Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick: Second Chance Under Center

Michael Vick is trying to pick up the pieces of his career. A starting position is something this quarterback would relish more than anything. There is nothing more important to an athlete than to prove all the naysayers wrong.

Vick is three years removed from starting under center, he’s older and, some think, a step slower. I guess we will never truly know until he gets his opportunity to show and prove.

The Argument Against Vick

The reason Vick was once the highest paid QB was because the owners of the Falcons were selling merchandise.

Most of Atlanta is made up of African-Americans (56%), and Vick put them in the Peach Dome with No. 7 Falcons jerseys flying off the shelf. Nobody in ownership cared that Vick would never win because nobody had ever won with the Falcons.

There is a lot of competition for entertainment dollars in Atlanta and they were doing pretty good on the Vick train, but don't think for a second this guy was actually going to bring a title to Atlanta. He couldn’t bring a title to any franchise.

(credit: Captain Cruzan B/R)

Reasoning For Michael

From a marketing stand point, we must agree to the fact that Vick was a cash cow. Vick sold tons of merchandise for the Falcons organization.

How was he doing this?

Nobody likes losers!

It wasn't just African-Americans wearing Vick No. 7 jerseys all over the country. Everyone had one! You most likely had one.

Why is this?

Because Michael Vick was one of the most electrifying, jaw dropping, and playmaking quarterbacks in the league. He might not have been the most accurate QB, but that can be attributed to his lack of attentiveness to his craft.

The Knock on Vicks' Accomplishments

Towards the end of his career in Atlanta, defenses simply kept him in the pocket and let him throw or run. He had a 1,000+ yard rushing season because he couldn't pass, and just like that the great Vick offensive threat was eliminated and Falcon title dreams dashed until a real QB showed up (Matt Ryan).

Vick has gotten older, he thinks he is now faster and more accurate. Please, that is impossible unless he's on 'roids, and you can't teach accuracy.

Athletic ability is based on an internal clock. He might be smarter but that's not saying a whole lot considering how utterly inadequate he was at QB.

P.S. Ronnie Brown has much better stats as a "wild cat" QB.

(credit: Captain Cruzan B/R)

Validity in Michael's Accomplishments

He might not have been the most accurate QB, we all must concede that fact, but that can be attributed to his lack of attentiveness to his craft. He would show up late and leave early in Atlanta. That has changed in Philadelphia.

It is almost unthinkable to look down upon Vick and his 2,500 yard passing and 1,000 yard rushing season. He is the only QB in history to accomplish the feat. He netted his team over 3,500 yards, and Matt Ryan didn't do that last season.

List other QBs who can do that.

The names that would appear in your list would consist of top tier QBs.

Only 15 running backs eclipsed 1,000 yards last season.

Please forgive those of us who don't think Vick is all washed up.

Breaking the Mold

Michael Vick broke the mold of the QB position. He not only electrified fans, but he won games. He was paid because he was the hottest commodity in the NFL, so they paid him more than any QB in NFL history.

With nearly 2,500 yards passing, over 1,000 yards rushing ,and taking his team to the NFC championship game, he is the reason that every team in the NFL or NCAA needs a Wildcat Package.

Why do they need the Wildcat Package?

Because its successful!

Who was the first to prove this on a consistent basis? Michael Vick! You can say what you want, but he has made an imprint on the game of football.

Defenses today are what they are simply because of Michael Vick.

Second Chance

Think back to the Atlanta Michael Vick. Now, think of a faster, more accurate, and smarter quarterback. I don't think any defensive coordinator in the NFL would like to know what that looks like. It would be a real life nightmare for opposing teams.

The world is funny. You can go from the face of one of the biggest businesses in the world (NFL), to old news in the blink of an eye.

Michael Vick's past judgment wasn't the best, but his past play was worthy of Canton, OH had he not fallen from grace.

You never know, he may get a second shot. I hope he does.