Michael Vick Discussion Thread

[wwharton]

Re: Michael Vick Discussion Thread

Does anyone else believe that the "backlash" will be a lot less than some are saying?

In the lockerroom and interviews, it'll be like getting Moss, TO, or Favre for a week, but without the continued antics of TO or Favre that make them a year long distraction.

In terms of protesting, unless he goes to the Bay area where 85% of people list their profession as "Protester", I don't think it'll be that bad. The first day will be terrible, the first week will be pretty bad, and after that there will be small PETA antics before each game, but frankly, nobody listens to PETA aside from its member and they generally aren't football fans (or fans of anything remotely masculine). Opposing fans will boo, but I think Vick can handle that.

I don't think anyone will "pull sponsorship" or anything like that unless it's a local pet store. Football teams aren't like TV stations, aside from New York, the 2 Bay teams, and the 2 DMV teams, I don't think there are any "if we don't sponsor team A we can with team B" since sponsoring a team a state over isn't going to help you. Any larger sponsors value money over taking a stand. Papa Johns is no longer the official pizza? Dominos and Pizza Hut will call 30 seconds later.

Yep. Especially since he won't be handed a starting job. If he came out, went back to the Falcons and was the starting QB from day one, there'd be A LOT of people up in arms. But considering the situation he'll have to face to just be lucky to get signed again and have some kind of chance of even getting some snaps, it'll die down pretty quickly.

So you that at least 31 teams will refuse to sign Vick?

That's not what he's saying (or what I was saying in a lot less words). His situation is similar (but worse) than TO's. TO could've waited to see how many teams called and then weighed his options but he knew he wouldn't have that many so he jumped at the first acceptable offer. Vick may have a couple of teams to choose from or may jump at the first offer he gets. Bottom line is he doesn't have a lot of ground to stand on here in terms of contract demands and trying to find the perfect system. I guess another example would be how Culpepper handled his situation and what it did to his career. Vick needs to be as happy with whatever team gives him an offer as he is with Goodell giving him another chance.

[Hammerhunker]

Re: Michael Vick Discussion Thread

So you that at least 31 teams will refuse to sign Vick?

I think what you asked me was "that I think that at least 31 teams will refuse to sign Vick?"

What has been mentioned by numerous posters, he might not be the QB he once was, well that possiblilty, and the obvious, I don't think he will even have a handful of teams willing to pay him what he thinks he should be paid.

I know how the NFL is, I know a team will sign him, but it should be for the minimum, until he proves otherwise. I just don't see how he can ride in thinking he has leverage for a lucrative contract.

[Cebby]

Re: Michael Vick Discussion Thread

That's not what he's saying (or what I was saying in a lot less words). His situation is similar (but worse) than TO's. TO could've waited to see how many teams called and then weighed his options but he knew he wouldn't have that many so he jumped at the first acceptable offer. Vick may have a couple of teams to choose from or may jump at the first offer he gets. Bottom line is he doesn't have a lot of ground to stand on here in terms of contract demands and trying to find the perfect system. I guess another example would be how Culpepper handled his situation and what it did to his career. Vick needs to be as happy with whatever team gives him an offer as he is with Goodell giving him another chance.

I don't think TO is comparable. At every place he's been, he's caused major problems. ASAIK, Vick's only problem has been getting arrested.

Culpepper is a decent comparison, but Vick is obviously much more versatile.

I think it really depends on what Vick is willing to do. Assuming he's willing to pull a Deangelo Hall and essentially play the season for nothing, his desired role will probably be the determiner of his offers.

If he wants to be a starter, then yeah, he needs to sign with anyone who will take him.

If he is willing to be a backup for the minimum, there will probably be a handful of teams interested, especially once 2-3 starters and 5-8 backups either get injured or clearly prove they aren't good enough in preseason.

If he's willing to return kicks, play receiver, run the ball, play in the wildcat, and sign for cheap, really only Atlanta and the Yay area teams shouldn't call him.

I doubt he's going to try to get a 5 year contract or anything, but I think he will have options.

[wwharton]

Re: Michael Vick Discussion Thread

I don't think TO is comparable. At every place he's been, he's caused major problems. ASAIK, Vick's only problem has been getting arrested.

Culpepper is a decent comparison, but Vick is obviously much more versatile.

I think it really depends on what Vick is willing to do. Assuming he's willing to pull a Deangelo Hall and essentially play the season for nothing, his desired role will probably be the determiner of his offers.

If he wants to be a starter, then yeah, he needs to sign with anyone who will take him.

If he is willing to be a backup for the minimum, there will probably be a handful of teams interested, especially once 2-3 starters and 5-8 backups either get injured or clearly prove they aren't good enough in preseason.

If he's willing to return kicks, play receiver, run the ball, play in the wildcat, and sign for cheap, really only Atlanta and the Yay area teams shouldn't call him.

I doubt he's going to try to get a 5 year contract or anything, but I think he will have options.

I agree with everything you said, but I'm not sure Vick's thinking like that right now... or at least that's not my interpretation when I think he's trying to choose where he's going. If he's after much more than the minimum (he owes a lot of people a lot of money) he'll have problems. If he thinks he's walking into a starting job or even competition to start this year, he'll have problems. Culpepper is the better example (he may not have Vick's versatility but he also doesn't have Vick's baggage) but I compare him to TO in that TO was realistic about what he should consider an acceptable offer and situation and it all worked out quickly. If TO had pulled the same crap that he did when leaving SF, I think he would've been floating around for a long time.

[Hammerhunker]

Re: Michael Vick Discussion Thread

play in the wildcat, really only Atlanta and the Yay area teams shouldn't call him.

His style of play was the wildcat before it was the wildcat. I would think he could give the wildcat a pretty interesting dimension, especially if he is playing for the minimum. I say that because if he has the mindset to play football no matter what it takes, he could be an invaluable asset to a team. You could have a "special" package for him, and he would be a pretty servicable backup. You would be getting a ton more mileage out of your backup than having a traditional backup.

You don't think the Raiders will pursue him huh? Al is the first owner I thought of that would go after a situation like this. Interesting how that could play out.

[sportyguyfl31]

Re: Michael Vick Discussion Thread

I'm in the camp that doesnt believe that the backlash is going to be all that severe, outside of the extremist, PETA type crowd.

People, are willing to be forgiving, depending on how the person conducts his life.

Personally, I believe in redemption. I think the man has paid a price, and deserves the opportunity to put his life back together.

I do think, that his days as a star level player are gone. I believe that his spirit is broken, and I doubt we'll ever see him at that high level again.

["The Jab" Judah]

Re: Michael Vick Discussion Thread

Welcome back Vick





Fin.

[wwharton]

Re: Michael Vick Discussion Thread

His style of play was the wildcat before it was the wildcat. I would think he could give the wildcat a pretty interesting dimension, especially if he is playing for the minimum. I say that because if he has the mindset to play football no matter what it takes, he could be an invaluable asset to a team. You could have a "special" package for him, and he would be a pretty servicable backup. You would be getting a ton more mileage out of your backup than having a traditional backup.

You don't think the Raiders will pursue him huh? Al is the first owner I thought of that would go after a situation like this. Interesting how that could play out.

He wouldn't bump Garcia who can pretty much do everything you'd be trying to get Vick to do. Even if he gets back close to what he was, it'd still take time while Garcia would be a better option out the gate. And Russell isn't going anywhere.

[Scott]

Re: Michael Vick Discussion Thread

One team I could see him going to is STL.

[wwharton]

Re: Michael Vick Discussion Thread

One team I could see him going to is STL.

I don't know if they're stable enough... insanely young WRs across the board, talented but young/newish oline, new offense being put in place. They may be willing to do it but I don't know if it's a good fit. I also don't think Bulger is in any danger of losing his job, but isn't a sure fire lock that would keep it from at least appearing like a QB controversy to the media if anything goes wrong (which a lot probably will with that team).

I think the best choice would've been SF but they already said "no thanks"... probably bc of the community. I'm glad the Skins are out of the hunt. I could see the Jags but that'd be either boom or bust. Honestly, what package would make sense to put Vick in and take Garrard out? Might as well pick one and just go with it and Garrard just got a new contract.

At this point I think he'd be an improvement for the Pats or Steelers. Would be an interesting idea for the Bills, Bengals, Panthers or Vikings. Probably less likely but could see some fun packages if he were added to the Cards or Saints.

[jmood88]

Re: Michael Vick Discussion Thread

I think what you asked me was "that I think that at least 31 teams will refuse to sign Vick?"

What has been mentioned by numerous posters, he might not be the QB he once was, well that possiblilty, and the obvious, I don't think he will even have a handful of teams willing to pay him what he thinks he should be paid.

I know how the NFL is, I know a team will sign him, but it should be for the minimum, until he proves otherwise. I just don't see how he can ride in thinking he has leverage for a lucrative contract.

I don't know who told you that he was holding out for a big contract or thinks that he has any leverage.

[Cebby]

Re: Michael Vick Discussion Thread

You don't think the Raiders will pursue him huh? Al is the first owner I thought of that would go after a situation like this. Interesting how that could play out.

I think the people in the Bay Area are the only people worthless enough that they would continue to protest for more than a few days.

[Hammerhunker]

Re: Michael Vick Discussion Thread

He wouldn't bump Garcia who can pretty much do everything you'd be trying to get Vick to do. Even if he gets back close to what he was, it'd still take time while Garcia would be a better option out the gate. And Russell isn't going anywhere.

Yeah, but why would you want to put your starting QB (if Garcia were the starter) in that situation? Vick could run special packages, let him take the pounding instead of your starting QB. You let Garcia run wildcat options too many times, Vick might be the starter before you were ready for him to be (yes I know Russell would be the option before Vick, I'm just saying.)

[baseball66]

Re: Michael Vick Discussion Thread

if this bum gets signed by any team they had better be prepared for one ugly dressing room. i mean anyone with a dog for a pet (who doesn't have one) would likely just as soon spit on the guy as look at him.

["The Jab" Judah]

Re: Michael Vick Discussion Thread

I think the people in the Bay Area are the only people worthless enough that they would continue to protest for more than a few days.

Cebby you are 100% right... People out here are crazy dog nuts. I own a dog and I can care less. I think the most of us come from a different world of thinking (read between the lines). I wear my support Mike Vick tshirt to the hollywood dog park all the time...

Those are the same people who don't/can't have children so they substitute and value the life of an animal over human life... Kinda ya know weird but to each is own I guess.