Rick Snider » Vick would spice things up

[Mike Bass]

Hmmmmm   

http://www.dcexaminer.com/sports/010409-Rick_Snider__Vick_would_spice_things_up.html

By Rick Snider
Examiner Sports Columnist 1/4/09

It’s never too early to debate who’s quarterbacking the Redskins next season.
If Jason Campbell isn’t the answer, many fans want to skip over aging Todd Collins for Colt Brennan. The hero of the Hawaiian Islands reminded me of Sonny Jurgensen during the preseason with his playmaking ability.

But let’s play hot stove league all the way. There’s a free agent passer coming loose on Jan. 20 that might help the Redskins. Someone who can play wildcat formation with the best.

Michael Vick.

OK, before e-mailing me a string of expletives, let’s think about it a minute. Vick is expected to be released from federal prison on Jan. 20 to a Virginia halfway house after serving 14 months for conspiracy charges relating to a dogfighting gambling ring. He’ll reportedly be sent to a halfway house near his family in the Tidewater area. Who’s to say he can’t come closer to Ashburn should employment loom?

There’s also the problem of being re-instated by the NFL. Vick has missed two seasons. That’s one year longer than Alex Karras missed over gambling. Commissioner Roger Goodell has been fair with problem players before. Two years seems long enough.

How would fans react? Certainly, there would be a major backlash. Dog fighting brings an emotional response from people. Certainly, if someone stole my golden retriever to use in a dog fight I might do something rash to them. They’re more than animals to many people, they’re part of our family.

But, when do we forgive someone who has been punished? Was 14 months in prison and the loss of millions of dollars in salary and endorsements sanction enough? Some people say there is never forgiveness, but everyone deserves a second chance. If playing football is what Vick does for a living, then he should have the right to do so.

Everyone assumes Vick will head to Oakland because many of the league’s troubled players go to the Raiders. And, maybe he will. But, any team needing a quarterback should at least review Vick. He might even play receiver.

Most general managers don’t want the headaches. However, the Redskins don’t really have a general manager. Owner Dan Snyder makes the calls and if he wants Vick, there’s nobody to stop him.

I’m not saying the Redskins should sign Vick. He would have to be the right fit for the offense and still have something left after two seasons away. But, Vick’s talent is unquestionable and certainly he could help a 19th-ranked offense.

When trying to figure ways over the offseason to upgrade a team mired in mediocrity with a quarterback who hasn’t won over fans in four years, it’s worth a discussion.

Something tells me the debate over Vick’s future will make the past presidential race look civil.

[Mike Bass]

Here's some of the readers comments....

POSTED Jan 4, 2009

ypayne: "I am glad somebody is finally rising above the irrational hysteria. Hopefully this saga regarding Vick and the abuse of those dogs is over. Its time to move on. If others who have done much than Vick, such as taking another humans life, can be forgiven and allowed to continue their career, then their is no justification for not allowing Vick to continue his career. Whoever signs Vick will not be disappointed. Vick will be much better than he was before he entered prison because he has something to prove to "himself", family members and most of all to those who mocked him. Hopefully others will begin to show some "commonsense" as you have demonstrated."


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POSTED Jan 4, 2009

David: "Sorry, that's the stupidest suggestion I've read in a long time. No way the Redskins sign Vick. If they do I'll give you my right arm."


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POSTED Jan 4, 2009

NotOakland: "He won't go to Oakland because that's where many of his went to dogs live. Oakland doesn't want him. Face it, he's ruined. Maybe he can switch sports. NHL?"


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POSTED Jan 4, 2009

Umbra: "I agree totally. The Redskins SHOULD sign the dude...he will be a lot better then Jason Campbell and boost their offense to top 10 easy."


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POSTED Jan 4, 2009

J4S5Fan: "If Vick plays for the Skins, I'm done with the team completely."


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POSTED Jan 4, 2009

Dogfan: "Maybe Pete Rose can sign again with the Reds to be their manager and maybe Rae Carruth (that Carolina Panther player who killed his girlfriend)can start for the Panthers if they make the Super Bowl."


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POSTED Jan 4, 2009

a.turtle: "When you separate the emotional from the practical, Vick with the Redskins makes a whole lot-o-sense."

[redskin_ty]

Let's sign Vick

[Yellow31]

ty I hope you are jokimg.

[Mike Bass]

I have a feeling that it is more of a possiblility than not

[stwasm]

Okay, before we start ordering those Redskins Michael Vick jerseys, let's ask a few of questions:

• How physically fit football-wise can he be, given that he probably hasn't picked up a football during his incarceration?
  Has he ever run the West Coast offense?
  Will he be an unwanted distraction in the locker room?
  Is the team prepared for the backlash such a signing will create?

Too often, management wants to sign names and not consider whether or not they'll be a good fit in team's on-field dynamics (see:  Taylor, Jason) or in the locker room (see:  Lloyd, Brandon).  This has been this team's undoing and even considering signing this clown shows how out of touch the front office is with being successful in the NFL.

[FunshineCA]

I'm no expert on the technicalities of football, but I think it is a definite possibility.
Before the dog fighting went down I was a Vick fan, and I think he has enough natural talent that with a couple months of practice he would be close to where he was before he went to jail.
That being said, if it were to go down that way, I don't think there would be any gray area.  Either he would do awesome as an addition and take the team far, or his presence would be such a distraction that it would be detrimental to the team.  No in-between.

[Mike Bass]

I'm no expert on the technicalities of football, but I think it is a definite possibility.
Before the dog fighting went down I was a Vick fan, and I think he has enough natural talent that with a couple months of practice he would be close to where he was before he went to jail.
That being said, if it were to go down that way, I don't think there would be any gray area.  Either he would do awesome as an addition and take the team far, or his presence would be such a distraction that it would be detrimental to the team.  No in-between.

I think that he could be of some use Funshine if not at QB, it is not like we can not use a punt returner or even a third or fourth receiver...he IS talented

[FunshineCA]

I read talk that trading Moss is a possibility... maybe if that happens they could replace him with Vick.
There are so many maybes, but IMO, whoever is brave enough to pick him up, regardless of whether he plays QB or another position, he will be a playmaker.

[Yellow31]

All of this is under the assumption that Vick gets no suspension or ban from the NFL once he is out. Even if he can help I don't want to see him in a Redskins uniform.

[Mike Bass]

I read talk that trading Moss is a possibility... maybe if that happens they could replace him with Vick.
There are so many maybes, but IMO, whoever is brave enough to pick him up, regardless of whether he plays QB or another position, he will be a playmaker.

I'm all for letting the man earn a living after he has paid his debt to society...I agree with Stwasm about the possibilty of him being rusty but I hope that our team, as well as anyone else's who may give him a try out have the talent evaluators in place where he can come in and try out just like anyone else and is not just given a spot.

If he doesn't make it then he should be cut just like the next guy.

[Mike Bass]

All of this is under the assumption that Vick gets no suspension or ban from the NFL once he is out. Even if he can help I don't want to see him in a Redskins uniform.

Why not Y41?...I will respect your reasons but why should he not be forgiven?

I hate what he did but I do not see why once he has been judged and have paid his price that we can not just move on.

[FunshineCA]

Oh I definitely agree that he should have to EARN a spot on a roster.
But I also think that a lot of teams will avoid him because of the dog fighting drama.  In that case, I think he deserves a fair chance to return to the NFL.  Yes, he did something HORRIBLE (my animal loving side would love to give him a taste of his own medicine), but I am being objective.  He is doing his time and once out, he still needs to make a living just like anyone else.  He is a football player and should have an opportunity to return to that career.
I think many teams will be hesitant to pick him up because of the dog fighting reputation, but because of that, whoever takes a chance on him will most likely be getting a great player at a bargain price.

[Yellow31]

All of this is under the assumption that Vick gets no suspension or ban from the NFL once he is out. Even if he can help I don't want to see him in a Redskins uniform.

Why not Y41?...I will respect your reasons but why should he not be forgiven?

I hate what he did but I do not see why once he has been judged and have paid his price that we can not just move on.

Because I don't want see an exconvict in a Redskins uniform is good enough reason for me.  I don't have children but I would not like to explain why a person who did something so hainus is allowed to be rewarded and continue his life as if nothing happened.  Charactor counts in any legitimate profession.  I'm sure that you can see what signing him will do to the reputation of the team. Let another franchise take the heat on this one.

[Mike Bass]

Because I don't want see an exconvict in a Redskins uniform is good enough reason for me.  I don't have children but I would not like to explain why a person who did something so hainus is allowed to be rewarded and continue his life as if nothing happened.  Charactor counts in any legitimate profession.  I'm sure that you can see what signing him will do to the reputation of the team. Let another franchise take the heat on this one.

I understand your reasoning but I can't agree ...At what point do we start taking over the job of forgiving or not forgiving people for their sins? ...Do you think that Judge Greg Mathis should not have been given the opportunity to become a lawyer and then a judge?

After paying the price for any sins, in which we have all have done, should we be comdemned for life by "man"?

I have children and I teach them that if "we" are forgiven 70,000 times by the almighty that we should also have a forgiving  heart. I think that sometimes we try to put ourselves above the man.