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
phoenix falcon
March 23rd, 2010
12:27 pm
why in the hell are we STILL talking about mike vick? Come on D Led, ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!!
i’m a FALCON fan, i’m more interested in THE FALCONS. vick has not been a falcon for what, 3/4 years? as soon as you mention vick, the nut cases/racist come out of the woodwork. ENOUGH, THIS IS AN ATLANTA FALCON BLOG, NOT A MIKE VICK BLOG, COME ON, MOVE ON ALREADY, vick has. mike vick has NOTHING what so ever to do with the FALCONS, so why are you still writing about him?
SAtlantan24
March 23rd, 2010
12:28 pm
To: Vick^Average^At^Best
AMEN AMEN
Pat
March 23rd, 2010
12:30 pm
@ D. Orlando Ledbetter
1. I think teams shy away from he because of his past. He has also gone public about not being a hard worker. Who wants to have someone like that on your team. How do they know that he will be doing his best for the organization.
2. I think that is why the Eagles are holding onto him. They are using him like stock. If he shows signs of getting better, than they will use it to get a better trade value. The NFL is still a business.
3. He will remain in his Wildcat role, because that is what he know best.
4. The Vikings would not be a good fit for him because he does not have a great arm.
phoenix falcon
March 23rd, 2010
12:34 pm
* 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?
1.)Anybody with a brain knows why teams are ” shying away ” from vick.
2.)NO
3.)YES
4.)NO, THE VIKES ALREADY HAVE A RUNNING BACK.
Why Lie?
March 23rd, 2010
12:34 pm
So what’s the word on Big Ben meeting with Goodell? Since we’re talking about players that dont play for the Falcons, let’s just talk about them all!
Terrence
March 23rd, 2010
12:35 pm
The falcons will never see a super bowl…the Hawks have a better chance at winning a championship…GO VICK!!!!
phoenix falcon
March 23rd, 2010
12:36 pm
@Why Lie?
AGREED 100%
Why Lie?
March 23rd, 2010
12:40 pm
Is Matty Ice’s toe better?
The Man
March 23rd, 2010
12:44 pm
Liam must mean stupid idiot in spanish
Cpt. Hard Ass
March 23rd, 2010
12:44 pm
Vick will start again,this year to be exact. And as for Matt ryan, what did he do last year nothing! They did’nt even make the playoffs. He’s a one season wonder mark my words.
Navigator
March 23rd, 2010
12:49 pm
I don’t want to get into the for or against stuff, but my question is why after all these years have passed it’s a major item to cover in this paper. Are you going to cover him after he retires to, when he moves onto a regular job, or are you trying to keep stirring the pot for you’re own benefit?
Vick^Average^At^Best
March 23rd, 2010
12:49 pm
Look, unfortunately superior talent and skills on the football field overshadow a mans baggage and morals and what he does off the field in todays NFL. Saying that, its obvious that teams just aren’t interested in Michael Vick because the game has quit simply passed him by. He lost his Deion like speed and quickness during his hiatus and became ordinary in the process. Otherwise, he is a Quarterback that is “well known” around coaching circles in the NFL for not being able to read defenses and was never accurate to begin with. Therefore, game over.
Forever Vick!
March 23rd, 2010
12:51 pm
To all you vick haters ( and you know who you are) define Thug?
shaggy
March 23rd, 2010
12:51 pm
@ Vick^Average^At^Best:
Great Post and VERY true. He never had anything but potential, which he slackered away with his hood mentality. Too bad he didn’t get mentored by Dungy early on. It might have been a different story but probably not.
QBSupporter
March 23rd, 2010
12:52 pm
I am sorry to say this, but WHO CARES? Vick was drying up as a QB the last two years in Atlanta, but even when Philly had a chance to start him last year, they went with Kolb. Vick can do well in a gimmick offense a play here and a play there, but an every down QB, that’s over. This is a passing league and Vick isn’t a passing QB.
Vick Haters
March 23rd, 2010
12:52 pm
I love reading the extensive comments about “who cares about Vick…” Scroll back up to the top of the screen numb-nuts, the title is “Quarterback market drying up on Michael Vick”.
What did you think this article was going to be about?
You clicked on the link for some reason, next time you go to click on an article, that is obviously going to discuss something that you don’t care about, take your hand off the mouse and smack yourself in the head.
I read it cause I was actually interested. Sorry if you clicked on it thinking there was going to be lolipops and bubblegum, retards!
Vick-Less
March 23rd, 2010
12:53 pm
Congrats to 31 teams……Boo-Hooo……Eagles….Smeagles………..
QBSupporter
March 23rd, 2010
12:53 pm
Thug, a criminal, who treats others violently and roughly, especially for hire. Often a member of a gang, as an enforcer in organized crime.
Pitt Bull
March 23rd, 2010
12:55 pm
I want Vick to play on my team….that way I can Bite the Crap of of that Clown…………..
Section 108
March 23rd, 2010
12:59 pm
Cmon DLed, you’re better than this man. The City has moved on to bigger and better things, and you should too. That dude brought nothin but pain and hardache to Falcon Fans in the city and across the nation. Remember how low we felt the season after the Vick debacle? Just let him go, he’s really not worth the time…………
Pitt Bull
March 23rd, 2010
1:01 pm
Hmmm………A quarterback that beats up women and one that beats dogs……..sounds too good to be true……….lol
ATLshirt.com
March 23rd, 2010
1:05 pm
I want to hear more about SHOCKLEY !!!!
Tmac
March 23rd, 2010
1:07 pm
“Why are teams shying away from Vick?”
Let me get this straight. We have a QB who was convicted of dog fighting and would be a PR nightmare for any team to sign him. He has admitted in the past of not working hard when he had money and limelight. And oh by the way and most importantly, mechanically and fundamentally he is not a good QB.
What’s not to understand? any questions, look for answer above.
tidog
March 23rd, 2010
1:09 pm
A bunch of professional football player wanabe’s. thats what u r. do u really feel the venom u spew about mike vick affects his life. mike vick led a charmed life and spiraled downed of his own indescretions much like barney madoff. the opinions u have about vick or even tiger have a zero effect in their life. get a life and live it boys.
Dr. Warren
March 23rd, 2010
1:10 pm
I had a casual, 2-hour talk with George Gervin at a Starbuck’s a couple of years ago. He was proud of his long career full of great accomplishments and seemed to love discussing the old days. Similarly, I picture being in some Starbuck’s or airport bar in fifteen years and finding myself next to Michael Vick. He too will be more humble, balding, just a regular guy. I will tell him I am a big Falcons and loved watching him play. Unlike Gervin, though, who referred to himself as an “NBA legend,” Vick will shake his head and talk about what a waste he made of his once-in-a-lifetime talent, how it ended so fast, but how he is running a football camp now or a sporting goods store and doing okay.
QB-non-Supporter
March 23rd, 2010
1:10 pm
Vick fits the definition of a THUG to a T…..He is an ex-con who treats other living things violently,he isn’t for hire now that a Gang of Eagles hired him and he enforces his will on living things for monetary gain…..enough said????
Tim Tebone
March 23rd, 2010
1:12 pm
Why should teams get an ex-con left-handed quarterback when they can get me?Wouldn’t you rather see me kiss a dog then see someone hang one?
Tmac
March 23rd, 2010
1:13 pm
What is the AJC going to do when Mike Vick is out of football?
When are you going to do multiple stories week after week about any other athlete not in this state?
Can you say “agenda”?
tired of all the same
March 23rd, 2010
1:13 pm
falconsorry and mv7 is the same racially charged person and should be completely filtered from this blog, anyone who allows his/her opinion is as sorry a person as they are.
coachx
March 23rd, 2010
1:15 pm
Liam,
You have no clue.
Ryan is better then Vick ever was. 2nd or 3rd round pick…….ha, ha, ha. Ryan’s rookie year was better the any year in Vick’s career.
If Vick is so good then why is he just a 3rd string QB ? Why do teams that can’t even win 5 games like the Rams, Browns, Bucs, want him ?
The answer is quite obvious. Vick is not a god QB.
Chaseolla'
March 23rd, 2010
1:16 pm
AYE!!!!!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 23rd, 2010
1:17 pm
Let’s try to move off of the shallow “thug” and “gang” references. They are not helpful here.
Dr. Warren — “The Iceman” was actually more on an ABA Legend.
Pat
March 23rd, 2010
1:25 pm
That is true, why, if this person is such a GREAT player, aren’t there teams lining up for him?
Flying Ryan
March 23rd, 2010
1:29 pm
M.V.,your’e not even as good as Vince Young , Matt Lineart or even Tim Tebow….the only thing you all have in common is you are left handed….Vince Young has learned it takes brains to play and Tebow no doubt has some so he will prevail….even Lineart has more sense than MV….the only thing M.V. does is want to get paid and party….Sad but True…………
BatmanPritchard
March 23rd, 2010
1:33 pm
Vick Supporter: you are right! Vick will shine again. He will shine shoes as his next profession.
Braves #1
March 23rd, 2010
1:35 pm
Why aren’t you writing about a worthy topic like the Atlanta Braves?They might just be the class of the National League this year……Lets see more positive columns Orlando.Thanks.
Chris
March 23rd, 2010
1:37 pm
#7 the player is insignificant…lets move on DOL…
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 23rd, 2010
1:38 pm
Braves #1: This is a football blog. I hope the Braves do well in Bobby’s last season. Heyward looks like he could play tight end.Maybe Chipper won’t get hurt so often and will produce this season.
Vick^Average^At^Best
March 23rd, 2010
1:39 pm
Great Quarterbacks are ultimately measured by the win-loss colum, and Vick led the Atlanta Falcons to TWO winning Seasons out of SIX…FACT.
His highest single-season completion percentage was 56.4 percent, and for his career he has thrown 71 touchdowns to 52 interceptions—not exactly the model of efficiency.
The classic argument for Vick is that he is not a good passer but his strength is running outside of the pocket and using his speed, explosiveness, etc…I get it. It was fun to watch sometimes, and if they gave out trophies for “most fun to watch” he probably would have won his fair share. But this is the NFL not some bush league that hands out ribbons.
The best rushing season of his career was the ‘06-’07 season, with 1,039 yards rushing, averaging almost 65 yards a game. Pretty impressive except for the fact that he guided his team to a not-so-impressive 7-9 record tat same season. He’s also put the ball on the ground 55 times in his career, more than one out of every 10 times he carried the ball.
I believe ultimately Michael Vick was a “single-threat” quarterback disguised as a “dual-threat.” Once teams realized that if you could get an early lead on the Falcons, they could never climb out of the hole because Vick couldn’t carry the team down the field with his arm.
He could run all over the field, but everyone knows running the ball when you’re already down a couple touchdowns is not how you win football games. Shall i go on?
LaVonia B. Jackson
March 23rd, 2010
1:41 pm
How many of you have ever played a game of football – do you have want it takes to make it pass Pop Warner league? – We all can say what another person should or shouldn’t do – what would you do – how many of you are capable of running a football organization? I suspect none – so keep on doing what you are doing – life goes on – a twenty years from now it won’t matter to anyone but Michael Vick
Braves #1
March 23rd, 2010
1:44 pm
Orlando…you are right I need to go to O’BRIEN’S COLUMN….SORRY…..I liked your comments though………..Go Falcons!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 23rd, 2010
1:56 pm
Braves # 1 — Thanks for stopping by!
Sun Tzu 7
March 23rd, 2010
1:57 pm
I think the best chance Vick has at a starting job is Buffalo.
The fans there would welcome him with open arms because they are desperate for a winning team and the last time Chan Gailey was a head coach he did prefer a mobile QB.
Another reason I think this is possible is because Gailey stuck with the same QB for 4 years… who can forget the great Reggie Ball? Just ask Tech fans because I know they ALL have tried… very hard.
However Gailey didn’t seem to do so well with the developing the QB part of being a coach. Maybe he’ll do better if he has Vick but if they don’t improve the o-line up there it’s not going to matter because Vick will be running for his life after the ball is snapped like he did here… except he will be older, most likely slower, and have to play in the snow which will slow him down even more.
The only option I really see for him to start is Buffalo but it’s not really a good place for him if he wants to win… no o-line… no offense… and lots of weather.
And that division isn’t exactly full of cupcakes either.
5 MILLION
March 23rd, 2010
1:57 pm
Five million is way more than you clowns make a year. Keep your head up Vick. I would be all of the above for that kind of money each year. These clowns act like you can’t find a job. I love the Average at best bloggers…..For five million I would love to be Average
Vick^Average^At^Best
March 23rd, 2010
1:59 pm
Here are some Vick statistics in some very important categories as a QB in the NFL in his 4 years as a “STARTER”.
2002
18th in passer rating in 81.6
25th in comp percentage 54.9
2004
21st in passer rating 78.1
27th in completion percentage 56.4
2005
25th in passer rating 73.1
29th in completion percentage 55.3
2006
20th in passer rating 75.7
31st in completion percentage 52.6
An average of ranking 21st in the league in passer rating with an average of 77.1
An average ranking of 28th in the league in comp percentage with an average of 54.8.
A rank no higher than 18th in either category in any year as a starter.
Now how can someone with below average numbers like that EVER have been considered a good Quarterback? He can’t. He is a overhyped, overrated QB with no accuracy or consistentcy at all. A one dimensional player that the game has caught up too and has been exposed as that his entire career.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 23rd, 2010
2:05 pm
LaVonia B. Jackson — I’m sure you’re heard of the “Legend of Lightning Led.” I made it past Pop Warner (JFL and Muny League)!!! Was a lockdown-all hit-no cover corner in High School. Played QB, DE and TE before High School. I wasn’t very fast (thus the Lightning nickname). If the WR didn’t run by me, I’d knock his socks off!!! Tough in run support. Couldn’t play in college cause the hips weren’t on a swivel. And there was that 5.3, 40-yard time. . . . BUT I PLAYED past Pop Warner (unlike most sportswriters) if that’s standard. . .
JB FALCON
March 23rd, 2010
2:07 pm
I was going to vote in the poll but there wasn’t an option for “Who Cares?”
Mike Jay
March 23rd, 2010
2:07 pm
Vick’s “unique” skill set at the QB postion makes it impossible for him to be an effective second string QB. To take advantages of his skills (and mask his failings) the offense needs to be designed around him for it to be effective. This is just not possible when being in a backup role unless you have a starter with comparale skills. So, unfortunatlly fof him it appears he is a strter or nothing. You could pick him up as 3rd string QB (3rd string QB’s are almost always ‘projects’). However, his price tag is just too high for a 3rd stringer. So a team needs to decide if all the extra baggage and cash is worth investing in him as a starter.
5 MILLION
March 23rd, 2010
2:07 pm
Five million
Matty Ice
March 23rd, 2010
2:10 pm
unfortunately for Vick, he’s still reaping what he sowed for many years……tell my kids every day – decisions you make have consequences…….I hope Vick gets another chance to start, but if he does not – all he has to do is lookin the mirror.