
Vick leaving the field in his last NFL game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC)
VICKSVILLE – Let’s go there today. But let’s keep up the good manners we’ve been working on this offseason.
Fussing is fine. Cussing is not.
Two of my favorite folks in the NFL – Gil Brandt and Jamie Dukes – shared their very different views on
Michael Vick’s possible return to the National Football League.
Let’s look at some of the issues:
SHAKING OFF THE RUST: Vick has not played since Dec. 31, 2006 against the Philadelphia Eagles, when he left the game with an ankle injury giving way to Matt Schaub.
He was working out in Bobby Petrino’s offense over the 2007 offseason when the federal dogfighting case broke.
“It will be a challenge, but I’m not nearly as concerned about that,” said Dukes, an analyst with the NFL Network and former player.
Brandt, the former Dallas personnel man, shared a story about a linebacker the Cowboys drafted out of Missouri, who went into the service for two years.
“When he came back he was just not the same,” Brandt said. “I think it’s like somebody that drops out of school for two years and then they try to recover their study habits, it’s very, very hard. . . .
“I just think it’s really hard for a guy that is away and misses two years to get back up to speed and realize that you have to work to be successful because you lose that edge.”
THE WILDCAT OFFENSE: Most have contended that Vick could come back as a Wildcat offense quarterback.
“The spread helps him get a job,” Brandt said. “If and when he’s cleared. He can do that pretty well because of the fact that he can run so well.”
Dukes thinks that with teams – like the Falcons – emphasizing the running game, that Vick is a fit for any run-heavy attack.
“Look at the Falcons and their success,” Dukes said. “Most teams think if we can play good defense and run the football, we are going to be successful. So what Michael brings to the game. . . is you’re going to have one of the top three rushing offenses in the league. That’s just fact. Every year he’s played that number speaks for itself.”
VICK LACK OF PASSING PROWESS: Vick has a lively arm, but he was still developing as a passer. Former
coach Bobby Petrino would have helped him along if things had worked out.
“Some might say he’s not a career 60 percent passer; are we going to ignore the yardage that he gets running the football?,” Dukes said. “Are we going to ignore all of the other things that he does?
“He’s not the prototypical NFL quarterback, but that does not mean that he’s not a good quarterback. He still will be a good quarterback.”
Brandt never liked Vick as a passer.
“At Virginia Tech, he hit 56 point something of his passes,” Brandt said. “Which is not very good. His brother (Marcus) who wasn’t even considered a good passer and hit 59, almost 60 percent of his passes. In the Wildcat formation, that is probably where he has to be if he’s going to be on offense.”
CAN VICK STILL PACK THE STANDS: It’s no league secret that for years before Vick arrived, selling out Falcons game was a difficult task. TV blackouts have a place in local Falcon lore.
“Vick is recession proof,” Dukes said. “That is the one thing that I can say about him that people forget. If he’s going to play, he’s going to pack out whatever stadium he’s going in.
“How many members of PETA are actually season ticket holders? You where here with the Falcons fans when this thing went down. You saw that the season ticket holders wanted Michael Vick back.
“They understood that he did something terrible and they understood that he needed to pay some form of a price for what he did. But they wanted him. This wasn’t a racial issue, black, white or purple. Falcon fans, season ticket holders, wanted their quarterback.
“So whatever team he goes to, those fans are going to want their quarterback to play. Especially, if their quarterback position is poor. Are you telling me that Michael Vick won’t go into St. Louis, where they are worried about selling tickets and sell that place out? You are telling me that if he went to Kansas City that he wouldn’t pack that place out? I know they just got Matt Cassel, but before that. If he went to Detroit he would pack that joint.”
Cleveland and San Francisco are two other quarterback-needy teams Dukes mentioned. (Hey, Cleveland does have the Dawg Pound, too! I know, bad joke.)

Vick could smile back during OTAs in July of 07 before the dogfighting case broke. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC)
POSITION CHANGE: Agent Joel Segal and Vick’s camp are not considering a position change to wide receiver, running back or defensive back.
Brandt thinks that might not be wise.
“I don’t know if you can teach a guy to back pedal, but he’s an athlete,” Brandt said. “He might be a corner because of his speed and athletic ability. Because of his running ability, he might be a running back. There will be opportunities for him, but I think it will be extremely hard for him to come back as a quarterback.”
Vick is a quarterback in Dukes’ book.
“He’s not Peyton Manning, but you know what, he’s got some things that Peyton Manning doesn’t have,” Dukes said. “Peyton has some things in the passing game that Mike doesn’t have. Nevertheless, he’s a very effective quarterback. . .
“That guy can play quarterback. He’s not Steve Young in the West Coast offense, but guess what, who is? He is a good enough quarterback.
“His numbers are pretty darn good, when you compare it to some of the bums who have played the quarterback position. This guy wins games.”
THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES: For us folks that have covered the Vick case from the beginning, we know about the substantial role The Humane Society of the United States played in helping to convict Vick.
PETA does all of the protesting, but the well-financed Humane Society does the heavy-lifting.
It’s ironic now that they now may play a role in helping Vick cleanse his reputation. Here’s a link to a blog written by their president Wayne Pacelle.
FROM THE E-MAIL BAG: Here are some of the e-mails I received this week on Vick’s release to home confinement.
“Orlando, I am surprised no one did a story about Vick’s day to day life in prison. There is some disconnect in this country to what prison is. I hear people saying he needs to be punished when he gets out. What do they think he was doing in prison?
“You mention he will be on home confinement and add the 3,500 square foot house. You think a killer cares if he is juiced in a mahogany electric chair or a metal one. They must have something in the journalism school that says to leave the description of prison or punishment alone.
“If you talk about it maybe someone might not be afraid of it, get it figured out, and maybe want to go there.
“The place is hell; the man has been through hell for a damn dog fight.”
* * * * *
“The no good SOB should never be allowed to play in the NFL again.”
* * * * *
“Now that he has paid his debt to the dogs, can we move on, and let him get on with his life. He should not have been in jail for fighting dogs, and I am a dog lover, but who died and made P.E.T.A. gods. I hope he is allowed to play football, or (whatever) he wants to do without (a) newspaper reporter recording his every move. . . .
“The media should get over it, and let him move on, the public has.”
* * * * *
“I believe the Falcons are making a BIG mistake in not keeping Vick. Yes, we have a terrific new starting quarterback who deserves to remain that way. However what if he gets hurt? You need a good backup and certainly could we believe that the other QB’s could come close to filling Ryan shoes?
“Michael Vick is serving his debt to society by virtue of his prison time, probationary period and substantial loss of income. He is paying the price for his very poor past judgments. He has had plenty of time to think about his stupidity while he was in Leavenworth. . . .
“Atlanta sports teams have traded away so many good athletes and have nothing to show for it. Vick can contribute and I believe that when Vick is reinstated, Mr. Blank should consider what Vick could do and give Vick, a talented star, another opportunity.”
* * * * *
Remember the rules, y’all. Fussing is fine. Cussing is not.
Let’s try to have a civil dialogue on this. Are the Falcons making the right football decision? Should they let Vick play in a preseason game or two in order to rebuild some value and then trade him? Will you get anything for him when teams know that you are going to cut him if you can’t trade him? Should they just wash their hands and move on?
440 comments Add your comment
wxwax
May 23rd, 2009
1:32 pm
Vick shouldn’t play for the Falcons. They have an excellent QB. And he has too much history here.
Whether or not he’s even capable of playing anywhere else remains to be seen. He’s going to have to prove that he still has his greatest asset, his speed.
If he does, he’s employable. If he doesn’t have his speed, he’s done. He’s never been a good passer and I don’t expect him to suddenly become one at this late date.
Lekendrick Williams
May 23rd, 2009
1:38 pm
Mars I love you and no i didnt mean any harm to anyone. You are absolutely right my name is a French determinate but I am a male. You got me laughing and now I’m in a better mood because of it. Thank you. No offence to anyone except the ones that it cuases offence to.
T shac
May 23rd, 2009
1:40 pm
Forget about the guy….too much trouble!
Lekendrick Williams
May 23rd, 2009
1:42 pm
I here you Dave in Marietta
DHD
May 23rd, 2009
1:48 pm
How was Michael’s lunch?
Allyana
May 23rd, 2009
1:58 pm
He should not be reinstated. He should go get a job at an animal shelter.
Paddy
May 23rd, 2009
2:03 pm
Todd..Is that federal guidlines or state guidelines? MV would have never gotten 23 mons for dog fighting. He went to federal prison for a federal felony of runing and financing a criminal enterprise. Federal crimes carry a minimun time served. It seems to me he served the minimum for his crimes. He got off light or at least he was given lienecy in sentencing for a longer term. Zero to six months was not the minimun, 23 months was the minimum. Had this enterprise not been stopped when it did and continued on for a longer period of time and expanded you may have heard the words RICO being mentioned. Now you are looking at serious time. MV was not going to stop this enterprise. He only stopped because he got caught. He should be glad the Feds cought him when they did.
Emily
May 23rd, 2009
2:03 pm
To those who cry about giving Vick a second chance: He’s had many second chances!! And he kept screwing up! Look at his record of offenses. The dog fighting was the one that couldn’t be ignored and swept under the rug. There are plenty of great athletes that rise above their upbringing and live their lives with honor and integrity. Michael Vick has shown time and time again that he is incapable of doing that.
Lee
May 23rd, 2009
2:19 pm
Forget doing things “business wise,” do what is right “character wise.” Release him. Don’t flirt with more trouble, for it will cettainly come.
Kris G
May 23rd, 2009
2:21 pm
Paddy… you’re speaking from your heart, without facts. You say Vick got the minimum, but the prosecution was only asking for 12 months, while the judge gave him 23. Don’t you think the prosecution would have an idea what the minimum was, and asked for that? You’re getting your information from vague references on the Sopranos. When they say Federal crimes carry a minimum, they refer to the fact that state crimes easily allow a man to get out in a fraction of the time sentenced, whereas federal crimes force you to serve a much greater portion of that time. It’s not time added to a sentence, it’s time they don’t give you any breaks on.
Paddy
May 23rd, 2009
2:22 pm
fresed….Mr Blank is not standing in MV way for future employment. He has already stated he will release MV when the optimum date arives to maximize the Falcons salary cap position. They tried to tade him during the draft but no takers, not even a 7th rounder could they get. The obstacle is not Mr Blank. The next hurdle is the NFL Commish who still might suspend him for the ‘09 season for lack of remorse and lying to the commish’s face. Could you repeatedly lie to your employers and not expect some recourse? Men of stature like Goddell and Blank are not to be triffeled with. They will work at their speed and to their best interest and the heck with anyone else. Just like in the “big boy” world we all live in. This should not come as a surprise to anyone who has had the good fortune to work for people of this caliber.
Sam
May 23rd, 2009
2:26 pm
Vick must go. I do not believe that he should be allowed by in the NFL. I am sick of seeing his face all over this newspaper and the local news cast. Who cares if a criminal gets out of jail or leaves his house for the first time. I will not watch any game that Vick plays in.
Algonquin J. Calhoun
May 23rd, 2009
2:27 pm
Keeping vick is not an option the Falcons should, or will, consider. His presence would cause a division of the team. Get rid of him!
Maretta
May 23rd, 2009
2:29 pm
HE’S STILL NICE LOOKING. WHAT A BOD! WHY IS HE WORRIED ABOUT FOOTBALL. WHY DOESN’T HE MAKE CALENDARS OR MODEL — OVERSEAS, IF NECESSARY. I’D BUY IT, AND, I’M SURE HE’D MAKE MORE MONEY THAN IN FOOTBALL.
Kris G
May 23rd, 2009
2:32 pm
J – look, I don’t want Vick back, I’m happy with Matt Ryan. But you’re speaking bs about Vick… We went further with Ryan than we ever did with Vick? In what way? How do you support that statement? Vick placed us one game away from the Super Bowl. Ryan got his clock cleaned in the wild card game.
brAves Sucios
May 23rd, 2009
2:49 pm
2-3 teams will be interested and someone will offer some sort of conditional, performance-based draft pick for him. Worst case, we get another go in a late round next year. Go Birds!
LaSandra
May 23rd, 2009
3:02 pm
For the so righteous people, Vick has paid his debt. He should be allowed to play in the NFL. I would love to see him play for the Vikings!! Go Mike Vick!!
Paddy
May 23rd, 2009
3:25 pm
brAves…I don’t believe the Falcons will get a draft pick. Why trade for him and take on that hugh salary. Doubt he is to likely to come off those dollar figures very much with a new team. His release date from the Falcons is fast approaching. If teams are willing, just sit back and make a minimum qualifying offer based on his length of service. I don’t know what the CBA numbers are but it is not a salary cap buster that MV has now. Remember we could not even get a 7th round pick for him last month while trying so hard to move him before and during the draft. We have moved on to a much better place.
Paddy
May 23rd, 2009
3:32 pm
Maretta… don’t think MV will be a model. You must have mass appeal to “hawk” someones products. I can’t think of one company that would want to be associated with MV. The dangers of customer backlash is not worth any business persons good name and fortune. Way, way to risky. Sorry, on to the next career.
mars
May 23rd, 2009
3:47 pm
OK, you moderate away. I just lost interest. Tata!
Zup
May 23rd, 2009
4:22 pm
Could we make this the last MV blog ever? It’s boring, tedious, and mind-numbing. DOL, I know we have to “talk about this issue”, but ultimately, would it be so bad if we didn’t? AJC, move on please.
Ruetteger Buce
May 23rd, 2009
4:23 pm
Are you kidding me? Why would you want this soul-less thug back on your team or city for that matter. He obviously wasn’t raised properly and lacks basic socialization skills. He didn’t make a mistake. He made a six year lifestyle decision mistake. Anyone, and I mean anyone, who enjoys watching dogs rip each other apart and then kills dogs by hand because they aren’t ferocious enough is basically a psychopath. Serial killers usually enjoy hurting animals. Vick cannot empathize and this because of how he was raised. Look at his brother. Man, what a family his mother put together. Thugs who have no respect for life or rules. Vick lied to everyone and now we’re supposed to believe him. Believe me, Vick has no idea what he has done wrong. Illiterate thugs like him never do. He’s sorry he got caught. Ron Mexico needs to go back to the streets where he is most comfortable. He is not fit for normal society.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 23rd, 2009
4:28 pm
ZUP: Probably one more, when he gets cut, trade or reinstated. Then that’s it.
freshd
May 23rd, 2009
5:20 pm
Even though VICK should not play in ATLANTA, all those claims that he has missed too much time to play QB again are hogwash. TOMMY MADDOX was out of football for 6 years selling insurance before signing with the STEELERS and leading them to the AFC Championship game in 2002. VICK”S only been out 2 years. FIND ANOTHER EXCUSE. There are backups who have never played in a NFL game, REMEMBER DAVID GREENE
SlimG
May 23rd, 2009
5:23 pm
Get rid of Vick? I agree, but not the way the Falcons are handling it. Who will pay a high price for a guy they know you don’t want? Fools. We should have stayed quiet and let the Cowboys and Raiders auction for his services. Now only a fool will pay what he is really worth.
DHD
May 23rd, 2009
5:48 pm
Is Michael watching ESPN today?
Zup
May 23rd, 2009
6:01 pm
He’s still technically on the roster, so I understand the coverage Vick still demands in this market. The sooner the next season arrives, the better. I wasn’t taking a shot you, DOL. I like your work.
Joey Porter
May 23rd, 2009
6:22 pm
dan fouts, and dan marino have as many superbowl victories as michael vick. nara.
tony romo has been to the playoffs twice and has no victories. One and done. Vick has won at least one game everytime he has been in the playoffs.
Steve bartkowski’s qb rating 75.4
Michael Vick 75.7
Eli Manning 76.1
Hugh Millen 73.5
Chris Miller 74.9
Bobby Hebert 78.0
Chris Chandler 79.1
Billy Joe Tolliver 67.7
Drew Bledsoe 77.1
Jeff Blake 78.00
Ron jaworski 72.80
Jim Kelly 84.4
dave Kreig 81.5
Johnny Unitas 78.2
Steve Young 96.80 (As a buccaneer his first two seasons he barely cracked 65.00)
Terry bradshaw 70.9
John Elway 79.9
Boomer Esaison 81.1
jeff george 80.4
Dan fouts 80.2
Bernie kosar 81.8
Tommy Kramer 72.8
Dave Krieg 81.50
Neil Lomax 82.70
Don majkowski 72.90
Dan marino 86.4
Jim Mcmahon 78.2
Steve Mcnair 82.8
mark Rypien 78.9
Jay Schroeder 71.7
Phil Simms 78.5
Ken Stabler 75.3
bart Starr 80.5
Roger Staubach 83.4
Fran Tarkenton 80.4
Vinny Testaverde 75.0
Joe Theismann 77.4
Jim harbaugh 77.6
Bob Griese 77.1
Jeff Hostetler 80.5
Stan humphries 75.8
Archie Manning 67.1
Warren Moon 80.9
Joe Montana 92.3
Neil O’donnel 81.8
The two highes ratings belong to QB’s who played for the 49ers and bill walsh.
who cares!
May 23rd, 2009
6:34 pm
Let him tough it out like every other person who has a felony on thier record. Why should he get the chance to make all kinds of money. If someone who was not a football player or a sports figure did this kind of thing, they would get out of jail and then dig ditches of flip burgers for the rest of thier lives.
Joey Porter
May 23rd, 2009
6:43 pm
Troy Aikman 81.6
Ken anderson 81.9
sammy baugh 72.2 ( what was he slingin?)
bubby brister 72.3
Tim couch 75.1
Randall cunningham 81.50
Steve deberg 74.2 ( tampa will do this to you)
Ty detmer 74.7
trent dilfer 70.2 (more rings than dan marino same as steve young)
Joey Porter
May 23rd, 2009
6:46 pm
who cares it is called capitalism. don’t they teach this in american schools anymore?
when you can generate money you have power. mike vick is a cash cow/atm not an average joe. do you have any idea how many lawyers are on his payroll and out doing pr work for him.
FanFalcon
May 23rd, 2009
7:51 pm
Let him play in the NFL but, not a Falcon. The last thing this club needs is another Vick drama. Didn’t we have Vick Drama and Petrino Drama? Haven’t we had enough. I have nothing against Vick, made a huge mistake, paid the price. No reason to ruin his life or anyone’s life for that matter.
gatorman770
May 23rd, 2009
8:12 pm
Michael Vick should be allowed to play again if a team will take the chance with him. He’s paid dearly for his crime and hopefully he has finally gained some maturity. Whether he now takes the high road or the low road is up to him. If he goes back to his gangbanging friends, he’ll be back in prison eventually.
He should not have a second chance with the Falcons, period. He had his chance to fess-up to Arthur Blank and he chose to lie.
PETA and The Human Society of the United States should have NO SAY SO one way or the other about Vick. Both organizations are a sham. PETA murders more animals every year after “saving them” than all the dog fighters in the world (just Google them)and the Human Society of the United States scams the weakminded into giving them hundreds of millions of dollars so the employees can have hugh salaries and benefits. Little if any goes to animal shelters or none goes to the purchase or improvement of critical habitat like organizations like Ducks Unlimited or Quail Unlimited to name a few.(just Google them, except they’ve got so much money and power they have intimidated some sites into removing stories concerning their scam). Both organizations have made Wayne Pacelle and other leaders and spokespersons very wealthy. If they picket any team that does take a chance with Vick, the teams fans ought to picket and protest against PETA and HSUS!
John Smith
May 23rd, 2009
8:50 pm
All you Falcons fan,The Falcons will not ever go to the Super Bowl,They don’t have Michael Vick,
mars
May 23rd, 2009
10:07 pm
Greetings. After looking over the sordid comments that did make it through “moderation”, Mr. Ledbetter, I am appalled. I am especially appalled that you chose to toss a few of mine to the side. Nowhere near as appalling as what you have allowed to be printed. At no point did I involve in “cussing”, and, unlike moderated comments that made it through nowhere did I ever call anyone a p===y. Oh well. Maybe I misjudged you and therefore you’re just another hack after all. I’ll adjust my reading material accordingly. Farewell.
MV7 FAN 4 LIFE
May 23rd, 2009
10:10 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cdtxqqNuSY
M-V IS MY DOG !
May 23rd, 2009
10:27 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bgwPa_K2Yo
Dan
May 24th, 2009
12:04 am
The question of WHERE Mike Vick will play is not as important as WHEN Mike Vick will play. Everyone is talking like it is a done deal that he will be on a roster this fall. Let’s not forget, he still has not been reinstated by the league. He lied to the Commish’s face when asked questions about this. I don’t think the Commish can overlook that and save face if he is truly trying to clean up the league. Vick hasn’t taken a snap in almost 3 years. After the League Office is through with him, it might be four or more years. He is 28 now that would make him 30+ years old. That might be too old for a player to reinvent himself. The game changes fast. Maybe too fast for speedy #7.
freshd
May 24th, 2009
12:14 am
Hey Mr. The O-Land-Dough Led-Butter, whats up with this moderation crap. You should moderate some of these nutcases instead of mine. I guess the TRUTH HURTS, unlike some of these idiots with their racial agendas.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 24th, 2009
1:12 am
Birdy @ 8:54 am on May 23rd… that was an outstanding post. The rest of you should go read that like it’s the Bible.
Jim
May 24th, 2009
6:25 am
Is there nothing else to write about. Nobody cares about this punk.
Satan: Proud of My Son
May 24th, 2009
6:55 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d7ISRR5hSo
falconman
May 24th, 2009
7:39 am
Would you have a person working for you who lied to your face on national TV? Not me. Vick had no respect for those dogs he tortured, nor the person signing his paychecks.
MV played 6 years yet never showed the maturity to be given the responsibilty to audibly change the plays at the line of scrimmage. Matt Ryan had that right from his first game.
Philip
May 24th, 2009
8:24 am
I’m a season ticket holder and I never wanted Vick back. I believe he deserves to play in the NFL again, but it’s not going to be with the Falcons, as Arthur Blank clearly stated.
Randy_O
May 24th, 2009
8:30 am
I think the Falcons got too unprofessional in the past allowing personalities to become the focus of the team instead of the team. Mike Vick and others promoted this and look what happened, a lot of broken promises and disappointment. These types of players, although very talented and exciting, are bad for their team, look at TO in Buffalo NY. The Falcons don’t need any new controversies or division of the fans because of personnel issues. The old Falcons did this and failed, long live the new Falcons. Winning games will fill the Georgia Dome not one single player.
Mike Vick has made quite a few bad decisions and has paid dearly for them and I hope he does return and is successful but the baggage he brings with him is too much for the Falcons and us, the ticket buying fans, to bear. The Falcons have invested heavily in Mike and lost, the fans invested their hopes and lost, and Aurthor Blank is correct in say he will not play for Atlanta again. We have depth a QB and I for one would love to see DJ get in some games and see if he is ready for a starting job somewhere.
If Mike can return
Jack
May 24th, 2009
9:05 am
Hey “FALCONS SORRY” I think Vick and ALL Americans would like to know how to win the “SUPPER BOWL” ??? What about the breakfast bowl? or the lunch bowl? How do we win those? Yeah, that “no count” Blank had alot of nerve….didn’t he? To think Vick is supposed to be in prison and not get his FULL pay and KEEP his job.What was Blank thinking???
HELLO????? Earth to “FALCONS SORRY” ???!!!!???!!!
Ricky
May 24th, 2009
9:24 am
What a worthless POS article
Jborodawg
May 24th, 2009
9:48 am
“…Are the Falcons making the right football decision?…”
Yes, if they are releasing him. I hope he gets reinstated and I hope another team takes him. Ditto D3’s comments and all who agree that Vick is history in ATL and we should move on. As intriguing as it may seem to have him play here again, it’s just too much of a distraction; this blog is a perfect example.
Yes, he’s been away too long to be a starter right off the bat. If he can get into someone’s camp early and learn their system and get his legs back, he might be a good situational QB even this season; definitely by next season. Arthur Blank has moved on. The present Falcons players have moved on. It’s time for the AJC writers and ATL fans to move on.
Bigbird7979
May 24th, 2009
9:57 am
Mike Vick crapped on my team. He and Bobby Petrino can go to HELL.
AAH
May 24th, 2009
10:34 am
The NFL is about winning, there is no better talent! Convert him to a Reggie Bush type back/reciever and watch him go. As for the unforgiving, I pray that your life sins are never aired out in the media so that we can judge you as harshly as you have judged this man. Let he without sin cast the first stone…