A Loser Certainly, A Lost Cause? Hardly.
Anyone who knows me well could list a few things that I am passionate about. Near the top would be the Oakland Raiders and dogs. In elementary school I even named my first dog, a Scottie, Raider. I struggle every time Sarah McLaughlin hits the airwaves for the humane society and ever since I can remember, I would dream of willing a great sum of money to aid animals in unfortunate circumstances. Not surprisingly, when the news came out about two years ago that Michael Vick had participated and funded a large dog-fighting ring I was not shocked, but definitely disturbed. Deeply disturbed. The images and descriptions were unspeakable, unreadable and way too much for me to look at repeatedly. Over the past two years I have made excoriating remarks, cursed his name and continually wished for the worst for Michael Vick. As time passed, his prison time elapsed. Now, Michael Vick is a free man again.
I fully expect Vick to return to the gridiron, where his undeniable talents were routinely on display for the Atlanta Falcons from 2001-2006. There has been a great deal of attention as to where Vick may land, the Oakland Raiders were the obvious choice for many pundits, with the organization’s track record for acquiring castaways, misfits and well, criminals. I cringed at the thought of the scenario. Even Al Davis’ deep dementia couldn’t lead to such an acquisition could it? The Raiders publicly denied any interest in Vick and some contend that executive Amy Trask, would never stand for bringing in an animal-abuser.
This got me thinking, I have always dreamed of the chance to turn the woebegone Raiders around from a personnel standpoint. And yes, I would get it done. Would I take a chance on Vick?
All of the media hoopla surrounding 
Vick over the past month has me befuddled. The consensus is that he has not played in two years and thus, he will not be able to play quarterback. What???? Please wake me up if you hear a story about Vick where a commentator doesn’t use the buzz-word “wildcat” immediately. Sure, Vick ran for 1,000 yards in his last season (the only quarterback ever to do so) but, this guy was drafted number one overall to play QUARTERBACK. Vick has a cannon for an arm and while his completion percentages were not astounding, he can make all the throws and wasn’t exactly surrounded with weapons galore. How quickly we forget that Atlanta had a wonderful run, by well…running. Warrick Dunn, T.J. Duckett and Vick were the elite ground attack in the league. Vick was throwing to guys like Brian Finneran, stone-hands Reggie Kelly and a cast of thousands who were anything but memorable.
The best evidence of Vick’s talent was when the Falcons traded up to the first pick. I was shocked that Atlanta would not only give up the great Tim Dwight, but the fifth pick overall and the first pick of the second round. I can’t say I blamed them for wanting a once in a generation talent like Vick. In other news a couple guys the Chargers drafted with those picks, LaDainian Tomlinson and Drew Brees have had some success in the league.
I digress. Vick was not always pretty or a classic quarterback, but he won games. Over the past two years, guys like Brock Berlin and Cleo Lemon have started games, in fact Lemon was mistaken for Vick a week ago, that mistake won’t happen again!
The Raiders have the former #1 overall JaMarcus Russell and the consummate journeyman winner Jeff Garcia at the quarterback position. Russell has two years to prove he’s not a bust, Garcia has one year before he’s forty. Taking a “flier” on Vick would ensure that you have a quality backup at the very lease. In a year or two if the JaMarcus project doesn’t work, you have a talented quarterback on the roster. Frankly, Vick would probably be good enough to start at wide receiver for the Raiders, which is both a credit to his athleticism and the weakness of the Raiders wide receiving corps, but that’s another story…Marvin Harrison anyone?
For a team like the 49ers, Vick would be head and shoulders above what they have at the position. Name five backup quarterbacks in the league who have a better resume than Vick. I’m still waiting. The thought that he might not find a job in 2009 is a bit of a head-scratcher all things considered. Yes, there is much to consider! He’s rusty, the public relations sting would be unpleasant for a while that is for sure. Professional sports is famous for giving second, third and eighth chances for spousal abusers, drug pushers and a myriad of other morally uncouth acts. The only athlete I can think of who has been unsigned despite unquestionable talent is Barry Bonds. Bonds is 45, and could be headed to prison. Vick is 29 and is out of prison, these are not similar cases by my count.
My prediction is this: Vick will have a story resembling basketball player Latrell Spreewell’s after he choked coach P.J. Carlesimo in 1997. Everyone was doubting that a year out of the game and a character that questionable could regain his form. It wasn’t two years before Spreewell was leading the Knicks to the NBA Finals. Spreewell was never a big problem again, and he had a good deal of success in the NBA. Rightfully so, he will always be remembered as the guy that choked his coach. Vick will always be remembered for cruelty to dogs, his on the field exploits remains to be seen.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want the Raiders to get Vick, I’m confident they won’t. It’s difficult for me to say I am rooting for him, I’m not. I do believe though, that he deserves a chance to make a living, to demonstrate that he can be an upstanding citizen and prove everyone wrong who doubt that he can be anything near the franchise quarterback he was thought to be a lock for eight years ago.
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Comments
Oh Nick… our poor Raiders… Heyward-Bey is already injured, Jeff Garcia is almost forty… JaMarcus is a lazy pile that hasn’t proved to be super intelligent as of yet. Quarterback woes and a non existent receiving corps… Vick sounds pretty tasty from a purely football standpoint. I don’t see it happening, I don’t even know if I want it to happen but it makes sense from a crazy Raiders outlaw misfit standpoint. Who else major is in the hunt, I think last I heard Green Bay was sniffing around, but other than that where does Vick fit? Is there ANY better fit than our Raiders?
Did you know that there is/was some sort of legislation that was trying to get passed in Montana against pit bulls that if they even have one instance of biting someone, they can be euthenized?!?! I think it may apply to rottweilers as well…
Donte Stallworth killed a man! He got 24 DAYS in jail! Vick kills some animals and he gets 24 MONTHS! Based on prior treatment of criminal athletes, Vick got screwed. I’d rather see the athletes who beat women or assault others get what Vick got. Instead guys like Pacman Jones still roam free and get to play football. Stupid.