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Market for Vick low because "his skills have eroded"

Dpantherman

By Dpantherman,
in Carolina Panthers

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Dpantherman Newbie

Dpantherman

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By Alex Marvez (foxsports.com)

Michael Vick remains an NFL pariah -- but not for the reason you might think.

Vick’s dogfighting past is no longer keeping teams with a quarterback need from showing interest. It’s the present and future that are the problem.

As hard as Vick worked to better his post-prison image after last year’s NFL reinstatement, the same improvement wasn’t evident on the field in Philadelphia. This has created a tepid trade market for a player whose best days may be behind him.

I asked a friend who is an NFL scout for his evaluation of Vick in 2009 as a quarterback and trick-play decoy in Philadelphia’s Wildcat sets. Vick finished the season 6-of-13 passing for 86 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed 24 times for 95 yards and two scores out of the shotgun.

The scout watched all 64 snaps that Vick appeared. The results weren’t pretty.

“He can’t throw,” the scout said. “A guy could be open 20 yards downfield and he’ll throw it 25. He never could throw, but he was fast before. It’s not like he’s slow now but he doesn’t stick out like, ‘Wow, this guy is faster than everybody.’”

I then sent a text message to a top NFL personnel director asking whether the lack of trade buzz surrounding Vick stems from the fact he is no longer a special athletic talent. The response: “Right on.”

Vick’s contract further complicates matters. He is set to earn $3.75 million in 2010, with $1 million already guaranteed by the Eagles. Not only is that a high base salary considering last year’s performance, Vick is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2011. Unless considered only a short-term fix, any team willing to swing a trade must also extend Vick’s contract or risk a one-and-done scenario.

And even though he has proactively spoken against dog-fighting since his reinstatement, the franchise that acquires Vick will still have to deal with the negative publicity and fan reaction surrounding someone with such a heinous history. Only if a player is considered a difference-maker are the headaches worth it.

In his defense, Vick admitted from the start it would take time to regain the football skills that had eroded during a 21-month prison sentence. Vick, who turns 30 in June, now has an entire offseason to train. Vick also could potentially play better if able to get into the flow of a game rather than yo-yoed in and out of the lineup like in Philadelphia.

But if teams were convinced he could become the old Michael Vick, wouldn’t some of his former bosses have tried to acquire him by now? St. Louis general manager Billy Devaney worked in Atlanta’s front office when Vick rushed for 1,000 yards in 2006. Cleveland general manager Tom Heckert Jr. held that same position last year in Philadelphia, allowing him a day-to-day look at Vick in practice.

The Rams and Browns entered the offseason desperate for quarterbacking help but both went in a different direction. St. Louis signed A.J. Feeley, who has experience in offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur’s offense from the time both were with the Eagles. The Browns added free agent Jake Delhomme and traded with Seattle for Seneca Wallace, who has a similar skill-set to Vick.

Philadelphia figures a needy team will eventually step forward. That’s why the Eagles paid Vick a $1.5 million roster bonus last week even though he may not fit into their 2010 plans.

Vick is trying to keep a positive attitude. He recently told FOXSports.com NFL insider Jay Glazer that he “can’t be a disgruntled employee ... I just have to let it all play out.”

Judging by his play last season, Vick could be waiting for a while.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/marvez-week-in-preview-031510

:iagree:

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jpniner Newbie

jpniner

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yet Delhomme gets $7 Million???? are his skills not 'eroded', or does ability to be butt buddies go that far?

I'd rather take my chances on Vick than Delhomme, for several reasons. Not least of which is talent, plus Vick is desperate to do good to get one last big contract

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Swarly Newbie

Swarly

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yet Delhomme gets $7 Million???? are his skills not 'eroded', or does ability to be butt buddies go that far?

I'd rather take my chances on Vick than Delhomme, for several reasons. Not least of which is talent, plus Vick is desperate to do good to get one last big contract

Delhomme isn't desperate to be good? Delhomme gave it his all every single down, and at least was good at one point in his career. Vick was a running back with a strong arm. He was never accurate, and never good at making decisions. Now he's just slow with the same big inaccurate arm.

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jpniner Newbie

jpniner

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Delhomme had Steve Smith in his prime, a Run-First minded offense and a coach in love with him. Now he's old and has a bad elbow and no passing accuracy whatsoever. In Cleveland he'll have no good receiver or running game to fall back on, Cleveland could use someone with atleast some scrambling ability for that situation.

Vick atleast has raw talent

The Panthers lost roughly 80% of the games Jake passed more than 30 times, while winning roughly same % when Panthers threw less than 30. 30 Pass Attempts is the NFL average, for Jake to be successful the Offense has to be a below avg. passing offense.

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