Plus, Bears’ secondary, Raiders, Favre and more. Matt Bowen
The idea that Michael Vick could land in Seattle has been mentioned to me by multiple league sources over the past couple of days.
APMora's Seahawks could be Vick's next stop
From what I’ve heard, new Seahawks head coach Jim Mora had a great relationship with Vick while the two were in Atlanta — despite the negative reports circulating through the rumor mill right now — and that he actually “cares” about the former Falcon and his future. I’ve also been told that, from a public relations standpoint, Seattle would offer Vick some protection from the media since it isn’t a city that draws the kind of overwhelming national attention as a Dallas or a Pittsburgh.
Time to throw the Seahawks into the ring for Vick’s services? Today, Vick said he’s “close” to signing with a team, so we should soon know where this story leads.
I talked to a source close to the Bears the other day about the injury to starting cornerback Charles Tillman. He told me that although there’s always going to be a dropoff when a starter goes down, the Bears still think they have enough depth at the position for the month of August — when the young players on this roster can get some much needed work.
His main worry was the health of the Bears’ secondary in camp. With Tillman already on the shelf — and no exact timetable for his return — Chicago can ill afford to watch defensive backs pile up in the training room because the backups need to take advantage of the extra reps provided by the Tillman injury.
In my opinion, Tillman’s health is a major concern for this defense once the regular seasons comes around. The Bears open up under the lights at Lambeau Field, and they’ll need plenty of healthy bodies to run with Greg Jennings and Donald Driver — and they need Tillman out on that island.
APDarrius Heyward-Bey
The Darrius Heyward-Bey signing in Oakland, announced this morning, is a good thing for quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Yes, he’s going to have to hold off veteran Jeff Garcia — who is coming to camp expecting to win the starting job — but by getting DHB into camp on time, the Raiders can start to develop the rookie over the month of August.
I talk about it all the time here — rookie receivers in the NFL are a risk. Most of the time, their production is far less than the expectations, but at least Heyward-Bey will be able to progress and learn with Russell and Garcia every day. This is a good sign for Raiders fans.
Now, on to the quarterback battle.
If the Jets decide to hand out a contract extension to running back Leon Washington, who was a no-show at camp this morning, it can’t be a good sign for the future of Thomas Jones in a New York uniform.
If we think about it, the idea of having Washington — whom I see as a dual-threat back in that offense — paired with rookie Shonn Greene from Iowa severely lessens the need for Jones. I’m sure Jones will see the football this season, but if Greene progresses and continues to impress the coaching staff — which we’ve already heard is happening — then Jones could be the odd man out and on his way out of New York in the offseason. More and more, teams are using a combination of different styles in their backfields, but having three backs who want the ball doesn’t make sense.
I don’t fault Packers safety Nick Collins for looking for a new contract this offseason after he went to the Pro Bowl last year, and I like hearing that he’ll report to camp on time this weekend in Green Bay. But I’m anxious to see how he responds and practices, and if the time he missed during the offseason is detrimental to his progress in Dom Capers’ new defensive scheme.
The bottom line is that the Packers did not offer Collins a new deal and also brought in safety Anthony Smith from Pittsburgh this offseason. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that Collins’ job is at risk, but he should feel some heat from Smith — which is good for every player, especially one trying to impress a new coach who saw him boycott the offseason.
Brad Childress
It’s easy to paint Brett Favre as the villain in the circus that went on between the former Packers and Jets quarterback and the Vikings, but shouldn’t we place a lot of the blame on Minnesota and head coach Brad Childress?
As our own Michael Lombardi wrote on Wednesday, Childress created the mess by allowing this to drag on. Sure, Favre wavered and eventually turned down the offer (probably because he didn’t want to go through training camp, in my opinion), but let’s not let the Vikings off that easily.
This entire story is like going to a movie that has no climax -- and, in fact, you’d probably want your money back after the show. But the Vikings allowed it to drag on and let Favre play them.
Follow me on twitter: MattBowen41
I understand it was reported as a team with no interest but My brother is close to signing with the Bills.
matt pleasse explain to me what the difference between cutler and campbell both wanting to be traded. cutler was labeled as a whiner and everyone said (how could they do that to such a nice guy). i have always thought that teams brought in players and it was up to the current player to EARN his job year to year. i just dont quite understand the difference. i think that one gave a team a chance in the fourth quarter. the other just played it safe (which gave him pretty good stats but no wins).
thank you
sorry meant to say "cutler was labeled a whine and everyone said about campbell (how could they do that to such a nice guy).
Gotta disagree with you on this one Bowen- Mora's been through the Vick experiment before and is now with a real pocket passer, plus he's got a better arm than Vick's at #2 in Wallace. Don't forget Ruskell and the rest of the organization's avoidance of players with character issues. I'm all for Vick getting a second chance, but I don't see him helping the 'Hawks.
I don't think that it's just a case of Favre NOT WANTING to go through camp, it's a case of Favre knowing beyond doubt that every day in camp is one day he won't be productive in the regular season. He hasn't been able to finish off a full season in many years. I think he had maybe 8 good games in him IF he scooted into camp at the last minute and saved the wear and tear.
Zach-
Bowen isn't saying that Vick is going to Seattle... go back and actually read it. He is saying that sources say it is a possible destination.
I take it this is just rumor.
Vick to Seattle? Where do you get this garbage?
Bah - watch him sign with the UFL.
Great article.
Thanks
Vick? In Seattle? Where you can't go 50 feet without tripping over an animal shelter or a specialty store for pets? He'd be lynched in less time than it takes to make a good latte.
Not much else going on up here, so hell yeah, sign Mike, sign! Ain't been to a good lynching in years.
I'm not blaming Favre or Childress on this.
I'm blaming you, for reporting every fart Favre had this offseason.
What about Vick to St. Louis? From my point of view it seems a decent fit. It's a baseball dominated sports town, out of the national spotlight, Bulger has been unimpressive since signing his big contract. True he's been injured, but even if Bulger keeps his slot why not use Vick as a wideout, where the Rams are deficient? I am a die hard Vikings fan and God knows we need help at QB, but I doubt he'd be comfortable in a progressive city like Minneapolis, where public protests could haunt him.
Yeah Vick and Mora are real tight. They bonded real close right after Mora Sr. called Vick a coach killer. Fact is any destination for Vick isn't going to be a team that needs a QB but a 3rd down back or scat-back. Vick isn't a QB anymore, if he ever was.
Childress and Favre are just like Jerry Jones and Dan Snyder; two like minded people who deserve each other.
Why would Seattle bring in Vick when they ALREADY have a back-up with almost the exact same skill set, specifically a much better ability to run the ball than actually throw it anywhere for a completion? Yes, I'm looking at you Seneca...
i think vick should start this year the seahawks need the speed back there hasselback is done if he gets hit by it will be a wast of seahawks money to keep hasselback in
Why don't they put vick with the worst team in the afl or the nfl. Let him suffer like the dogs did. I still think he should do time like the other people are. It seems like you're not punishing by rewarding him for his crimes.
If Mike Vick ends up in Seattle, I'll buy lunch for Michael Lombardi. If he doesn't, you, Mr. Bowen, need to buy Lomabardi lunch. Deal?
why is so many people so heartless, mean and cruel. The man served his time, what is wrong with giving him a chance. this is what is wrong with our country, prejudice, hatred, ignorance.
I hear Mike Vick has signed a new Shoe Contract Endorsement!!! It's with Hush Puppies!!!
I hear Mike Vick has signed a new Shoe Contract Endorsement!!! It's with Hush Puppies!!!
why does this sport writer lead of by saying mike vick is a x-con. we all know he did time why did you have to say that this is profileing by a sport writer. let it go 250 million dollars 23 mo. he has been race profileingr by this sport writer. let it go man. that is very old news us less you are still trying to smear the man!! I hope mike goes to the vike's or new England.
I am sick and tired of you news media hypocrites ,When a white athlete do any thing wrong he is sorry or he just made a mistake but when a AFRICAN AMERICAN do the least it is a tragedy.Michael Vick is not the first football player to do wrong ,he is just someone to keep you hypocrites talking and with a job.The only person that can judge is the ALMIGHTY GOD so get off your high horses and stop judging Mr. Vick, the man need to feed his family just like you.
Harold-
I love when people say "read the article" in their post, and then I'm left wondering if they did the same themselves. Bowen offered conjecture and accumulated rumor to support Seattle's interest in Vick (great Mora-Vick relationship from AT, Mora "cares" about Vick, lower media profile). Nothing wrong with that, I was just offering him some counterpoint reasons against the 'Hawks pursuing Vick. Take the weight of the presented evidence and make a decision. Moot point now, obviously...
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Jul 30, 2009
02:44 PM
Vick to Seattle sounds like a good option to me... give Hasselbeck one more season and get ready for the Vick Show in the northwest..
Both Favre and Childress look bad in this one.