NFL’s Packers Confirm Their Interest in Michael Vick
on Aug.12, 2009, under Gambling
The newest story in Green Bay involves the team’s willingness to sign Michael Vick, fresh out of jail and looking for a way back into the NFL. While I despise Vick as a person for his disgusting behavior of a few years ago, his talent may help the cause of this packers team. Let’s have a look at the pros and cons.
Pros: Michael Vick is a weapon, plain and simple. In addition to his status as a quarterback, he could easily be used as a running back in certain situations, and at the wide receiver position as well. He’s genuinely one of the fastest players in the game, and the Packers playbook could see a major boost with both Vick and Aaron Rodgers on the field at once.
Vick would also serve as a capable backup to Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, who is great in his own right, but is always prone to injury. Any team would prefer to have an experienced, talented backup at quarterback to an untested second-rate football player.
Cons. Michael Vick is known to be a much better runner than he is a passer. Still, he has a knack for being sacked, as he often tries to do more as a rusher than a quarterback should.
Vick also has a lousy career quarterback rating (just 75.7) and his skills as a passer are lacking. In his career, Vick has only completed approximately 54% of all passes thrown.
Yet another draw back that may come with Michael Vick is the negative media coverage his involvement could bring. With all of the Brett Favre drama of the past few years, the team and its fans are hungry for a break from the spotlight. This may bring the Packers back to the center of attention.
Is he a good fit? I feel that Vick in green and gold next year will be good for the team. It gives them a different way to score and can help them in many ways. Even though Vick beat the Packers in ’02 the fans will probably welcome him with open arms.
Then again, Green Bay is one of the smallest media markets in the country, so Vick may not attract the attention that he would in a major city. Perhaps we should really focus our attention on Aaron Rodgers, who may have the most at stake from a Michael Vick signing. Would the speedy quarterback help or hurt him?