Vick has a better chance for success in return than Favre
Is Michael Vick pointing in the same direction as his career?
While it seems like 90 percent of readers tell me that they’re sick of stories about Michael Vick, while the other 90 percent continue to consume every word about him — and I’ll get back to you about the math just as soon as I can figure it out — I think there’s something we can all agree on. Tonight’s kind of a big deal.
Tonight, Vick will be on a football field. In a football uniform. Playing in a football game. And not in a prison yard. Or worse, the UFL.
Vick will see only limited action in Philadelphia’s exhibition game against Jacksonville. But the fact that it will be the first time any of us see him sweat outside of a courtroom since Dec. 31, 2006 — when he and the Falcons closed the regular season with a loss at Philly — is significant. It’s not quite Mike Tyson getting out of prison and returning to
Loading ...squash Peter McNeeley. But it kind of has that, “He has returned!” feel to it.
We know Vick can shine on a football field. We’ve seen it. What we don’t know is what he can do now, or in the future. He was 26 and declining when he left. Now he’s 29 and desperate. Even Eagles coach Andy Reid doesn’t know what to expect, saying, “I can only go off what I’ve seen in practice and it looks like he’s moving around pretty good, but again realistically it’s been two years.”
Two years and eight months, actually.
What a surprise. Players in huddle don't like Brett Favre.
The question of how good Vick will be this season is relative, really. He can’t be graded on the same scale as a starting quarterback. Maybe not even a backup quarterback. Chances are, he’ll be more of a weekly wrinkle in Philly’s offense.
Will he be successful? Honestly, I have a better feeling about Vick than I do Brett Favre. It all goes to expectation level and what each quarterback is there to do. Vick is there to expand Philly’s offense. Favre is in Minnesota to get the Vikings to the Super Bowl. The first scenario is realistic. The second I find laughable.
ProFootballTalk.com and ESPN already have reported what seemed predictable: Favre has alienated a segment of the team with his late arrival. Football is a game about chemistry. Favre is a lab experiment gone bad. ESPN quoted sources as saying Favre has “little support” in the locker room, and several players prefer either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels at quarterback. Coach Brad Childress will be out of Tums by Week 2.
That’s my opinion. Let me hear your’s. I’ve got a poll above: Who has the greater chance for success this season, Vick or Favre? I’m casting the first vote.
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133 comments Add your comment
beelethal
August 27th, 2009
11:15 am
new vick site launches today…..www.mikevick.com
willdave
August 27th, 2009
11:16 am
Jeff Schultz, to answer your poll, I truly cannot predict who will be more successful in his return to the NFL: a 39-year-old future HOF QB or a 29-year-old convict who has not played or trained in the league for over two years. However, since neither is on the roster of my beloved Atlanta Falcons, I honestly do not care.
I will say this, however. Atlanta sports fans are kittens compared to the fans in Philadelphia. The folk up there do not tolerate mediocrity and ineptitude as patiently as we do down here. Thus, the pressure on Vick to succeed in the “City of Brotherly Love” will be much more intense than what he experienced here. If he fails to meet those fans’ expectations, their wrath will come down on him swiftly and harshly.
And he better not even think about flipping off a Philly crowd the way he did in Atlanta. A team of security and law enforcement personnel would have to escort him out of the stadium for his own safety if he ever did anything that foolish up there.
Ivan
August 27th, 2009
11:17 am
DHD,
It’s truly sad isn’t it? I’d like to know what the effect might be to the team should Wilson take Shockley’s place. Would we keep Shockley as a trade to fill a spot on the defense, or just cut him? I’d like to find out how the defense, as a whole, feels about going against the Chargers offense this weekend. Is Smith going to alternate his 1st, 2nd, 3rd stringers/rookies early in the game like he did last week?
But none of these questions are asked or these topics discussed. Instead, it’s another blog about a former falcon who hasn’t played in two years, and comes back to the NFL as a backup quarterback. You’d think this was the Philly Inquirer if you didn’t know any better.
ChippersLoveChild
August 27th, 2009
11:19 am
I hope Favre fails miserably. The Packers made the right decision by going with Rodgers, and Favre has been a bitter, miserable old man ever since. Move on Brett, but not before 12 teams get to embarrass you first.
Tired of Dumb Vick Fans and Glad Matt Ryan is Here
August 27th, 2009
11:19 am
Clearly, Vick has less on his shoulders Jeff. Favre is starting where all of the blame for failure will fall on him. Vick is backing up Donovan McNabb and losing won’t fall on Vick’s head.
Outside of injury, he won’t be behind center the majority of the time. He is responsible for less so he will fail less.
Wait until next year when MV7 is starting somewhere, has a big contract and has all the demons to deal with. Anybody read that Tony Dungy is already finished with the hands on mentoring?
JSS
August 27th, 2009
11:29 am
As I prepare to enjoy another of Zurich’s fine culinary institutions for dinner; well Jeff Schultz, you have done it again I see… By the Chef Tim, Phildo, MQ, and others, you don’t use dictionary.com or Webster’s to find the definition of the “T” word in the sense which it is intended here (by you)… That would be something utterly different, just be honest in your intent, you’ll feel better… By the way, for the rest of you, please visit urbandictionary.com and type in the word and see if you agree with the definition… Context can be a dangerous thing! Adieu
Ron Gant
August 27th, 2009
11:31 am
I dont get it, Why has Favre become the bad guy ,just because he loves to play the game and everybody is treating vick like a hero? “Real” Falcon fans look what were building now, Sure I wish vick the best in his future but come DEC.6th if he gets on the field (I’m sure he will to fulfill the hype)he is the enemy. I am a Falcon fan First. Go Falcons!!!!!!!!
ninga
August 27th, 2009
11:31 am
I hope they Vick and Favre both fail miserably. I do think Vick has a better chance for success this season and I will watch. Still, I would prefer that we had an article about our home team to discuss.
Green Tea
August 27th, 2009
11:38 am
Yeller, SprotsCenter has turned into a gossip show that runs gossip before the scores every single episode. It’s the TMZ of Sporting news. I mean look how they ranted and ranted about the stability of the Vikings locker room yesterday in regards to the QB situation with Brent. WHO THE F CARES ABOUT THE VIKINGS LOCKER ROOM?!
You know what has replaced SportsCenter as a real sporting news show? PTI, except for when Bob Ryan is on there. And yes they do cover the gossip stories but the best part is when the buzzer sounds they move on and talk about something else unlike SportsCenter that will go on and on and on about total BS.
It’s just sad that Jeff decided to fall in line with SC. I wish he’d do more of his smart arse joke columns top 10’s and such.
Shame on you
August 27th, 2009
11:53 am
@”break vick’s other leg,” what an awful, awful thing to say. why attack his mother and her parenting skills? you can raise your kids by the book or near perfect, and in the end, they make their own choices. I sure hope you don’t haven any children. To have this kind of hatred, even given the current circumstances, for another human being is just hurtful. You will reap what you sow. I hope you don’t have kids… and you will be reminded of this when it hits you in some way. Remember what they say about “payback” and about “what goes around”?
GT Fan
August 27th, 2009
11:57 am
Sorry Schultz, Vick was not starting to decline; he had only been in the league for 5 years and was in his mid-20’s. He didn’t work near as hard as he should had a horrible coaching staff, so yes his final years in Atlanta were sub-par. But that had nothing to do with him being 26…
What's Important
August 27th, 2009
11:57 am
My question is this – Philly already has a rich, black quarterback, so when Vick fails, what will his supporters blame his failure on.
Kelvin
August 27th, 2009
11:57 am
If intelligent and educated people are not “thugs”, then explain Martha Stewart, Mike Milken, Bernard Madoff, Ken Lay, Richard Schrushy, etc. They are intelligent, highly educated felons. There is no direct relationship between intellect, education, and good character/morals.
Blue Fender
August 27th, 2009
11:58 am
As far as who’s going to be better, I think it’s Vick. However, that’s like asking who’s going to do better at calculus – a second grader or a third grader. You’ll bet on the third grader, but there’s too many variables to really make your case (I hope the math reference didn’t make any Vick fans’ heads explode).
midnite
August 27th, 2009
12:03 pm
JSS-Who are you to tell anyone what your re-definition of a word is? I think most here would respect Webster over your definition. You sound like a snooty jerk with your “As I prepare to enjoy another of Zurich’s fine culinary institutions for dinner” it adds nothing to to the forum, only sates your obviously thirsty ego. Not impressed here.
Jeff Schultz
August 27th, 2009
12:04 pm
Gandalf — deleted your posts. You’re gone.
DawgNDallas
August 27th, 2009
12:21 pm
Vick can do great things if he straightens up and flies right. But then again, that’s always been a big “if” for him.
Jack G.
August 27th, 2009
12:25 pm
I dont understand all the negatives about Farve.
I have been retired for over 20 years, and if you want to throw 12 million at me I will unretire in a heartbeat. So he is not the QB he once was,but he has another 12 million in his bank A/C.
Bushwacker
August 27th, 2009
12:27 pm
I just hope somebody remembers the 2 espn buffons that said Brett Favre instantly made the vikings the favorites to win the NFC.
The word EXPERT should be removed from the dictionary, as we are finding out the hard way, from Doctors, to politicians, to wall street guru’s, NOBODY IS AE EXPERT, everybody IS JUST WINGING IT!!
PullitzerPrize
August 27th, 2009
12:32 pm
As long-awaited during the dog days of summer, former dogfighter Mike Vick will take the field tonight. Vick will be fighting for his life and also to impress the Eagles brass. If Vick comes all the way back and performs well as he did at the height of his glory, the fans WILL be treated to one of the nfls best talents, regardless of the hateful negative publicity. DONT FORGET: VICK HAS DONE THINGS IN THE LEAGUE THAT NO ONE EVER HAS DONE BEFORE; and I dont mean dogfighting. I can recall three accomplishments that quickly come to mind: 1) first qb to lead a team in victory over green bay at Lambeau field in the playoffs; 2) only nfl qb to rush for over 1000 yards in a single season; 3) single highest rushing game at the qb position ever gaining 173 rushing yards against the Minnesota Vikings. No one else in league history has done any of this. So hopefully, Vick will regain his form tonight and bring the fans back to his corner.
Steve
August 27th, 2009
12:40 pm
I believe MV will have a better year overall than Brett. He probably won’t get the PT that Favre gets, but that’s OK.
When Favre is on, he’s as good as pretty much any QB in the league. However he seems more off than on these days, or at best 50/50. The Vikings are counting Favre to get them to and win the Super Bowl. While his presence may throw some voodoo spell on the Packer’s, I don’t think the other 14 NFC teams will be phased. There seems to be enough riff among the Vike players as to Favre’s late signing. I wonder which side of the fence the starting line is on? My prediction is the Vikes do not make it to the SB, possibly not even the playoffs.
I believe Andy Reid and Philly will try to initially put MV into situations where he can succeed. I know he’s the backup QB, but with his speed (assuming most of it is still there) and knack for making big plays I can see them using him in wildcat situations. I’m anxious to see how he does tonight. The addition of Vick adds an extra tool to the strong roster that Philly already has. I see them as the team to beat in the NFC East and possibly the entire NFC.
Hillbilly Deluxe
August 27th, 2009
12:44 pm
Is 90% + 90% that 110% we hear so much about in sports?
break vick's other leg
August 27th, 2009
1:41 pm
ERich42 maybe your mother didn’t raise you well either. I’m not white, not a racist. Killing animals in large numbers for sport and gambling should be just as serious as killing a fellow human being. Just because this fool can run fast doesn’t mean he should be allowed another chance to screw up. And he will screw up again. Matt Ryan did more for the Falcons in 1 season than Mr. trip over my own feet when I’m running with no defenders around did his entire time in Atlanta. Move to Philly if you love him so much. We don’t care about Vick in Atlanta anymore. We have enough criminals running around town.
break vick's other leg
August 27th, 2009
1:45 pm
Hey “Shame on you” blah blah blah. I don’t have any hatred for Vick. Just like he was doing, I’m merely betting that he will be mangled by another team in retribution for what he did to so many innocent dogs. You must be a dog fighter too. Buzz off fool
JSS
August 27th, 2009
1:50 pm
Poor Midnite… That prepositional phrase “see if you agree with the definition” just went over his head….By the way, Jeff Schultz understood what the Zurich statement meant, it was not intended for what you think or care about… if being “snouty” means I have good taste in dining, I ‘ll take it every day… 60 Euros, 5 courses, delicious!!!
Jeff Schultz
August 27th, 2009
2:02 pm
JSS — you’re in a beautiful part of the world. Zurich’s not the cheapest place tho. I’m sure you had a blast at the Worlds in Berlin. That’s another great city. Spent nearly 3 weeks there in 1995.
Titletown
August 27th, 2009
2:30 pm
You pilgrims are having a bad 2009!!
mark
August 27th, 2009
3:29 pm
We’re talking about a sport that requires athletes, right? Favre is lazy and out of shape. I’ll take an athlete who still realizes he needs to work out and practice.
Crowler
August 27th, 2009
4:01 pm
Someone pointed out incorrectly that Vick had started to decline. Vick had NOT started to decline. In fact, Vick was improving because he was starting (finally) to throw the deep ball a little better. His receivers were dropping a bunch of passes but that was not Vicks fault. Vick has a cannon arm and he was drilling the ball into his receivers chests but they were dropping the ball a lot. That reduced some of Vicks stats.
DamnGoodDawg
August 27th, 2009
4:46 pm
Vick will continue to shine taking off and running against average or worse teams. Playoff teams will throttle him. He’ll still be a 50% or worse passer. He is NOT and never will be a good professional QB.
Jim Stoddard
August 28th, 2009
1:01 am
Favre will do just fine. Look, last year he was one of the top QB’s for over half the season…until opposing teams figured out the Jets were still playing the same limited plays/formations as the weeks before. New system. The Jets D throughout the second half sure couldn’t help…they were carved apart by almost every third string QB they came across…and could barely get a touch on one of those third stringers in an entire game against an O line made up of players from random positions. Blame the Jets end of the season on Favre if you want, most idiots do…but at 39 in a new system he was still a candidate for MVP, running the plays he *did* know for the Jets. Minnesota is completely different…he doesn’t have to be super Favre…look for short passes, runs and if the rest of the Vikes play as great as they think they are (ego is what kills the Vikings year after year) and look for Favre to be the story…and come the end of the year, when the D can’t do a thing & Favre is left to start trying to do *something* in the NFC Championship game & makes one of his “stupid” mistakes…the press can blame Favre’s gunslinger ways for the loss, just like in GB a couple years ago and we’ll repeat the cycle next year…now if he wins, there’s a story you guys might actually be able to write about with his name in it that won’t make people sick.
Twitter Trackbacks for Vick has a better chance for success in return than Favre | Jeff Schultz [ajc.com] on Topsy.com
August 28th, 2009
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[...] Vick has a better chance for success in return than Favre | Jeff Schultz blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2009/08/27/vick-has-a-better-chance-for-success-in-return-than-favre – view page – cached Michael Vick returns to football tonight in Philadelphia’s exhibition game against Jacksonville, and his chance of succeeding in 2009 is better than Brett Favre’s. — From the page [...]
Twitter Trackbacks for Vick has a better chance for success in return than Favre | Jeff Schultz [ajc.com] on Topsy.com
August 28th, 2009
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[...] Vick has a better chance for success in return than Favre | Jeff Schultz blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2009/08/27/vick-has-a-better-chance-for-success-in-return-than-favre/ – view page – cached Michael Vick returns to football tonight in Philadelphia’s exhibition game against Jacksonville, and his chance of succeeding in 2009 is better than Brett Favre’s. — From the page [...]