Mike "crack is the 5th food group" Florio:Plenty of teams should want Vick

[LaChapelle]

Plenty of teams should want Vick
Posted by Mike Florio on July 20, 2009 12:06 PM ET
Our latest item for SportingNews.com makes the case for quarterback Mike Vick refusing to serve as a backup quarterback/part-time Wildcat option once he's reinstated to the NFL.

"The question for now isn't whether Vick will win a title or otherwise become the best quarterback in the game," we explain. "The question is whether he's currently one of the best 32.

"There's no reason to think he isn't, and so there simply is no reason for him to accept any other role."

To prove our point, let's compare Vick to the starting quarterbacks for every other team, and let's apply one of three labels to each guy. ("Better" means he's better than Vick, not that Vick is better than him. And you should feel free to come up with your own scale, if you think you're better than me.)

Here we go.

Arizona: Kurt Warner . . . better.

Atlanta: Matt Ryan . . . better.

Buffalo: Trent Edwards . . . comparable.

Baltimore: Joe Flacco . . . better.

Chicago: Jay Cutler . . . better.

Cleveland: Derek Anderson/Brady Quinn . . . worse.

Cincinnati: Carson Palmer . . . better.

Carolina: Jake Delhomme . . . worse.

Denver: Kyle Orton . . . worse.

Dallas: Tony Romo . . . comparable.

Detroit: Matthew Stafford/Daunte Culpepper . . . worse.

Green Bay: Aaron Rodgers . . . comparable.

Houston: Matt Schaub . . . comparable.

Indianapolis: Peyton Manning . . . better.

Jacksonville: David Garrard . . . worse.

Kansas City: Matt Cassel . . . comparable.

Miami: Chad Pennington . . . comparable.

Minnesota: Tarvaris Jackson/Sage Rosenfels . . . worse.

New England: Tom Brady . . . better.

New Orleans: Drew Brees . . . better.

New York Giants: Eli Manning . . . better.

New York Jets: Kellen Clemens/Mark Sanchez . . . worse.

Oakland: JaMarcus Russell/Jeff Garcia . . . worse.

Philadelphia: Donovan McNabb . . . better.

Pittsburgh: Ben Roethlisberger . . . better.

San Diego: Philip Rivers . . . better.

San Francisco: Shaul Hill/Alex Smith . . . worse.

Seattle: Matt Hasselbeck . . . better.

St. Louis: Marc Bulger . . . comparable.

Tampa Bay: Josh Freeman/Luke McCown/Byron Leftwich . . . worse.

Tennessee: Kerry Collins . . . worse.

Washington: Jason Campbell . . . worse.

So that's 13 starters better than Vick, seven who are comparable, and a dozen who are worse.

Of course, many more factors go into the analysis. We aren't accounting for potential or contract status or other factors that would cause teams not to pursue him.

But the bottom line is that, even with two seasons out of the game, Vick better than many guys who'll be taking snaps on a regular basis this year. Thus, once the Commissioner reinstates this specific convicted felon, there's going to be a team that ultimately will feel like it should be convicted of grand larceny.

[wild1]

He's not good enough to replace the QB on any of those teams except Oakland

[Pablo]

He's not good enough to replace the QB on any of those teams except OaklandHe could take Fatmarcus' spot; but I'd damn sure still want Garcia over him.

[FloridaMan88]

I'd take Vick as a "Wildcat formation" specialist.

[RustShack]

Vick is still better than half the starters in the NFL...

[Micjones]

Vick could definitely be a starter in the NFL currently. He's probably got a better skillset STILL than about 10-12 QB's in the league. He just won't be given that opportunity. At least not this year.

[Hammock Parties]

I don't agree that Delhomme, Romo, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Schaub, David Garrard, Matt Cassel, Pennington or Bulger are comparable or worse than Vick. Vick's accuracy is balls and he has always been a mentally weak quarterback.

[wild1]

Vick could definitely be a starter in the NFL currently. He's probably got a better skillset STILL than about 10-12 QB's in the league. He just won't be given that opportunity. At least not this year.

he wasn't even a good quarterback before he was out of the league for 2 years

[L.A. Chieffan]

he'll be rusty but vick could easily win a starters job on the right team.

[BigMeatballDave]

Vick is one of THE most overrated QBs in the league. Always has been...

[BigMeatballDave]

Awesome. A Vick spank thread...

[BigMeatballDave]

he wasn't even a good quarterback before he was out of the league for 2 yearsTHIS

[BigMeatballDave]

:shake:Vick is still better than half the starters in the NFL...

[RippedmyFlesh]

I don't agree that Delhomme, Romo, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Schaub, David Garrard, Matt Cassel, Pennington or Bulger are comparable or worse than Vick. Vick's accuracy is balls and he has always been a mentally weak quarterback.
Would take any of them over vick in a heart beat.

[BigMeatballDave]

Vicks highest completion percentage was 56%. Awesome.

[BigMeatballDave]

In '06, his last season and only full season he was 52%.

[Hammock Parties]

Vick should basically appeal to teams like the Browns or 49ers...the dregs of the league with total shit quarterbacks that need a playmaker on offense.

[Frazod]

Fuck him. I wouldn't hire Vick to be a waterboy.

[MMXcalibur]

Michael Vick is not "comparable" with Tony Romo.
...and I hate the f'n Cowboys.

[Rasputin]

I wouldn't want to be the team that gets him you would have pita protesters at every game.

[MMXcalibur]

Also, saying Matthew Stafford is "worse" than Michael Vick is completely ignoring what the Lions are trying to do, rebuild. Putting a 29 year old QB who's got enough baggage to fill a jumbo jet is NOT rebuilding...that's called a "stopgap"....and a poor one at that.

[Consistent1]

Those ratings of comparable and worse are very shaky in spots like GC said. Romo may have some flaws, but to compare him to Vick at this point is a joke. Same with most of the others. That also does not account for the fact that Favre is almost 100% sure to go to Minn. It also states that Vick is better than guys like Stafford and Sanchez. That makes me laugh hard. Like those teams are going to invest a ton in these rookies and then take a chance on Vick and set them back. There may well be a couple spots were he could compete, but to think he waltzes in and is the starter ANYWHERE right now is just stupid.

[Titty Meat]

If you think Thigpen sucks Vick prolly sucks even more throwing the football

[beach tribe]

Vick is one of THE most overrated QBs in the history of the league. Always has been...

FYP.

[KCChiefsMan]

I'd take him for kick/punt returns if he still has his speed

[Halfcan]

Vick was fast but never a great passer. Dog Killer!

[Mr. Kotter]

Florio is right about this for the most part--he just exaggerates a bit. There are 8-10 teams who would improve with Vick at the helm. Of course, it says more about the sad state of affairs regarding the QB position in the NFL more than anything else, but he is basically right.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Jesus.

The exceptionally small amount of respect I had for Florio just disappeared after reading that tripe.

A guy who hasn't played in TWO YEARS, and wasn't that good when he was playing - is better than or comparable to ANY starting QB in the league, much less Tony Romo, Aaron Rodgers etc?

I'll say it:

I'd rather have Tyler fucking Thigpen taking snaps for my team before Mike Vick.

Those of you that have paid attention over the past year now understand where I'm coming from...

[Micjones]

he wasn't even a good quarterback before he was out of the league for 2 years

Not sure I agree with that. He put up some decent numbers in the past.
He's not a very accurate passer. Wasn't much of a pocket passer either.

He had some pretty pedestrian WR corps over the years though...

[pikesome]

Not sure I agree with that. He put up some decent numbers in the past.
He's not a very accurate passer. Wasn't much of a pocket passer either.

He had some pretty pedestrian WR corps over the years though...

Decent how? His numbers were never better than "eh".


Year Age Tm Pos No. G GS QBrec Cmp Att Cmp% Yds TD TD% Int Int% Lng Y/A AY/A Y/C Y/G Rate Sk Yds NY/A ANY/A Sk% AV CarAV
2001 21 ATL 7 8 2 1-1-0 50 113 44.2 785 2 1.8 3 2.7 52 6.9 6.1 15.7 98.1 62.7 21 113 5.0 4.3 15.7 4
2002* 22 ATL QB 7 15 15 8-6-1 231 421 54.9 2936 16 3.8 8 1.9 74 7.0 6.9 12.7 195.7 81.6 33 206 6.0 5.9 7.3 17
2003 23 ATL 7 5 4 3-1-0 50 100 50.0 585 4 4.0 3 3.0 49 5.9 5.3 11.7 117.0 69.0 9 64 4.8 4.3 8.3 4
2004* 24 ATL QB 7 15 15 11-4-0 181 321 56.4 2313 14 4.4 12 3.7 62 7.2 6.4 12.8 154.2 78.1 46 266 5.6 4.9 12.5 15
2005* 25 ATL QB 7 15 15 8-7-0 214 387 55.3 2412 15 3.9 13 3.4 58 6.2 5.5 11.3 160.8 73.1 33 201 5.3 4.6 7.9 13
2006 26 ATL QB 7 16 16 7-9-0 204 388 52.6 2474 20 5.2 13 3.4 55 6.4 5.9 12.1 154.6 75.7 45 303 5.0 4.6 10.4 15

[Halfcan]

It is SOOOOOOO obvious where Vick should go play..........

Cleveland

the Dog Pound-get it

Every time he comes out of the tunnel they can play "WHo let the Dogs out.""

[Buehler445]

Not sure I agree with that. He put up some decent numbers in the past.
He's not a very accurate passer. Wasn't much of a pocket passer either.

He had some pretty pedestrian WR corps over the years though...

Roddy White EXPLODED when a real QB came. And Alge Crumpler was very good (and coincidentally the only one that could catch a pass) before he got the injury bug. They even suggested he was better than TG for a few years there (Note that I believe that was/is stupid and disagreed, but the point stands he wasn't trash).

And several of those QBs have had over 400 yards passing, which I don't believe Vick ever had. Without doing research (I lazy) Rodgers, Cassel, Delhome, Romo, Bulger all have.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Roddy White EXPLODED when a real QB came. And Alge Crumpler was very good (and coincidentally the only one that could catch a pass) before he got the injury bug. They even suggested he was better than TG for a few years there (Note that I believe that was/is stupid and disagreed, but the point stands he wasn't trash).

And several of those QBs have had over 400 yards passing, which I don't believe Vick ever had. Without doing research (I lazy) Rodgers, Cassel, Delhome, Romo, Bulger all have.

Rep.

Vick's never thrown for 3000 yards in a season, never had a completion percentage over 56%, (IIRC) never thrown more than 20 TD's in a season, never has had a QB rating over 82, and has fumbled the ball FIFTY-FIVE times in 74 career games.

Calling him an average QB would be generous, IMO.

[milkman]

Roddy White EXPLODED when a real QB came. And Alge Crumpler was very good (and coincidentally the only one that could catch a pass) before he got the injury bug. They even suggested he was better than TG for a few years there (Note that I believe that was/is stupid and disagreed, but the point stands he wasn't trash).

And several of those QBs have had over 400 yards passing, which I don't believe Vick ever had. Without doing research (I lazy) Rodgers, Cassel, Delhome, Romo, Bulger all have.

I don't believe he even had more than a handful 200 yard games.

[OnTheWarpath15]

I don't believe he even had more than a handful 200 yard games.

17. In 74 career games.

2 of those 17 were 300 yard efforts.

[L.A. Chieffan]

hes not a pocket passer, thats not the system you would put him in. for better or worse...

[L.A. Chieffan]

seriously if you pretended all the off the field stuff never happened and this was 2006 again, you would have a handful of teams lining up to talk with the falcons for a trade

[MahiMike]

I'd take Vick as a "Wildcat formation" specialist.

You mean "Wild DOG" formation, right?ROFL

[Digital Takawira]

He could take Fatmarcus' spot;

Thank you. Finally, someone spelled his name right. :clap:

Also, I can't wait until cassel starts throwing laser beams all over the field and make people like florio shut their damn mouth. It cracks me up that someone who keeps a "turd watch" on his site, is now talking up someone who is by his own definition one of the biggest "turds" of recent memory.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

To the Faid!

[chuxtrux]

here is a letter Vick wrote now that he is free:

Dear fellas, I can't believe how fast things move on the outside. I saw an automobile once when I was a kid, but now they're everywhere. The world went and got itself in a big damn hurry. The parole board got me into this halfway house called "The Brewer" and a job bagging groceries at the Foodway. It's hard work and I try to keep up, but my hands hurt most of the time. I don't think the store manager likes me very much. Sometimes after work, I go to the park and feed the birds. I keep thinking Jake might just show up and say hello, but he never does. I hope wherever he is, he's okay and makin' new friends. I have trouble sleepin' at night. I have bad dreams like I'm falling. I wake up scared. Sometimes it takes me a while to remember where I am. Maybe I should get me a gun, an, an rob the Foodway so they'd send me home. I could shoot the manager while I was at it, sort of like a bonus. I guess I'm too old for that sort of nonsense any more. I don't like it here. I'm tired of being afraid all the time. I've decided not to stay. I doubt they'll kick up any fuss. Not for an old crook like me.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

here is a letter Vick wrote now that he is free:

Dear fellas, I can't believe how fast things move on the outside. I saw an automobile once when I was a kid, but now they're everywhere. The world went and got itself in a big damn hurry. The parole board got me into this halfway house called "The Brewer" and a job bagging groceries at the Foodway. It's hard work and I try to keep up, but my hands hurt most of the time. I don't think the store manager likes me very much. Sometimes after work, I go to the park and feed the birds. I keep thinking Jake might just show up and say hello, but he never does. I hope wherever he is, he's okay and makin' new friends. I have trouble sleepin' at night. I have bad dreams like I'm falling. I wake up scared. Sometimes it takes me a while to remember where I am. Maybe I should get me a gun, an, an rob the Foodway so they'd send me home. I could shoot the manager while I was at it, sort of like a bonus. I guess I'm too old for that sort of nonsense any more. I don't like it here. I'm tired of being afraid all the time. I've decided not to stay. I doubt they'll kick up any fuss. Not for an old crook like me.

The day ROR got the hell out of Chokelahoma:

http://bunkercomplex.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/shawshank_redemption_260.jpg