apparent Childress is sticking with Jackson next year. In the 1st round, after we sign an OT in FA, we will either be trying to trade up for one of the few good DBs in the draft, or hopefully Percy Harvin slips and we draft him as a return man and game changer.
February 26th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
now about Michael Vick.
we have a scrambling QB, not nearly as fast, but a much better passer than Vick. Vick brings in TERRIBLE press for the team, which at this time is kinda significant with the team NEEDING funding for a new stadium so we dont get traded to LA. He has been in prison, NOT playing NFL football, and was never that good when he played. What is he supposed to do? come in and all of a sudden be a smart passer?? If Vick was our QB they WOULD stack 8 in the box, and man up on everyone else, because even if they got open, chances are Vick couldnt hit the spot. There are absolutely 0 positives to Michael Vick. If you are really concerned about a new QB, talk about how we should sign Jeff Garcia, trade a 2nd for Hasselbeck, or make a major move for McNabb.
February 26th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Mickey,
Im sorry you think this is stupid, but here are some answers you may be looking for:
1) Yes we did sign Sage, there will likely be a QB competition heading into the season, Sage’s stats are very simmilar to Jackson’s. We have articles on Garcia, not just Vick, and this was written a few weeks ago when the no one really considered Vick.
2) I agree there are bigger needs than DT, but it is a good thought. Pat Williams will be 37 next year, and most NFL players dont last long around 40. He is definitly a key part of the defense. I would like to see the Vikings go WR in round one, but Childress has stated he does not do that after the Williamson bust. But with the likely talent at pick 22, the Vikings will likely go WR or OT, both good picks.
March 1st, 2009 at 12:36 pm
hold it guys now look at it this way we have 2 young guys (as we have established already) as a qb yet what have they done for us. nuthin. booty should have gotten a chance to play but gus ferrote got his shot instead. both of these guys are nothing compared to vick. he would help us out with the passing and running game and may help us get a wr like tj houshmanzadeh. we could be a great threat this yr with those two and the best rb in the nfl all day himself adrian peterson
April 27th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Simple. TAKE VICK! Lets think here, we sign him and he goes bad, oh well release him, but let him pass by and become a pro bowler at an opposing team? Another point we have a man with many d.w.i.’s in Jared Allen who has kept it clean and kicked some butt in the meantime, and just drafted a kid who tested positive for marijuana, we’re giving him a second chance. Why did we take these two? Because there electrfyfing hands down they can make plays. Vick is quite possibly the most electryfying player to play the game. For the people that say he is not in football shape, all he has been doing for the last two years is working out. He could possibly be in the best shape of his life. Also in the last part of hi career the accuracy problem and became a better pocket passer. Why not take a chance he is a great football player no one here can deny that and do the math. Adrian Peterson + Bernard Berrian + Percy Harvins + Michael Vick? It might not pass through just because it wouldn’t be fare. No one could slow down the Vikings offense while everyone will be hitting the defensive wall, maybe they can do what no other Viking team could, win a Super Bowl. Childress do it, make the right decision, push for Vick, get him and bring home a title. We all could use a ring couldn’t we? TAKE VICK CHILDRESS. TAKE VICK. TAKE VICK. TAKE VICK. TAKE VICK.
May 16th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I would have said no, until the Favre thing came up. Now I would take anyone, including Ted Bundy over Favre.
May 21st, 2009 at 3:01 pm
I want to first say, that I am going to focus on football aspect of Vick. He has paid his debt to society as seen by the court of law in this great country. I believe in second chances and redemption. I also believe the no one is perfect. Being the NFL has players that have done far worst, Vick should be able to play. Also with Coach Dungy saying that he should have a second chance, that’s good enough for me.
Now on to X and O’s of Michael Vick.
First, I will say the Atlanta’s issue was not Michael Vick. He was not perfect, and had flaws, but they had huge issue that Vick covered up. The way they built their team was wrong. They had it all wrong. The wrong scheme, the wrong players, whereas Dan Reeves had the right idea. Vick needs a explosive running back with power, and a good offensive line…with a scheme that is built on play action, that take the focus off of him and also using him as a threat as the last option, not first.
Not a scheme that was totally based on a gimmick. The Cut-blocking, and smallish offensive line men that would get pushed around by bigger, faster and more talented defensive linemen. The undrafted journey men offensive linemen…that could not block to save their own lives. The smallish Running back (Dunn) who only got yards based on Vick freezing the defense back side of the defense or a power back that would not run with power (Duckett). Greg Knapp was not a good offensive coordinator. Running with Warrick Dunn up the middle twice then passing is stupid. He would never mix it up. Ed Donatell was piss poor as a Defensive coordinator, with his very soft and non aggressive zone defense…with his corners playing off like safeties.
No one talks about these issues. It’s popular for some folks to forget and/or blame Vick. He won in spite of these things.
Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff is better then McKay. Pure and simple.
Michael Turner is the MVP of the falcons with his 1,699 yards rushing and his 17 touchdowns on the ground. Turner is a explosive runner with breakaway ability to take it the distance and a runner that would punish defenses…unlike Dunn or Duckett. Turner is the type of player that could carry the offense, whereas Dunn, Duckett, or anyone else could on that team. They also upgraded the line, with better talent based on blocking.
“The offense that benefits Vick is a non-traditional pro offense. I give Jim Mora huge props because when he was the head coach of the Falcons, he sent his offensive staff to the University of West Virginia to learn the spread attack. Mora was searching for ways to make his offense Vick-compatible. The perfect offense for Vick is not completely the Wildcat, but it must have some elements; it’s not the West Virginia spread attack, but it must have some elements of that, too. And it’s not the West Coast, but it must have some elements of that.” —Michael Lombardi
In my opinion, the Vikings would be idea for Vick in pure football related discussion.
First, Adrian Peterson is the focal point of this team. The Vikings are a running team, and A.P would be insane lined up with Vick in the back field. Look at what Vick did with Dunn (who is no where near A.P). The fear of the bootleg would freeze the backside of the defense, not allowing teams to flow to A.P. …this would in turn open huge holes for cutbacks him or would end with Vick going for a big gain if the weak side of the defense crashed down hard. This variation of the West Coast would work well with the players on this team.
Second, the addition of the Wildcat formation…this formation would cause serious issue with Vick at the helm and A.P lined up beside him. Add the Speed of Harvin and Berrian, and folks would forget about Miami’s version very quickly. Vick lining up in a regular formation then shifting to the wildcat would cause defenses a lot of issues. In this formation, Vick is a weapon.
Third, the Vikings are a running team. You are not going to ask any QB to come in and put up Peyton Manning like numbers. That would be foolish and take the ball out of your most dangerous weapon hands (A.P).
I will stop here. I will continue after someone disagrees.
June 6th, 2009 at 11:08 am
i am a huge falcons fan and was a huge vick fan when he was down here in georgia. manimal, just know the only reason passing wasn’t one of vicks strongpoints in atlanta is because the wide recievers were terrible. one year there was 47 dropped passes by wide recievers. that is unexeptable. however they have been playing better the past year or two. look at how many hook ups vick had with crumpler. when he throws to someone who can catch it, he makes plays through the air. vikings fans if i were you i would be praying for michael vick to come to minnesota. it makes alot of sense to me. imagine the combination of michael vick and adrian peterson. that could be the most feared duo in all of football, and could make for an offensive playbook that is stacked with some crazy ass plays.
June 6th, 2009 at 11:12 am
by the way umbra. i didn’t read your comment till after i posted mine. you could not be more right. thats genius man. finally someone who as actually watched vick and realized the guy can play ball if put in the right situation. amen man. that was brilliant.
June 6th, 2009 at 11:14 am
poor mickey. that guy is confused. good luck man.
June 15th, 2009 at 10:42 am
I can not believe I read so many comments about how Vick was just average. i recall a few season’s ago my Football Fantasy Draft that is very RB heavy took Vick as the number one pick, that night he got injured in the final pre season game. He was better than Culpepper who almost took us to the Super Bowl!. I would love to have Vick. If we take Farve we will have a media circus anyway. With Vick we would at least have the possibility of having him for a few years instead of one and done like Farve. If Vick stayed in shape or gets in shape quickly he would definately win games for us. As Umbra said he would open it up for us and allow our offense to score. I personally am very nervous regarding A.P.’s future with this team. I think he will want a ring and will want to be on a team that has a chance at getting a ring. Right now Vikings do not have that. We will not have that until we get a QB and Farve is not the answer. We NEED someone like Vick.
June 20th, 2009 at 5:54 am
I’m an avid football fan so I found this post to be really interesting. I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to post ! I’ll be adding your site to my newsreader and letting my users know about your site as well.
thank!
John
July 20th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Look at all the REAsons why Vikings are gonna get? Vick
vikingspursuevick.blogspot.com
July 27th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Without M.Vick Adrian Peterson will do well but not enough to win the Vickings a super bowl cause one or two men cannot do well enough to beat teams with five to eight deadly men on one team on Offense. So lets say the truth Adrian Peterson is going to have a lot of fans but for sure he cant stands against some of these NFL teams. watch and see
July 27th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
i dont see the vickings winning any super bowl this year without M.Vick on the field with Adrian Peterson with som of the wide receivers
July 27th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
yeah most of us hates M.Vick right but to say the truth when he get on the field and started to make some big plays we all will love him back only our opponent teams fans will booooo him cause they will want him to stop making big plays
July 27th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
without Vick watch the Falcons go winning less or maybe six wins for the whole season gainst wick teams. if Vick go against the Atlanta Falcons watch him dominate them to hell
July 29th, 2009 at 8:51 am
I’m going to ignore football and talk a bit about character. If we as fans start completely ignoring character in favor of perceived ability, what kind of NFL are we going to end up with? Not that the league hasn’t already started down that road, but allowing a convicted murderer to play for ANY team in the NFL just shows how little the league in really interested in integrity. Ricky Williams is pretty much driven out for smoking pot, but it’s OK for Vick to torture and kill living beings. I don’t understand how Goodell sleeps at night.
July 29th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
VICK IS GREAT!!!
STRONGEST ARM IVE EVER SEEN
FASTEST QB IVE EVER SEEN
HE IS AWESOME!!!!
July 30th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Perfectly said, Spot74.
August 6th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Rick Williams wasn’t driven out just because of his drug use, it’s because he quit on his team and moved to Africa. Vick has never quit on his team, and as far as I’m concerned, he paid his debt to society in Federal Prison. If both the D.A. and the commissioner believe he has paid his due, I am 100% behind him playing wherever he chooses, and am personally very excited by the idea of him joining the Vikes.
August 11th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
i think vick would be an excelent asset to the viks maybey even influence tavaris jackson for the futute and also open the feild for peterson and th recievers maybe lead to a superbowl or more