Being Vick

It must be tough being Michael Vick. In some respects the media loves you. You have unheralded athletic ability. The things you can do with your feet and hands have never been seen in the NFL. You have the speed of a running back and the arm strength of a quarterback – an all-in-one backfield weapon – a morphing of two position. You are given instant respect based on your attributes, while also gaining respect because of your on field accomplishments.

In other respects the media hates you. For all your great athletic attributes and on field accomplishments, you are unconventional. You are not the traditional prototypical quarterback. You are not limited to seven step drops and pocket passes. The media or shall we say, sports purist fear your unique abilities because they have the potential to evolve the quarterback position.

The media is intrigued by you. Every week they request a different Michael Vick – We want a Vick who stays in the pocket – We want a Vick that scrambles – We want a Vick that does both – We want Vick to be Vick (what does this really mean?) – We don’t want a Vick.

The only Vick I want is a consistent Vick. I believe Vick has the talent to be one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history because of his unique gifts. Regardless of what the media says, I’ve seen enough Falcons games to know that he understands the offense and he has both the mental and physical attributes to run the offense. I just to need to see the commitment to playing mistake free football against every opponent, especially those at the bottom of the standings. If the game’s big, then Vick plays big and plays to his potential, but if the game’s minor, Vick becomes average.

I want Vick to be the “Michael Jordan” of football, with the championships and accolades. I want him to redefine the quarterback position. Lastly, I want him to do this while he’s an Atlanta Falcon.