Michael Vick: Detroit Lion?

If ESPN reports are true, Michael Vick will be free to sign with any NFL team in the coming days.

Even if they are not true, it seems that Commissioner Goodell's best option is to conditionally reinstate Vick to allow him to join training camp. It's really a win—win as the NFL gets a boost of publicity (both good and bad).

Vick gets back the only job he's really qualified for, and a second chance.

The only question is where.

Jacksonville has been mentioned...and denied. Oakland has been mentioned only because they surely must question JaMarcus Russell as a starter. Additionally, they don't have qualms about character flaws.

What about Detroit?

Let's lay this out there. I don't want to debate the merits of Vick's rehabilitation. I don't want to anger the PETA fans out there. I love dogs as much as the next person.

What Vick did was wrong. Period.

But second chances happen every day. Whether you believe he deserves one or not, for all intents and purposes, he's coming back. 

Why not Detroit?

Michael Vick will energize the fanbase

I chose my words carefully.

I'm sure any team who signs Vick will find angry letters on their doorstep the next day, emails from season ticket holders wanting refunds, and a few "grass roots movements" to boycott.

Energy can be for the better or for the worse. After 0-16, any energy is better than a complete lack thereof.

In Detroit, I believe the negative energy will be less. Perhaps I'm wrong—I can admit that possibility. I think Detroit needs a comeback story.

Nowhere to go but up

No one in the NFL has fallen farther than Vick and has such opportunity to get back up.

Kind of like Detroit.

No team as ever had to come back from 0-16. It is one of the rarest feats in sports.

Another rare feat is coming back from a felony conviction and subsequent jail time, at nearly 30 years old.

If Detroit and Vick are going to both rise from the depths, why not do it together?

In Detroit, there is no pressure to be successful in 2009. In Detroit, no one has to be "the man." It is a team still searching for its identity.

If Vick and Detroit fall together no one will hear it.

Does that mean it won't make a noise?

Schwartz/Linehan/Cunningham

On a team searching for a personality, three of the strongest personalities are on the coaching staff.

Schwartz has shown himself to be more than the "stat nerd" fans anticipated. Cunningham is renown for his boisterous attitude. Most importantly, Scott Linehan is a coaches' coach—not a players' coach

If Linehan stood up to Steven Jackson and Marc Bulger, why would he give a longer leash to Michael Vick?

Vick wouldn't need to be a leader and would need to acclimate quickly to the team concept.

As coaches, Schwartz and Linehan are among the most fundamentally sound and creative men in the league. For years, Vick was a square peg in the round hole of the West Coast Offense.

Rookie QB's need help

What kind of role would Vick have on the Lions?

In the end, this is still Matthew Stafford's team as soon as possible. Michael Vick could not, and should not change that.

However, what is the one thing all rookie QBs have in common? Vanilla offenses.

Picture this.

First, Daunte Culpepper and Drew Stanton become irrelevant. Any money saved on getting rid of them could be used for Vick.

Second, Matthew Stafford is given the keys to the team, today. Give him 25-50 percent of the playbook to perfect—like most rookies.

Finally, commit a portion of your playbook primarily to Michael Vick. Give Linehan the opportunity to design wildcat or spread attacks which play to Vick's strengths.

Vick could easily take up to 15 snaps a game and be on the field as a decoy for even more.

This allows Stafford to step into a role right away. It also guards him from needing to do too much too soon. Most importantly, it gives the Lions a better chance to be competitive and (even better) watchable.

Future Trade Bait

Worst case scenario? Infighting and failure by both Vick and Stafford—leaving the Lions with two prima donnas they have commitments to and no viable option at QB. 

Best case scenario? Two extremely successful QBs and an inventive offense which is fun to watch and equally as unstoppable.

Remember, it's still Stafford's team. In two or three years, he can't be splitting time at QB.

At that point, if the Vick experiment has failed, the Lions can cut bait. If Vick has succeeded, he would be a valuable trading commodity.

Conclusion

This is a low risk, low reward solution to a few of Detroit's nagging questions.

From a business standpoint, I cannot fathom any blackouts with a team having Michael Vick run the wildcat/spread offense.

On talent, Vick is still a very physically gifted individual. This coaching staff can get something out of him.

What do you think? Comment below and vote in the poll!