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08.11.2009 11:37 am

Michael Vick: Why hasn’t a team signed him yet?

St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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THE WATERCOOLER:
Are you surprised that no NFL team has signed Michael Vick yet?

BERNIE MIKLASZ:
Yes. It’s a mercenary business and most NFL teams would do anything to win a game. There are a lot of players with police rap sheets running around NFL fields, getting paid. If you look around the NFL, there aren’t many No. 2 quarterbacks that I’d put in the category of “impressive.” Vick can play. The problem is, teams are afraid of the backlash and the potential for disruption. But once Vick does his “60 Minutes” mea culpa, increased his involvement with pro-animal groups and starts to remake his image to win public support, the fear of political incorrectness will subside.

JIM THOMAS:
No. It hasn’t really been that long since Vick was given his green light of sorts from Commissioner Roger Goodell. Given the amount of attention and potential disruption that signing Vick would bring to a team and a training camp, it makes sense that clubs wouldn’t rush into signing him. Besides, he may not be cleared for regular-season play until October.

BILL COATS:
Not really, for a couple of reasons. First, there’s the obvious PR dilemma. Second, there’s the fact that Vick’s skills are somewhat of an anomaly and don’t fit very well with what most NFL teams are trying to do on offense. That said, I still expect some team to take a chance on Vick. Might not happen till the regular season starts, though, and injuries begin to become an issue.

54 comments

Comments are closed.

Vick was a terrible passing QB (insert argument from unobjective Vick fans who say he never had WRs), decision maker, and had a horrible work ethic.

He was valuable because he was unpredictable and defenses had a hard time game planning. If he puts in the work to learn how to progress through reads, and works on his accuracy/touch then he could be a valuable asset to a team.

Until he does those things, he’s more of a liability than anything.

— TB1000
12:10 pm August 11th, 2009

There should be use for Vick in the NFL. At least as a back-up QB. Plus you can use him in certain Wildcat formations.

— FpmUrge
12:25 pm August 11th, 2009

Vick paid more than his dues to society. I’m not a supporter of anyone that makes big bucks and does stupid criminal stuff, but what he did was not wrong. Animals are just that, they have no judgement, and should be used for Science. Vick wasted good resources that could of been used for Medical Research. He should of only been fined, not imprisoned. Only the smartest team in the league will be the one that signs him. Backlash? How silly, from whom? Animal Right Facists? Now the politics or Extremism infiltrates our Sports Teams. When and where does the Fox News Media Extremism end.

— Vick Fan
12:27 pm August 11th, 2009

Vick Fan. You are an idiot! If you think it is acceptable to kill dogs for sport then you have serious personality problems. I agree that Vick has paid his debt to society, but that does not equate to everyone having to like him or want him around. Additionally he was a mediorcre quarterback who only completed 53% of his passes in his prime.

— Mike
12:53 pm August 11th, 2009

Vick is a poor excuse for a human being, For many reasons. First there is the Dog Fighting, Then lets talk about how Mr. Vick (AKA Ron Mexico) would go around spreading herpes to un suspecting women. Did everyone forget about that? And now lets talk about his skills, or lack of. He was probably the most overated QB of the last 10yrs. His passer rating was terrible, Decision making was terrible and every time he faced a team with a tough defense he totaly fell apart.
I am a manager for a large company. I have people come in looking for work all the time. And we hire the good ones,But we turn away people with felonies thats the way it is. If you wouldn’t hire him to run your company why should a NFL team have to hire him. But hey the world still needs diych diggers

— Rich
12:54 pm August 11th, 2009

Reading Vick Fan’s “contribution” today, I just can’t imagine how it must feel to wake up every day as stupid as he does. To have that much ignorance wrapped around you every day, yet such confidence and arrogance. It’s possibly the worst personality type in the world: the arrogant moron.

As for Vick, I think he should be and will be signed by an NFL team if said team feels he will help them win. The PR dilemma facing an NFL team for signing him is an unfair burden, because Vick has done everything asked of him under the law. If one has a problem with Vick pursuing his right to earn a living after the crimes he committed, it seems that issue would be better addressed with lawmakers, not employers.

— jeftzuck
1:36 pm August 11th, 2009

1) As noted already, Vick was a pretty mediocre QB in the past. And that was BEFORE spending 2 years sitting in a prison cell.

2) Convicted felons usually have a hard time finding employment. (McDonald’s and Burger King won’t even hire them!)

3) If you feel that dog fighting isn’t a big deal, fine…that is your right as an American! But realize you are in the minority.

Pets may not be people, but most folks love their dogs almost as much as family members. Thus most people in this country DO think what he did was subhuman and cruel. And not that PETA members go to many NFL games, but they will certainly protest and boycott any team that signs Vick.

The locker room will immediately become a media circus and Vick will become a huge distraction to every other player on the team. And as mentioned, he’s not that great to begin with…so why put up with the headache now??

Which is why he probably won’t get picked up until a team becomes desperate later in the year.

— blueshattrick
1:40 pm August 11th, 2009

Vick isn’t worth the trouble.

— Rampage88
2:38 pm August 11th, 2009

Meanwhile in a land far far away, Leonard Little prepares for the season after getting plastered and killing a few people in crash and burn.

— Pitbull
3:03 pm August 11th, 2009

pitbul, are you serious? you have lost your mind. Go and root for another team. Leonard Little doesn’t deserve that at all. I believe him to be a great human being who made a mistake in his life, which I’m sure still haunts the guy. Are you seriously that heartless? He appears to be a great guy, who is passionate about what he does. I hope you don’t ever make a mistake like that and then want people to forgive you and they are so cruel to you, etc….. You are sick and need to retract that ugly statement you made. and while your at it, go root for the 49ers.

— Rams/ohio guy
3:20 pm August 11th, 2009

I’m all for Vick as a Ram. Lighten up everyone. If Vick was a QuikTrip attendant, did the same things, served the same sentence, got out, Mobile on the Run would have hired him by now. Mike Vick, St. Louis Ram QB.

— Humpty Hump
3:23 pm August 11th, 2009

Vick served time and the result is getting out of prison. He should not be rewarded with a contract worth millions. If a team is foolish enough to sign him, then they will pay the price with protests, negative press and pressure on their sponsors. I’ve got my anti-Vick letters ready to send.

— SF
3:26 pm August 11th, 2009

The Rams should sign him and tell Vick that he is playing wideout and to act as if the football is an underperforming dog and to catch it and run like the gangbanger he is

— hh6175
3:27 pm August 11th, 2009

Would you rather have Vick working at McDonalds and not repaying his creditors ever?

The question I have is, does his suspension go for the first 6 games of this season? Or does the clock start once he’s signed and on an NFL roster? It seems another concern would be paying him for the 6 games he’s not playing in.

— DPG
3:27 pm August 11th, 2009

WAIT, WAIT, WAIT…didn’t Vick serve MOST of his time due to the racketeering? I mean, it’s not like the Feds came down on him hard for killing a few dogs. And I don’t think that folks in Missouri, the “Puppy Mill Capitol of the World”, should get their panties in a bunch over dead pit bulls.

That being said, someone WILL sign Vick. They WILL put him in Wildcat situations. He WILL get a few key first downs and get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for it.

In this country, you can get away with killing someone while you’re drunk and still be a Senator for the next 40 years. So, anyone harping on Leonard Little because he made a really dumb mistake that many Americans make everyday without the same result and was still allowed to live life like a “normal” citizen needs to get off the high horse before the fall from it.

Seriously, “killing a few people in crash and burn”…1 woman (very tragic) and no “burn”…settle down, Francis.

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— BirdFanInBabylon
3:39 pm August 11th, 2009

Did Bernie really watch this guy? He is a more athletic Vince Young, but he doesn’t provide much more than that at the QB position. He’s not 23 anymore, he’s 29 now. The one thing he has, his running ability, will most likely be starting to decline. Nevermind the fact that he hasn’t taken a snap in two years. He’s too old to be learning the position, and he obviously still has plenty of learning to do. I would be shocked if there is any kind of bidding war that will go on for his services, and I don’t see any reason why he would be much of a difference-maker for a competitive team.

— etp_stl
3:44 pm August 11th, 2009

He’s mediocre at best! Why all the talk of Vick. He sucks as a QB!If he beefed up to be a running back, now that’s another story.
out

— davegust
3:47 pm August 11th, 2009

Micheal Vick did his time. I think anyone should have a second chance. Alot of people have done alot worst in there life in they got a second chance, he’s human and people make mistake.

— l.luper
4:04 pm August 11th, 2009

Michael Vick get more a$$ than a toilet seat,
He paid he dues, now let him play so he can eat.
If i were the rams or billy d, i would sign the clown,
Hand the ball off and let him get us a first down,
if he can’t, grab his neck and throw him to the ground.

— hh6175
4:07 pm August 11th, 2009

So…Leonard Little is a great person, who drove drunk, killed people, hired a good attorney, served no time and is a Ram….while Michael Vick killed some dogs, obviously didn’t hire a good enough attorney since he served time, and now is unworthy of playing football again? I don’t see any logic in that. Regardless of whether he’s a great quarterback or not, you can’t deny that he brought excitement to the game (before his conviction). I say give him another chance. I’d buy a Vick Rams Jersey. Lord knows after last season we need all the help we can get.

— lawlady
4:08 pm August 11th, 2009

For the “Rams fans” out there that are pro-Vick… WHAT?!?! I’d rather have Bubby Brister, at least he could complete a pass. I guess the one benefit of Vick is he would be better at avoiding the sacks allowed by the swinging-gate offensive line, better than the Sack Test Dummy also known as Bulger.

— ILSideJP
4:09 pm August 11th, 2009

Mistake???? Killing, hanging and torturing dogs, not to mention fighting them is just a “mistake”?? You’re joking, right? This man is not worth saving. If he has no qualms about torturing dogs, what makes you think he values human life at all?

Michael Vick’s dogs were given a second chance and many found loving homes and have become certified therapy dogs. They turned out much better when given a second chance. Vick has a lot to prove and I’m not sure giving him a second chance will turn his life around. Once you have that mindset that animals and women are just “things” to use and abuse, I would think it would be next to impossible to turn things around. He’s just sorry that he got caught, that’s all.

— KrisT
4:12 pm August 11th, 2009

I think he’s had offers but he’s holding out to sigh with a team that has a dog track in close proximity…

— ramshead
4:21 pm August 11th, 2009

I read somewhere yesterday that Vick was scheduled to meet with Tony Dungy and the term mentoring was used. My gut says if Dungy feels Vick is salvable and indeed mentors him then there is a possibility he could latch on with some team. If you hear nothing more about their relationship then I would trust Dungy’s assessment and not expect anyone to sign Vick.

— gatorbreath
4:44 pm August 11th, 2009

You know alot of people are critisizing mike vike and coachs are saying “not a chance” for vick to play for them, but vick paid for his mess up. 23 months he paid in federal prison! He didn’t get to play football, see his family, or do anything for that matter ! Now that he has been released from prison and back as a free agent in the NFL, it seems that he is still paying for what he did! He’ll be back….and when he does, the general managers, and coaches that turned him down, and people that critisized him will stand in his dust!!

— mel
5:07 pm August 11th, 2009

Mike said,”You are an idiot! If you think it is acceptable to kill dogs for sport then you have serious personality problems.” I wonder why people don’t feel as strongly about deer hunting. Just because its not a domestic animal its ok to hunt it, kill it, and even hang its head on your wall. I’m OK with hunting if you plan on eating the meat, but there are people who hunt purely for sport. Even though I love dogs, I don’t see that as being much better than what Vick did.

— dan
5:09 pm August 11th, 2009

Mel - Aww, because Mr. Vick “messed up” and got put in prison, he couldn’t play football, see his family or anything. My heart bleeds. Not only did he torture dogs, but he profited from their deaths by gambling on the “winners”. No one is seeing the gambling for profit side of this whole thing. This is not a “mistake” or a “mess up”, this was a money-making deal resulting in the deaths of innocent animals. He should have been making plenty of money from the NFL. He didn’t have to get greedy and get into the dog-fighting culture. Blaming this on his culture, which he has done, is not an excuse for a grown man.

Dan - I don’t understand why you can’t see the killing of deer, in order to control the population and provide meat for your table, as different from dog-fighting, which results in torture and death for the animal and allows human beings, if they can be called that, to profit from such a thing. There is a HUGE difference! The dogs did not get a chance to fight or not fight. The ones who were trained to fight (winners) were encouraged to do so. Because pit bulls want to please their “masters”, they did whatever was expected of them. The pit bulls who were not fighters (losers) were hung and tortured. Vick had a choice in deciding their fates. The dogs had no choice.

— KrisT
5:45 pm August 11th, 2009

Any chance the Cleveland Browns sign him?

— StlFaninAlbany
6:03 pm August 11th, 2009

Hey Vick fan take your opinions and go back to Atlanta, we don’t want your trash opinions on our web site. Have you ever heard the expression, dogs are a man’s best friend. Dog should not be used for medical research and certainly not for dog fighting. Dogs, if treated right, just want to give you their love. What Vick did was criminal. He not only promoted dog fighting, but he shot dogs when they didn’t please him, how cruel. I believe he got off lightly and besides all that he wasn’t a good QB in the first place. When you include the fact that he showed no remorse, and that he tested positive for drugs while suspended why would anyone take a chance on him.

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