Michael Vick: Who Will Want an Inaccurate, Injury-Prone, 33-year-old QB in Free Agency?
By Jason McIntyre
Michael Vick is having perhaps the most challenging year of his career. Playing behind a leaky offensive line, and with his speed and Houdini-like escapability diminishing, Vick is a sitting duck in the pocket, and when the defenders converge on him, turnovers usually happen.
He’s not accurate enough to sit back and pick apart defenses; hell, enough talking heads say Vick is having trouble recognizing defenses at the line of scrimmage.
So what will happen with Vick in the offseason? By May 2013, he’ll have received nearly all of his guaranteed money, and if the Eagles cut him in the offseason, they obviously won’t have to pay him $16 million next year.
Vick will want to start. The following teams will either be in the market for a QB this offseason, or at least thinking about acquiring a veteran starter for a year or two as a bridge to a younger QB. And remember – the 2013 draft QB class has had a rough few weeks, with nobody looking like a No. 1 pick.
SERIOUS THOUGHT
Kansas City Chiefs – Matt Cassel is awful. The Chiefs will have a Top 5 pick. Do you feel that certain about Barkley or Geno Smith right now? The offensive line isn’t terrible. He’ll have Philly-type weapons on Charles/Bowe. Would the new GM – Pioli is gone, right? – make this bold a move?
Minnesota Vikings – Three weeks ago, this would have been absurd. But Ponder is struggling. The Vikings have great weapons in Peterson and Harvin. The defense – save the Tampa debacle – is on the uptick. Then there’s the turf factor, where Vick has had success. Why not?
CHANGE IS COMING, SO WHO REALLY KNOWS
Cleveland Browns – A new coach is on the way. Weeden was just drafted last year. Between the “Dog Pound” and the cold weather, this seems highly unlikely.
WARM WEATHER, WHY NOT?
Arizona Cardinals – John Skelton is abysmal. Kevin Kolb, who looked OK in the regular season, couldn’t beat out Skelton in the preseason. What if Fitzgerald pushes for Vick? The putrid offensive line might scare him, though.
VERY UNLIKELY, BUT THEIR QBs SUCK, SO AT LEAST GIVE IT A MODICUM OF THOUGHT
Buffalo Bills – Ryan Fitzpatrick? Come on now.
Tennessee Titans – Jake Locker was their No. 1 pick in 2011, but he’s hurt. Let’s see what Locker does when he returns.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Can’t imagine Vick wanting to go here and end his career in an empty stadium, but yes, he’d beat out Blaine Gabbert for the job.
New York Jets – Mark Sanchez has one year left on his deal. The annoying Jets’ owner loves publicity. I don’t like it, but you can’t tell me they won’t consider it.