How Do You Solve a Problem Like Michael Vick?

The second most talked about quarterback comeback in the NFL this year might be the most intriguing. With last year’s re-emergence of the old school single wing offense (which has been renamed in the modern era as the “wildcat”) many analysts are speculating that Michael Vick could re-enter an NFL that is tailor made for his skill set. There are a couple of compelling questions in this scenario. First, will NFL defenses spend some time in the film room during the off season and remember why teams stopped using the single wing in the first place? Will there be teams willing to take a risk on a quarterback who was arguably too one dimensional in his prime and is now 2 years removed from football (and who has obvious life decision making skill deficiencies)? Will “Big Daddy” Roger Goodell accept the debt that Michael Vick paid to society as the debt paid to the NFL as well? Of course the biggest question for us is how will any of this affect the fantasy landscape? Will Michael Vick have any fantasy relevance at all?

The problem with the “Wildcat” offense is that unless the person taking the snap is actually a true threat to throw and the offense is willing to actually use their quarterback who is now split out as a wide receiver and incur all of those injury risks, the defenses will start cheating the guy taking the snap. Traditionally, defenses don’t have a man dedicated to defending the QB. This is why the “Wildcat” gave defenses fits last year, because you had a skilled RB or WR who was a true threat to make plays taking the snap and the defenses had no one accounting for that player. This year teams will start to cheat on that formation. Michael Vick is very intriguing in this situation because in his prime, he was arguably the best running back on the team. In addition, he did have a world class arm when he chose to use it, so he is a legitimate NFL quarterback. Michael Vick was and possibly is a quarterback that is tailor made for the “Wildcat”.

We have seen time and time again in the NFL that talent excuses bad behavior so the question is not “will someone pick him up”, the question is “who will pick him up”? Here are a few maybes. Tampa Bay: The Bucks have no proven quarterback and they run the west coast offense which is perfect for Vick’s skill set. Plus, the have an offense that is badly in need of some punch or at least a light slap. San Francisco: The 49ers are in desperate need of anyone with consistent talent to line up under center. They drafted a franchise wide receiver so they might want to get him the ball. Washington: The Redskins have been trying with all of there might to replace Jason Campbell with …everyone so why not Michael Vick? Plus Dan Snyder loves to spend big money on long shots that don’t work out…..kismet! Here are a few other choices that are probably nots but you just never know: Denver, because Kyle Orton can be very Kyle Ortony and when he is, it is tough to look past his Kyle Ortonness. Miami because it is their offense and they might want to improve. Cincinnati: They are only on this list because they scout the penal system for talent.

So, this leaves us with “Big Daddy” Roger Goodell. Although he has been very tough on players that have made bad decisions but received wrist slaps by the law, this is his first chance to rule on a matter where the player has already be judged very harshly by society and jurist prudence. Since Michael Vick has spent 2 the better part of 2 years out of football and inside of the set of Shawshank Redemption, the chances are he will reinstate Vick the question is will it be this year? This begs the next question, which is “will three years out of football turn Michael Vick into Jimmy Walker?” I guess we will have to wait for the emperor, uh I mean commissioner to let us know. Our money is on reinstatement but don’t look for him to be what he was, at least for a while.

So although Michael may come back to an NFL that has opportunities perfectly suited for Michael Vick, it might be suited for the Michael Vick of 2005. Only time will tell.