Vick Can’t Get Away This Time

Michael Vick has made a career out of his ability to run away from defenders, which is especially important when you play quarterback yet are completely inept when he comes to hitting an open receiver. Vick not only has had an uncanny ability to elude defenders on the field, but to also dodge controversy off the field. Well, it looks like the most overrated player in NFL history is about to run out of gas. On Monday, one of Vick’s co-defendants pleaded guilty to federal dogfighting conspiracy charges and has agreed to cooperate with the government’s case against Vick.

Vick’s talent is undeniable, however, for the last two and a half years the former Virginia Tech star has made more noise for his transgressions off the field. The federal indictment is just the latest in a timeline of regression that includes the Ron Mexico scandal, flipping the bird to the home crowd, and the water bottle fiasco.

Even prior to the dogfighting indictment, Vick’s status in Atlanta had become tenuous at best. Stories began swirling at the end of last season questioning whether Vick or popular back-up Matt Schaub should be the Falcons’ quarterback. After the hiring of Bobby Petrino as head coach, speculation was that Vick’s suddenly checkered reputation and ineffectiveness throwing the football made him a poor fit in the new regime’s offensive system. Instead, Petrino proclaimed Vick as his starter and Schaub was shipped to Houston.

While there is a degree of irony in that the Falcons could have desperately used Schaub, in essence, this season was one of transition in Atlanta. Even with either Vick or Schaub under center, the Falcons were not ready to contend for the playoffs this season. The rebuilding process is now in full force with a first year coach, making the transition from the college game, handing over the reigns of the franchise, at least for the immediate time, to Joey Harrington.

The absence of Vick may be a blessing in disguise. Vick was no longer considered the franchise’s savior and was a big question mark in Petrino’s offense. It’s time for the Falcons to turn the page, expedite the rebuilding process, and allow Petrino to put his own stamp on the franchise by hand picking his own quarterback. Can anyone say Brian Brohm?

The smart move for Arthur Blank and Rich McKay is to move forward immediately and assure that #7 has played his last game for the Falcons. Then again, with the way things are going for Vick he may not be playing anywhere for a very long time.