Quarterback market drying up on Michael Vick
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (7) is stopped by Atlanta Falcons' Kroy Biermann, and Jamaal Anderson after rushing for a short gain in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009 in Atlanta. The game was Vick's first in Atlanta since serving a prison sentence for dogfighting. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
In the ramp up to the 2010 NFL draft, several teams have made some very interesting moves at the quarterback position.
None of the moves have involved Philadelphia’s Michael Vick, who appears relegated to being a third-string Wildcat quarterback for the Eagles again next season.
Loading ...Vick expressed in two separate radio interviews that he wouldn’t mind playing for Carolina or St. Louis. Those two teams don’t appear interested.
The Panthers did release Jake Delhomme, but appear set to move on with Matt Moore at the helm.
The Rams are sitting at the top of the draft and are thought to be salivating over Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford.
In Seattle, the Seahawks traded for Charlie Whitehurst, of Clemson and Chattahoochee High, and signed him to a two-year, $10 million deal.
In Cleveland, the Browns dumped Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn. They picked up Seneca Wallace and Delhomme. Anderson landed in Arizona and Quinn in Denver.
The Browns are set to workout four of five draft eligible quarterbacks, including Florida’s Tim Tebow. Cleveland president Mike Holmgren told Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer that the team would definitely draft a quarterback, but probably not in the early rounds of the draft.
In San Francisco, the 49ers landed David Carr.
Even backups Rex Grossman and Shaun Hill found new employers in the Washington Redskins and Detroit Lions.
Charlie Whitehurst has a future with the Seattle Seahawks.
Things have been eerily quiet in Buffalo as head coach Chan Gailey settles in. They have the ninth pick in the draft and could address their quarterback position by drafting Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen.
But for Vick, there have been no takers.
One theory is that teams might not be so willing to forgive him for his federal dogfighting conviction.
Another theory is that they can forgive him for the dogfighting, but not for admitting that he was a class room slacker when he played for the Atlanta Falcons.
One last theory is that Vick is not polished enough as passer and the league has clearly shifted to being a passing league.
Tony Dungy, who’s been mentoring Vick, since he was released from Federal prison, is not overly concerned about his football career.
“Mike and I communicate regularly,” Dungy said last Thursday via phone. “We probably talk once a week. I’m really proud of him because he’s had a great year in terms of his personal life and family life.”
Dungy is not sure how the football side of Vick’s comeback is going to work out.
“I know that’s important to him, but more than anything he has put his family life back in order,” Dungy said. “I’m really proud of him for that.”
There are a couple of scenarios that could have Vick on the move. One is that teams might decide to make a move
shortly before of during the draft, which will be held April 22-24.
Also, some teams might wait until before the outset of the season to see if any injuries knock out their quarterbacks.
Tony Dungy
There also is the Minnesota situation. What happens if Brett Favre does decide to stay on his tractor this time?
But for now, it appears that teams are shying away from Vick and his desire to return to starter status in the NFL.
Why are teams shying away from Vick? Do you suspect the Eagles are holding him to drive up his trade value and will move him around the draft? Will he remain in Philadelphia in his Wildcat role? Would he be a good fit in Minnesota if Brett Favre doesn’t come back?
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194 comments Add your comment
SAtlantan24
March 23rd, 2010
10:07 am
Liam, What do ACC (or any college) records have to do with being a great NFL QB, and what records did Vick break anywhere? I think record breaking college stats that dont translate onto the NFL field are more associated with bust than superstar
Hey Rednecks
March 23rd, 2010
10:08 am
Lets see….Big Ben RAPED two women and will be back in the NFL next year….yeah…how could Vick ever imagine that he would be able to return to such a moral bastion as the NFL.
ATLshirt.com
March 23rd, 2010
10:13 am
WE WANT SHOCKLEY !!!
Liam
March 23rd, 2010
10:16 am
GIVE ME A BREAK
Life is a circle. We all can agree that the QB is the unofficial ‘leader’ of the team. Early on, QB’s did it with their legs. It literally took an act of congress to implement passing in the game to reduce deaths and paralyzing injuries on the field.
As time progressed, football went to the drop back non-mobile gun slinger (Bradshaw/Marino). Then exotic defenses forced offenses to go to a QB that could move in the pocket (S.Young/Farve). Now my friends, freak of nature athletes (like Reggie White/Dwight Freeney) are forcing offenses the go to QBs that are good runners too (Vick/V.Young).
The goal of the team is to win. Whether you like or not, you have to change with the times or you will get left behind. Whether you like or not, Vick was and still is a QB. He may not fit our indivdual opinion of one which is fine. Troy Aikman, Steve Young, Joe Montana, Matt Ryan (lol) et al couldn’t do it… It was Michael “the dog-killer” Vick who led his team victory on the road at Green Bay, giving the Packers their first ever home loss in NFL history.
falconsforlife
March 23rd, 2010
10:17 am
Who cares? Stop writing about Vick!
The league has moved in a different direction and Mike was never an accurate passer. He’ll be nothing more than a gimmick back up for a few more years until he eventually gets cut from a terrible team.
You can’t lie to a franchise, commit horrible crimes, and then admit you were incredibly lazy for the majority of your career and expect to be handed a starting job in a league that has passed you by. I’m thankful he did what he did. Our team is much better off without him, and hopefully the “fans” who were chanting “We want that piece of trash” will realize that when our Falcons go deep into the playoffs this year with a real QB.
They’ll be back on this bandwagon so fast, just like all of those ‘Aints fans this year.
Barney Strickland
March 23rd, 2010
10:20 am
I volunteer for the Humane society in my county. We adopt out puppies and kittens/ dogs and cats every other Saturday in front of Petco. I read the federal indictment the day it came out. It made me nauseous…..and very angry. I resolved to never watch another NFL contest with this “man” involved- regardless of teams or game importance. IMHO, he isn’t sorry for his actions. Instead, he’s sorry he got caught. Time to stop presenting stories about this no good SOB !!
Tale of Woe
March 23rd, 2010
10:23 am
Why are we still writing about Vick in an Atlanta paper? I don’t see any articles on Brooking, Boley, Schaub or Elam (I think he retired last week). This article is pathetic (didn’t even read it, just the thought that this is all we have to talk about it pathetic). We need writers who focus in on Atlanta sports. I could care less about Philly and their issues.
TIGER
March 23rd, 2010
10:26 am
I made my bed, and now I can’t lie in it anymore.
Jim007
March 23rd, 2010
10:26 am
Barney,
You are 100% Correct.
We do not care about Vick and care even less to hear anything….Period…about him.
Time to let this loser go…..
davee
March 23rd, 2010
10:29 am
I didn’t know Big Ben was a convicted felon like Vick
Liam
March 23rd, 2010
10:29 am
@ SAtlantan24
1st Question Answer: absolutely nothing, totally agree. 2nd Question answer: Are you serious???
I am just pointing out Ryan should of been selected in 2nd or 3rd Rd. The Falcons/fans/media/city were so ready to put up an ‘image’ that was 180 degress opposite of Vick, they made a very poor choice in Ryan. But they did succeed at putting up a different ‘image.’
Ryan may prove to be a winner in the long run (i hope so). But Com’on son… these people need to stop hanging from his scrotum sack. My personal definition of a leader is as follows: One that does by example so well, that he finds himself out front… Ryan doesn’t fit that definition on the football field. I don’t care how clean he is off the field.
SaintsLSU
March 23rd, 2010
10:30 am
Falconsforlife – I would never jump on a Falcons bandwagon, neither would any of my fellow Saints fans. Our fans are the MOST loyal fanbase in the NFL today. And BTW, you really can’t use the A word anymore.
As for Vick, I’m glad he’s washed up, because nobody struck fear in my heart like Mike Vick did in his prime. We just couldn’t beat him (until ‘06 when we swept ya’ll). And I do remember MV7 flicking off his ATL fans after the Saints came into the GA Dome and spanked the Falcons.
Halberstram
March 23rd, 2010
10:31 am
Interesting article but not overly relevant to the Falcons. Yes, I know Vick was a huge part of the Falcons history and had some ups and downs with the teams, but I don’t think a blog dealing with his potential suitors is necessary. I’d rather hear about something relevant to the team today then a former player that elicits such a strong reaction from fans.
All I'm Saying Is...
March 23rd, 2010
10:31 am
If I remember correctly, DOB had several questions for us to consider on this blog and none of them had anything to do with MV becoming a Falcon again or comparing him to Matty Ice so…to get back on topic….
1.) MV needs to quit talking publicly about what his aspirations are as he is still under contract with the Eagles. Every word he says makes him sound as if he’s ungrateful for the chance he has with Philly. The reason why a re-tread like Rex Grossman got picked up is because he is willing to be a back-up and not make any noise if he doesn’t win the job whereas MV keeps yapping publicly about wanting to be a starter.
2.) Re-treads like David Carr (who has done nothing), Shaun Hill (ditto) and Rex Grossman getting a job actually supports the notion that someone should invest in MV because we all know that, for example, the Bears made it to the Super Bowl in spite of Rex not because of him and that Grossman’s passing capabilities and accuracy were no better than MV.
3.) Of course Philly is waiting to see if interest percolates for MV and, if so, they’ll trade him for draft picks as McNabb is their starter and they have his successor waiting in the wings. MV was picked up simply to throw a curve at their competitors a role MV performed well.
4.) Farve will wait until mid-August be he will return to Minnesota. If for some strange reason he doesn’t, Childress already has a mobile and largely inaccurate QB on their roster who already knows the system (Jackson) so they will not pick up or trade for MV.
LET’S GO FALCONS!
JB
March 23rd, 2010
10:33 am
Michael Vick is a PR nightmare. I applaud him for “righting” himself. Bad decisions have consequences
and he his paying the price. I don’t feel sorry for him because HE made the mistake. I do believe if he had been coached by say Dungy early in his career, he might have avoided this if word had “leaked” to Dungy. Very average NFL QB who would dazzle 3-4 times a game, but never would have won a super bowl. To erratic.
spanky
March 23rd, 2010
10:34 am
Jamaal Anderson is softer than charmin…why does the AJC insist on printing articles on MV? He is finished! Every team that picks him up will be worse off than before; he needs to be realized for what he is, that is, a thug with all the talent in the world with no intangibles.
The Man
March 23rd, 2010
10:35 am
Liam wake up!!!! Reggie White and Dwight Freeney ? about fifteen years apart, You are football stupid
Atlsuperman
March 23rd, 2010
10:39 am
Ok ok. Stop bashing Vick, Yes He did some horrible things. and was sent t o jail, but he is also the one who many of use thought would be the one to bring a ring to atlanta. this artical is not just about vick it is about the weak qb market and vick just so happens to be a qb. and a damn good one. i mean hello he did toast us when Philly came to Atlanta. . . . vick aint a loser her just made some bad choices. I dont see anybody throwing Salt on big Ben or Anyother NFL criminals. if ur gonna throw Salt do it fairly!
Liam
March 23rd, 2010
10:39 am
@ SaintsLSU
“…nobody struck fear in my heart like Mike Vick did in his prime. ” He struck that same fear in all opposing teams. That is why he was(is) such an enigma. But these PETA pushing Christians who don’t know the first thing about forgiveness have no idea what an impact he made to the NFL.
Atlsuperman
March 23rd, 2010
10:42 am
and why does ppl keep saying when vick was in his prime. . . The body does slow down with age but footbal player body slow down beccause of the abuse it takes every weak. Vick was in jail for two years i doubt he is out of his prime. He has had 2 years of rest.
Liam
March 23rd, 2010
10:49 am
@ The Man
The definition of stupid is consciously making a decision that one knows will have adverse effects. Nope, that’s not me.
But let’s tak about another definition, ignorance… speaking about things that above one’s comprehension level. Obviously, Reggie White was one of the first of what we see today as the prototype DE today. Because of your ignorance, you couldn’t comprehend and understand the poste from contextual clues. Also, Vick was the first prototype (of the QB of tomorrow) to be allowed do what he does, run! V. Young is the next generation of that (what happened to the great passing and leadership of Matt Lienart).
In less than 10 year my ignorant friend, most NFL teams will have these type QB’s with just a little more accuracy in the passing game. Now that you have been schooled, you may speak now.
Dan-O
March 23rd, 2010
10:50 am
My, my! Michael Vick remains an incredibly polarizing figure in the ATL sports scene. Why can’t we just let him go?
More importantly, why do we feel so driven to post racist comments on the blog? Let’s move on, people!
FalconTransplant
March 23rd, 2010
10:50 am
ALL IN FAVOR OF NOLONGER READING STORIES ABOUT VICK SAY ‘AYE’
KB
March 23rd, 2010
10:50 am
Wow. No wonder Atlanta has been a bad sports town. Only one championship (Braves)for the town. These fans are terrible.
Please let MV alone. MOVE ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FalconTransplant
March 23rd, 2010
10:51 am
AYE
FalconTransplant
March 23rd, 2010
10:52 am
“I”
MV7
March 23rd, 2010
10:55 am
‘I’
JA98
March 23rd, 2010
10:56 am
.I.
dub366
March 23rd, 2010
10:56 am
Why are you all so concern about Michael Vick?
thunderbull56
March 23rd, 2010
11:01 am
“OOOOOOOOO CANADA!”
MV7
March 23rd, 2010
11:03 am
Time will tell WHO I AM AND WHAT I WILL BE, But with God I am MIGHTY AND HE WILL PUT ME OVER MY EMMIES (THE GREAT DAVID). I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THAT SUPPORT ME ON THIS JOURNEY AND MAY GOD BLESSING ABIDE WITH YOU’LL IN ALL THINGS TO COME THE GOOD AS WELL AS THE BAD. I WOULD LIKE FOR THE WRITER FROM AJC TO ALLOW ME TO BE SEEN IN MY GOOD WORKS SOMETIME, IF COULD PLEASE WRITE SOMETHING UPLIFTING ONE TIME. TO ALL FALCON FANS LOVE YOUR TEAM AND I WILL LOVE WHAT EVER TEAM AM PLAYING FOR. BIG O LEDBETTER I HAVE 2ND STRING NOT THIRD STRING AS YOU STATED AND WILL BE A STARTER IN THIS LEAGUE AGAIN.
falconsforlife
March 23rd, 2010
11:06 am
SaintsLSU – I was referencing how quick your fanbase was to hop back on that bandwagon of yours last year. I had never seen so many Saints “fans” with brand spanking new gear than I did in our dome last year. Our fanbase will be the same if we get into a similar situation, since that how Atlanta is.
And you will always, ALWAYS, be the ‘Aints.
Delbert D.
March 23rd, 2010
11:09 am
Vick needs to go to Oakland. That is the perfect environment for him, plus the owner is crazier than Howard Hughes was in his twilight years.
SAtlantan24
March 23rd, 2010
11:16 am
Liam, your an idiot. Comparing Mike Vick and Matt Ryan in terms of displaying the capabilities of a leader, is a stupid argument. The only statistic he ever put up in the NFL that may be a record is the season he RUSHED for 1000 yards…. So VY and Vick are the next generation of Quarterbacks??? Thats news to me and alot of the other people on this board as well (And im a VY fan) Liam its to early to be hitting the bottle.
FalconsFan
March 23rd, 2010
11:22 am
Quantavious Blash ,
Did you miss the part about Ben Rapeaburger meeting with Goodell? Remember Vick was also treated in a similar fashion, Vick lied and was later arrested, the same thing could happen to Ben.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
March 23rd, 2010
11:40 am
If you ever want to find the dumbest, most illiterate bloggers out there, just check out the posts of people who support Vick. AMAZING illiteracy for this day and age.
These folks need to forget about Vick and get back in school!
TROTTINGHOME
March 23rd, 2010
11:46 am
Didn’t Vick just win some kind of award for…COURAGE!!
Give me a break….
TheAntiMe
March 23rd, 2010
11:52 am
When no one visits your blog just pull out the ole MV7 topic. Hey, it got me here.
WonderDawg
March 23rd, 2010
11:52 am
Liam, Ryan’s a thug?? If Ryan’s a thug, what word would you use to describe the watch-stealing, pot- smoking, dog-fighting, herpes-spreading, bird-flipping Vick? I’m really curious …
Free Vick!
March 23rd, 2010
12:07 pm
Arthur Blank needs to bring Vick back for a backup—Ryan gets hurt all the time and is too slow to run the wildcat. But, it will take a ton of money to get Vick back, since he’s still mad at the way the Falcons treated him before. Blank better offer at least $5 mil per year plus incentives to get the deal done.
Doug
March 23rd, 2010
12:10 pm
Liam: Ryan should have been selected in the 2nd or 3rd round???? You cannot be that stupid…blind…whatever. He is a very good…not yet great…but very good QB who works extremely hard at his profession…yes that is 180 degrees different from MV…who was a great athlete…mediocre QB ..wholly inaccurate and woefully lacking in diagnostic skills who DID NOT work hard at his profession…how hard is that to figure out???
oldfart
March 23rd, 2010
12:11 pm
Pittsburgh might have an opening soon. He would only have to move cross state.
Pat
March 23rd, 2010
12:11 pm
@ Free Vick
Thanks for the great laugh. The Falcons mis treated him? Haha.
Who stood by him when he had all those run ins with law, when he disrespected the fans, etc?
It is funny that he has more fans here than he does in Philly, where is is playing, I guess they know what a QB is suppose to do.
Vick^Average^At^Best
March 23rd, 2010
12:15 pm
@Liam
I have been reading your posts and for the most part they are quite laughable and lack a TON of credibility. You “claim” alot of things, yet you state no facts just alot of hearsay. You honestly come off as some drunk fan crying from the cheap seats that states his opinions based on emotion and not facts. That much is obvious.
So Michael Vick is a good/great QB you say? How? Why? Any factual, statistical proof? What has he won?
Michael Vick lead the Falcons to “TWO” winning seasons out of “SIX”. Is that good? Is that great? Please explain to me how that is good/great Liam? Ohhhhhhhhh right, you wanna come at me with the usual Vick supporter excuse that he didn’t have a good supporting cast right? Typical. This is a common practice for Vick worshippers. Place the blame on anyone else BUT Vick. Hmmmm well last time i checked Warrick Dunn and T.J Duckett formed “one” of the best RB combo’s during the time they played together in ATL and while Vick was a Falcon. Defo wasn’t the running game. Perhaps it was the TE? Crumpler was Vick’s security blanket and was in the middle of his prime when he was in ATL. Crumpler did nothing but produce and catch balls “when they weren’t 10 feet over his head”. Wide Recievers? How is it that Roddy White became one of the best WR’s in the game after Vick left? It had to be the offensive line then right Liam? in a word. NO! The O.Line was one of the best in the league when Vick played in ATL. Again, stats and facts do not lie.
Michael Vick has 72 “career” passing TD’s. Yet, he also has 52 interceptions. Yes i said “FIFTY TWO!” Please explain to me how that is good/great Liam? That is downright HORRIBLE! But, his strong suit was running the ball not throwing right? Ok, well ummmm he ran for 23 Rushing TD’s BUT, fumbled the ball 55 times. FIFTY FIVE TIMES!! That is down right embarrassing. Please for the love of god explain to me how on earth that is remotely close to being good/great?
Shall i go on? I mean, i can keep coming at you with facts and stats all day long while you keep spewing the same ole hearsay/wordofmouth garbage. Are you or ANY Vick fans willing to contribute anything concrete, factual or intelligent as to why Michael Vick should be regarded as a good/great QB? Stats? Factual Points? Anything?? And i don’t wanna hear ” Because he’s the Bomb on my XBOX360″ OR ” He was/is the best rushing QB of all time” ( Actually Randall Cunnigham is and the stats are there to prove it ). Anything at all?
Northwest ATL Boi
March 23rd, 2010
12:16 pm
@ liljb1
March 23rd, 2010
7:50 am
^^^^LOL too funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jamal Anderson is a waste of space.
Vick Supporter
March 23rd, 2010
12:21 pm
Vick will shine again. I guranterr it. He will start again.
Pat
March 23rd, 2010
12:21 pm
@ Vick^Average^At^Best
Great post
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 23rd, 2010
12:22 pm
You all are doing pretty good today. Had to delete the usual drifters. Here are the questions again to help you all stay on point. –DOL
* Why are teams shying away from Vick?
* Do you suspect the Eagles are holding him to drive up his trade value and will move him around the draft?
* Will he remain in Philadelphia in his Wildcat role?
* Would he be a good fit in Minnesota if Brett Favre doesn’t come back?
Bill
March 23rd, 2010
12:26 pm
Do you blame them? Why take the risk on someone who accomplished very little to begin with, is old, hasn’t played meaningful in several years and in general is a pos. Yeah sounds like a guy you want to lead your team. LOL
Why Lie?
March 23rd, 2010
12:26 pm
Oh….LOL..I see the AJC marketing department had to send a note to the sports section again. GET a VICK BLOG UP PRONTO! LOL