Vick to the Vikes? If the Vikes have any sense, absolutely

The Minnesota Vikings were willing to wait all summer on a 39-year-old prima donna who has nothing left. So yeah, they could do worse than a 29-year-old who has a point to prove. Yeah, I’m thinking Michael Dwayne Vick would look just dandy in purple.

The Vikings have no quarterback unless you count Tarvaris Jackson, which even the Vikings don’t. If they had a quarterback, they wouldn’t have prostrated themselves before the latest whims of Brett Favre. Michael Vick needs a job and is free to look for NFL work. (Perhaps you’d heard something about this.) So if you’re the Vikes, here’s what you do:

You tell your fans, “We know Vick comes with more baggage than Louis Vuitton, but we’ve got no choice. We’ve got a decent team that’s lacking at the most important position. We know some of you might have some reservations about his character, but would you rather us hire the nearest Eagle scout and do a Detroit? (Meaning: Go 0-16?) Or would you want us to take a chance on a guy who we absolutely know will want to play, as opposed to the fossil who just strung us along who never knows what the heck he wants?

“Would you? Thought you might.”

I’m thinking the notion of Michael Vick and Adrian Peterson in the same backfield might influence a few Viking backers to choose forgiveness over PETA-like lifelong wrath. (Shoot, I wouldn’t mind seeing that tandem myself.) I’m thinking folks in the Land of 10,000 Lakes recall what happened when last Mr. Vick played in the Twin Cities. And in case they’d forgotten … well, here you go.

199 comments Add your comment

BILLY

July 29th, 2009
10:40 am

VICK IS NOT THE NEWS How do you go to T,Jackson and tell him “we stand with you” now that the Farve deal fell thru.Just like Campbell in Washington did. They can win with Jackson if the OL protects him a little more..They would have gotten Farve KILLED ALSO.

willdave

July 29th, 2009
10:40 am

Still too many questions to know whether the Vikings’ signing Vick would be beneficial. Can he resolve his deficiencies as a passer that he displayed during his six seasons in Atlanta? Can he stay out of trouble? (He would be wise to embrace thoroughly the proposed mentoring from SB-winning coach Tony Dungy.) How much have what skills he had been adversely affected from not playing or training in the NFL for over two full seasons? Would the talent that this liar, convict and sadistic dog killer brings to the Vikes sufficiently offset the negative publicity that having him on the roster would surely generate? Too many key questions to get too excited about having the reinstated Vick in Minnesota or on any other team, for that matter.

jammy jam

July 29th, 2009
10:42 am

They can have that thug pos. Now if we can just get the AJC to leave with him. Seems like that is all they can try to report on.

Stumped

July 29th, 2009
10:43 am

Just ask the West Virginia Mountaineers what kind of quarterback Vick is, with Virginia Tech down by 4 points and with the ball at their own 20 with 22 seconds to go in the game and at Mountaineer Field.

Nativebird

July 29th, 2009
10:44 am

Agreed. Vikings are the perfect fit. They could then finally claim if you can’t beat’em, (1998…still one of the BIGGEST upsets in NFL history that no one talks about…and “The Run”) Join’em.

renee atkinson

July 29th, 2009
10:44 am

Enter your comments hereI will be first in line to protest Vick (dog killer) return. He does not deserve the second chance. He should be made to go to Utah and help rehabilitate the poor dogs he caused so much mental damage to . While he was cooling it in Fed Pen the people at Best Friends were trying to give the dogs a second chance to enjoy life. Anyone who hurts an animal does not deserve anything. I saw noting he did for Falcons. Its like Michael Jackson, no one stood by him till his famous comeback and now his friends are coming out of the wood work.We tend to forget and forgive sick, perverted people. And to the one saying why we didn’t gripe about whites killing animals we do. Why does everything have to do with race?? After all look at the Pres. Who really voted him in.

Daddy Long Long

July 29th, 2009
10:45 am

Mark,

ABSOLUTELY! I have been telling my fantasy football buddies all summer, that this just fits for Mike and the Vikes. Mike, AP, Percy Harvin, and that defense. PLUS Mike is not afraid of Lambeau Field. ATL, I may be jumping ship…Arrrrh

Wow

July 29th, 2009
10:56 am

Stumped – did you just reference what he did in college as to whether he is a good QB? That’s like asking Michigan how good of a QB Kordell Stewart was or Kentucky how good of a QB Jamarcus Russell was. Those two really worked out well in the pros.

Curious

July 29th, 2009
10:58 am

Mr. Blank, can we talk?

I know your position on Michael Vick. He’s gone, punished, etc.

Now, back to reality.

You’re a businessman and want to get to the Super Bowl. Take a gamble. Sign Vick. His fear factor will get you there. By January, the sport’s world will toast your wisdom and compassion.

Bowie B

July 29th, 2009
11:00 am

I’m sure Michael Vick will go somewhere; I’m just glad he’s not back in Atlanta. He does carry a lot of baggage with him, but making a team a winner will cause everyone to forget all. I am a dog lover, big time, but he did serve his time and he is entitled to make/earn a living. I just don’t have to watch him, and I won’t. I won’t even watch Baltimore and Ray Lewis. Anyhow, I think the biggest problem with the NFL Commissioner, as it probably was with Arthur Blank, is that he just flat out lied to them — and to their face. Making Tony Dungy his mentor is, I think, a really good idea and maybe now Michael Vick realizes that it is, indeed, a privilege to work for and with the NFL.

Steve

July 29th, 2009
11:01 am

Some day we will be able to say or read the words football and quarterback and not think of Mike Vick. The guy has gotten way too much ink, both good and bad. There was great football long before Mike Vick, there will be great football long after Mike Vick.

JASon

July 29th, 2009
11:01 am

Mike did his time in federal pound me in the a$$ prison. Just wanted to use that term.

Dr. Warren

July 29th, 2009
11:03 am

Let’s not forget the problems Vick had on the field. His style, if you all remember, makes him injury prone. The guy hasn’t played in almost 3 years. I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes a big hit and sits out for yet another year.

wake up

July 29th, 2009
11:03 am

Why would anyone want the trainwreck known as Mike Vick? He will end up just like Marcus, a has-been. Look at this thread. What franchise is going to pay for all this grief?

And Jesse Ventura was an independent with an outstanding naval career in Vietnam. You bunch of obama voting goofs.

Mark

July 29th, 2009
11:09 am

Mark Bradley, Another good race baiting blog!

Often Disappointed/Never Surprised!

July 29th, 2009
11:11 am

I’M ALL FOR IT MARK. CLEARLY A WIN-WIN SITUATION. VICK ON THAT FAST TURF ALONG WITH A.P WOULD BE AWESOME. CLEARLY THE MAN HAS PAID HIS DUES TO A SOCIETY THAT WOULD NOT DARE STOP A SURGEON FROM PRACTICING IF HE/SHE BOTCHED A PROCEDURE AND CAUSED A DEATH. TIME TO MOVE FORWARD GUYS, PLEASE.

FINALLY, I DONT’ KNOW WHAT I AM MOST TIRED OF, BRET FAVRE OR ROGER *NOGOODELL*. GOODELL IS A LIVING CONTRADICTION. UPON TAKING OFFICE HE (ROGER)SAID THAT HIS MAIN FOCUS WOULD BE THE *INTEGRITY* OF THE GAME. HOWEVER, INTEGRITY HAS NOT BEEN HIS FOCUS. EXAMPLE, THE PATRIOTS *SPY-GATE* AFFECTED THE INTEGRITY OF THE GAME. WHAT WAS THE PUNISHMENT? A MEAGER FINE. CLEARLY VICK’S ISSUES WERE SERIOUS, THOUGH THEY REFLECTED ON VICK AS AN INDIVIDUAL, NOT THE GAME OF FOOTBALL. THE FANS THAT TRULY WANT JUSTICE SHOULD BOYCOTT THIS SEASON AS I AM DOING UNTIL VICK’S SUSPENSION IS LIFTED. WHY FOUR GAMES. WHY PRE-SEASON? STRENGTH IN NUMBERS FOLKS!

EW

July 29th, 2009
11:11 am

to all the black ppl out there. stop supporting vick just because he’s black. I am sick of it. The people who are Vick haters (black AND white) hate him for what he did not because they are white. the black people that blindly support any black person of fame or stature are the only ones making this a race issue.

Glenn

July 29th, 2009
11:12 am

The Vikings just said they have no interest in him . The more I think about it , the team that makes the most sense is Tampa . I’m sure Tony Dungy still has his share of friends in Tampa that would be willing to give him a look . To start he would only have to beat out Byron Leftwich . As I recall Leftwich couldn’t replace Chris Redman as Falcons starter a couple years back. Denver & Buffalo make sense to . Both organizations could use a spark & have iffy qb’s .

Tattle Tale

July 29th, 2009
11:18 am

Ooooh, oooh, Mr. Bradley, jammyjam used the “t” word.

Mikey Mike

July 29th, 2009
11:30 am

The Falcons should re-sign him, once everyone takes a pass, for the league minimum to do only two things: return punts and kickoffs. He would be the greatest punt returner/kick returner in the hostory of the NFL. That would give him one year of good behavior, where another team would want him at QB….why not?

Bruce Weeks

July 29th, 2009
12:07 pm

My problem is not with the return of MV to the NFL, rather what goes on between his ears when he is not on the practice field or in the game on Sunday. I would not want him on my team if I owned or coached one. The man has a long standing history of illegal/not wise activities off the field. If you want a thug on your team, you are welcome to him.

[...] • Now that Favre has tapped out (for the moment), the Michael Vick-to-Minnesota rumors can officially begin. Sage Rosenfels really deserves better. [Atlanta Journal-Constitution] [...]

BigSherm7

July 29th, 2009
12:35 pm

You unforgiving people better be glad that I’m not God . . .I wonder how many of you self righteous people who hold your nose in the air like you’re better than Mike Vick approve of a woman terminating her pregnancy, even in the late stages? STOP ELEVATING DOGS TO THE LEVEL OF HUMANS!!! He (1) paid the prison time (2) lost millions in income (3) was found guilty in the court of public opinion . . . How much more do you all want??? Let the man get on with his life . . .

IDC

July 29th, 2009
12:38 pm

Hey Bradley, is Segal giving you a cut of his commission?

Baby Ruth

July 29th, 2009
12:38 pm

Wow, the level of hatred here is unbelievable.

I’m white, an Atlanta native, and this embarrasses me.

Vick did his crime, and did his time. The commissioner has decided he can return to the NFL. If a professional team feels he’s worth the PR risk, then more power to them.

IMO Michael Vick is despicable for what he did, and I’d rather he be out of the league. But what really bothers me is that what I’m hearing here makes me wonder if he would be treated the same if he were a white man who committed the same crime.

WHAT UP!!!

July 29th, 2009
12:44 pm

I thought the Vikes already had a good running back?

Heck the both of them fumbling the way they do………….I agree please take him it would be better for the other teams in the NFC.

Seer

July 29th, 2009
12:51 pm

I hope Vick gets on another team and takes all the Vick lovers with him. Atlanta doesn’t need you.

Barry

July 29th, 2009
12:56 pm

Hey Y’all:

I think Vick’s move to Minnesota would be great!!. Minnesota appears to be a “competitive team” that Vick would not have to do it alone. I would hate to see him go to a trashed, losing team where he would be left to the wolves of the NFL to get hurt. None of us Falcon fans want that due to Vick is a Falcon legend and we care for him. It is unfortunate that “his decisions” made him no longer a Falcon, but I know in Vicks heart it was not the Falcons fault but his that cause his departure from the Atlanta Falcons. Nevertheless, we Falcons Fans do care Vick’s success and hope he get’s with a good team so we can see him in the playoffs. But as a “Local Falcon Fan”, I more than believe that our Falcons will win out right. We will win in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!!” as a TEAM. Therefore, I hope Vick gets with a good team so we can greet our “Falcon legend” with open arms when he reurns to Atlanta. In the name of “SPORTSMANSHIP”: I am glad he is back in the leauge, but sorry he will have to deal with the Atlanta Falcons. It will be a love and hate thing in wanting to defeat the team he is on where you hate the team but love the player.

Good luck Vick. You will always be a Falcon legend to me and many other fans, and to the Falcon organization.

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

………………………..”ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!………………

TB

July 29th, 2009
1:00 pm

I’ve been thinking this was the best option for Mike Vick and the Vikings for weeks. I also think the Commissioner handled this the right way. Vick did serve time for his crime, however; the NFL suspension was necessary as a punishment for lying to both the Commissioner and Arthur Blank. That is a totally separate offense. It will be interesting seeing Vick perform again. I’m just glad it won’t be with the Falcons. Matt Ryan is going to be incredible.

[...] • Now that Favre has tapped out (for the moment), the Michael Vick-to-Minnesota rumors can officially begin. Sage Rosenfels really deserves better. [Atlanta Journal-Constitution] [...]

[...] • Now that Favre has tapped out (for the moment), the Michael Vick-to-Minnesota rumors can officially begin. Sage Rosenfels really deserves better. [Atlanta Journal-Constitution] [...]

ObamaBrave

July 29th, 2009
1:23 pm

Seer,

I am a Vick supporter and I do not intend to move somewhere else to see him play. If he plays on a team who is an opponent of the Falcons, then I will be neutral in my support for both sides. I will support MV7 where ever he plays.I think that he is a super talent that should be enjoyed on the football field. He has paid his dues to society so lets see where it goes. If he fails, then so be it.

Mike Licht

July 29th, 2009
1:56 pm

Hillbilly Deluxe

July 29th, 2009
2:12 pm

If I were one of the Vikings’ current quarterbacks, I’d wouldn’t be to enthused about being a Viking after the Favre situation and now this.

Andy in Athens GA

July 29th, 2009
2:25 pm

Boycott the NFL? More like permanently shun any company that has anything to do with whatever team signs Vick.

I will only give these companies a short time to disassociate themselves from the team.

And then if they don’t, I will NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER buy ANYTHING from those companies EVER AGAIN. This is not a “boycott” this would be a permanently burnt bridge.

I don’t care what anyone else does with their money, I vote with my dollars, and I will NEVER help a company that wants to be part of making money with Michael Vick.

WHAT UP!!!

July 29th, 2009
2:42 pm

I know he is not really a running back, because that would make the Falcons franchise look stupid, since he is second in the 43 year history with 38 wins. Running back or Quarterback, that really makes us look stupid or should I say – makes my statement sound stupid. I need to stay on my meds.

So if a running back was playing quarterback for the Falcons and the other guys that were playing quarterback couldn’t win 38 games in the 43 year history, then that must be one heck of a player!

It’s official – I am just plain stupid.

Seer

July 29th, 2009
2:46 pm

I really have no idea what I’m talking about. Obviously if all the Vick supporters left, there would only be towel boys and Falcon staffers in the dome. I mean we haven’t had a legit sell out since Vick’s last season.

Dammit I am sooooo stupid!

Matt Ryan

July 29th, 2009
2:48 pm

I wish I was a good running back – I need a blog dammit!

Matt Ryan

July 29th, 2009
2:50 pm

Anybody see how well I read the defense in the playoffs against the Cardinals when I choked and ate that safety?

That was so awesome dude!

jake

July 29th, 2009
2:52 pm

peta needs to back off.

Wow

July 29th, 2009
3:21 pm

I love the blind assumptions that Vick can do something other than play QB, like return punts and kickoffs or play receiver. To my knowledge, the man has never caught a pass or kick in his professional or college career. Besides, low 4 second 40’s receivers/return men are a dime a dozen. What would make Vick special in that role?

What I am dying to know is if there is any way Vick is still the same player he was when he left? Even if we forget that his numbers were slipping and defenses seemed to have figured him (and the Bird’s offense) out, will he still have the same physical gifts that made him so fun to watch the first time around?

crabapplejoe

July 29th, 2009
3:52 pm

Baby Ruth wrote: “But what really bothers me is that what I’m hearing here makes me wonder if he would be treated the same if he were a white man who committed the same crime.”

Dude, get real, he would be treated much worse if he were white. You will note that the majority of blacks still support MV7 fully. If he were white, both the black and white community would be down on him. Just look at the way Keith Brooking has been treated on these forums….and he was never convicted of any crimes….and was a team and community leader. LOL

JP24

July 29th, 2009
4:24 pm

Thank You BK! I know this is a football blog but you are the only one I agree with completely! The farce we call a government let’s, hell pay’s these thieves to continue bending society over a barrel and American’s all over turn a blind eye and say, “Thank you, May I have another!” This is how truly ignorant America is. Getting robbed daily by Washington and they complain about a man who may never again get to perform his job. There are much larger problems with America Vick in the NFL and worse men in the game currently than he is. At least he served his time.

MV shouldn’t have been suspended for the 4-6 games he’s missing on top of everything in my opinion. But, at least he’ll have a chance to try and get a job again and that’s all he deserves. If they don’t hire him that’s his fault for what he did. No one made him make poor choices but he at least deserves the opportunity to try and get work again in his chosen profession.

Nelinho

July 29th, 2009
4:57 pm

This is the deal: Vick is one sick man. OK he did his time but that does not change the fact he was a serial canine torturer and killer. A leopard never changes it’s spots. People may like it or not but we can’t escape the facts.

Wesley Brown

July 29th, 2009
5:48 pm

Mr. Vick paid his debt, and if someone wants to pay him for his services, he deserves to be paid.

However, I don’t have to like him or watch him.

Anyone who enjoys torturing other life, enjoys inflicting excruciating pain has got psychological problems.

Vick is a sick man and I don’t care how fast he can run with a ball, I don’t want him around.

Take away the fact that he poured gasoline on dogs and lit them on fire, while they were alive, he knew what he was doing was a felony.

Good team player, huh?

Vick, go fly a kite you sick son of a gun.

Doc Hal

July 29th, 2009
6:14 pm

I wish Michael Vick’s skank mother had terminated her pregnancy…

… with a wire coat hanger!

glorob1

July 29th, 2009
7:02 pm

To all you Vick bashers. Where is PETA now with news like this: SC man charged with having sex with horse and Jonesboro man accused of having sex with dog. Even worse, where are the arrests/prison sentences in these cases. Or does it only matter when it’s a black man?

Bad News

July 29th, 2009
7:51 pm

When it rains it pours:

Abraham………….holdout

Roddy…………….holdout

Jerry…………….holdout

Blank…………….selling stock

4th toughest schedule…………..ouch

Road games……………4 straight

Teams off bye week…………4

Man this is not good at all!

WWJD

July 29th, 2009
8:24 pm

We are all have an opinion about Mr.Vick….But he serve. d his time. Made his apology to the NFL and every animal right group there is. What else can the man do? There are people who have do worse cromes then Vick and all is forgiven. Is it racism? Just don’t want the man to prove he has change and paid his debt. It’s a DAM SHAME that it’s this much talk about a man who is in the real world just looking for a job. A DAM Job! That’s all. Don’t hate because his job might pay more then some of US make in 5 years. He chose that profession and the salary is dam good. It’s not about the DOGS….Really. It’s about a man who was once the highest paid player in thr NFL and most people don’t like that. He may have not been the best QB, but he bought a lot of excitement to the game. And that’s what put people in the SEATS….Excitement!!!! So have your say good or bad he’s back and now it’s his turn to do the talking. Sit back and watch the man work.

Thanks!

Pete

July 29th, 2009
8:53 pm

Im white and I want to see Vick play football. He will never fight dogs again so I say lets show some love and support now that he just wants to be a loving father and loving person.