Michael Vick wants to be a starting quarterback in the NFL next season. That in itself is hardly breaking news.
However, Vick said this week that he would need to think about whether or not he’d return as a backup with the Eagles if that was an option in front of him.
Michael Vick is ready to leave Philly.
The quarterback who is just months removed from an 18-month federal prison stint for running a dogfighting ring, was on the Dan Patrick Show on ESPN Radio earlier this week. According to Philly.com, Vick said the following when asked about a return to Philly next year.
“It would be a tough decision to make,” he said. “I would really have to take a lot of things into consideration, the fact that I want to be a starter and the fact that I’m blessed just to be back playing football. If I had to [be a backup], I would. If another opportunity presented itself, then it would be even better.
“I would really have to think about it. But for the most part, I like the coaching staff. I like the people around here, within the organization. Maybe I would do it. Who knows? I’m still kinda young. It may work out.”
Vick, who will turn 30 in June, then went back on his previous statement about returning as a backup. “As I think about it now, getting back to your previous question, it would be fairly hard [to return to the Eagles as a backup],” he said. “I know I can play in this league. I know I still have a lot of games left in me. I can be improved and be in shape and have an opportunity to go play somewhere else in the league. I’m just being optimistic and hoping that things work out in my favor. To be honest, I do want to play.”
We have no issue with Ron Mexico for wanting to start again. He had success in that role in Atlanta, and he probably should get a shot to start again at some point. However, we do take issue with him making it out to be his decision.
It’s not. It’s Andy Reid’s call and nobody else’s. Not Vick’s. Not Tony Dungy’s. Not his agent’s.
When the Eagles gave Vick a chance to earn a living as a professional quarterback, something not many teams were willing to do last summer, they signed him to a two year deal that will pay him a tad more than $5 million next year.
For someone like Vick, that’s not too much, especially in an uncapped year. Like him or hate him, Vick is a commodity this offseason and the Eagles will not just cut him. Not after the PR hit they took and the time they invested in him last year. They need something in return for the investment they put into The Michael Vick Project Experiment.
If the Eagles can get a draft pick for him, they will move him. If not, they will likely keep him around as insurance in the event McNabb gets injured or traded and Kolb can’t hold down the fort.
Rumors are running around that Reid has said Vick will be dealt prior to the NFL Draft in April. That would be a welcome scenario for the Virginia Tech product. However, if he isn’t dealt and the Eagles keep him, Vick must realize the decision he will have to make: return in a back-up role, or leave the game of football.
He has no leverage right now. The sooner he realizes that, the better.
Who are you to decide a Vick’s fate? And you’re wrong he will make a comeback like never before, and prove all of the prefect people of the world wrong!
Wow….you guy’s find anything to pick on just for the sake of drawing attention using his name. The NFL is a business, Michael Vick is doing what NFL players do…. try and position them selves in the best situation. I don’t think it’s about “leverage” or making it out to be his decision, it’s about achieving his goal ( becoming a starting Quarterback) so whats wrong with that. Michael Vick won’t be in an eagles uniform next, everyone seems to know that but you. So stop with the name calling ” Ron Mexico” over analyzing and Dog s@#t just to get readers. This piece is so elementary! You fail……..