Michael Vick is coming back to play quarterback in the NFL, and right now he and his agent, Joel Segal, are looking for a team that’s going to give him that opportunity.
But where? Where is the best place for the former Falcon to restart his career?
If I were Segal, these are three teams I’d be calling — burning up the phone lines and selling the idea of Vick as the future at the quarterback position.
APJason Campbell
1. Washington Redskins
I played three seasons for Daniel Snyder’s ‘Skins, and I know firsthand that he likes to bring in talent, regardless of the situation. And one thing we have to understand is that all publicity — good or bad — is right for the city of D.C. Because one thing Mr. Snyder sells is hope, and he does it better than anyone out there.
But what about the football side of things? The ‘Skins tried to move staring quarterback Jason Campbell several times during the offseason and were in the running for Jay Cutler, so the bottom line is that they’re looking for a replacement — whether it’s today or next offseason.
Backup Todd Collins is exactly what he is — a veteran who grows older with each passing day -- and although third-stringer Colt Brennan is a fan favorite (just as every backup QB is in this league), he’s a college system QB who throws sidearm and has never thrown a pass in a regular-season game.
If Campbell starts off slowly, Vick is the best option for this team when he’s cleared to play — plus, he’ll bring that buzz to D.C.
2. Minnesota Vikings
I like Vick in Minnesota for a couple of reasons, and the first has to do with head coach Brad Childress. The bomb that Brett Favre dropped when he turned down the Vikings got the ball rolling, and now Childress has to find an answer for his quarterback position — and he doesn’t have one.
Tarvaris Jackson was never the answer, and he has proven once again his inability to stay healthy this training camp. Sage Rosenfels was paid some cash to come in, but you know what you’re getting there — a backup in a starter’s role.
But can you imagine Vick aligned in the gun with Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin standing on either side? It would provide multiple creative opportunities, and it would provide athleticism at the point of attack. It would allow WR Bernard Berrian to be what he is — a deep-ball threat outside the numbers — and it would make Childress look great when his offense has some excitement in an indoor setting, which is perfect for Vick.
The Vikings spent all offseason (and summer) looking for a QB to add to a team that also had the league’s sixth-ranked defense in ’08. Is Vick the missing piece?
APSteve Spagnuolo
3. St. Louis Rams
I love the idea that the Rams went with a defensive head coach in former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo because this entire franchise needed a face-lift. In saying that, why stop there? Keep adding talent and keep rebuilding this franchise.
Marc Bulger might be on his last chance in St. Louis, and his inability to avoid injuries is something to watch because it could provide Vick with an opportunity to get on the field earlier than we expect. They have the running back in Steven Jackson, and one thing about teams that lack overall depth at wide receiver (which is at play in St. Louis) is a quarterback’s ability to get out of the pocket — providing those receivers with extra time to get open and break away from defensive backs.
Add in the dome factor again, and St. Louis looks like an opportunity for Vick to perhaps become the quarterback of the future for the Rams.
Follow me on Twitter: MattBowen41
Finally, a Vick post that makes sense. You are exactly right about the Skins, but then you played here so you would know. I am amused by people who claim Snyder would be worried about PETA boycotts. SF, Denver and TB also look possible.
A potential problem with the Skins is the fact that Vick's agent, Joel Segal, also represents current Skins starter Jason Campbell. Yesterday he said "no way" when asked about Vick coming to DC. Matt, as a former player, how do players and agents deal with this type of conflict of interest situation? It must come up all the time.
Not another article on speculation about where Michael Vick will end up....
Isn't this getting tiring people?
Matt, I think you're talking about the guy from 2+ years ago. Vick was a one-trick player and it would be surprising if he's gotten any smarter or better in anything today - it's not like he used his head when he did play. Plus he'd be coming in after most of training camp (and the OTA's) is done.
Also if you check the stats of the Wildcat from the last six games of last year, I'm sure you'd find DC's figured it out and it's useful days are long gone. In the best case Vick would be good for what, two-three plays a game? The guy has never played special teams and forces an OC to completely change the system for a potential (non-throwing) starter? Sorry but the only thing that makes sense is for him to get the rust off by playing time in the UFL - if at all.
Wonder how much the bad press from the Love Boat incident of a few years back is playing into the Vikes owner's decision not to pursue Vick. I think he could be scary for them, running around on that fieldturf, running the wildcat with Peterson and Harvin in the backfield, and throwing deep to Berrian. I know he's not the most accurate passer, but he's still better than Tarvaris Jackson, and probably Sage Rosenfels too.
Lance,
The reason that the Wildcat fizzled the last few weeks is because those were RUNNING BACKS taking the snap. When you have a RB with QB experience and a top-level arm, even someone as limited as Vick offensively, you're adding 2-3 options for the defense to cover...plus you still have your top 1-2 RBs there to hand off to, unlike say if Ronnie Brown takes the snap, there's only 2 real options: he can run or hand it to Ricky, because he's only going to throw it 15% of the time. Vick coudl throw it 35% of the time and really give DC's fits.
I'm not saying the teams above will do it--I'm just saying your logic of "its useful days are long gone" is incorrect.
Mattie's Bears are the perfect spot for Vick. Count on it.
Vick in Minnesota? As a Packers fan, I heartily agree with this idea. Since the Vikes have already had the distraction of the Favre speculation, let them have another distraction by bringing in Vick. And once they figure out that Vick is an older version of Jackson, and that Harvin has not yet played a real game, plus, would Peterson really like to share snaps with a QB? Especially one who has missed two seasons, and, right now, we don't know if he's the same player he was!
Good grief, Matt- you post "Eight in the Box" every Friday. Don't you think the Vikings would be facing that every game?
Singletary has already said, NO Vick in SF. Period.
I understand your reasoning in all 3 cities, but they are flawed. Washington has already said no, along with St. Louis. The Vikings will not do it as they have had enough qb headaches to last awhile. Eventhough they are going to be mired in a 2 man race already.
Rumors have it narrowed down to four teams.
Ravens-really do not think they would hurt flaccos confidence by brining in such a distraction
Packers-They have 3 qbs on their roster, would they cut Brohm already?
Steelers-This is just a weird fit. I could kinda see it, but I really do not think the Rooheys would allow it. They shy away from troubled players
Jags-Gerrard is struggling, not a bad fit with aged vet Bowman there. I really do see him going to Jacksonville out of these choices.
What I am curious about. have teams approached him about switching positions? Is that something that could be holding his signing with a team up? He has been shaky as a qb, but at his size, could he become a rb? Does he even possess the hands to be a wr or even a dual purpose back?
I really do not think he could play cb or safety, the instincts simply would not be there, and he is too old to become a project.
Hello people of the Post,
did you know Vick is pretty bad? But hey, what else to write about now Favre is gone, eh?
Yes Vick was able to run pretty fast and made a Pro Bowl... in 2002, on name only. But he's 30 now and his arm was very bad. I guess it still is.
Stop talking about the ESPN headlines all day and give some credit to people who deserve it. This site is becoming speculation, rumors and plain Captain Obvious analysis.
Theo
Theo,
This is the biggest NFL story in years.... what do you want the NFP to write about?
Break down greg williams defense. Provide insite into the game of football that only an ex pro can. These articles make me yawn. I love it when Mr. Bowen talks x to the o.
Theo is right, i can go to espn.com for this kind of "analysis". It's lame.
Da Coach,
".... what do you want the NFP to write about?"
-The legacy of Jim Johnson
-The aging? Steelers defense.
-Will Cutler be any good in Bearsland
-how to stop the Cardinals offense
What I'm trying to say is.... whit 'writers' like these, I guess I could do better than a rumour site, a and "that Fitzgerald guy is pretty good" analysis. It's all about the clicks - I guess.
I can name a million things instead of that UFL bound overrated non-QB.
| powered by TheSeats.com |
How Brees won the MVP, plus more...
How the Saints and Colts can hoist...
Age, hard hits not kind to RB...
Giants defensive end says he'll...
Breaking down Brees to Meachem...
Aug 12, 2009
04:09 PM
I agree about the Vikings. They are to be CRAZY not to even think about it... Vick going one way on the bootleg with A.P going the other will drive teams insane.
The same for the Panthers...