Would you want Vick on the Patriots?

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Michael Vick to the Patriots?

The reports have been swirling for some time now that the New England Patriots are in the running to sign Vick. 

But, as a Patriots fan, do you want him?

I know there's always been that wow factor with Vick because he's such an outstanding athlete. He can run like the wind and elude defenders just like Barry Sanders did. But Vick is a quarterback, not a running back. He has always had issues throwing the football with accuracy and that's a must-have element for any quarterback in any league.

But with the new Wildcat formation sweeping the NFL, Vick does serve an instance service to any NFL team that wants to gamble on the troubled Vick. There's no doubt Vick would be the best Wildcat QB in the league, using his legs to run the option or even faking the run and throwing. Yes, he would be scary to defend in that formation.

But do the Patriots really need that?

I like Vick the athlete, not the QB, plus he's been out of the league for two years and behind bars in prison. How long will it take to shake off the rust, anyway?

Not to mention the Patriots have the best QB in the NFL in Tom Brady. I don't care if he's coming off major knee surgery and there are questions surrounding his overall health this season, Brady is the man to both men and women out there. Yes, I'm not afraid to say he's a major stud (take that statement any way you want).

Plus, you don't want to tick Brady off by bringing in another high-profile QB, even if he knows that he's still the No. 1 QB. Brady is the franchise and you keep him happy, bottom line.

Apparently, even though head coach Bill Belichick and the Pats love Vick's athleticism, Vick might not be a fit, not to mention is could be a public relations nightmare with him on that team. Does owner Robert Kraft really want to have to deal with that? I know the Pats have done a great job rehabilitating problem players in the past (Corey Dillon, Randy Moss), but at the time the Pats needed upgrades at that position and were banking on the fact the veterans in the locker room would keep them in check. 

The same could happen with Vick, but I just don't see the Pats taking a gamble on him. One would think Vick wants to start anyway, and he knows he'll hold a clipboard with Brady running the show. Vick would no doubt land a starting gig in the AFL and be the face of the new league, but in the NFL I don't see a starting job for him at the moment.

The Pats appear to be heading in a different direction anyway. If the reports are correct, New England worked out journeyman QB Cleo Lemon and they are currently in negotiations with his agent.

Is Vick better than Lemon? No doubt, but Lemon doesn't have any baggage (although his upside isn't that great, either) and you won't even know he's there. 

The question remains: Do you want Vick on the New England Patriots? Why or why not?