Three years ago, before we knew anything about the canine gladitorial contests taking place on the Atlanta Falcons quarterback's property, FlynnFiles labeled Michael Vick "the most overrated player in sports." Yesterday, the NFL reinstated Vick (sort of), allowing him to practice now and possibly play in regular season games starting in week six. Reinstatement is just. What Michael Vick did was horrible, but the criminal justice system punished him for that. Take away his freedom for a time, but don't take away his ability to pursue his livelihood. Beyond incarceration, Vick has paid an enormous price--he's lost millions in income, the ability to earn any endorsement money, and the respect of fans. There is a market for Michael Vick the football player. But is there a market for Michael Vick the quarterback? After six years in a pass-happy era NFL, Michael Vick never threw for 3,000 yards in a season. Even without the two year layoff, Vick might have been fighting for a starting quarterback job at this point in his career. With the two year layoff, he makes for an interesting all-purpose player: fourth receiver, wildcat back, punt returner, etc. Less interesting than whether an NFL team signs Michael Vick (one will), is how Michael Vick is utilized once signed.
A lot of low lifes play professional sports and we don't hold that against them. Vick is a low life with a twist: a sadistic gangster wannabe who tortured and killed man's best friend. In most people’s minds, that sets him apart. But, it could be worse. We could have a President who advocates state funded infanticide and mandated euthanasia via a government actuarial table.
Agreed and agreed. What Vick did was terrible. But he by rights should be re-instated. But not as a starting QB. Necessarily.
Total yardage is overrated; moving the chains by any means counts for more.
He should hold cock fights in the parking lots for the tailgaters.
Given the shortage of quality QB's in the NFL, I can see Vick being picked up by a team as a number one but more likely a number two QB. But I think he'll baby step his way to that point and will more of a Cordell Stewart kind of player.
Bottom line is that the NFL is all about entertainment and the big bucks that that brings and they have proven they can't afford to keep him out of the league, never mind now let him sit.
He will play and play big as he is (was?) one of the most exciting players in the game.
