Michael Vick: What He's Really Worth

Michael Vick recently released papers to the bankruptcy court entailing his plan for repaying his debts, a plan that assumed he would make ten million dollars a year upon his reinstatement to the NFL. Does anyone else see anything wrong with this picture?

There is no doubt that Vick is (or at least, was) one of the greatest athletes to ever grace an NFL field (note the use of the word athlete, not quarterback). His electrifying speed dazzled many fans during his previous career with the Atlanta Falcons, and he was at one point considered to be one of the most (if not the most) exciting player to watch in the whole league.

But slow down, Mr. Vick. An NFL team is not likely to sign you at all—let alone for $10 million annually—unless you can prove you're back in shape. A year and a half of incarceration and prison food would wreak havoc with the body of even a great athlete, so pardon the NFL teams for being skeptical. And that's completely ignoring the whole reason why you went to prison in the first place, or your less-than-spotless record before then.

Now, there are undoubtedly some times that will show some interest in Vick. That being said, the number of teams with a dire quarterback need is growing thin. The Detroit Lions, of course, hold the #1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and could select Georgia QB Matthew Stafford, reducing their motivation to sign Vick, and their cap room, considerably. On the other hand, signing Vick could give the Lions the opportunity to select an offensive lineman (a left tackle, specifically) and then either trade down or pick the best player available with their second 1st-round pick (#20 from the Dallas Cowboys). If Vick proved that he could still cut it at the NFL level, this situation could bode very well for the Lions.

The Jacksonville Jaguars could also try and be in the hunt for Vick's signature. David Gerrard has proved that he can play well, but I think the Jags have reason to be somewhat concerned about their depth at quarterback and the resemblance between Gerrard's and Vick's playing styles is perhaps the best you will find in the league.

The Kansas City Chiefs, having just recently traded for Matt Cassel, are most likely out of the question, as are the New York Jets, who have recently publicly stated that they are happy with thier current group of signal callers, and the Chicago Bears, whose style of power run does not fit Vick's abilities.

Having just placed Jay Cutler on the trade block, the Denver Broncos could pursue Vick, but I see that as being unlikely. The signing of a player like Vick—with a controversial past and demands for a salary equaling Peyton Manning and surpassing Tom Brady— would seem to directly contradict the policy of "team before stars" that Josh McDaniels is trying to set up in Denver.

I think the team to not rule out, though, is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Their infamous quarterback carousel under Jon Gruden may have faded away, but unless they trade for Jay Cutler their short- and long-term solution for quarterback remain unsolved. Vick had superb arm strength before he left the league and his outstanding speed and mobility were the envy of quarterbacks everywhere. With some improvements to his accuracy, I believe he could excel in the same type of West Coast offense that Jeff Garcia and, going further back, Steve Young played in.

So, my advice to Vick: Don't expect to start or make a starter's wage, don't expect a warm welcome back into the league immediately, and (here's a little bit of a plea in here as well) please, PLEASE keep your head on straight. I'm sure that if you prove yourself to the league, there will inevitably be a job waiting for you somewhere.