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Three Reasons Michael Vick Should Play in the NFL
Published: June 14, 2009
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Michael Vick gave the National Football League it’s biggest black eye to date when he pleaded guilty to dog fighting charges. News flash, that is over and done with. Contrary to public opinion, he went to court, pleaded guilty, and did his time.
That chapter is now closed. As Vick finishes the remaining time on his sentence, teams are starting to consider him as a future for their team. There are three key reasons why teams should seriously think about adding Vick to their rosters.
1. In money talk, it just makes cents!
I wonder what the going rate is for a washed up QB. One that hasn’t thrown a TD pass in more than a year. One that hasn’t been on a field in just as long. How does league minimum sound? Once upon a time Vick was not only the face of the Atlanta Falcons organization, but the highest paid player in the league.
A team should sign Vick, but this is how they do it. They sign him for the league minimum with an incentive-based contract. If he can no longer play, then he will only get the lowest amount of pay available. If he does produce, you now have a star that is going to put fans in the seats, for a minimal price.
Even if you are set at the starting QB position, take a chance. Athletes like Vick don’t come around often. Pay him to be your second- or third-string QB. Remember, there is no such thing as bad press.
2. The Wildcat
The comedian in me wanted to rename it the Wild dog, but I wasn’t sure how well that would be received. Last season the Dolphins were very successful with this formation; it helped them win a very tough AFC East.
Having someone line up behind center that can run the 40 in the low fours is rare. Finding someone with Vick’s arm strength is even rarer. If he is placed on a team that is not afraid to try new things, it just might work out.
Could you imagine the nightmare of trying to defensively scheme for Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, when Vick walks out on the field? Even if it is good for just a first down a game, it could be worth it. Just remember. Football often times is a game of inches.
3. He paid his due.
Vick has moved on, how about you? Looking at the big picture, what he did wasn’t so bad. He didn’t rape anyone, pistol whip a kid at McDonald’s (see: Marcus Vick), or go on a murder spree. I am not trying to down play his horrible activity, but it could have been worse.
We live in a world where teachers sleep with their students, drug dealers run communities, and politicians lie more than a high school kid’s job resume.
Vick was sentenced and did his time. In America he deserves another chance. In this what-have-you-done-for-me-lately world, once he scores that first TD, he will regain fans.
He will play somewhere. It may take time, but we will see him on the field again. Vick jerseys may not ever be as popular as they once were, but he at least deserves one more shot to be the athlete he was once upon a time.
