Michael Vick's strengths are his speed and athleticism. Will he be able to put his ego aside and embrace a new role?
Dog rapist (no wait, dog murderer) Michael Vick is eligible to play in the NFL by week 6 this season, and there have been two questions being asked – does he deserve it, and will he be any good after two seasons off? The short (and lazy) answers are I don’t know, and he was never any good.
Vick was suspended indefinitely and spent 18 months in prison for running a dog fighting business (enhanced gambling?) to supplement his measly NFL income. Had the league suspended him permanently, I’d be fine with it. It’s not a “right” to play in the NFL. Having done the time for doing the crime, I don’t have a problem with him being reinstated either.
One thing I’m not straddling the fence on is how Vick can be successful in his return. He is not a franchise quarterback. Never was. He’s proven this. I have drafted him way too high on several of my fantasy football teams, and believe me, he’s proven this. His career accuracy (53.8 %) would be much higher if bounce passes were legal.
Vick is a specialty player, a gimmick, a decoy, a playmaker, and the sooner he realizes this, the sooner he can begin carving out a great career in this role. Only his ego can stop him now. Self-evaluation is easier said than done, but the evidence is out there for him to review, and that’s why Vick reads this blog (or should). It’s advantageous to know what you’re good at, what you’re not good at, and how to use your skills properly.
We know what Vick is good at. Running. Fast. That’s not enough to be an NFL quarterback, but it sure as hell is enough to be a valuable player to a championship team. Think Kordell Stewart but faster, and more dog-killy. Reggie Bush : Running Back :: Michael Vick : Quarterback. A team that can creatively use Vick’s superior speed and athleticism will benefit greatly.
Use him at running back on sweeps, try him out at receiver, run reverses with him at either position, let him return punts and kicks (I admit this one would probably lead to injury), play him at quarterback in the Wildcat formation, or even let him throw the ball if you’ve got a comfortable lead. The only question is whether Vick will be able to put his ego aside and accept a role like this.
Only problem with this assessment is every football exec in the league thinks he’s a quarterback first, freak of nature/dog killer second. Or at least the “wise” ones. Trust me when I say, it’s not a serious consideration for him to play anything other than QB No. 1.
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