The Sports Rumors

Vick Returns as 3rd Wideout? Don’t Kid Yourself

I’ve heard a lot of different sports personalities give their opinions and predictions about whether Vick will be back in the NFL after his jail sentence, and to what capacity will he be back. I’ve heard everything from “He’ll never play another down in the NFL again” to “He’ll play in the CFL” to “He’ll be a third wide receiver or a special teams player”. All three of those notions are false. False as can be.

Make no mistake about it; Michael Vick will play quarterback in the NFL as soon as he’s served his time for both the law, and the league. It is dumb to think that he will be a third team wide out or a special teams gunner. Though Vick may not have the speed and agility he once had, and given the fact that he will be around 30 when he plays again, his skills will be somewhat diminished. However, you can’t forget the fact that Vick has a cannon of an arm. The strength of his arm and the ability to launch it 60 yards with the flick of a wrist is better than 95% of the quarterbacks in this league. Just because he’s having legal troubles doesn’t mean we forget about his talent. There is a reason this guy was drafted first overall and there is a reason he was the face of the league; his talent. Say he comes back with less arm strength. It will still be better than the vast majority of starters. Vick is also very accurate when he has spent time studying defenses. There is no question that the number of offensive systems that Vick has gone through, and his lack of Peyton Manning-like studying habits, have lead to him throwing the interceptions he has. But you’ve seen plenty of glimpses of him splitting defenders with throws traveling fast as hell. Speaking of fast, I’m not even going to mention his speed, even two years from now.

I can’t remember who said it, but the comment was that in two years, there will only be a team or two looking for a quarterback. Really? Are you being serious? So you’re telling me that the Jets are secure two years from now at QB? What about the Packers? Is Favre still going to be playing at age 67 or do you really think that Aaron Rodgers is the second coming of Brady? Don’t kid yourself. What about the Giants and Eli? He’s already on a tight leash with the fans. The Jaguars considered signing Daunte Culpepper on one knee and still can’t determine if Leftwich or Gerrard is their starter so go figure about that squad. Then you got the Dolphins with an old Trent Green. Don’t forget that the Dolphins are the same organization that signed Marcus Vick when nobody else would. Of course I have to mention the Raiders just because it’s the Raiders. What if JaMarcus Russell is a complete bust and Vick is available? Al Davis would jump on that faster than Marcus Vick would step on someone’s unprotected knee. Tavaris Jackson in Minnesota over Vick in two years? Please. And lastly, the Washington Redskins. What if Campbell doesn’t work out? Do you think Danny Dan Snyder wouldn’t roll the dice on Vick, who is immensely popular in Virginia regardless of what he does?

So I don’t want to hear about how there won’t be teams interested in Vick. He will play again, maybe not at the all pro level, but definitely as a good, solid quarterback.