Favre’s retirement could open door for Vick to Vikings
If Brett Favre decides to walk away again ...
... Michael Vick (or Donovan McNabb) may walk in.
Brett Favre is pondering retirement again, and for all we know that pondering might extend through the winter, through the spring, past the draft, past free agency and into summer and the start of training camp.
Should he step away (again) — and there are indications he will — don’t be surprised if the name Michael Vick comes up as a possible replacement.
Let’s start with Favre. Earlier in the postseason, he told ESPN’s Ed Werder, “If you win, you go on. If you lose, you’re done, and for me, that could very well be my last game.” And just this morning, my pal Adam Schefter of the same network sent this on Twitter: “Let this be the first of hopefully very few Favre-Watch updates: Favre told ESPN’s Ed Werder it was ‘highly unlikely’ he’d play again.”
I know. We can’t know because even Favre doesn’t know, and even if Favre knows something at lunch, he may change his mind at dinner. And then back again at breakfast. But let’s operate on the unsafe assumption for now that he’s retiring.
The Vikings’ quarterback depth chart reads: Favre-Tarvaris Jackson-Sage Rosenfels. Jackson is an impending free agent and, while he says that he is open to staying with the team, you have to wonder about how the franchise views him, given the way they treated him through the romancing of Favre. If Favre doesn’t come back, there is no telling what direction the team will go.
Enter Vick: Minnesota was one of the teams believed to show early interest in Vick, until the rumor finally was shot down by owner Zygi Wilf and coach Brad Childress (both of whom have truth issues). Vick had some of his best moments against the Vikings. He obviously doesn’t have Favre’s accuracy but his strong arm pairs well with receivers Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin and Bernard Berrian.
ESPN already is floating Vick-to-Minnesota in its “rumors” section this morning (requires Insiders subscription). Speculation also has Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb going to the Vikings, where he would be reunited with Childress (his former quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator with the Eagles).
Very few people believe Vick will be back with the Eagles. Other rumored destinations are Buffalo (needs a quarterback; owner is looking for a marketing tool), St. Louis (general manager Billy Devaney was with the Falcons and has kept in contact with Vick), Arizona (Kurt Warner may retire; Matt Leinart’s status is uncertain); Oakland (Al Davis: enough said) and Carolina (Jake Delhomme’s future is uncertain).
For what it’s worth, the Falcons play St. Louis, Arizona and Carolina next season, but not Minnesota, Buffalo or Oakland. Any thoughts on Vick in purple?
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419 comments Add your comment
Orlando
January 25th, 2010
1:24 pm
All you Vick haters are losers! You wish you could play like him. When he was here, he was your god, now you bash him like he was not the reason the Dome was full. Most of your losers dont have the heart it takes to play football, so you sit back with your beer bellies and bash a real player. Get a life.
YellowJacketFalcon
January 25th, 2010
1:25 pm
Vicktabulous how exactly is Atlanta “going downhill” ?? Ryan is leaps & bound a better QUARTERBACK that Vick ever was. He’s not the athlete he was but DEFINATELY a better quarterback. Ryan has the brains to be a QB. Vick didn’t have the brains to get away from the thugs & septic lifestyle that eventually led to his ruin.
Brett Favre
January 25th, 2010
1:26 pm
Kurt Warner’s not fit to suck the sweat from my jock. The only QB’s to come close to being as good as me are Elway and Montana. I never had anything like Rice to throw to and I still am the best EVER!! Kiss it ATL you should never had traded me. How stupid does your Bohick city feel now. What a bunch of rump toasters!
Bud Grant
January 25th, 2010
1:26 pm
shouldn’t this blog be on a Twin Cities website? Vick will be a good fit somewhere, as a back-up with “starter” experience, should the starter go down (or underperform). the Vikings need a starter (even if Favre doesn’t retire). if the Vikes can’t find a starter via free agency or trade (McNabb is a much better scenario), they should draft the best available QB. the Jets (and Ravens, and 2005 Steelers) have proved you can win in the post-season with a rookie QB when the QB is backed by a stout defense.
Csquared
January 25th, 2010
1:27 pm
@YELLOWP**S FALCON–I’m not a Vick apologist, but he DID serve his federally mandated time. We let other criminals come out on parole and regain some semblance of work, life etc. What would you have him do, sit around the house and become a WHINER like you?
Hillbilly Deluxe
January 25th, 2010
1:27 pm
Vick=Page views.
PurplePassion
January 25th, 2010
1:28 pm
Why not get Vick? Can we make it any more depressing? Let’s get another hoodlum and do the Minnetonka Boat Fiasco Embarrassment all over again. NOT. We finally had a positive FUN football season. Let’s KEEP it positive…we want you back, Brett. Why wouldn’t it be hard for him to retire? He actually truly LOVES the game. Not the games that so many others thrive on.
wheelz007
January 25th, 2010
1:31 pm
Could the Saints retire Brett Farve and Kurt Warner AND win the Super Bowl…. all in the same season?
WHO DAT!
Vick's Gotta Go
January 25th, 2010
1:32 pm
Larry I also love you. I live in Philly and we have wanted Vick gone since Day 1. He’s dumb as a box of rocks and a felon to boot. We have protested every home game, trying to get this sadistic dog-killer kicked out of the NFL. Maybe he’s done it himself with his less-than-mediocre performances this season, not to mention his arrogant attitude.
If another team wants him – fine by me. If I had it my way though he’d be slinging burgers in some dustbowl town.
lj
January 25th, 2010
1:41 pm
i live in mn and am a vikings fan but if that piece of sh*t ever plays for us i will never watch another game.
Tony
January 25th, 2010
1:45 pm
lj, you live in MN? I think not, why the heck are you on an AJC blog???? Yellowbellyfalcon, you need a life.
Will
January 25th, 2010
1:49 pm
First, let’s get this straight, Favre ain’t retiring anytime soon…if ever ..and certainly not before Willard Scott shows #4’s picture on the side of a Smucker’s Jar on the Today Show. I think that this is especially true after yesterday. Favre may be the third most competitive person on the planet after Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. He cares about his legacy and he does not want to “go out” with his last pass being intercepted setting a loss in a conference championship game. You really think that he wants to go through eternity being the “Bill Buckner” of the NFL. He’ll be back in Minnesota next year. ‘Course he’ll throw a crucial interception in next year’s playoff game too.
I figure Vick to end up in Buffalo with Chan Gailey. I mean Gailey, Vick, and possibly Terrell Owens (if he’s back in Buffalo next year) deserve each other. Gailey fancies himself an offensive genius and since he had a modicum of luck with Slash in Pittsburgh, he should relish the idea of trying to be the first guy in the NFL to figure out how to REALLY utilize Vick. I mean when you think about it, Vick and Reggie Ball may be the same guy. You never seen both of them in the same place at the same time, they both run all over the field and have/had erratic arms.
San
January 25th, 2010
1:50 pm
Wow…an entire week without a “Vick” article. Jeff, Did you go through withdrawals?
emack06
January 25th, 2010
1:52 pm
Vick would be an ideal fit for the Vikings. He has a strong arm, his accuracy, dispite some of you haters, is better than any QB in the league, save Manning. With their receivers and Adrian Peterson (hope to improve on his ball handling skills), Vick would make the Vikings a powerful force in the NFC. They would practically own the NFC.
Georgia Peach
January 25th, 2010
1:54 pm
LOL @ these haters. Mad because they know they’ll se MV starting in the fall and just can’t understand why their God didnt answer their prayers. LOL
Mr. Groove
January 25th, 2010
1:54 pm
@Larry
Your racist remarks about a quarterback with earrings etc. is ridiculous. Everyone seems to forget that Doug Williams of the Washington Redskins won the “BIG GAME” as well. Get a life moron!!!!!!!
Georgia Peach
January 25th, 2010
1:57 pm
Tony, you notice too all these ‘I live in Philly, I live in Minny’ liars too? LOL Pretending like they are speaking for a whole fanbase when they are right over in Cherokee or Henry county mad because they just dont understand why all that hating and wishing didnt work!
Vick Supporter
January 25th, 2010
1:57 pm
You people ask why Schultz and Bradley keep writing about the Great Mike Vick? Because Vick is the best qb we’ve ever had in this town and they believe that Vick is going to succeed, and deep down you people know it also. Vick actually worked with a great coaching staff that helped him with his accuracy. I could tell that his footwork was better/changed and the throws that he made were beautiful and right on the money. I honestly believe that Vick will be better than ever and it looks like several teams believe that also.
We all know that Vick took his otherworldly talents for granted….there’s nothing like a player that has been humbled and has something to prove. Whatever team signs Vick will be lucky to have him.
I told you people that Vick would shine again…looks like I was right again…….just like I was when I predicted that his breakout would come against the Falcons….2tds…and that he would have an impact in the playoffs…….a 76yd pass right on the money for a touchdown that seems to have gotten him a starting qb job,lol.
Like I’ve always said. The Great Mike Vick Has Returned.
Paddy
January 25th, 2010
2:00 pm
When you are one game from the Super Bowl you don’t take 3 steps backward and hire Vick. Every Gm knows how important the QB position is in the NFL. It is a QB league. If you can’t think on your feet and be the smartest man on the field you will not win. PERIOD! Work ethic is also necessary to lead your team. (see J. Russell, Oak) If you can’t inspire your teammates they will turn on you in a heart beat. He deserves a second chance. But his second chance is as a 2nd team/wildcat type QB. Nothing more and maybe less.
Montrell
January 25th, 2010
2:01 pm
The falcons should try and get vick back, but it will take a lot of money. He’s better than Ryan.
Paddy
January 25th, 2010
2:02 pm
lj….you ain’t from around here! In the South we don’t talk like that or our Momma will knock us into next week.
Vinny L.
January 25th, 2010
2:04 pm
First off, the ‘Aints didn’t win- the Vikings lost. The Vikes pushed them up and down the field all day. Indy will crush them like they did the J-E-T-S-JETS.
Secondly, Favre was obviously the missing piece for an already talented team. He truly is the greatest QB to step on the field, regardless if you love him or hate him. He’s still in the top three today, and probably will stay there despite being a member of the AARP.
Thirdly, Vick won’t go to Minnesota. The MN management hates thugs, and Vick is a thug that can’t pass.
Lastly, if Favre comes back, Minnesota will be my pick to win next year. They have a very good team with a tiny amount of wrinkles to work out. Peterson will learn to hold the ball, and Ziggy will turn Childress into a Eunich if he even thinks about making play calls like he did at the end of the the Saints game. Their coach lost the game, not the players.
PS Quit whining cheese heads. Your Offensive line is about 5 players away from giving Mr. Rogers the protection he’ll need to turn the Pack into an elite team like the Colts, Saints or Vikings.Cancerous feelings will haunt you forever because you let the greatest QB of all time go to work for your most hated enemy. Too bad, so sad! Hahahahahahahah! Packers Suck!
Sage of Bluesland
January 25th, 2010
2:16 pm
WAAAAH!!! Poor wittle Bret got a boo-boo!!
PurplePassion
January 25th, 2010
2:18 pm
Vinny, I couldn’t have said it better. And Tony, I am from Minnesota. They call it google. Just try it – search “Vikings” and this blog ranks high. And yes, the Packers DO suck.
Georgia Peach
January 25th, 2010
2:21 pm
Reggie White is the only reason Farve has a SuperBowl ring at all. The interception machine didn’t carry the Vikings on his back. They won 10 games last year! LOL! So for 12 million dollars they got 2 more regular season wins and one playoff win….and exactly the same place they were for the SuperBowl last year, that’s where they’ll be THIS year..thanks to that nice interception that resulted in OT and a Saints win.
SLP
January 25th, 2010
2:25 pm
Vick would be a better fit in Arizona, Jeff. I agree with you, he’ll be starting somewhere.
Vick=Dog killing thug
January 25th, 2010
2:27 pm
I am and will always be against Vick. I used to work at the Peninsula SPCA in Newport News Virginia and have seen first hand some of Vicks dogs come in. These poor animals were all chewed up, smaller usually female pitt-bulls that would cower in fear over any sound.
Sadly branded as fight dogs they were never allowed to be adopted and were always put down. These beautiful loving animals were tortured from almost birth and knew nothing but pain and agony.
Vick is a coward. Vick is a liar. Vick is a sadistic killer who only shows remorse when the cameras are rolling and it helps his bank account.
Put this loser back in prison.
soulfinger
January 25th, 2010
2:28 pm
“I’d love to see Vick as a starting QB. Only to get hit blindsided by a blitzing DE & paralyzed from the neck down for the rest of his life. He’s an inhuman monster.”-Yellow Jacket Falcon
ONly an inhuman monster would wish that kind of misery on someone else!!
by
January 25th, 2010
2:29 pm
I am so incredibly tired about hearing about Vick. He’s a second string QB who’s talent was fading even before his years away from the game. He can look brilliant, fast, exciting during one brief moment in a game – as can a 3rd string special teams player who recovers a fumble and runs it back for a TC. However, give Vick a complete season as a starting QB now and you’ll see a QB with faded talent, limited respect for anyone, a huge ego, and a NFL team with a solid 4 and 12 record.
Bravedawg
January 25th, 2010
2:30 pm
Jeff, you’re better than this (or maybe not?). You’re saying that Vick may go to Minnesota because he’s had some of his best moments against them? How does that make sense? Are you saying there’s something special about the Metrodome? Or that he likes playing against the Vikings’ defense? In that case, I guess he’d have a lot of success during practice.
And his arm would pair well with Minnesota’s receivers? Yeah, no kidding. So would Turk Schonert’s. So would mine.
C’mon, Jeff.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Vick to Vikings? - Brett Favre Retirement Watch
January 25th, 2010
2:33 pm
[...] Read more at ajc.com. [...]
Melissa
January 25th, 2010
2:34 pm
Never have been a fan of Vick. His demeanor and his actions never seemed all that upstanding (even before all of the dog-fighting stuff) and he really isn’t that great of a player. I think anytime a team makes it all about one player and not about the team there is an issue.
Glenn
January 25th, 2010
2:34 pm
Minny gave The Sage alot of money last offseason . I would think he would have to get a shot with the Vikes should Favre step down . I think the best bets are Mick Vick going to either the Raiders or Bills .
Matt "Choke" Ryan
January 25th, 2010
2:44 pm
Reid Adair
January 25th, 2010
12:12 pm
I can’t imagine any team would seriously consider Michael Vick as a candidate for their starting quarterback position. His passing ability, what little there is, has not improved since his days with the Falcons.
I certainly don’t expect Vick to end up with the Vikings.
“HA HA HA”
It’s obvious you are not an Owner or Gm and I’m sure you don’t get paid for being intelligent
Give it up people – Vick here to STAY
The man only played 2-6 snaps per game and he was ALL OVER the Headlines.
Next season he will be a starter and I know that is eating you people up and in the meantime, you still have your “New Face” who is still looking for that 1st playoff win…………….3 YEARS LATER
Jim007
January 25th, 2010
2:45 pm
Vick is a loser and simply Major Bad News
Anyone who takes him, deserves all the trouble that follows
Cadillac Eddie Ray
January 25th, 2010
2:48 pm
Okay, Vick’s a convicted felon who paid his debt. Let’s move on.
First off, Jeff, please tell me you’re not buying the Brett Favre retirement talk. He’ll waffle back and forth until after two a days, and then he’ll return, tearfully, to the Vikes and throw their plans up in the air…again. Funny how he waits until after the worst part of camp to decide. What a jerk…Brett, not you Jeff.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
January 25th, 2010
2:50 pm
Hollywould
January 25th, 2010
12:18 pm
They can lose enough fumbles without bringing in another fumble machine
“HA HA HA”
Out of football for nearly 3 years and already being sought by “Winning Organizations”
But you do have your back-to-back winning seasons
The 130 MILLION DOLLAR MAN is BACKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
Matt "Choke" Ryan
January 25th, 2010
2:52 pm
Larry
January 25th, 2010
12:28 pm
Jeff,
For the one millionth time, Vick is not an NFL caliber Quarterback. He is simply a short, fast guy who can throw a long, tight spiral with perhaps the poorest accuracy in NFL history coupled with the IQ of a door knob.
Why is this so hard for you and others to grasp?
HA HA HA
BOO HOO HOO
“Don’t hate the playa hate the game”
All I'm Saying Is...
January 25th, 2010
2:54 pm
Schultz: First, Favre will return. Give him 4-6 months for his body to heal and he will return. He doesn’t want to go out on an INT again. (By the way, how many times do you have to see a movie before you know how it ends?)
If by some miracle, Favre does not return, Vick would be an upgrade in Minnesota over T. Jackson and Sage R. Vick would also be an upgrade over whatever they have in St. Louis and the current started in Buffalo.
Fact is, there are a number of mediocre starting QBs in the NFL and Mike Vick could probably beat them all out.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
January 25th, 2010
2:54 pm
ha ha ha
January 25th, 2010
12:37 pm
Larry, how dare you insult doorknobs like that you hardware racist!
“DAMN THAT IS FUNNY”
Owners showing so much interest in MR. NFL is driving them nuts
David
January 25th, 2010
2:54 pm
ESPN reported yesterday Vick was going to AZ.
BossLady
January 25th, 2010
2:55 pm
Didn’t VICK already get tried, convicted and served his sentence? Oh well, just asking?
He is one of the most explosive and exciting players to ever be in the NFL. As you know in his days, he electrified the crowds around the country. When I was in Houston for vacation they wore VICK jerseys and also in the Jacksonville, Fla are too.
If he is healthy and can be hired by a team he should play and the fans that “still hating” can just watch the Detroit vs Kansas game.
YellowJacketFalcon
January 25th, 2010
2:56 pm
Well said. Just because he served a little time does NOT make up for what he did.
Soulfinger, any “human” that gets an adrenaline rush (documented facts) from brutalizing an innocent life DESERVES to be paralyzed for life.
Russ
January 25th, 2010
2:56 pm
emack06 – “his accuracy, dispite some of you haters, is better than any QB in the league, save Manning.”
Vick Supporter – “Vick actually worked with a great coaching staff that helped him with his accuracy. I could tell that his footwork was better/changed and the throws that he made were beautiful and right on the money.”
53.7 career completion percentage and 46.2 completion percentage this season in a league where the average is above 60%.
Yep, Vick is more accurate than anyone other than Manning and his throws this season were right on the money. Oh wait, let me guess his percentage is low just because of drops just like it always was, right?
KZGuy
January 25th, 2010
2:58 pm
Vick may have a strong arm but he is NOT very accurate. When played for the Falcons about half of his throws were uncatchable. He will not be a starting QB next year. He is only back up insurance.
YellowJacketFalcon
January 25th, 2010
2:59 pm
I suspect most of these “supporters” support Vicks race rather than his (lack of) ability to play quarterback. Thats pretty sad.
SEC Fan
January 25th, 2010
3:01 pm
Vick is a great quarterback regardless of what you want to say. Assuming Lee Evans and Terrell Owens are sufficiently successful at catching deep threat and screen passes next year, the Bills should seriously consider Vick because it would allow them to use their draft picks to build up their OL and their defense (even further) because they are a franchise in serious need of some rebuilding, and Vick is a perfect fit. McNabb will go to the Vikings once his contract is out simply because the opportunity to work with Brad Childress again would be a dream come true, and the Eagles would finally be able to put Kolb somewhere (considering he threw for 300+ yds. twice this season).
Matt "Choke" Ryan
January 25th, 2010
3:02 pm
Why are you guys so angry at Vick? He isn’t the one starting or writing the rumors
- Jimmy Johnson says Carolina needs him.
- ESPN thinks Buffalo needs him.
- Rumors to Minnesota.
- Last week the rumor was for him to replace Warner.
- The rumor to St. Louis.
- The rumor to the Rams.
I can go on and on, but my question remains…………
“Why are you guys upset with Vick”?
He is not starting the rumors?
I mean if he is the terrible quarterback that you guys claim, then why are so many teams interested in him?
Why are so many networks starting the rumors
You guys should be more concerned with how the Saints, who finished in last place in 2008, has leap frogged the Falcons in 2009.
I think you should be taking a LONG look at your own quarterback before you try and analyze a former player.
Annie
January 25th, 2010
3:03 pm
Please!!! Who are the iodiots that think any MN people want Michael Vick to come here IF Brett does retire? I will become an outspoken ring leader to fight against that—that dog killing ……. should never have been allowed to play ball again ANYWHERE. He should still BE IN JAIL! I’m delighted to hear all the talk about him not being any good though! I really don’t think Brett would use some of the language that is on here & doubt it was him! He is a GREAT QB & it’s too bad our defense let him down last night. We were all hoping they could make it to the Super Bowl & he could be proud HE got them there but he needed more help than he got from the defense! The Saints played dirty & several fouls/calls were missed by the ref’s, WHY? Don’t think Saints deserve to win SB & I will NOT be yelling for them! Just because of Katrina they should win ??, NO WAY!! What brainless wonders build a city below sea level in the first place???
SEC Fan
January 25th, 2010
3:06 pm
Carolina isn’t going to take a quarterback who wants a big contract any time soon given how much they shelled out on Jake Delhomme. They should concentrate on a porous OL and building their defense so they could be a ground-and-pound team with two of the best halfbacks in the NFC.