Market for Vick low because "his skills have eroded"

[The Link]

I guess I spoke too soon.

[Darth Bobo]

Michael Vick so far has proven to be a relatively inaccurate passer. Vick has also made quite a few poor footbal decisions from numerous intentional groundings to easily picked interceptions, even in 2-minute plays that cost the Falcons trips to the playoffs.

However, in his prime, Vick was one of the fastest players in the NFL, and that is what made him a decent Quarterback. Defenders did not know whether to pursue him, or let him run to them. Those who were burned attempting to pursue him, would give him 5 seconds, an football eternity, to scramble around looking for an open man. Often times, his target would be Algernon Crumpler who pulled in many errant Vick passes, as he'd be single covered by the Sam while the the other LB's tried to trap or contain Vick.

During the Vick era, the Falcons really had no reason to spend big money on a receiver, and they didn't. The WR pass was only used when defenses stacked the run.

But in his last season before the conviction, Vick suffered some minor injury to his legs or feet. I don't recall what it was. Whatever it was, it appeared to permanently slow him just a small fraction. But that small fraction was all it took to make Vick's speed and acceleration unexceptional compared to the better corners and safeties. From that point on, pursuing Vick past the line of scrimmage was a viable option.

Without the truly elite speed, his poor accuracy became relevant.

If Vick wants to prove his value, he must prove that he has elite speed and acceleration again. If he cannot physically do that, then he has no NFL value anymore.