Don't Discount the Denver Broncos in Michael Vick Debate

As analysts start to guess at possible landing spots for Michael Vick, the New England Patriots are consistently listed.

The consensus behind the Patriots is that Bill Belichick is always looking to upgrade his roster, he’s considered “the” coach to control character issue players, and they showed a strong interest in Pat White. Analysts aren’t calling the Broncos “Patriots West” for nothing.

Josh McDaniels is cocky enough to trade his young pro bowl QB, cocky enough to trade a future first rounder for a second round CB, and cocky enough to take a major risk to upgrade his offense.

At first glance, the Broncos may not seem like the right fit for Vick. McDaniels spent the offseason preaching about character. He backed up his words by drafting high character players.

Pat Bowlen has been burned in the past by the high risk characters Mike Shanahan brought in, and he’s preached about high character the past two offseasons.

But McDaniels also took a cheap flyer on undrafted rookies Chris Baker and Britton Colquitt.

McDaniels has also already shown, like Belichick, he could care less what people outside the organization think.

The hardest part about signing Vick is going to be the media backlash and media circus at team headquarters.

McDaniels has already shown he knows how to handle the circus and he doesn’t shy from criticism. Like New England, Denver is turning into a tight lipped organization, the ideal setting for Vick.

Lastly, let’s not forget that along with the Patriots, the Broncos privately worked out Pat White.

Obviously McDaniels had something in mind with how he could use an athlete like White, and Vick is a better, cheaper version of White.

McDaniels could use Vick for 10-15 plays a game in the wild-cat, he could spread him out, or throw him in the back field.

McDaniels has shown that he’s willing to put his neck out to back his decisions. He’s shown, like Belichick, that his word is the law and he won’t tolerate second guessing.

Whichever team does take the flyer on Vick is going to have to have the thick skin that only comes from the Belichick School of football.