Michael Vick is now free, both legally and professionally. He got out of the joint last month, and yesterday, the Falcons, the team that selected him with the first-overall pick in 2000, released him. Even before Atlanta made it official, much of the talk this offseason (when we weren't discussing the implications of another Brett Favre fake retirement) has been about where Vick might play in 2009. Plenty of teams have issued "Yeah, we're not interested" statements, but athleticism trumps off-field troubles and there's a good chance Vick is playing somewhere next season, even if it's not at quarterback.
So where might that be? PFT.com's Mike Florio hears things.
There's been a theory making the rounds in the media that the New England Patriots could be a perfect destination for former Falcons quarterback Mike Vick. ...Whether you agree or not, it makes sense. After winning three Super Bowls in four years earlier this decade, Bill Belichick has earned the right to take a flier on a player with character concerns. Corey Dillion and Randy Moss are obvious examples; neither guy was doing much in Cincy or Oakland, the Pats traded for both, and all they did was play well stay out of trouble. Can't really ask for more than that.
But we're now hearing that there could be something to the chatter, primarily since it's appearing more and more likely that Vick won't have many/any options to compete for the every-down quarterback job in 2009.
Under those circumstances, sending Vick to New England for a year could help Vick position himself to become an attractive candidate for another team in 2010.
There is the issue of just giving Vick a one-year deal, and Florio writes that "If Belichick goes out on a limb for the man who previously hanged a dog or two from one, the Patriots likely will want to have the option to keep him beyond 2009."
That's one concern, I suppose, but there's also this: putting aside what landed Vick in the slammer in the first place, does he make the Patriots' offense that much better? He's not an NFL starting quarterback -- at least not now -- but he's ready-made for the Wildcat. But with Moss, Wes Welker, Joey Galloway, Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk and Fred Taylor already on the roster and fighting for receptions and carries, I'm not sure where Vick fits in.
That said, maybe Belichick's of the opinion that you can never have too much offense, particularly since the defense was a weakness last year. Whatever happens, I won't be surprised if Vick ends up in New England. And if he does, I fully expect him to have success. I'm talking Pro Bowl-type numbers. That's one of the fringe benefits to playing for a coach who sold his soul to the devil.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
6-13-2009 @ 2:00PM
Wayne said...
This is one of those rumors created by, and perpetuated by, the media. There is no truth the story. Bob Kraft and his wife would not allow the team to sign Michael Vick. They are too concerned with the image of the franchise. They relinquished the rights to Christian Peter a week after drafting him. They wouldn't touch Vick with a 20-foot pole.
Couple Vick's image problem with a lack of position and no spot on the roster for him and you have a non-starter. If the Pats aren't going to pony up the cash for Vince Wilfork, they are not going to pay Vick to struggle to make the team.
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6-13-2009 @ 2:14PM
bkind7x said...
I'd rather see him play as the starting QB somewhere.
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6-13-2009 @ 3:12PM
Yes King! said...
I'd love to see everybody do an about face on Vick if he goes to the Pats. He pleaded guilty to those charges to get everything over with we don't know for sure what he really did. He goes to the Pats and all the "experts" give him instant credibility and I know he'll do well. And by the way how's that FBI crackdown on underground dogfighting rings going so far.
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6-13-2009 @ 4:07PM
Roger Childress said...
People please catch on to the fact that this is nothing more than Ryan Wilson trying to make the Patriots look bad in any way he can.This IS what Wilson has been doing for years...check out all the blogs he has EVER done and you will know what Wilson is all about.So little character and even less talent.
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6-13-2009 @ 4:12PM
Adam said...
I think New England is one of the few places Vick could end up and have a shot at rehabilitating his image and career. Belichick runs the team very professionally, and I think he'd be a good influence on Vick, and the public would actually believe that he was interested in changing his life.
Despite Maroney, Faulk and Taylor, Vick would be a good addition. Maroney has proven too fragile to be a true starting back, Faulk is more of a utility guy and Taylor is pushing it. Just like Faulk is as important as a receiver as he is a runner, Vick could be a QB/RB. Miami has Pat White, New England can have Vick. Makes sense to me, and I'd trust Vick in Belichick's hands more than any other.
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6-13-2009 @ 4:44PM
yappy007 said...
well why not, their coach cheats, the wr quits, and vick is a criminal.
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6-25-2009 @ 6:59PM
dewit202 said...
Jealousy becomes you: NEWS FALSH today:
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afceast/0-8-231/Patriots-sweep-all-decade-team--coach--MVP.html
eat your heart out loser
7-04-2009 @ 10:24PM
Pete Hager said...
yappy, your an idiot-Bill Belichick is one of if not THE best coach to ever walk the sidelines. Only idiot homer fans like yourself say those kind of hurtful things about a man that has added as much to the game of pro football like Bill Belichick or Randy Moss. These men are treasures to the the game and their names will go down in the hall of fame-first ballot.
7-05-2009 @ 12:23PM
Me said...
And another moron speaks. Too bad your team is not half as good as The Patriots.
6-13-2009 @ 5:20PM
BT said...
He serve his time...........let the man be/let him earn a livlihood/let him have peace......
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6-13-2009 @ 8:40PM
Ted Babs Soesbee said...
I agree...let him be. He did his time. Lets see if he can make a change in his life and be a role model. He has MEGA talent, and is fun to watch on the football field, but I want to see him go to a crappy team, and maybe help turn them around, so we can see a new team this year in the playoffs, instead of the usual teams. I am tired of the Pats, Steelers, and others. Lets see him on the Lions, Raiders, Texans, Bengals, or Browns. I think he will be a Redskin though. Just got a feeling.......
6-13-2009 @ 8:38PM
Stoney said...
Sure. That sounds about right. N.E. is the one team he could play for that the league would love and the media would accept and "sugar coat" it because "everybody loves the Pats", right? They never do anything wrong. It's a perfect franchise. Right Jets? Picture that. Excuse me, let me wipe off that last statement. There was a "film" on it.
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6-13-2009 @ 10:07PM
coachwrobo said...
Michael Vick to Cleveland? The dog pound would bone him to death the first time he turns over the ball! Our fans are the best in the NFL! They would jump on the field,and chase the dog killer down E 9th street just like the teaser dogs in the cages do!
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6-14-2009 @ 12:54AM
YouFaceTheTick said...
I'd be amused. Can't see big numbers but he will get some touches if he does to them.
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6-14-2009 @ 9:50AM
Denise Todd said...
he needs to keep his $10.00 hr job, welcome to the real world vick dog murder
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6-14-2009 @ 11:52AM
MICHAEL A WEBER said...
I think mike vick need to go with dallas cowboys and jerry jones need to open up this wallet and sign him to a two year deal he can help take the pressure off Tony Romo also there is still some good WR OUT THERE THEY CAN SIGN IF Jerry Jones would like to win another playoff game. I am a diehard cowboy fan for life but i look at what they are doing to good player jerry is acting like the saints.just sell the tickets every week and it ok for this pocket.
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6-14-2009 @ 12:55PM
miki49 said...
Ryan, you sold your brains to the Smithsonian!
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6-15-2009 @ 6:05AM
kcs4425 said...
vick in ne. ok im up for it let the man have his start at a new life. hes done his time.i really think the pats could use him in ways other teams will be unable to handle.
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6-15-2009 @ 9:02AM
Nina said...
If Vic plays in NE, I'm done with that team. I've been a loyal fan but I'm not dealing with that criminal. New England and Vic don't mix. Go somewere else Vic.
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7-05-2009 @ 12:31PM
Me said...
Go ahead and follow another team. We don't need false fans. You probably jumped on the Patriots Bandwagon after the first Superbowl win. Go root for the steelers, a team that sucks so gad the NFL has to give them Superbowl wins.