Buffalo Bills: Mike Vick Worth the Risk
Rex Ryan said yesterday that anything but a playoff berth would be a disappointment. They have a dynamic running back group this season, a solid defense and a couple of young receivers with some star potential. What else could they possibly need? Maybe, I don’t know, a quarterback?
The Buffalo Bills are entering the 2015 season with the worst quarterback options in the league, which I’ve highlighted multiple times. First round pick E.J. Manuel has done nothing but disappoint with every opportunity he gets. Matt Cassel had a couple nice years, but he’s not a guy you can trust to be there late in the season. Do I even start with Matt Simms and Tyrod Taylor? Career back-ups with some to little hope of making the roster.
Enter Michael Vick. While he’s not the Atlanta Falcons/Philadelphia Eagle Michael Vick, he still has fuel in the tank.
Stay fresh stay focused stay #READY... #v7 https://t.co/GVlPcrRYRB
— Michael Vick (@MichaelVick) July 23, 2015
Vick has an immense amount of history with several people in the Bills organization. He obviously played for Rex Ryan with the Jets. He handed the ball to LeSean McCoy and Bryce Brown many a times in Philadelphia. There’s several members across the coaching staff who Vick played under on both the Jets and Eagles.
What’s the risk of bringing in Vick? Sign him to a minimum deal and get him in pads. If he performs poorly, you cut him and he’ll go sign a one-day ceremonial contract with the Falcons. If he wins a job on the team, he becomes a valuable leadership voice who could give EJ Manuel pointers, just like Geno Smith got. If we wins the starting job, he wins the starting job and could possibly give you a chance heading into the seasons stretch. His off the field issues are rung out and dried; anyone that tries to bring up that stuff is just trying to reignite a fire both Vick and Andy Reid put out a long time ago. There is absolutely ZERO risk in giving the man once last opportunity.
In no way am I saying Vick will earn a Pro Bowl spot and take the Bills to the Super Bowl. The Bill’s are looking at drafting a quarterback next season anyway, so what difference does it make if you give the guy one final shot to win? If the team ends up stinking, they get a Hackenberg or Cook. If they fall around a mid-round pick, hello Jared Goff. Vick just makes too much sense for the Bills not to give him a shot.