How Michael Vick Can Set the NFL On Fire All Over Again

(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Let me start off by saying this. No, Michael Vick is not a starting quarterback in the league.

Let's be realistic here.

His passing numbers weren't exactly prolific in his days with the Falcons, and a two-year hiatus isn't going to help matters.

But this is one of those rare circumstances where an athlete could have a huge impact in a non-starting role. In my opinion Vick will not be effective as a starting QB.

In his days with Atlanta he was a far better runner than passer. Granted a lot had to do with having a rather weak receiving corps. Whether that was the receivers fault or Vick's is up for debate.

My point is this: If Vick is plugged into a wildcat offense he will drive defenses bananas.

I'm going to throw out some hypothetical situations here. Let's say he gets reinstated and the Patriots decide to pick him up.

The potential is endless. First of all you have an all-world quarterback that already demands a ton of game planning, in Tom Brady. 

You have an underneath type receiver in Wes Welker that will snag eight to 10 passes a game and keep defenses tight. Than you have a prolific deep threat in Randy Moss.

Mix in a solid running game, and this offense is already looking deadly.

Now add in Michael Vick. This goes from a three dimensional offense to a flat out terrifying offense.

The possibilities are endless. I'll paint a scenario.

For the first quarter, maybe quarter and a half of any given game the Patriots have been running their traditional '07 offense. In all likelihood its working, but in reality most teams are probably going to be game planning and studying the tape of Super Bowl XLII.

We all know that with a healthy Brady coming back this team will be odds on favorites to win it all in '09. Now I'm not saying that every team will have the ability to stop them, but at least we now know that this offense does indeed have a weakness.

So, if I was the Patriots front office I'd want to bring in a bit of a wild card. In my opinion Micheal Vick fits the bill.

Now as I was saying for the first quarter or quarter and a half they have been running their traditional '07 offense, but now its time to mix things up.

Suddenly, Michael Vick steps on the field in some capacity.

Before the ball has even been snapped the opposing defense will have no clue what the Patriots will do. Here is a potential list of options in the Wildcat, or some variation of that.

Vick in Running Back position

1. They direct snap the ball to Vick who then takes off running.
2. They direct snap the ball to Vick who then bootlegs and throws it to one of their prolific receivers.
3. They direct snap the ball to Vick who then flea-flickers back to Brady.
4. Have Vick go into the flat for a short pass. He will demand immediate coverage.

Split Vick out at receiver

1. Run a reverse.
2. Have him run a route.
3. Run the old gadget play, where the ball is handed off to the running back, Vick does a reverse gets the ball, and throws down field to the open receiver.

Put Vick in at Quarterback and split Brady out at receiver

1. Run the gadget play but with different personnel.
2. Direct snap to running back who throws the ball.
3. Have Vick run.
4. Have Vick pass.
5. Flea-flicker.

And my personal favorite, but should be used sparingly...

Put Vick in at Quarterback and take Brady off the field

• It's pretty much the same set of circumstances as the above, but it is so deadly.

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