Michael Vick is Home, Let the Circus Begin
Kristian Wiles
May 22, 2009
Posted under Uncategorized
In case you haven’t seen the thorough coverage of Michael Vick’s every move, he’s out of prison and home entertaining the 30 or so TV crewmembers camped out on his lawn. Thankfully ESPN and several other networks are there to watch every move and update us. Today, for example, Vick and his fiancé drove to the courthouse to meet with his parole officer and then went home. Wow, imagine if we had missed this breaking news.
Vick is finishing up his 23-month sentence at home under house arrest. During this time he will work a $10-an-hour construction job and volunteer for the Humane Society of the United States. This is an interesting choice. His plan to win back the public goodwill by returning to the scene of the crime seems like a good one. Hopefully Roger Goddell will see it that way too.
**At the risk of offending our readers who have been charged with a felony, this strategy might not work as well if you were convicted of child molestation, kidnapping, arson, or treason. That said, Good luck.
Because this is a sports site and I impersonate a sports writer from time to time let’s get back on track. Assuming Vick is allowed to return to the NFL, and at this point I would bet yes, who would be willing to add him to their team? Let’s look at a few scenarios.
Jacksonville: A team like Jacksonville makes sense. The starting quarterback David Garrard was shaky last season and Todd Bouman and Cleo Lemon don’t really look so promising on the depth chart. The offense is designed to run, much like the Falcons were when Vick was there, and Jones-Drew can bail a less accurate QB out when he is in trouble. Finally, the Jacksonville defense will keep the game close making certain that Vick wouldn’t have to “air it out” to win games.
Minnesota: The Vikings could be another great team for Vick for many of the same reasons. Plus, Favre isn’t a done deal and you wouldn’t have to change your offensive scheme too much to make the upgrade from current running QB Tarvaris Jackson. Could you imagine staring down Michael Vick and Adrian Peterson in the backfield behind that outstanding O-line? One problem though, Brett Favre is the Vikings first choice and is still a possibility.
Oakland: The Raiders are always in the mix when there’s a guy that’s really fast with character issues. Don’t count them out here. Gotta love Al Davis.
Denver: Reports say that McDaniels loves Kyle Orton at QB but he could always use Vick at running back. He signed yet another RB, Darius Walker, on May 10th after they drafted RB Knowshon Moreno bringing their team total at that postion to like 19. Vick could make it an even 20. Josh McDaniels for Coach of the Year ladies and gentlemen!
Carolina: The Panthers signed Jake Delhomme to an extension. That’s Jake, I’m 34 and injury prone, Delhomme. Vick could fit here throwing to a superstar at wide receiver in Steve Smith and handing the ball off to that great duo at running back.
Houston: The Texans round out my list of potential landing sites for Vick. Matt Schaub doesn’t impress me as much as he seems to impress everyone else. Vick could make this team interesting which would be a change of pace. Houston could start the season with Schaub but put a little more pressure on him to succeed with Vick breathing down his neck. They aren’t going to break 8-8 anyway. Why not shake things up?
Wherever Mike Vick ends up he will face stadiums full of fans that will taunt him, possibly even some from the home team crowd. But us sports fans love redemption stories, especially if the story stars a former superstar (remember Kobe Bryant’s rape trial). Don’t worry America the media will certainly keep you posted on any and every development. Stay tuned…
You are forgetting one team and that is the Seahawks. With their new Coach(Mora) having coached him in the ATL, who knows what Vick can do better than him? Not to mention Matt “We are gonna take the ball and score in overtime and throw the game losing interception” Hasselbeck is getting older and more injury prone.
Just for giggles I think that it would be great if the Browns went after him. After all they do call their home field the Dogg Pound! I think that would be a hoot.