Steelers Will Do 'Due Diligence' on Vick, Not Much More

Last month, Bloomberg News (of all places), reported that the Steelers might be one of the teams interested in the services of Michael Vick, Wildcat specialist. At the time, it seemed far-fetched and I don't think much has changed since.

Of course, it hasn't kept people from asking, especially since former Colts head coach Tony Dungy recently told NBC that Vick should be signed within the week. So when Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was asked about the possibility Tuesday, here's what he said. From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

"If people are capable of helping us win we're going to have a level of interest in those guys," Tomlin said today at a news conference at St. Vincent. "I'm never going to discuss free agents individually. I don't think that's appropriate. I think that that conversation could be endless. If I start commenting on Michael Vick then I'll be commenting on Plaxico Burress and everybody else that turns up on the (waiver) wire. We do our due diligence on guys that have a professional skill level and of course (Vick) is one of them."

And via Jim Wexell's Twitter feed, this nugget:

Tomlin doesn't deny interest in Vick .... or Plex ... or Bradshaw. "Hell, Mel Blount looks good out there, too."

Which I take to mean: no way in hell Ron Mexico ends up in Pittsburgh. Anything's possible, I suppose, but like I wrote at the time: the Steelers are set at quarterback. Charlie Batch looks like he'll win the No. 2 job, and Dennis Dixon, who appears just as capable as Vick in the Wildcat, will hold down the backup-to-the-backup assignment.

Oh, and then there's this from offensive coordinator Bruce Arians: "I'm not a Wildcat guy ... and Dennis [Dixon] would get broken in half. ... The only Wildcat runner in this league is a 240-pound running back named Ronnie Brown."

So, right, there's probably a better chance Mel Blount suits up in black and gold before Michael Vick. And I'm fine with that.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

8-11-2009 @ 2:06PM

jimg1110 said...

Have people forgotten that the Steelers dumped Plaxico Burress? The Steelers don't want characters and malcontents. Never have and never will.

8-11-2009 @ 2:33PM

hammerandskip said...

Plaxico is a saint compared to #10 your wide receiver. If you tell the truth Plaxico could have signed with Quitsburg but wanted out.

8-11-2009 @ 3:15PM

Thursday Night! said...

Holmes has done a lot of growing up the past couple years.

8-11-2009 @ 2:28PM

keboostman said...

Michael Vick is washed up. No team is going to take a chance on him unless it's almost free. He needs to find some other profession.

8-11-2009 @ 2:45PM

chuckie said...

Nothing says he HAS to be a professional football player (although with so many other thugs in the league he does fit in). Signing this guy would be the kiss of death for a team but nothing that goes on in this league surprises me anymore.

8-11-2009 @ 2:42PM

robert said...

People need to understand that this is not something that coach tomlin can decide on by HIMSELF. Mr Rooney would be the one who would have the final say on mike vick, and i think Steeler Nation knows how that would turn out!

8-11-2009 @ 2:50PM

mrski560 said...

guess theres no one else in america who can throw a football huh...

8-11-2009 @ 2:53PM

gallierl said...

Send Vick to Cowboys, and let JJ take care of him. He could probably help them should Romo start playing poorly late in the season. Patch

8-11-2009 @ 2:57PM

gmatclr said...

Dude, you must have been hammering skip too hard, fell off ,and sustained a brain injury! Today, holmes ( our #10) is in camp fresh off of a super bowl championship and super bowl MVP! Where is plaxico? In court trying to keep his ass out of prison!!!

8-11-2009 @ 3:25PM

Kyle said...

vick won't be returning to the nfl, he should sign with the ufl and try to become their star. then maybe he'll get another shot in the nfl

raetiki4420 said...

im predicting the aliens will do terrible things to anyone that thinks vick is worthy. its legal to say i hope he has a stroke and ants eat him

blaXXX !!! said...

this is a far-fetched pipe dream, by the author, by trying to get everyone to ignore reality and claim that Batch and Dixon even compare, to Vick.

Heck, if Big Ben weren't a White guy...Vick could probably take his spot, considering Big Ben's mental tools aren't always working either.

8-11-2009 @ 3:32PM

pgshaner said...

wow people write some stupid things!!!!!!!!!

8-11-2009 @ 3:35PM

If Vick would have waited a couple of more months before being released he could have shared the same cell with Plaxico, Holmes and Rottenburger. If the Rooney rule applies here Quitsburgh will have Vick.

8-11-2009 @ 3:36PM

my 150 lb rott doesnt like blacks, dont know why. i would however like him to want to bite off vicks balls so i can feed them to him

8-11-2009 @ 3:59PM

shummey327 said...

i have not read anything on here that makes ense. All the are like everybody does play the race card because people are white and black. SHUT UP!!Let me guess you guys never did nothing wrong in your lives. Dumbasses.Everybody screws up.He paid his debt. what about the Bengals who had how many players in trouble with the law. Lets not forget Mr. Donte Stallworth. I guess its ok for him to come back. you guys are pathetic

8-11-2009 @ 4:08PM

ajalsup1933 said...

Vick's paid his dues, more thsn paid them. He will make some team a great back up QB

8-11-2009 @ 4:16PM

Laurel said...

If you put an ad in the paper offering a "free puppy or kitten to a good home" - would you let Michael Vick have the puppy/kitten? OF COURSE NOT

8-11-2009 @ 4:23PM

pugz said...

dude's gonna beggin' for a job in canada or arena as a back-up, 'cause plain and simple; he's a bum.

8-11-2009 @ 4:34PM

dhayescharlotte said...

It doesn't seem to matter what athletes, celebrities do anymore. Someone will take an interest in them. I guess those that have paid a price, even if small, deserve a 2nd chance. I
guess they'll be called PITT "BULL" STEELERS"? :)