DMN: More Teams Will Study Michael Vick

National Football Post

QUOTE: “If you don't have good dreams, Bagel, you got nightmares.” -- Robert “Boogie” Sheftell from the movie Diner

 

Michael Vick...

It’s been two weeks since Commissioner Roger Goodell NFL-reinstates-Michael-Vick.html" target="_blank">reinstated Michael Vick in the NFL. We’ve heard from many teams that were not interested, but as is usually the case, teams don’t always speak the truth.

In fact, Tony Dungy admitted he’s getting a ton of calls from coaches about Vick. The commissioner did Vick a huge favor by bringing in Dungy to allow him to speak with authority about the new Vick.

 

Michael Vick

Now there’s a report that the Packers sent a high-level personnel man to meet with Vick, which makes perfect sense to me. No matter what level of interest a team may or may not have, it makes sense to watch him work out.

The one thing that’s been told to me repeatedly is that Vick will be back in the NFL—and if that’s the case, knowing what he looks like as an athlete in case you have to play against him twice a year makes sense.

Think of it as a one-man combine; you need to know what you are dealing with, and this will be the last time you have access to gauge his level of effectiveness.

If I worked for an NFL team, I would make sure that the personnel department was fully aware of Vick’s physical condition and skill level. It’s important for each NFL team, no matter what its situation might be at quarterback, to evaluate every quarterback in the draft.

The more information you can gather, the better prepared your team will be if you have to face that quarterback. It’s important to do every position in the draft, but it’s important to study all the quarterbacks, even if you have a Pro Bowl player handling the job.

It’s smart for the Packers to check out Vick and learn more about where he is today in his life on and off the field. In the information age, the key is to determine what good information is and what bad information is. Consider this a fact-finding mission for the Packers. Most teams should follow suit.

 

Random Thoughts...

I know Browns coach Eric Mangini might be a hard ass, but no coach wants to see a player injured, especially in the salary cap era. There are precautions taken for every situation at practice because no coach wants a player to miss time as a result of injury.

If the coach, especially a coach with the power that Mangini wields, wants to get rid of a player, all he has to do is release him...

Brandon Marshall

I’m worried about Brandon Marshall not returning to the field because of his leg injury. He might be out a little longer now that Roddy White just landed a huge deal, and Marshall is probably wondering, where’s my money? The Broncos have a great medical staff, so they’ll know if Marshall’s injury is legit.

Another problem is that he’s facing a trial this week in Atlanta on a misdemeanor batter charge, so he has plenty on his plate. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello has confirmed that the wide receiver, who already served a one-game suspension last season because of the incident, was informed that the commissioner could hand down additional discipline...

At some point, 49ers tight end Vernon Davis will have to grow up if he’s ever going to be more than a great athlete who plays football. It reminds me of the line Bill Parcells once used on the sideline while coaching the Giants, as recorded by NFL Films: “We are too stupid to be any good.”

Derrick Ward had 1,000 yards as the backup to Brandon Jacobs in New York, and this year, Ahmad Bradshaw will take over that role. Bradshaw is very talented, and I look for him to do what Ward did last year, and then some…

Can someone tell me who’s going to block at tight end for the Eagles and Jets? This is game week, and I can’t wait to find out which players will fill those important roles. If the Jets don’t find someone to replace Chris Baker, teams will treat Dustin Keller as a wideout, sending their nickel on the field every time he’s the lone tight end. That will prevent the Jets from gaining an advantage….

This first week of preseason games is great because we can really study the rookies and check their progress. Pay close attention to who starts in the kicking game if you want to know who the coaches like and who will have a chance to make the team. The kicking game in the summer is the key to breaking down teams...

Jay Cutler went 22 for 28 in the Bears’ scrimmage the other night. Is anyone surprised? I am, only because he didn’t go 27 for 28. When you allow him time to throw, with no rush, Cutler is deadly accurate and precise.

We hear and read about injuries that happen on a daily basis during camp. Injuries to veterans like Casey Hampton or Nick Mangold are minor and are not a concern. In fact, veterans can afford to miss time.

But when rookies miss time, it becomes a huge concern in terms of being able to help the team this year. Rookies who just signed, like Aaron Curry and Malcolm Jenkins, have plenty of time to catch up in camp, assuming they can stay healthy. But their holdouts give them little margin for error….

I know it’s preseason, but I feel strongly that if a game were on the line, Patrick Ramsey would be the No. 2 quarterback for the Titans, not Vince Young. This is because Ramsey knows offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger’s offense from his time in Denver. More on the Titans-Bills game once I watch the video.

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