QUOTE: “You are the embodiment of the information you choose to accept and act upon. To change your circumstances you need to change your thinking and subsequent actions.” -- Adlin Sinclair
Commissioner Roger Goodell acted in a timely fashion, as predicted, allowing Michael Vick back in the NFL a week after his house arrest ended – with some conditions. I felt his ruling Monday was perfectly crafted, perfectly thought out and clearly placed the burden on Vick. From my perspective, Vick got the best ruling he could have hoped for. He’s back in the league he loves, in control of his own destiny, and now all his words about being a changed man will have to manifest into action.
APMichael Vick
A direct path back to the NFL was never going to be in the cards for Vick, but clearly the commissioner did not want to punish him any further than the sentence he has already served. All he is asking from Vick is to show him that he can avoid conflict, avoid trouble, is remorseful for his actions and can get his life back in order. Added to the ruling, the commissioner also threw Vick a life raft in the person of former Colts head coach Tony Dungy. There could be no better mentor for Vick than Dungy, who left coaching for a career helping others. He values his life as significant, not successful. He wants to serve others, he wants to be help to people who want and need help. Vick finally has a male figure in his life who can give him sound advice and, most importantly, whom he will listen to. Many have tried to give Vick advice in the past, but he would listen and not hear, or he would hear and not listen. Now the new Michael Vick is willing to listen as well as hear.
The next question in the Vick saga is, where will he play? What team will take a chance on Vick being a changed man? First, let’s clear up the misconception that Vick is a character problem. He committed a horrendous crime; he made a serious mistake in judgment. As Alge Crumpler said on NFL Network, Vick did a monster deed, but he is not a monster as a person. When a team signs Vick, there will be an onslaught of distractions outside the football building, but his behavior inside at work will never come into question. Now consider if a team were to sign Adam “Pacman” Jones. There might not be a distraction outside the building, but internally, everyone would wonder when he might make a mistake off the field again. Defining character in this instance is not as easy as black or white. Vick brings some public relations issues, but he wants to play football -- and in the locker room he has always been a good teammate.
So if a team chooses not to sign Vick because of the P.R. onslaught, that’s its right -- the owner’s right. But it will be because of his past behavior, not his potential for trouble with the football staff.
OK, enough about the politics of Michael Vick. Let’s break down the football element of his return.
FAR AWAY AND LONG AGO...
Vick last played in an NFL game in December 2006, against the Philadelphia Eagles. That season, he gained more than 1,000 yards rushing, second on the team, and the Falcons averaged over 5.5 yards per carry. At one point, the Falcons were 7-6 and in the playoff hunt, but they lost their last three games to end up 7-9, costing Jim Mora his job. But when Vick was operating at his best, he was able to make one or two plays a game that helped his team win. His overall record as a starter in the NFL is 38-28-1 (I think that’s an important stat, like pitchers in baseball). He has been to three Pro Bowls as a quarterback. Is he a west coast quarterback? No, but he’s the kind of quarterback who drives defensive coordinators nuts, creating speed problems all over the field. You keep asking yourself: Are we fast enough to handle him?
When you played the Falcons, you had to have the Vick plan, which was keep him in the pocket, make him throw from the pocket and not let him beat you with his legs. Teams had to rush him a certain way, making sure that the line kept disciplined rush lanes, and there was a spy to help when he got out of the pocket. The spy concept always was interesting to me because the guy spying on Vick had to be able to catch him, which often was not the case. It looked good on the grease board, but not always on the field.
So being away from the game for two years will create some problems for Vick to get his body into game condition. He will be able to run as fast as ever, he will be able to throw the ball as far as ever -- those talents are God-given. But it will take time to learn the playbook, learn the system, learn about his new teammates and learn to be a football player again.
THEY MAKE TOO MUCH SENSE
APJack Del Rio
Jacksonville -- I know I sound like a broken record with this team, but it makes too much sense. A team without a backup, unless you consider 35-year-old Todd Bouman and his six starts a viable option. Head coach Jack Del Rio is at a crossroads. He must show improvement with his team this year, and I know they want to get rid of all the so-called “character problems” of the past, as new personnel man Gene Smith wants to bring in solid people. David Garrard is the starter, but are the Jags going to get the ‘07 Garrard or the ‘08 Garrard? And why can’t they bring in the competition. Let’s say you sign Vick and Garrard is the ‘08 Garrard. Now you might have an option for the 2010 season. If Garrard is the ‘07 player, then you’re protected with a viable option as a backup. It makes too much sense football-wise, and unless owner Wayne Weaver vetoes the idea, why not take a chance?
San Francisco -- The mandate from the head coach is to run the ball, as he only wants the ball in the air no more than 24 times a game (can you imagine what Bill Walsh would think if he had heard that comment from a member of the 49ers?). There is no clear solution at quarterback as yet; Alex Smith and Shaun Hill will battle for the job. Why not sign a player who enhances the run game? Why not give your team a possible solution if neither Smith nor Hill is the next Joe Montana? If Dungy calls Mike Singletary and tells him Vick is good to go, how can you ignore that advice?
St. Louis – I’ve mentioned the Rams before because GM Billy Devaney and Vick go back to their Atlanta days. With all due respect to Marc Bulger, the Rams are not exactly set at quarterback. Bulger has been injury-prone and has not been able to perform at a high level, throwing only 22 touchdown passes the last two years. The Rams need hope (I used to love it when Art Modell, the owner of the Browns, would tell me, “Kid, all we do in the sports business is sell hope,” and he was right). They need someone who can give them a solution, either short- or long-term, at the quarterback spot. New head coach, new era in St. Louis. They need a new answer at quarterback.
DIFFICULT, BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE…
Buffalo -- When they signed Terrell Owens, I was surprised, but clearly they are going all in to make the playoffs. With Ryan Fitzpatrick as your backup and starter Trent Edwards being prone to injury since he’s been in the pros (and in college), Vick might be a viable option for the short and long term. If this move appeals to owner Ralph Wilson, he’ll make the move. By bringing in Owens, the Bills have created hope (there’s that word again) and excitement.
Washington – The Redskins have players on the team who know Vick from their days in Atlanta. Washington might have three quarterbacks on their roster, but do they have one who can lead them to the playoffs? Might make some sense for the ‘Skins to consider.
Miami – The Dolphins brought the wildcat back to the NFL. Who better to run that offense than Vick? If you drafted Pat White in the second round, clearly placing a huge value on someone to run the wildcat, then Vick is a possibility.
APJaMarcus Russell
Oakland -- With JaMarcus Russell struggling, Vick might be best reunited with Tom Cable, who was the line coach in Atlanta when Vick rushed for over 1,000 yards. Cable knows the value Vick brings to the run game, but can he sell him as a passer?
Cincinnati -- Mike Brown loves to give second chances, and he loves value. Vick would be a great value and clearly in need of a second chance. Carson Palmer is the starter, but injuries make you wonder.
That’s eight teams right now -- not counting the team that gets a quarterback injured and will have to make a move. The Vick watch is on….
First, let’s clear up the misconception that Vick is a character problem."
Michael, you're ignoring Vick's behavior before the gambling ring episode. I'm thinking of the herpes/Ron Mexico saga, the hidden compartment at the airport incident, his noted troubles at V Tech. Countless others. Add to that before the torture thing he hadn't shown any desire to be a leader - but was successful with dog fighting apparently - and was called a coach killer.
Any reason you've decided to ignore those episodes? I'd say they're huge problems for any team considering him. Does a city really want a herpes pandemic with Vick's arrival to an area?
And please, this career 76 passer has been out of football for 2 years. Did he get any better in prison? Did he decide to start using his brain instead of his feet? For a team Vick is Russian roulette with only one of the chambers empty.
Interesting article. Michael, what kind of deal do you think Vick can get? I know a lot of people are saying one year, vet minimum, but that sounds crazy to me. I know he won't get legitimate starting QB numbers, but if several teams start bidding, don't you think it could ratchet up pretty quickly?
I also think you are selling the Redksins short, and so soon after your series on their imminent search for a new head coach. Do you really think Dan Snyder can resist adding Vick? They did everything but put a For Sale sign on poor Jason Campbell's house.
St Louis is a perfect place for him. Their fans don't care about cheering for a player who has killed HUMANS; a dog killer is nothing to them.
Look, I am honestly rooting for Vick to rehabilitate and grow from his troubles, but lets not get fast and loose with the praise. "A good teammate"? Vick threw his receivers under the bus to the media, even publicly stating that if he had the Colts' WR set he'd have much better numbers.
Good teammates don't EVER direct blame.
Michael
I am huge fan of your work, and NFP but I take issue with your statement "First, let’s clear up the misconception that Vick is a character problem. He committed a horrendous crime; he made a serious mistake in judgment" - if Vick was guilty of a one-time incident, than perhaps this would be accurate.
Howver, it is disingenuous to characterize Vick's 6 year lifestyle of murdering dogs in grotesque and cruel ways as a single crime and mistake in judgment - as if otherwise he is a good person. To me it's no less absurd as characterizing Jeffrey Dahmer as a decent person who otherwise made poor choices.
Contrary to Crumpler's beliefs, Mike Vick *is* defined by his monstrous acts. He is the person who chose, of his own free will, to fund an illegal dog fighting ring, and to hang, drown, slam to the ground and electrocute dogs who were deemed not vicious enough for his enterprise.
I think Goodell made a wise decision, but Vick will always be the person who tortured animals, and lied in an attempt to cover up his crimes. He can attempt to mitigate his image by what he does going forward, but his actions leave an indelible mark.
My position on Michael Vick has softened somewhat. I don't really know WHY, but it has. He has certainly suffered plenty of humiliation and financial punishment over all of this, and he served his time like a man. However, I agree that you might be overlooking some "character" issues like Lance mentions above.
I'm not sure I agree that he deserves a second or third chance, though. Doctors, lawyers, engineers and many other fields of employ wouldn't take Vick back with felonies on his record, so why should the NFL? Tough luck, kid. That's just life. He should have to pursue another area of work, just like people who get booted out of bar associations and off of medical boards.
Letting go of personal opinion, though, I hope he doesn't screw up this opportunity. I hope he does well. I really do. Given that he has been GIVEN YET ANOTHER CHANCE.... I agree with you that Jacksonville makes the most sense. That way, my Titans can practice against Vince Young all week and beat the holy shit out of the Jags twice a year. BOOM. Welcome to the AFC South, Vick.
The real problem is that Vick can only run an offense ENTIRELY designed around his immense lack of intelligence and inability to learn even a high school level playbook with any amount of proficiency. That has been the case everywhere has been... until now. No one is bringing him in to start so no one is going to design their system around a low-priced back-up or even the third member of a wide-open QB competition. He is stuck in the position of having to adjust to the system, not the other way around as has been the case his whole career. Add to that the fact that he will almost certainly be out of shape and will probably be less than impressive in his early workouts for scouts and GMs, and I don't think you have anyone offering him a contract he'd be willing to accept (i.e. short on the green) before the season starts. He'll probably wait and try to squeeze more out of a desperate team that loses it's QB once the season is underway. Sure, there will always be low level interest from a number of teams in a high profile player with immense talents and equally immense limitations, but I have a hard time believing that any team has SERIOUS interest in him for this season, both in being willing to expend significant money to sign him and expecting him to be an impact player at any position.
I don't think Mike meant exactly what he wrote in that Vick is of great character. We all know about his bad decisions. I think what Mike was trying to say was that Vick has never been considered a bad teammate. He will not add any dysfunction to the locker room. Now it's up to the owners to decide if he's worth the PR headache and whether he still can play at a high level.
I don't think that Vick will go to the Raiders although with Cable being there, they will continue to get mentioned. I disagree with the sentiment that Russell is struggling. The Raiders are struggling and have been horrible for the past 6 years but there is no justification to put the blame on Russell. Look at the stats as compared to Elway and Aikman. Compare the second year even though both Elway and Aikman started 11 games their rookie year compared to Russell's 1 game his rookie year. They all started 15 games in year 2 of their careers:
Elway - Comp Pct (56.3), Yds (2,598), TD (18), INT (15), Rating (76.8)
Aikman - Comp Pct (56.6), Yds (2,579), TD (11), INT (18), Rating (66.6)
Russell - Comp Pct (53.8), Yds (2,423), TD (13), INT (8), Rating (77.1)
Not going to say that he was better or will be better than either of those two but wanted to point out that he's not struggling as much as some would like you to think. Those are comparable stats with 10 less starts. Give the kid some time and give him some help before assuming that he's struggling or is a bust. He could fall on his face that's for sure but the numbers don't support that notion at this point in his career.
Vick just doesn't make sense to the Raiders given the large investment in their large QB. I seriously doubt that Davis is ready to pull that plug just yet. I could see Vick across the bay in SF though.
meateater
Jul 28, 2009
10:31 AM Interesting article. Michael, what kind of deal do you think Vick can get? I know a lot of people are saying one year, vet minimum, but that sounds crazy to me. I know he won't get legitimate starting QB numbers, but if several teams start bidding, don't you think it could ratchet up pretty quickly?
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Why would it? There are limited teams that would probably bid for his services...the team is inviting a public backlash, he's not the sharpest tool in the shed, and lastly, he has very pedestrian passing statistics. There is only so much one can do in a wildcat offense.
Any ratcheting up in compensation via bidding between teams is probably by the tens of thousands, not hundreds of thousands & definately not millions.
Vick should re-establish his football credentials in Canada -- if they'll let him in the country. His game is more suited to their game and, if successful, he would have NFL teams bidding for his services.
I love the idea of putting Mike Vick in Buffalo, and I think it's a much better choice than either Jacksonville, St. Louis, or Cincy, and it's for one reason:
The Offensive Line.
Offensive linemen play differently when Vick is in the game. Vick is almost impossible for offensive linemen to block for. They are meant to re-direct pass rushers, but to where? You never really know where Vick is going to be in the pocket from one moment to the next. All you can hope to do is exercise some gap control and hopefully give #7 pass/rush lanes to get through.
When you're breaking in new offensive tackles (like Jacksonville and St. Louis are, I'd be terrified of asking young blockers to work with Vick. It's possible that blocking for Vick would disrupt whatever learning that you're asking your offensive linemen to do. The Vick game is different from the Pro game, and I would hate to inflict that on a bonus-baby offensive lineman when they're still learning the fundamentals of the NFL.
In Buffalo, however, there are a bunch of journeymen playing out of position who should be able to man up or cover their zones and allow Vick to do his thing out of the backfield.
In this instance, I think if Vick were to return to the NFL, the Jags and Rams can gain the most with him. Of course, while perception and reality can be quite different, people often merge them into one. Vick will have to prove everything to everyone again. As for the Falcons' wideouts not being that great in the Vick tenure, it appears Matt Ryan did quite well with Michael Jenkins who played during the Vick era, just saying...
Second chance?
The dogs didn't have a second chance at life. If they weren't good fighters, they were destroyed. Not given up for adoption or even dumped into the streets.. but destroyed.
Second chance?
In allowing this scumbag back, Goodell is disrespecting the game of football and polluting it. This scumbag was never really committed to the game of football in the first place. Give this privilege to a hungry rookie.
WOW, NFL takes on MAJOR non-football circus. You can protect the integrity of the game or , you can stumble into the con-mans swamp. Commish is all in, results are on his watch.
Not so sure about Miami being on the list of possible teams. I'd be surprised if Parcells wants this guy around.
Funny to see all the players outraged at Vick having to wait 6 games since he's already served hard time. He's lucky to get a second chance, period. What he does with it is up to him. The NFL doesn't have to guarantee anyone a job, regardless of what the players say.
Forget about the NE angle that's been thrown out for Vick, people think Belichick can provide a structured environment, etc. He's not going there because Kraft won't take him, he doesn't need the negative backlash....
Love your insights, Mike. On the Vick issue, you can't just look at team needs. This is, obviously, a major p.r. nightmare, so one must look at the demographics of teams that will consider Vick.
San Francisco and Oakland will be more reticent to take Vick because their p.r. staffs will have MAJOR concerns about picketing and protests by the notoriously liberal Bay Area demographic should they bring on Vick.
It will be much easier for a Buffalo, Cincy or even Miami--although I don't think Parcells wants this headache--as the citizens of these cities will be less likely to overreact, and these cities also provide a poorer media platform for the ooze to gurgle up into the bigger markets or onto the national stage.
The team to watch most closely is New England. Remember that it was Belichick that was the first team to get burned by the Wildcat, and that loss ultimately cost them the division.
Rumor had it that Belichick planned to take Pat White, but Parcells beat him to the punch. Belichick doesn't like to get beat at anything, especially a "take two" by a novelty act like the Wildcat.
If they take him, the Pats could implement Vick as a supreme secret weapon, which would be a perfect way to re-transition Vick back into the league and possibly take off a little of the pressure on Brady, not to mention forcing teams to prepare for two offensive packages.
This ruling reeks of special privilege and treatment, which is exactly how Michael Vick got into this situation in the first place.
He gets a special "mentor" in one of the top characters in the whole NFL (Dungy)? Really? I don't remember Goodell getting to a podium and assigning a Big Brother to Chris Henry or Travis Henry or PacMan Jones.
All this does is reinforce to Michael Vick that his "specialness" gets him special treatment. Just like when he was 12 years old, got good "grades" in college and had owners in the NFL look the other way when smoke indicated something was seriously wrong with the people Vick was hanging around.
Is this the best use of Dungy's time? There aren't countless young African-American, troubled teenagers Dungy could help make a difference BEFORE it's too late? This is what Dungy retired from football to do? To babysit a primadonna QB that has had every advantage in life given to him by his athletic talents yet still decided to make bad decision after bad decision?
I can't believe the amount of positive press this is getting. Vick is not special. Nor does he deserve any special treatment or protection from the NFL to "help" him rehabilitate his life. It's embarressing the extent they are going for such a poor case of a human being.
Allstar:
Belichick doesn't own the team......
Sonny L:
I know Belichick doesn't own the team. Has Kraft gone on the record or given any indication he wants to avoid Vick? I know much of the local demographic would hate Vick, which isn't a plus, but Beli is bulletproof in New England, no? Please enlighten me on your thoughts.
It just seems to me that Belichick is pining to get into the Wildcat game. I could be wrong.
Sonny, great point. Perhaps few outside New England understand how much input Myra Kraft has.
Besides, as Mike Reiss pointed out, does anyone think Belichick would give a roster spot to a guy who might be in 2-3 plays and can't contribute on special teams? Everybody talks about what Belichick could do for Vick but really what could Vick do for Belichick, especially when they've got Julian Edelman on the roster.
I have to say I am surprised at the intesity of the Vick hatred. I never liked the guy myself, but he did serve two years in prison, is bankrupt and despised by a good portion of America. I don't really see singling out Vick for condemnation, when the NFL is filled with criminals, many far worse than Vick.
I can't speak for other teams, but I really don't see fan reaction being that bad with the Redskins.
i like watching vick play but i don't want him as the quarterback of my team. that was even before he was busted. but i would like to see him go to denver.
Sonny, great point. Perhaps few outside New England understand how much input Myra Kraft has.
Besides, as Mike Reiss pointed out, does anyone think Belichick would give a roster spot to a guy who might be in 2-3 plays and can't contribute on special teams? Everybody talks about what Belichick could do for Vick but really what could Vick do for Belichick, especially when they've got Julian Edelman on the roster.
I think Mikey could beat out Trent Edwards , Kyle Orton , & Byron Leftwich pretty easily . If I were him those would be the three teams I would focus on with St Louis being a close fourth .
Why does no one ever mention Carolina with these lists? Is there something I'm missing? How much faith could the team possibly have in Delhomme after the last playoff game? And, imagine a backfield with DeAngelo Williams and Vick. Scary, right?
No one mentions Carolina because for what ever reason Carolina offered Delhomme (sp?) a contract extension . After that playoff horror show it is hard to believe . I really think Vick will get an opportunity to start at qb again if not this year next .
Nobody mentions Carolina because ownership has some CLASS. They won't pollute their integrity embrasing a known LOWLIFE.
As a Falcons fan I'm loving that 5 year 40 plus million dollar extension Jake Delhomme received . Stay classy Carolina !
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Jul 28, 2009
10:10 AM
That's a good list, Mike. Thanks for leaving the Patriots off. A lot of people around Boston think he would be a good pickup, but it just doesn't make sense. Brady is the QB and BB won't run the wildcat with 5 RB's and Moss and Welker to throw to.
I could see Vick as a WR or RB on the Jags. I think Garrard is a more accurate QB. Vick throwing to TO in Buffalo would be an interesting combo, too, and not only for headlines.