Michael Vick: His Future in the NFL

As July approaches and Michael Vick nears his release from federal custody, talk has swirled over his football future. A great deal of the conversation seems rooted in whether or not a team can sell him to their fan base. Many owners are justifiably concerned about him negatively affecting ticket sales through boycotts or demonstrations from the vocal animal rights community. Understanding the opinions of a fan base is important, but I think in this instance it's a bit of a smokescreen.

In this country there is a deep sentiment regarding second chances. Everyone wants to see changed lives and root for people to make good after making a mistake. Especially our fallen heroes when they sincerely apologize or serve time for the punishment levied against them. How else can you explain Britney Spears, A-Rod, or Ricky Williams?

The real reason Michael Vick will have a tough time finding a job in the NFL isn't because of the dog fighting scandal. His time has been served and people want to turn the page. Teams lining up to vie for his services will be few and far between not because he has broken the law. No, unfortunately, he will find it difficult to come back to the game he loves because he is simply a mediocre quarterback.

Vick has always been known for his speed and explosive ability which allowed him to escape a collapsing pocket. Fans paid to watch him streak down the sideline and stretch himself across the goal line for a go ahead TD. Nobody has ever bought a ticket to watch Michael Vick because he was a prototypical QB. And that is the real problem, because the NFL has moved on from the days when teams longed for a "running" QB.

The quarterback position has evolved in the time that Vick spent in prison. Atlanta itself has become the home of the idyllic pocket passer in Matt Ryan. Tennessee benched Vince Young and watched as their team excelled with Kerry Collins at the helm. The Vikings even rode the veteran arm of Gus Frerotte in hopes of establishing a consistent winner.

Very few teams will want to place their hopes in an aged NFL veteran whose passer rating is subpar. Even in Oakland where reclamation projects are status quo, finding a place for Vick would be a waste of time and capital. The economic environment right now dictates wise personnel decisions. Hybrid players past their prime offer very little hope in an era where draft picks and youth reign supreme.

There is very little room for a career 53.8 percent passer who might not even be able to contribute until 2010 for teams who are serious about competing. Dallas proved the case in point by releasing club house malcontent Terrell Owens, whose value although in decline, would be much higher than Vick's. And 22 teams in the league declined to pay for his services.

So, as the summer approaches and you read about potential suitors for Michael Vick, and you hear about owners shying away because of image related issues. Just think about that. In a country where second chances are so freely given, who deserves one more than Michael Vick? And if you can agree with that, maybe you can also see that in the game of football, if it's a quarterback a team needs, shouldn't their first priority be to find one that can actually throw? Michael Vick is not that guy, and although nobody will say it out loud, that will be the #1 reason the teams in the NFL will pass on him. He's not a very good quarterback, not because he was imprisoned for dog fighting.