Favre’s retirement could open door for Vick to Vikings

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If Brett Favre decides to walk away again ...

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... 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?

419 comments Add your comment

fayncdawg

January 25th, 2010
9:46 pm

“Intercepted; I can’t believe what I’m seeing… I can’t believe what I just saw….YOU JUST TAKE A KNEE AND TRY A 56 YARD FIELD GOAL!!!! THIS ISN’T DETROIT; THIS IS THE SUPERBOWL!!!”
Just in case all you Vick-haters do not recongnize this quote, this is the dialogue between the two Viking radio broadcasters during the Vikings last offensive play in regulation (and the game for that matter). I’m sure shortly after the game, they talked well into the break of dawn about how an offense of AP and Vick could easily advance the ball 5 more yard to set up for a game-winning 45 yard field goal.
Don’t think for a moment that wise Viking fans aren’t POed at ol’ gunslinging Favre throwing towards a receiver who WAS NOT EVEN OPEN! A QB WHO CAN SUCK UP HIS GUNSLINGING PRIDE AND RUN FOR SEVEN YARDS AND GET OUT OF BOUNDS.. LAST I CHECKED, VICK CAN DO THAT!!

Vick Supporter

January 25th, 2010
9:48 pm

Vick will lead a team to the super bowl and win it

Matt "Choke" Ryan

January 25th, 2010
9:54 pm

Vick looked pretty accurate on DECEMBER 6TH :)

Tim

January 25th, 2010
9:57 pm

I will make it simple for you.
WHO CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! about Farve or Vick

Tim

January 25th, 2010
10:01 pm

Where is spell check when you need it.

It should be spelled Favre

fayncdawg

January 25th, 2010
10:03 pm

YO Supporter and Choke! I’m not a link to the blog expert. But I think that if you google KFAN PAUL ALLEN, you will find the funniest 30 second stretch of radio broadcasting that you EVER heard (asssuming one or both of yall aren’t closet Viking fans). Hey, I’m headed to the Google bar to get a laugh!!

hind tit

January 25th, 2010
10:04 pm

vick and peterson could take it time about fumbling

Vick Supporter

January 25th, 2010
10:07 pm

Matt “Choke” Ryan

January 25th, 2010
9:54 pm
Vick looked pretty accurate on DECEMBER 6TH

——————

And he did against the NY Giants and in the playoffs against Dallas

Steve Brown

January 25th, 2010
10:16 pm

From da Vinci to dog crap.

Joe Kapp

January 25th, 2010
10:19 pm

Forget them all, just remember what all I did for the club, prior to kc

WentToPlayoffGameATL1998

January 25th, 2010
10:51 pm

Wow, this is a really funny comment section.

Someone made a good point about the Vikings sordid past. The love boat cruises. Korey Stringer dying from heat exhaustion. Denny Green being forced out, then Mike Tice, showing up at practice in full pads, and being caught in scandal for padding his wallet. I have to feel a bit for this franchise, they are like the NY Jets (western branch) in getting close and having some bad luck.

So, in that context, many of us fans think it might make sense to pick Micheal Vick up.

But as a fan of the Falcons since they drafted Vick (I was born in the same town as Vick, go figure!), I will say he is one of the hardest players in the league to figure out.

At times, he would make absolutely sensational plays where the defense was forced to choose between defending the pass or defending Vick’s runs. Just when I thought maybe he had “figured it out” and was making progress towards becoming a real NFL passer, he got caught for dogfighting and his football life came to a temporary end.

Here’s what I knew about Vick BEFORE he got caught for dogfighting… that Vick’s mind was NOT ON FOOTBALL. I never saw the football intelligence with Vick, the maturation process that’s supposed to happen after he’s had a few years of film study. He just seemed not to be interested.

Maybe that’s what happens when you run really fast and you’re drafted #1 overall, and given the highest salary of any player in NFL at that time. Or when your college offense basically consists of you running around and inventing plays, which is what made Vick famous at Va Tech.

Maybe now that he’s had it all taken away once, he’s interested in football. But, even before all of this, it was debatable whether he was an asset or a liability on the field.

My final verdict? Micheal Vick is Joey Harrington with speed. He’s Brad Smith, except not as smart, with a fumbling problem. He’s got a strong arm, but he’s not a 3rd running back, or a wide receiver, or any of that stuff.

Buffalo needs to sell some tickets. Terrell Owens and Micheal Vick, the circus of the absurd, maybe we’ll see that next year. :-)

Matt "Choke" Ryan

January 25th, 2010
11:23 pm

Can anybody really say Matt Ryan, pro bowl and playoff wins in the same sentence? :)

John

January 25th, 2010
11:32 pm

The Vikings only matched what they did last year with Jackson, therefore all the fanfare about Favre was just wasted time.

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Brenda Clayson, Jeff Schultz. Jeff Schultz said: Vikings QB derby: Favre out, Vick in? http://bit.ly/6zmp2p [...]

Vick Supporter

January 26th, 2010
12:04 am

@WentToPlayoffGameATL1998

You tried man…you really tried….but your post stinks. Once again…another person that blames Vick for everything that happened with the falcons. Yes he got in trouble…and yes…he took his talent for granted. Is it right? No……but you cannot say that Vick didn’t play hard for this city…the dome was magical when he played here and the team was doing well.

The Whole Truth

January 26th, 2010
12:30 am

Those Gophers had better hide!

Fightin’ Gophers for fun.. Let me meanest Gopher win!

Vick sucked in Atlanta why would he be any better in Minnesota?

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jacob Nelson, Damir Tankovic, Byrt Mallanyk, andrew washington, Mick Hunt and others. Mick Hunt said: Favre's retirement could open door for Vick to Vikings http://bit.ly/6tKoiM [...]

Matt "Choke" Ryan

January 26th, 2010
12:59 am

The Whole Truth

January 26th, 2010
12:30 am
Those Gophers had better hide!

Fightin’ Gophers for fun.. Let me meanest Gopher win!

Vick sucked in Atlanta why would he be any better in Minnesota?

“Because the Falcons” haven’t won a playoff game since he left :)

Matt "Choke" Ryan

January 26th, 2010
1:03 am

- 2007 at Boston College 22 PICKS

- 2008 with Falcons 11 PICKS

- 2009 with Falcons 14 PICKS

This CHUMP is a PICK machine…………

If you want to talk about sucking :)

- Mark Sanchez………….. Championship Game

- Joe Flacco …………. Championship Game

- CHOKE ………….. 1 and done

Luthur V

January 26th, 2010
1:40 am

To get more African-American fans to come to the game, the Falcons should pay vick a lot of money to come back to Atlanta—matt ryan will not do much with the falcons and he gets hurt a lot. Arthur Blank should offer Vick $5-$10 mil to come back and that will bring a lot of his fans back to atlanta.

MCook

January 26th, 2010
4:48 am

Dream on slackers…It’ll never happen.
#7 is history…lol !!

Lon Jockey

January 26th, 2010
7:24 am

@ Luther V……….Looks like you gave up your New Year’s Resolution of laying off the crack pipe. WTH would Blank want more “Af-freakin-Americans to come to the game” ? So resign Ron Mexico for millions so he can have 29 more blacks come to the game???? Vick is a has-been and is pretty much washed up. He is not too intelligent if you have not figured that out. He just happens to be able to run fast. I wonder if he was able to out run his cell mate? Get off the crack pipe Luther.

Required Reading | Hard Knox Sports

January 26th, 2010
7:48 am

[...] Vick to Vikes? [AJC] [...]

Ricky

January 26th, 2010
8:11 am

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?

***********************************Exactly……….!!!!**********************************

Ricky

January 26th, 2010
8:14 am

The Whole Truth

January 26th, 2010
12:30 am
Those Gophers had better hide!

Fightin’ Gophers for fun.. Let the meanest Gopher win!

Vick sucked in Atlanta why would he be any better in Minnesota?

***************************************Exactly………………..!!!!*************************

Ricky

January 26th, 2010
8:17 am

Luthur V

January 26th, 2010
1:40 am

To get more African-American fans to come to the game, the Falcons should pay vick a lot of money to come back to Atlanta—matt ryan will not do much with the falcons and he gets hurt a lot. Arthur Blank should offer Vick $5-$10 mil to come back and that will bring a lot of his fans back to atlanta.

***************************************ROFLMAO………………!!!!!**************************

Don't feed the trolls

January 26th, 2010
8:18 am

Hey, throw up, you enjoy talking about sucking don’t you…………:)

Call It Like It Is

January 26th, 2010
8:21 am

How do you figure?

The Vikings do not want Vick! He will not fit with that style of offense. Plus, the Vikings coach and the Philly coach are good friends and cut from the same mold.

Vick’s career is over in the NFL!

Enough Said!

SRF

January 26th, 2010
8:27 am

How can you idiots blame Favre for everything when 3 other offensive “stars” fumbled at critical times ?
I think there is plenty of blame to go around.

Dawg Foot

January 26th, 2010
8:49 am

Yeah, dogs are like a vacumed baby out of the snatch. This blog is great.

ant

January 26th, 2010
8:57 am

it dont matta all of this teams need vick….vicks back get over it haterz.!!!!! :P lol

ConVick

January 26th, 2010
9:03 am

Just damn, Now I will have to get a new jersey. It was 1/2 black and 1/2 green, now I will have to get purple in there some where. I know I can keep the seven white with purple prison stripes. That should cover all bases.

Too funny, Vick is such a great ASSet, yet the Eagles don’t wont him? Hmm I wonder why.

Steve C

January 26th, 2010
9:06 am

Nothing like a Mike Vick blog to bring out the intellectuals on both sides of the debate.

Dave

January 26th, 2010
9:09 am

I would find it pretty funny if a team like Minnesota who has a similar QB in Tarvaris Jackson would take another one in Michael Vick. Isn’t that the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Steve C

January 26th, 2010
9:10 am

Here is a fact for everyone to face: The ONLY reason the Falcons had to draft a QB, who happened to turn out to be Matt Ryan, was because Vick threw away his career in Atlanta and the tens of millions of dollars the franchise still had yet to pay him. How anyone can tear down Ryan and build up Vick at the same time is beyond me, but I guess blind racism (on both sides, I’ll grant you) never makes much sense.

Dr. EB

January 26th, 2010
9:11 am

Despite playing in the west coast offense for his last few years in the league, I do not think that it is the best fit for Michael Vick. (Note that the Vikings made the playoffs last season without Farve.) Some of my friends and I thought that he was a better fit for Dan Reeves’ offensive system than the west coast offense. If it were up to me, Vick would be playing in a more vertical offense. Heck, it is just my opinion and me.

Ivan

January 26th, 2010
9:47 am

LOL. Most of the pro-Vick posters here are just hilarious. They can’t stand the fact that Vick is still a 2nd string QB and his former team is a consistently winning franchise with out him!! But keep on hoping!!

truth

January 26th, 2010
10:58 am

Choke you are right on my man!! We haven’t won a playoff game since Vick left. Oh………what did the Falcons do his last two years in Atlanta?

Come on man don’t get so choked up…..you know the truth. This team was on a big downward slide that stopped once your man was caught. Justice is a good thing.

papadawg

January 26th, 2010
11:16 am

Oh yeah I can see Vick taking the shots Farve took and going back in the game. That twinkie would be on the DL at least. Why do so many think that Vick is the answer to any teams QB problem.

oldfart

January 26th, 2010
11:46 am

Vick will land somewhere for sure but who could rely on him as the franchise QB? I don’t think that even Al Davis would put all of his eggs in this basket, look at where it got Blank, some of them maybe but I don’t see any owner trusting his first string QB money on Vick. Look, I know that there is a segment of Vick supporters that thought he walked on water then and now. I saw it live when Reeves was still bringing him along slowly and had to hear the cascade of boos when he platooned him, standing O’s when he bounced out of the pocket and gained a couple of yards. Laughed heartily at one of the blinded Vick athletic supporters above with this gem “He has a strong arm, his accuracy, dispite some of you haters, is better than any QB in the league, save Manning.” This is obviously someone who never watched him play, or Favre, or Brees, or Brady….

His strength was his cat-like quickness and word is he’s lost a step. He is best suited as a role player much like he was this year but perhaps with an OC that is more inclined to do Wildcats and even employ him as a throwing halfback. There are too many minuses to make him your starting QB both mentally and physically. You can’t discount the show business side of the NFL however and the money. Purple number 7 jerseys would sell like hot cakes but after hemming and hawing and playing the prima donna Favre will return after the mostly successful season he just had and Vick wouldn’t be a fit in Minnesota anyway. A Raiders number 7 jersey would sell even better and I don’t think his stock is up enough to get the big bucks, certainly more than the million for this past season, but Al Davis could get a reasonable price here on a guaranteed draw.

Ivan

January 26th, 2010
12:06 pm

If the Vikings are smart, they’ll bring Warren Moon back before they sign the thug.

Matt "Choke" Ryan

January 26th, 2010
12:17 pm

Luthur V

January 26th, 2010
1:40 am
To get more African-American fans to come to the game, the Falcons should pay vick a lot of money to come back to Atlanta—matt ryan will not do much with the falcons and he gets hurt a lot. Arthur Blank should offer Vick $5-$10 mil to come back and that will bring a lot of his fans back to atlanta.

“I have to agree with MCook” on this one.

However, Vick is done in Atlanta because why would he want to play for an organization that has a 44 year losing mentality, when winning organizations are knocking on his door.

Vick put this sorry franchise on the map and in just one game (Dec 6) he brought it down again. They are more happy with “Non-Playoff” 9-7 seasons, when other teams like Baltimore, Philly, Minnesota, New England, etc call their seasons a FAILURE because they lost in the playoffs, while the Falcons fans are satisfied with a 72 million dollar CHOKE who can’t win a freakin playoff game.

Therefore MCook is right, Vick is done in Atlanta – but on Vick’s terms :)

truth

January 26th, 2010
12:22 pm

Vick had 6 years to get the Falcons back to back winning seasons. Wow the great Vick couldn’t change that 44 years history you speak of Choke.

Choke, you have a good way of spinning the truth. Problem is when it starts to spin it takes full circle and slaps you in the face. Silly little 3rd string QB fan.

Matt "Choke" Ryan

January 26th, 2010
12:29 pm

Why are you guys so upset with Vick?

He didn’t start the rumors.

He is not writing the stories.

He doesn’t control what team pursues him.

He is not responsible for your golden boy CHOKING.

He didn’t even ask you to come on this blog, so if he is so irrevelent, why the hell are you on here blogging about him?

That makes you seem pretty STUPID :)

The bottom line is this:

You know your value when you sign a qb contract higher than Brady, Manning, and Favre and get the owner to push you around in your wheel chair :)

Matt "Choke" Ryan

January 26th, 2010
12:34 pm

truth

January 26th, 2010
12:22 pm
Vick had 6 years to get the Falcons back to back winning seasons. Wow the great Vick couldn’t change that 44 years history you speak of Choke.

Choke, you have a good way of spinning the truth. Problem is when it starts to spin it takes full circle and slaps you in the face. Silly little 3rd string QB fan.

- 4 Straight games with 2 or more PICKS

- 7 Straight games with a PICK

- 25 PICKS in 29 games started

- NO Playoff wins

- NO Division Titles

- NO Conference Game appearances

- NO Pro bowls

- NO Playoff appearance in SOPHOMORE season

- NO runner up to MVP in SOPHOMORE season

Sound familiar :)

truth

January 26th, 2010
12:38 pm

A winning season is not a failure for a team who is re-building because of the previous QB life choices.

Again, this team was on a downward slump Vick’s last two seasons so in reality all worked out well.

No elite team is knocking down Vick’s door to get him. The elite in Philly brought your man in to be a 3rd string wildcat pawn who didn’t even do that well enough to get them to the big game. He was the same there as he was here. A few good plays now and then but could never lead the team to a 4th quarter come back win. By the way Matt has done that several times.

Choke, you silly little 3rd string QB wildcat pawn fan.

truth

January 26th, 2010
12:39 pm

SPIN ON CHOKE!!!!! YOU’RE ON A ROLL!!!!

BWAA!!! HA!!! HA!!!

truth

January 26th, 2010
12:45 pm

Hook line and sinker Choke!!!

vick is a thug

January 26th, 2010
12:47 pm

“choke” so were u and vick cell mates and u just like to “catch” for him or something

truth

January 26th, 2010
12:48 pm

Here’s some truth.

I have never heard Matt Rayn say I gave up on my team. Now Vick on the other hand……….

Choke, you silly little 3rd string QB wildcat pawn who gave up on his team fan.