Where Will Vick Land In 2010?

Earlier today Sal Paolantonio from ESPN published an article on the all-too-obvious lack of highlights from Eagles quarterback Michael Vick. Coming into this season the NFL's fans and analyst's, and I would even dare speculate that team owners and coaches were aflight with the possibilities of where Michael might end up playing. There was a lot of excitement and outrage surrounding Vick's eventual reinstatement by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. But everyone was convinced, even Vick himself, that as soon as the suspension was lifted the highlight reel would get under way.

The suspension was lifted weeks ago...So what happened?

The most highlight-worthy play would equate to an 11 yd run by Vick in the Oct. 11th game against the Buccaneers. And while it still very early in the season, the Eagles seem content with only using Vick when they command a steady lead. You can't exactly blame them, they're two other QB's have accounted for over 1350 yds passing and 11 touchdowns; Vick, 1 yd passing, no points. Needless to say, Vick's highlight days seem like a distant memory of a dream, or like a memory of your own glory days, where the more you talk about them, the more incredible they get. If things continue the way they are in Philadelphia, Vick's glory days will just be a thing of the past, or...

Vick will be gone. By next year at the latest.

Think about it from a financial stand point. The Eagles have $24 million wrapped up in Donovan McNabb for this year and next. A good number for the face of the Eagles franchise. Now look at Vick, who is to be paid $1.5 this year, and IF the Eagles were to exercise the option to keep him next year his pay jumps all the way to over $5.5 million in 2010. That's a lot of money for a back-up quarterback. Kevin Kolb, who filled in nicely for the injured McNabb in weeks 2 and 3, and who the Eagles have said is their future-in-the-making: is only being paid about $1.1 million for this year and next. Financially it's no brainer. Especially if you consider the fact that this year Kevin Kolb has thrown for more yards than Vick and even McNabb! And yet he is being paid around $500 K for each year!

Next you can't evade the fact that if they were to keep Vick all three quarterbacks contracts would conclude at the end of next year. That's a lot of stress for a front office. Something is going to change this year, so next year they can focus more on either who will remain the face of the franchise, McNabb; or who will become the face of the franchise, Kolb or the other quarterback who will be added to the roster.

Yes, I said other quarterback, because I firmly believe the Eagles will try to trade Vick at the end of this season for another quarterback who needs time to grow or for more draft picks. Every NFL team needs to have at least 3 QB's so I also wouldn't be surprised if they drafted someone this year, especially since the 2010 draft class looks to be strong in the quarterback position.

Well it's still early in the season isn't it? If Andy Reid would actually play Vick we could see if he's worth keeping! Yes, I agree. We haven't been able to see what Vick will do, and who knows, maybe Reid will find a way to elevate Vick to level we see in all the old highlight reels. Maybe. But it still doesn't take away from the facts I've shown.

At the start of this season, when Vick was available to sign with a team, there were reports of many teams unwilling to sign the recently released convict. And while I still believe there will be many teams not willing to take a chance on Vick, I believe that list will have shortened. Tony Dungy has been by Vick's side through out this whole process to see that he doesn't get himself into any more trouble. Also, like him or not, Michael has stuck to his word of pro-actively speaking out to the public about his mistakes, and warning kids to make better decisions. And lastly, I believe the NFL owners were looking in waiting to see who would "try" the Vick experiment first. No one wanted to be the first, no one wanted that heat, or the bad press associated with it, they were waiting for someone else to be first.

Since the Eagles have taken the brunt of the beatings and survived it, I believe other teams will be willing to try their own Vick experiment.

One things for sure, whether they've had to play the Eagles this year or are just considering their future options, more owners and coaches will have re-visited, either literally or mentally, the old Michael Vick highlight reels. Maybe one of them will be able to find a more suited home for him, and give him a chance to really show us his stuff.