Post by Queen of the Damned on Jul 27, 2009 20:25:35 GMT -5
I will quit being a Buffalo Fan 
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Curran: Only a few teams would be good fit for Vick
Buffalo, Tennessee, Carolina among the likeliest destinations
OPINION
By Tom E. Curran
updated 5:05 p.m. ET, Mon., July 27, 2009
With a handful of teams taking a number and waiting in line to kick the tires on a conditionally reinstated Mike Vick (and the rest of the league happy it doesn’t have to) let’s take a logical stab at where Vick might land.
And by logical, we mean weighing the factors — football and otherwise — that are going to determine where he gets his W-2.
OWNERSHIP
This is the most important domino that has to fall before Vick puts on a helmet again. Who is willing to go through the negative publicity Vick engenders? Who is willing to sign checks for a guy who body-slammed dogs to their death? Who is either so secure with their fanbase or so desperate to win or create interest that Vick makes sense? Who has a wide benevolent streak that sees Vick as a redemption project?
Well, we can rule out Atlanta. But Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said back in March at the owners’ meetings that he “believes in giving a second chance” and would defer to his football people. Et tu, Tuna?
Saints owner Tom Benson also said he’d be inclined not to go after Vick but would let his football people at least make a recommendation. Raiders owner Al Davis will do what he wants. Bills owner Ralph Wilson seems particularly bent on making a Super Bowl run at his advanced age. Jerry Jones and Dallas? Hmmm. Jones said in May when asked about Vick that Tony Romo is his guy, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t be enticed. The Jerry has changed his mind in the past. Still, you have to wonder if they have the stomach for Vick after three years of the T.O. circus.
The Kraft family probably would run like hell from Vick.
The Steelers have been mentioned because of their franchise stability and solid, respected ownership but don’t you get to be solid and respected by not hiring guys like Vick? Seems a stretch. Redskins owner Daniel Snyder should not be ruled out. He could be sufficiently intrigued by Vick to make that leap, although it might be a hard sell to the fanbase in and around D.C.
The Wilf family in Minnesota desperately wants to win (witness the current Favre-o-rama) and shouldn’t be ruled out. Wayne Weaver, owner of the Jaguars, might also be willing.
FANBASE
Let’s be blunt, dogfighting is a predominantly Southern pursuit. Exclusive to the South? No. But more prevalent there. So one can reason that fanbases in places such as Miami, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Carolina, Tennessee, Houston and Dallas would be more likely to shrug off Vick’s hobby than, say, New York, New England or San Francisco.
Also, which fanbases are more inclined to worry more about on-field results than hand-wring about which players are bad guys? Probably one in which the NFL entrant is the only real game in town. So Jacksonville, Buffalo, Tennessee — most of the small-market teams — would probably get a little less resistance from fans who don’t have a dozen different options on where to spend their sports entertainment time and money might be more willing to swallow their distaste and root on Vick anyway.
COACHES
Who best to coach Vick? Young, easy-to-relate-to black coach like Tampa Bay’s Raheem Morris or the Steelers' Mike Tomlin? Older, less communicative white guy such as the Patriots' Bill Belichick or Philly’s Andy Reid? Hardass former player like the Niners' Mike Singletary? Professorial Brad Childress in Minny?
The fact is, the reclamation and reintroduction of Michael Vick won’t fall to one man.
To borrow a phrase, it will take a village. Media relations, GM, quarterbacks coach, teammates, VP of Player Development. He comes with baggage and a little will land in the laps of many. Whoever coaches Vick will need to clearly define the role the team has in mind for him. If he’s in the race for the starting job or comes in as a pure backup, he will be a curiosity.
Also, bet on this — when Vick is on the field, he will flash brilliance. And the head coach will need to be able to stick to the script if Vick is not the starter or risk creating major distractions.
With all that in mind, you need a smart, older, seen-it-all-before coach. Tennessee’s Jeff Fisher. Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati — though he isn’t old — has been through the gauntlet. Reid. Belichick. Mike Holmgren if/when The Walrus returns.
NEEDS
Who needs Vick? That’s where this all leads. Remember, this is a three-time Pro Bowler who ran for 1,000 yards in 2006. He is a special talent and — even sitting in his jail cell — was better than half the league.
And that’s why the phone started ringing in earnest at the office of Vick’s agent Joel Segal. And those teams aren’t calling to see if Vick wants to play wideout. Frankly, any team that would want Michael Vick as a changeup quarterback to run the Wildcat is beyond me. Teams need to look at him as a starting quarterback. Otherwise, you’ll lose him. And why bother with the headache?
So who needs an electrifying starter of the teams we’ve mentioned in the other sections. Buffalo. Maybe Tennessee. Jacksonville. Minnesota (he and Favre could come in together in August and battle it out in the preseason!). Carolina down the road. Miami when Chad Pennington goes into decline.
WHERE?
Taking this all into account, what would be the places that would make the most sense in terms of ownership, fanbase, coaching/support staff and need at the position? Buffalo. Tennessee. Carolina. Miami. Jacksonville. Minnesota. Now, who ya got?!
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URL: nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30856273/ns/sports-nfl/page/2/
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Curran: Only a few teams would be good fit for Vick
Buffalo, Tennessee, Carolina among the likeliest destinations
OPINION
By Tom E. Curran
updated 5:05 p.m. ET, Mon., July 27, 2009
With a handful of teams taking a number and waiting in line to kick the tires on a conditionally reinstated Mike Vick (and the rest of the league happy it doesn’t have to) let’s take a logical stab at where Vick might land.
And by logical, we mean weighing the factors — football and otherwise — that are going to determine where he gets his W-2.
OWNERSHIP
This is the most important domino that has to fall before Vick puts on a helmet again. Who is willing to go through the negative publicity Vick engenders? Who is willing to sign checks for a guy who body-slammed dogs to their death? Who is either so secure with their fanbase or so desperate to win or create interest that Vick makes sense? Who has a wide benevolent streak that sees Vick as a redemption project?
Well, we can rule out Atlanta. But Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said back in March at the owners’ meetings that he “believes in giving a second chance” and would defer to his football people. Et tu, Tuna?
Saints owner Tom Benson also said he’d be inclined not to go after Vick but would let his football people at least make a recommendation. Raiders owner Al Davis will do what he wants. Bills owner Ralph Wilson seems particularly bent on making a Super Bowl run at his advanced age. Jerry Jones and Dallas? Hmmm. Jones said in May when asked about Vick that Tony Romo is his guy, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t be enticed. The Jerry has changed his mind in the past. Still, you have to wonder if they have the stomach for Vick after three years of the T.O. circus.
The Kraft family probably would run like hell from Vick.
The Steelers have been mentioned because of their franchise stability and solid, respected ownership but don’t you get to be solid and respected by not hiring guys like Vick? Seems a stretch. Redskins owner Daniel Snyder should not be ruled out. He could be sufficiently intrigued by Vick to make that leap, although it might be a hard sell to the fanbase in and around D.C.
The Wilf family in Minnesota desperately wants to win (witness the current Favre-o-rama) and shouldn’t be ruled out. Wayne Weaver, owner of the Jaguars, might also be willing.
FANBASE
Let’s be blunt, dogfighting is a predominantly Southern pursuit. Exclusive to the South? No. But more prevalent there. So one can reason that fanbases in places such as Miami, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Carolina, Tennessee, Houston and Dallas would be more likely to shrug off Vick’s hobby than, say, New York, New England or San Francisco.
Also, which fanbases are more inclined to worry more about on-field results than hand-wring about which players are bad guys? Probably one in which the NFL entrant is the only real game in town. So Jacksonville, Buffalo, Tennessee — most of the small-market teams — would probably get a little less resistance from fans who don’t have a dozen different options on where to spend their sports entertainment time and money might be more willing to swallow their distaste and root on Vick anyway.
COACHES
Who best to coach Vick? Young, easy-to-relate-to black coach like Tampa Bay’s Raheem Morris or the Steelers' Mike Tomlin? Older, less communicative white guy such as the Patriots' Bill Belichick or Philly’s Andy Reid? Hardass former player like the Niners' Mike Singletary? Professorial Brad Childress in Minny?
The fact is, the reclamation and reintroduction of Michael Vick won’t fall to one man.
To borrow a phrase, it will take a village. Media relations, GM, quarterbacks coach, teammates, VP of Player Development. He comes with baggage and a little will land in the laps of many. Whoever coaches Vick will need to clearly define the role the team has in mind for him. If he’s in the race for the starting job or comes in as a pure backup, he will be a curiosity.
Also, bet on this — when Vick is on the field, he will flash brilliance. And the head coach will need to be able to stick to the script if Vick is not the starter or risk creating major distractions.
With all that in mind, you need a smart, older, seen-it-all-before coach. Tennessee’s Jeff Fisher. Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati — though he isn’t old — has been through the gauntlet. Reid. Belichick. Mike Holmgren if/when The Walrus returns.
NEEDS
Who needs Vick? That’s where this all leads. Remember, this is a three-time Pro Bowler who ran for 1,000 yards in 2006. He is a special talent and — even sitting in his jail cell — was better than half the league.
And that’s why the phone started ringing in earnest at the office of Vick’s agent Joel Segal. And those teams aren’t calling to see if Vick wants to play wideout. Frankly, any team that would want Michael Vick as a changeup quarterback to run the Wildcat is beyond me. Teams need to look at him as a starting quarterback. Otherwise, you’ll lose him. And why bother with the headache?
So who needs an electrifying starter of the teams we’ve mentioned in the other sections. Buffalo. Maybe Tennessee. Jacksonville. Minnesota (he and Favre could come in together in August and battle it out in the preseason!). Carolina down the road. Miami when Chad Pennington goes into decline.
WHERE?
Taking this all into account, what would be the places that would make the most sense in terms of ownership, fanbase, coaching/support staff and need at the position? Buffalo. Tennessee. Carolina. Miami. Jacksonville. Minnesota. Now, who ya got?!
© 2009 NBC Sports.com Reprints
URL: nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30856273/ns/sports-nfl/page/2/
MSN Privacy . Legal
© 2009 NBCSports.com
