The Rebirth of Michael Vick

The Michael Vick experience has led us down several twists and turns over the past eight years. Michael Vick entered the NFL as an athletic phenomenon who burst onto the scene with blazing speed and a freakishly strong throwing arm.

Vick initially was coached  by an old school hard-nosed coach in Dan Reeves where he was held accountable for his actions and was assured not to get the big head as his success on the field was inevitable. However, once Dan Reeves was fired and the coaching carousel began the worst thing that could have happened to Michael Vick was that he became bigger than the team, and no matter what coach was brought in he always stood second fiddle to Vick.

Atlanta was his city; he pulverized and energized an entire fan base. He was Falcons' owner Arthur Blank's proverbial stimulus package. Ticket sales soared even as the team showed mediocre results, and in a move that stunned many, team owner Arthur Blank rewarded Vick with was at the time the richest contract in pro football.

On the surface it was great, it rewarded the Falcons all everything man in Vick for revitalizing the city, however the contract meant more than anyone would have ever expected.

By putting all the eggs in one basket, Falcons' owner Arthur Blank took an ill-advised gamble that was doomed from the start. First of all, strategic football knowledge would say if the most important part of your team is the quarterback you would want to make a significant investment in his protection. To do that, you have to put money into your offensive line, and of course, this was not done.

By not protecting Vick during games with a good offensive line, he was forced to scramble more than ever and yes as a fan watching we loved to see him dart and dash, but as a true fan it hurt me to the core knowing that Vick was just one hit away from ending our season of hope.

Secondly, this contract placed Vick even more above the team, in a since he was part owner of the franchise. Vick controlled the ticket sales, the game scheduling, and television market whether he knew it or not.

When Vick decided to take off out of the pocket and scramble, leaving opposing defenders in his dust to flip forward into the end zone effortlessly, fans would flock to their TV sets looking for ESPN highlights. Television executives, at the same time, were scrambling to look for the next opportunity to get Vick and the Falcons on primetime for better ratings.

Vick needed discipline in the beginning of his career and Dan Reeves was that guy. Once he was fired, Vick had no true guidance. After two years in prison Vick has become a changed man. He seems to have chosen better friends, and has an extreme sense of humility. Coach Andy Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles decided to take a gamble on the Michael Vick brand, and so far the payoff remains to be seen.

With Donovan McNabb entrenched as the starter and franchise QB, there seems to be no room for two pro-bowlers looking to call the shots. So my theory is that Michael Vick has become one of the hottest trade commodities in the NFL for the 2010 offseason.

Think about it, we're in a recession, where for the first time in my life there seems to be more NFL blackouts than ever before. Also with countless sub-par starting quarterbacks in the league, the time seems perfect for Vick. Wherever he goes he will certainly boost ticket sales, increase television ratings, and if he has even half of the talent that he had before he went to prison, he will help a team win for the next five to six years.

Regardless as to what your feelings are of Michael Vick the facts are the facts and he is and will forever be known as one of the most exciting players to ever play the quarterback position. 2010 should be an exciting year, a year in which the Michael Vick experience could be coming to a city near you.