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?

Vick on a short leash

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Michael Vick's back.

Well, sort of.

The National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell granted the dog-killing Vick to a conditional reinstatement to the league yesterday after the all legs and no accuracy former Atlanta Falcons quarterback served two years in prison for his involvement in the dog fighting ring that quickly become national headlines.

Yes, Vick has paid a very steep price both personally and professionally for many giant off-the-field decisions.

Now, he's getting a chance to get back to his sport and his profession, but Goodell didn't cut Vick much slack.

You would think serving time behind bars in prison would be enough punishment, but Goodell, who clearly wants everyone to know he's in charge of the NFL and wants people to fear him based on his iron-fist rulings, put Vick in a ever-so-tight collar with his stipulations to get back into the league.

Under Goodell's ruling, Vick can partake in training camp (well, if someone wants to sign him and is ready for a media circus throughout the season) and play in the final two preseason games, but can't take the field until Week 6 at the earliest. So basically he's still suspended from the NFL until that time since he can't play in a real game. Well, Goodell could lift that ruling and reinstate him fully before that at any point, but do you really think he will? No, then Goodell will appear soft, and we all know he doesn't want that label like the Indianapolis Colts receivers have.

Is it fair? Personally, I don't think an added sentence is necessary, but Goodell must feel like Vick still has much to prove before he'll let him play again. He's luckier than most, considering he'll still have a job, maybe, right? 

I'm willing to bet Vick knows he's under a microscope and one more bad move and he'll be banned from the league forever. But this structure is what Goodell feels is necessary before Vick can really consider himself back in the league. 

Remember, actions speak louder than words.

There really shouldn't be much complaining from Vick and his camp, considering Goodell could have really been a tough guy and banned him from the league forever. Ask MLB hit dog Pete Rose how it feels to be left out in the cold and banned from the sport he so loves? 

At least for Vick, he is getting another chance.

That leash is tight, but Vick is still breathing!