Bradley’s Buzz: Michael Vick goes free, but to do what?
Is the Wildcat the wild card in Vick’s future?
As of today, Michael Vick will no longer be in federal custody. The obvious and much-debated question: What’s next? The non-answer: Nobody knows.
In Sporting News Today, Albert Breer breaks down the now-familiar issues and Vinny Iyer lists six NFL teams that might be willing to hire Vick. (San Francisco, Miami, Jacksonville, Washington, Oakland, Seattle.) Two weeks ago Sports Illustrated, in an article by L. Jon Wertheim and Jack McCallum, examined the bigger picture: Hasn’t Vick already paid a higher price than most erring athletes?
But a key question can only be answered by Vick: Is it more important for him to play quarterback as he once played quarterback or to play in the NFL? Because those aren’t necessarily the same things anymore.
Vick’s best chance to find quick NFL employment might be to agree to serve as a designated implementer of the Wildcat formation. (This assumes Roger Goodell clears Vick to play, which the guess here is that he will soon enough.) If nothing else, it would change the loaded dynamics for the team doing the hiring: The club could say, “We know all about Vick’s crimes and his reputation, but we didn’t sign him to be our No. 1 quarterback — he’s here to play a supporting role.”
The Vick I used to know — I haven’t talked with him in more than two years, as you might guess — would have rejected such a notion. He considered himself a pure, if stylized, quarterback. He vented to me in the locker room at Miami in 2005 after one of his finest passing performances, saying:
“I’m not just one thing. I can throw, and I can also run. I’ve got another way of beating you — is that my fault? … People forget I passed for almost 3,000 yards in ‘02 — I was 60 yards short [66, to be precise]. I’ve got in it me, man. But sometimes I come out and I’m not accurate, and that’s on me … People say I can’t throw the ball from the pocket. I’m not trying to prove anything to the world because I know what I can do. … I feel like I answered [the question] today, and I don’t ever want to hear it again.”
Loading ...Indeed, that summer Vick had been featured on cover of Sports Illustrated proclaiming: “I AM a quarterback.” And I understand how deeply this issues matters — or mattered — to him. But I’m wondering if a guy of tarnished reputation in search of a job can make demands. I’m wondering if the best course wouldn’t be to work his way back into the league gradually.
I’m thinking that, for Michael Vick’s next life, being a ‘Cat might be the logical next step. But maybe that’s just me.
Was J-Chill given the big chill by the Hawks?
Here’s a good story by Charles Odum — he’s based in Atlanta — of the Associated Press, in which Josh Childress claims the reason he’s headed back to play in Greece for Olympiakos was because the Hawks played “hardball” with him this summer and he ran out of time to make any sort of sign-and-trade deal with another NBA team. More Childress:
“The Hawks were definitely in my scope. I spent four years there. I’m familiar with the team and the organization. I’m familiar with the city. I still have a home there. I think it just came down to whether or not I felt like negotiations would move forward with them. I really didn’t, just being quite honest …
“I just think there needs to be some kind of agreement where both parties meet in the middle. This idea of hardball is kind of old. I’m not the type of guy that’s gonna bad mouth and do all the other things. I’ve kind of been the kind of guy who wants to move forward and get something done.”
Having said all that, Childress also said he’d be open to returning to the Hawks — they’ll still hold his rights next summer — for the 2010-11 season. But I wouldn’t hold my breath.
And speaking of basketball …
From Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com comes this post from the Peach Jam, a summer camp in Augusta, Ga. Goodman writes that guard Iman Shumpert had issues with Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt last season. “I thought I had all the answers,” Goodman quotes Shumpert as saying. “Last season definitely humbled me because I didn’t adapt to the college game.”
Also this: ““I changed [my free-throw routine to suit Tech's coaches], but I wasn’t happy about it. Coach Hewitt and I battled about stupid stuff.”
From Fran Fraschilla, an ESPN.com Insider, comes this about Shumpert (link requires registration): “If Georgia Tech turns it around, Shumpert will be the key reason why. He should make a huge leap from his freshman to sophomore season.”
The key reason? Maybe not. From Jeff Fox of Slam Online comes a look at the top 10 prospects for the 2010 NBA draft: No. 2 is Derrick Favors of Georgia Tech, behind only John Wall of Kentucky.
Tech hoops coach ignores Bradley!
It appears Paul Hewitt, surely through some oversight, has failed to bookmark this ol’ blog on his computer. According to esteemed former colleague Jeff D’Alessio, who’s now at Sporting News Today, Hewitt’s favorite bookmarks are: FoxSports.com, ESPN.com, SI.com and CNN.com. (Thanks to reader Tony Tate for the tip on this one.)
And now my tip to Mr. Hewitt: It’s http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/. You can even make it your home page!
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243 comments Add your comment
Bitter White Man
July 21st, 2009
12:44 pm
43 Year football franchise
5 years with a black qb
38 years with a white qb
2 championship appearances (1 black)
3 division titles (1 black)
1 runner up mvp (black qb)
3 pro bowl qb (black qb)
Last playoff winner (black qb)
Last pro bowl qb (black qb)
Highest salary (black qb)
I am one bitter white guy!
U heard it here...
July 21st, 2009
12:49 pm
Vick bank rolled an illegal enterprise across state lines, went to prison and ruined his career. So what. And please tell me how in the hell I’m supposed to watch Vick play football, LOL.
Vick Supporter
July 21st, 2009
12:50 pm
The comeback is starting………..
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Anacx.B0rA6zZwk19mvwmxVDubYF?slug=cr-vickfuture072009&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Who's bitter?
July 21st, 2009
12:52 pm
Name every Super Bowl champion QB and then tell me who’s bitter.
Chris Chandler
July 21st, 2009
1:06 pm
Hey bitter white man, don’t forget about the only Super Bowl appearance for this franchise. Who caused that distraction the night before the big game again?
Bad News
July 21st, 2009
1:23 pm
Bitter white man do you speak for most white men in Atlanta or the whole U.S.?
Are you bitter because the franchise is 43 years old and the only black qb that only played 5 years is second on the 43 year history in total wins?
IDC
July 21st, 2009
1:30 pm
Mark, did Mike Vick make the playoffs his first year as a starter? Just curious.
IDC
July 21st, 2009
1:37 pm
T.C. How can people hate Matt Ryan simply because he isn’t Mike Vick? The guy has done nothing but win ballgames. He didn’t even replace Mike Vick since Vick had already been out of the game for a year. Love Mike Vick if you want, but you don’t have to trash Matt Ryan. The two have nothing to do with each other. It appears that any quarterback who isn’t black will face the same treatment. Now that’s racism.
Stat Checker
July 21st, 2009
1:38 pm
ESPY “Best NFL player awards” list:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Best_NFL_Player_ESPY_Award
Stat Checker
July 21st, 2009
1:43 pm
NFL records and milestones
In 2006, Vick became the only quarterback in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards during the regular season.
In 2006, Vick set the NFL record for most yards per carry in a season, at 8.4.
When Vick and RB Jerious Norwood both ran for over 100 yards in Week 4 of the 2006 season, the Falcons became the only NFL team to ever record two games in a franchise’s history where both the quarterback and a running back on the same team surpassed the 100-yard mark in the same game. (Vick and Warrick Dunn both eclipsed 100 yards in Week 2 of the same season.)
Vick (1,039 yards) and Dunn (1,140) became the first QB/RB tandem in NFL history to each go over the 1,000-yard rushing mark in the same season. They also became the fourth set of teammates in league history to each have 1,000 or more yards. The last set of teammates to accomplish the feat were Cleveland RBs Kevin Mack (1,104 yards) and Earnest Byner (1,002) in 1985. Brandon Jacobs (1,089) and Derrick Ward (1,025) of the 2008 New York Giants have since accomplished this feat as well.
Earned his second consecutive and third overall Pro Bowl nod in 2005 as he passed for 2,412 yards and 16 touchdowns in addition to leading all NFL quarterbacks with 597 rushing yards and six scores.
Named to the second Pro Bowl of his career after leading the Falcons to their third division title in team history and breaking numerous NFL and team records in 2004.
Set an NFL postseason record for a quarterback with 119 rushing yards in the 2004 NFC Divisional Playoff win against the Rams.
Became the first quarterback to ever throw for more than 250 yards and rush for over 100 yards in the same game at the Broncos (October 31, 2004).
Named to the 2002 Pro Bowl, becoming the seventh quarterback to be voted to the NFL All-Star game in his first year as a starter since 1970, joining Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins (1983), Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers (1992), Kurt Warner of the St. Louis Rams (1999), Daunte Culpepper of the Minnesota Vikings (2000), Donovan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles (2000), and Tom Brady of the New England Patriots (2001). This group would later include Marc Bulger of the St. Louis Rams (2003), Philip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers (2006), Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys (2006), and Derek Anderson of the Cleveland Browns (2007).
Top overall NFL draft choice in 2001 after a celebrated college career at Virginia Tech. Was the fourth Falcons #1 overall pick in club history (Tommy Nobis in 1966, Steve Bartkowski in 1975, Aundray Bruce in 1988)
Stat Checker
July 21st, 2009
1:46 pm
IDC
2002 Was Vick’s 1st season as a starter and not only did he make the playoffs, that was also the same year he became the 1st qb to beat Brett Favre at Lambeau Field.
That was also the season he received the ESPY for the best NFL player for 2002.
T-Bone
July 21st, 2009
1:53 pm
T.C. You make me ashamed to be a black man. You are, without a doubt, the dumbest person to ever respond to a column in this newspaper. Take your racist comments and go far far away.
T-Bone
July 21st, 2009
1:55 pm
T.C. – Hitler never did anything to me either. What’s your (idiotic) point?
IDC
July 21st, 2009
1:59 pm
Stat Checker: Mike Vick actually started two games in the 2001 season and played in eight. It wasn’t his rookie year.
IDC
July 21st, 2009
2:20 pm
Stat Checker: He was not the first quarterback to beat Brett Favre at Lambeau Field. He was the first quarterback to beat Bret Favre in a playoff game at Lambeau Field.
Stat Checker
July 21st, 2009
2:56 pm
IDC
If you only start 2 games, you are not responsible for the other 14 games you did not start. Therefore, 2002 was his 1st year enterring the season as the projected starter.
Also, the statement about beating Favre first in Lambeau was in fact in the playoffs, and based on the subject was about playoffs, didn’t know I had to explain it slowly for you.
Which brings a question: Which do you value more important, being the first to win in Lambeau in the playoffs or regular season?
Stat Checker
July 21st, 2009
3:01 pm
2008 REDZONE Averages:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/nfl/redzone.htm
Matt Ryan and the Falocns finished near the bottom at number 24 out of 32 teams.
IDC
July 21st, 2009
3:16 pm
Stat Checker: I don’t value one above the other, the one you win in the regular season might be the one that gets you in the playoffs. But if you are going to use a name that would imply that you are an informed source, stick to the facts. My point is that a quarterback that has the opportunity observe for a full season, has a full season to read and digest the playbook, the opportunity to play in eight games and start two games before he is the “projected starter” would certainly seem to have an advantage over a quarterback who starts the first game of his rookie season.
IDC
July 21st, 2009
3:31 pm
Stat Checker: 24 out of 32 in 2008. That’s a stat. What does it mean? Where were the Falcons in 2005 and 2006. If we are comparing records, give us something to compare it too. 24 out of 32 might be terrible for the Falcons, or it might be the best they have done in years, can’t tell by the information you have provided.
Vick Supporter
July 21st, 2009
3:44 pm
Tom Shaw is going to turn #7 into a f-ing beast. You people just don’t understand what Vick is going to do when he steps on that field. I GURANTEE YOU, IF THE WHITE MAN DON’T RUN HIM OFF, HE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL. Hopefully they can realize that he’s paid his debt and he shouldn’t be punished for life.
Do it Mike Vick.
Shove it all in their faces. The Great Mike Vick Has Returned.
It's like this...
July 21st, 2009
3:45 pm
Vick’s 2002 season was amazing. It was indeed his 1st yr as a starter and after it was all said and done, the Falcons became THE SHOW. Deny it if you want to, but you would be in the minority. Vick did a lot for the Falcons and ultimately chose his own path which led to his demise. Vick could have been great, but wasn’t. However he doesn’t suck as a QB. Maybe as a person, but not as a QB. He doesn’t play for the Falcons anymore so I could care less if he plays in the NFL again, but if he does and succeeds after hopefully changing his life around how could you not root for “true” redemption. On the flip side, all this talk of Matt Ryan sucking is just as big of a joke as saying Vick sucked. What Ryan did last year was incredible given the situation he walked into. He’s doing alright and could care less what the haters think. I’m glad he has haters because it lets me know he’s doing something right. I hope he continues to prosper and if GOD blesses Vick then who’s to argue? Anyways continue hating………. GO Vick and GO Ryan!!! Oh no he didn’t
Vick Supporter
July 21st, 2009
3:46 pm
Check out this article from Tom Shaw
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Anacx.B0rA6zZwk19mvwmxVDubYF?slug=cr-vickfuture072009&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
If you people don’t know who he is, you don’t know football.
Vick 09.
hello.....
July 21st, 2009
4:21 pm
Here’s a Vick record……He is the only Falcons QB to take it up the rear while in prison.
Hey…..maybe Preparation H will sign him as a spokesperson? Just a thought. BWAA HA HA!!!!
hello.....
July 21st, 2009
4:33 pm
You guys may know me by my other names such as:
what!!!
it’s me again
and many more, but you surely remember my content is always about “taking it up the rear”. I’m mad because Mike Vick is talented, successful, rich and “NOT GAY”. I really want him to break me in.
Ooops did I say that?
hello.....
July 21st, 2009
4:36 pm
Hello…..why are “YOU” always commenting about “TAKING IT UP THE REAR?”
Vick can’t help it, all black men are that way.
IDC
July 21st, 2009
4:41 pm
Since he is in bankruptcy, Michael Vick will have to get permission from the bankruptcy court before he can enter into a contract with Tom Shaw.
Stat Checker
July 21st, 2009
4:41 pm
IDC
Do you know anything about football? If you did, you would read more inside the numbers. Okay let me try and break it down for you.
“Redzone”. It’s called redzone for a reason. Redzone is where clutch football is played and where you separate the men from the boys. If you have a weakness, inside of the redzone you will be exposed.
Great running backs, receivers and blocking can only get you so far. In the redzone, the coverage is tighter and if you have a weak arm, you are not going to score touchdowns passing at a high rate. That is why Matt Ryan ranked number 24 out of 32 teams, because his arm strength is not superior enough to zip the ball between the corners and safeties.
He had one of the lowest redzone averages of all teams in the playoffs, which proves that Mike Turner did the bulk of the producing. In fact, the most rushes in a single season was 417 and turner was not far off, with 379 – that’s a lot of running, which meant the coaches were not really sold on Matt Ryan’s decision making, especially in the clutch.
Hopefully now you know more about the significance of the redzone. Comparing a former player to “your” present qb is looking into the past.
IDC
July 21st, 2009
4:48 pm
I completely understand what red zone means and its significance. My question is this: is 24 out of 32 in 2008 better or worse than the red zone stats for the Atlanta Falcons in 2005 and 2006. You have thrown out a bare stat as it relates to the Falcons, only that in 2008 it was 24th of 32 in red zone. What was the stat for the Atlanta Falcons in the red zone for 2005 and 2006. This whole blog has been about comparing a present player to one in the past. That is the only reason you are throwing out these random stats that show Matt Ryan in a bad light.
Not African American, so I'm innocent
July 21st, 2009
4:57 pm
Another golden boy brought up on charges:
Who wants to bet the good ole Roger Goodell gives him a slap on the wrist?
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/category/rumor-mill/
Apparently big Ben (Steelers qb) has a sexual assaut charge pending.
Not African American, so I'm innocent
July 21st, 2009
5:04 pm
IDC
Matt Ryan is the current leader of the team. If you like his 24 out of 32 enjoy. There are 43 years of comparison, but what’s the point. You have the present qb to debate whether or not those other 23 qbs that had higher redzone ratings were better. By the way, Joe Flacco, who was also a rookie, was number 12 out of 32 teams – compare that!
Yes it's me......
July 21st, 2009
5:51 pm
Tom Shaw is saying all the things we Falcon fans heard about Vick since he came to Atlanta. However, at the end of the season I would say “just wait til next year. Vick will be alot better.” Well I’m not falling for it again.
Yes it's me.....
July 21st, 2009
7:00 pm
Call me stupid but even though Matty Ice finished 24 out of 32 in redzone success and Joe Flacco finished 12 out of 32, Matty Ice is still better. It’s not his fault the defense is tougher in the redzone.
So call me stupid – everybody else does!
VICK SUPPORTER 2
July 21st, 2009
8:28 pm
HE’S BAAAAAACK
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4346486
ESPN: Goodell could let Vick attend an NFL training camp | Mark Bradley
July 21st, 2009
9:43 pm
[...] mentioned in Monday’s post and subsequent comments, I think there’s a market for Vick. Not necessarily as a starting [...]
Vick Supporter
July 21st, 2009
10:39 pm
Big Rape…I Mean Ben Roethlisburger
And dogfighting is worse? That just goes to show that all races get in trouble. The golden boy just got exposed.;)
Vick Supporter
July 21st, 2009
10:43 pm
Its starting…….
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d81167c72/Around-the-league
Tired of Dumb Vick Fans
July 22nd, 2009
6:48 pm
Stat Checker-The stats mean nothing when you lose. The team won 8 games and 7 games Vick’s last two years.Blame the team if you want I blame his 98 turnovers as a Falcon!
Vick Supporter-Big Ben has been accused of rape, so was Nick Anderson (former magic player) and the Duke Lacrosse Team.
Funny how Vick who had dogs buried in his front yard while yelling i’m innocent and was guilty as hell deserves due process and Big Ben is now guilty on an accusation.
All World
July 22nd, 2009
8:40 pm
Can any of you bloggers name ten NFL quarterbacks that have played in more all star games in last five years than Vick? More playoffs? More NFL South Championships while Vick played for Falcons? If Farve is better, he didn’t show it last time he lost to Vick in the cold, in Green Bay, in the playoffs. Name ten QBs that have more NFL records than Vick. If you count total yards and dropped passes, and not just pass completions, Vick will have better numbers than most. I’d love to see Vick quarterback the Jascksonville Jaguars!
Vick’s back: Wonder what kind of money he can command? – Oh, Plaxico
July 27th, 2009
5:17 pm
[...] Vick was never an accurate quarterback. His completition percantage has failed to top 57 percent in any year of his career, and his rating has climbed above a modest 80 only once. As such, speculation of his running the Wildcat formation, executed to perfection on occasion last year by Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown, runs rampant. [...]
Albert {atterson
July 27th, 2009
10:06 pm
Michael Vick will sign with the Carolina Panthers and will play against the falcons and BEAT THEM!!
Albert Patterson
July 27th, 2009
10:07 pm
Enter your comments here
john
August 1st, 2009
10:02 pm
to T.C. – him being black has nothing to do with it. People that think like you are the ones that think the NFL and its loyal fans should welcome him back with open arms. Too bad… he’s a horrible person and has no business being reinstated back in the NFL. His crimes were heinous. And the only reason he is being reinstated is probably because he is black.
Michael Vick's Mama
November 11th, 2009
3:17 pm
Yalls better lay off my sugga plum, I knock yall into next Tuesday then back into the weekend then three weeks ahead ya little knuckle heads!