Michael Vick: Where Will He Go? (The NFC)
In the AFC, I saw Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Jacksonville, Oakland and Miami (in that order) as the best suitors for Michael Vick. Let’s check out the potential landing spots for Vick in the NFC.
Arizona Cardinals: Kurt Warner came back to take another run at the Lombardi Trophy – with Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin at his disposal who can blame him. Did we forget that Matt Leinart was still on the Cards’ roster. The reigning NFC Champs don’t seem to pressed to find Warner’s replacement. All the more reason to give Vick a shot here.
Atlanta Falcons: Only for the sake of this argument. This team would be better than the team Vick led to the NFC Title game in 2004. He has a bruiser back in Michael Turner and the great Tony Gonzalez. Roddy White and Michael Jenkins are excellent deep ball threats. Power and speed all over the field.
Carolina Panthers: Carolina would be a nice all around fit for Vick, geographically, it sits between Washington and Atlanta - two larger sports markets. The Panthers offense is low risk, easily allowing Vick to progress at a decent pace behind Jake Delhomme. And of course he gets a shot at the Falcons twice a year.
Chicago Bears: How about designing some plays with VIck at wide receiver opposite Devin Hester. The potential Wildcat package of Vick, Hester and Matt Forte would be intriguing as well. With a limited and unproven receiving corps the Bears need to add as many wrinkles as possible.
Dallas Cowboys: This Cowboys have been a rudderless ship for quite some time. There’s no veteran leadership in the locker room and little if any team chemistry. I believe the expectations Dallas would be too much for Vick if Romo flops late in the season.
Detroit Lions: Although the Lions said they would not take a flyer on Vick, I believe if they didn’t draft Matthew Stafford, he could challenge and maybe unseat Daunte Culpepper as the starter in Motown. If he wins one game it’s an improvement from last season. Win 7 or 8 and he’s comeback POY. They haven’t had anything to cheer about since Barry Sanders rolled out. I believe Vick has a shimmy or two left.
Green Bay Packers: I can see many football purists talking about how Vick’s donning a Packer uniform somehow erases the mystique that Vince Lombardi built half a century ago.
Minnesota Vikings: These guys were chasing the wrong QB, Brett Favre’s numbers over the past 3 seasons are woeful for someone being asked to put a team over the top. Vick is younger and even two years removed is in overall better shape. If things got hairy down the stretch for the Vikes, Vick is a nice x-factor.
New Orleans Saints: A move like this would only add fuel to the fire in this division. N’awlins was one of the first teams that came to mind when Vick was released. If the Saints have anything they have speed – plenty of it from Reggie Bush to Marcus Colston and Robert Meachem. The NFC South is a physical division - (Carolina, Tampa Bay and Atlanta) backups Mark Brunell and Joey Harrington won’t get it done.
New York Giants: The Giants have had their fill with Plaxico Burress and now Antonio Pierce and don’t want the excitement of bringing Vick into the fold. The media would set up temporary housing outside Giants Stadium. And the Giants lockerroom isn’t all that stable right now.
Philadelphia Eagles: Man if the Eagles had the mentality of their baseball counterparts – Donovan McNabb and Vick are close friends and there is a solid veteran mix on the team. I really don’t think the fan base would take exception to Vick being brought in, what can it hurt? And besides, it’s another weapon for McNabb.
St. Louis Rams: Marc Bulger, over the past three seasons hasn’t been the most durable QB in the NFL. With that in mind, Steven Jackson’s workload continues to increase. The Rams are in survival mode right now and Vick could be a temporary life raft to keep this team afloat. Second year coach Steve Spagnuolo hasn’t given the offense much of an identity - here is the opportunity.
San Francisco 49′ers: In a perfect world, San Fran would be great for Vick, he could probably win the starting QB job throwing in his mouthpiece. This is a fairly young team looking for leadership – all Vick needs to do here is lead by example. Finally, there is the Singletary factor; head coach Mike Singletary will serve as coach, mentor and protector for Vick. Don’t expect some wisecracking journalist to get away with any baiting questions here. He might go Mike Gundy on someone.
Seattle Seahawks: Put Vick in the Pacific Northwest, reunite him with his former head coach and give him a great fan base and watch him slowly return to form. Jim Mora Jr. knows Vick and has expressed his feelings for Vick. You want Vick away from the bright lights and big city, here’s your place. The only drawback is the total absence of a running attack, leaving QBs in constant peril.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rookie head coach Raheem Morris could start a rookie QB this season and no one would fault him, there’s no pressure to win now in Tampa. However if Vick was signed and won the starting job, he has legit weapons in Antonio Bryant, Kellen Winslow Jr. Earnest Graham and Derrick Ward to make things happen.
Washington Redskins: How numbered are QB Jason Campbell’s days in the nation’s capital? Acquiring Vick would be a resounding “very”. Is it fair to Campbell? Probably not. But owner Daniel Snyder will take chances and with Vick in the fold it would be his boldest move to date. Is Jim Zorn willing to create packages to Vick’s advantage? Finally, it puts Vick close to home making for a comfortable transition.
Best Potential Suitors for Michael Vick NFC:
1. Washington
2. Seattle
3. Carolina
4. San Francisco
5. Minnesota
Get some cojones mas grande Jeff! Vick would be great here. Don’t be sceered of Rocky. Dammnit! lol
Good stuff.
By the way, I am sure that Jim Zorn (a left-handed running QB who ran for over 1,500 yards and 17 TDs), could come up with a little something, something.
I have no idea where he’s going, but I think it’s going to be a team that is a Super Bowl contender (or at least a team that believes itself to be a Super Bowl contender). With Burress out, Philly refusing to pound the rock and Delhomme playing the worst football of his career, the NFC is WIDE OPEN. Just about anyone can win the NFC next year, except the Cowboys and the Lions.
Nice job.
It’s amazing to think that for a minute, MV7 was the HIGHEST paid player in the entire league — above Manning, Brady, Tomlinson, Favre and the rest.
Consumers fell into the Michael Vick experience until journalists began their scrutiny smash. His weaknesses were magnified as a result despite 30 other quarterbacks making money and not winning ish either.
I swore I heard somewhere that Marc Bulger retired but everywhere I look he’s still active. Had he retired, the Rams would’ve been close to making the list
Temple – I’m working on my preseason Power Rankings s/b out this week
The Rams are on the list of teams who’ve issued public statements categorically denying any interest in or intention of signing Vick. Teams lie all the time, but one never knows. Bulger was either really banged up the last few seasons or he’s done. His performances have been really poor. That team is in dire straits unless they can figure out a way to get Donny Avery off in most of their games early so that Jackson has some running room.
San Fran please!!!
I figure my league “source” is just as reliable as anything the msm is sputtering out…and my sources say its the Ravens, Skins or Cowboys…a sticking point seems to be the guarantee that the lifting of the “not suspension” will happen no later than week 2. This source says it would be wise not to believe damn near anything that’s been said to date by any sports media.
Interesting Mizzo,
My preference would be San Francsisco because he would be the best QB of all three with young talent like Crabtree and Vernon Davis and a good young defense but one of my older mentors says “that won’t happen” because of ..
1. Berkeley
2. San Fran’s liberal attitude
3. PETA
2. St. Louis would be a good place because it’s the a reasonable black population South and if Vick performs and stays out of trouble he will have support.
3. The Tampa Bay Bucs should go after Vick considering they have severe QB problems and Josh Freeman (Raheem Morris choice) is going to take about two years to be ready and is a Phillip Rivers -type project
4. Washington – The Redskins managment and coaching staf is not convinced Jason Campbell is going to be their man (Synder wanted Cutler and Cassel) then Vick should be given a look at QB
5. Green Bay – The safest choice, because it’s white, conservative and not many black people and Vick could be a backup for a year or two
But here is what I think will happen if San Francisco doesn’t take Vick (still has not reached his prime as a player)
CAROLINA PANTHERS – Jim Fox has not ruled not taking Vick, he has power and with Jerry Richardson, they could asborb a backlash and Jake Dulhomme has not impressed in the posteason and with their defense and running game, the addition of Vick as QB would extend the Panthers chance of still winning a Super Bowl.
Washington has come out and said “no” to vick but being close to VA and being the offensive rollercoaster that it’s been the last few years with JC (last year being perfect example, 9TD’s, 1700 yds, no picks the first 8 games; second half after the bye, all down hill) there couldn’t be a better fit. Too bad Vinny doesnt want him as a locker room figure. Maybe he’ll sell some dog food in The Nations Capitol. who knows?
figures are rough and i’m an optimist:)