Attempting to Squash "Vick to the Vikings" Once and For All

by Christopher Gates on Jul 28, 2009 1:10 PM CDT in Minnesota Vikings

Yesterday, Michael Vick was "conditionally" reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, meaning that he could fully be a part of someone's roster by Week 6 of the 2009 NFL season.

As you can imagine, various football sites have started speculating as to whether or not signing Vick would be a wise move for our Beloved Purple. That's to be expected. What makes me wonder about the credentials that some of these folks have is that they extoll the virtues of Michael Vick, the quarterback, while bashing current Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson.

(Yeah, Florio, I'm looking at you here.)

Now, we all know that Tarvaris Jackson isn't the second coming of John Elway or anything like that. . .heck, at this point, he's the second coming of Kordell Stewart, if nothing else. (I think he's slightly better, but anyway.) Here's the thing. . .

Tarvaris Jackson is a better NFL quarterback right now, 28 July 2009, than Michael Vick is. Blasphemy, you say? Let's look at this more closely.

For their careers, both players average about the same yards/attempt. Vick averaged 6.7 yards/attempt, which Jackson averages 6.6. Their career quarterback ratings are the same, with Jackson having a slight edge (76.5 to 75.7). Over his 25 career games, Jackson has completed 58.4% of his pass attempts, while in 75 games Vick has been a 53.8% passer. However, the big difference is that Jackson has gotten better as he's gone along, while it's entirely possible that Vick has already hit his peak.

Vick's best year as a passer came in 2002. He completed nearly 55% of his passes for 2,936 yards and a QB rating of 81.6. He was injured in 2003, and came back in 2004 with another semi-decent season, posting his career best in completion percentage with 56.4%. In the three years that Brad Childress has coached the Minnesota Vikings, the team's completion percentage has been 61.5%, 57.6%, and 59.1%.

If the Vikings' pass offense has been stagnant over the past three years with those sorts of completion percentages. . .what, exactly, would it be if it was run by a guy that struggled to complete 55% of his passes when he was watching film every day and participating in activities with an NFL team on a constant basis? And what would it be with that same guy after he's spent nearly two years in the Virginia Penal League not reading defenses, not watching film, not discussing the game with coaches, and generally not focusing on football? The Vikings don't NEED a quarterback that's a better runner than a thrower. . .you could make a pretty convincing argument that we've already got one of those.

On a personal level, as a dog owner, I don't want Michael Vick anywhere near Minnesota because I think he's a scumbag. Your mileage may vary on that one. On a purely football level, I don't want Michael Vick anywhere near Minnesota because he's simply not that good. And he never has been. And he's certainly not an upgrade over any quarterback currently employed (or, possibly, soon to be employed) by the Minnesota Vikings. Not Sage Rosenfels, not Tarvaris Jackson, not Brett Favre. . .probably not even John David Booty.

Unless Brad Childress is planning on installing the wishbone at some point, Michael Vick to the Vikings shouldn't even be something that's discussed. The Vikings should be, if nothing else, looking to upgrade the quarterback position. . .not to go sideways or backwards.

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Comments

Not "blasphemy" -- not even remotely

I’ve said the same thing (though maybe not so eloquently) all along. Brett Favre would be an upgrade IMO. Michael Vick would not be.

by puddnhead on Jul 28, 2009 1:13 PM CDT reply actions

The vikings wont even consider signing Vick

by clones21 on Jul 28, 2009 1:18 PM CDT reply actions

So say we all.

by Jepp The Viking on Jul 28, 2009 1:23 PM CDT reply actions

don't put it past them

Vick is an incredible athlete and a mediocre qb at best. He totally lacks character and could destroy a team for years to come. That is why i fully expect there to be a press conference for this Thursday introducing Farve as the Vikes new QB and Michael Vick as the Vikes QB of the future and Tavaris as the QB for whenever Brett and Michael are done (they’ll be great mentors for the youngster) And then for the next six or seven years we will have a quarterback controversy when Brettney anguishes over whether he really retired from the Vikings or not. Chilly will reinforce with Tavaris all along that he has total faith in him. Then and only then wil the “Jackson project” be complete.

We can call our new QB duo “Poison” – Brett/Michael

by overandout on Jul 28, 2009 1:37 PM CDT reply actions

I like tavaris,

I think if Vick hasn’t had his skills deteriorate too much he would make the vikings offense super explosive! Better than Favre ever could. Mike Vick with A.P. Percy and Berrian. It may not happen in reality but try and stop me from making this a madden 10 dream team.

by CardsDefense on Jul 28, 2009 1:40 PM CDT reply actions

your Madden 10 team

will suck with Vick at the helm. Even the Lions defense should manage 3-4 picks per game.

by virginia viking on Jul 28, 2009 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Well your reality team won't have a HOF QB next year

bitch

by CardsDefense on Jul 28, 2009 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions

how do you know?

by iseepurplepeople on Jul 28, 2009 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions

great assessment Gonzo

It seems like the majority here at DN agree, but there are still many people out there who seem to think that Vick is going to be a star in this league, post-doggy murdering. I really think that people must only remember his big runs (I know we Vikings fans remember one… I was at that game…. huff n puff…) opposed to his terrible accuracy. This guy could barely throw accurately from the pocket, but he was hardly ever in the pocket (due to his preference to start scrambling before checking down). And throwing on the run was even worse… something a guy like him (AND T-Jax… ugh) should be able to do well with their skill set.

I’m glad you threw that lifetime completion percentage in there Gonzo, because his accuracy was/is/will be his most glaring defficiency.

Simply put, we already have All Day, Chester, and Harvin. We don’t need a Quarterback that is only going to help our running game. And (I’m gonna go ahead and say it too…..) T-Jax is better than Vick anyway, IMO.

I’m a HUGE Favre hater… maybe the biggest one around these parts… but I am WAY mroe on board for Bretty than Vick. And that is saying a lot.

V-I-K-I-N-G-S! Skol Vikings, Let's Go!!

by TheViking83 on Jul 28, 2009 1:47 PM CDT reply actions

Mike Vick

There is no way that the Vikes would ever sign this idiot! I would be asshamed to say that I am a Minnesotan and a Vikings fan. Shame on any team that signs that piece!

by dbremer on Jul 28, 2009 1:53 PM CDT reply actions

there's just nothing better to talk about

at least it’s a new topic. hopefully all this changes by this weekend and we’ll have plenty to talk about as new starts trickling out of training camp.

by iseepurplepeople on Jul 28, 2009 2:08 PM CDT reply actions

Michael Vick Isn't a Good QB, Period!

I’d like to add a few more facts on Vick’s ability as a quarterback, with apoligies to Gonzo. He’s never thrown for more than 20 TD’s(and only one season) or 3000 yards in a season despite playing 15 games four of his six seasons with the Falcons. And let’s see how he did in those four seasons, TD’s to INT’s…

2002-03 16TD-8INT
2004-05 14TD-12INT
2005-06 15TD-13INT
2006-07 20TD-13INT

In five of those six seasons, he didn’t get above 2500 yards passing. He’s averaged 155 yards passing in his career and less than ONE passing touchdown per game. How in the devil do stats like that improve the Vikings passing game?!? And to put it in perspective, lets compare some stats of real quarterbacks.

Peyton Manning only threw under 4000 yards once in eleven seasons. He averages almost 260 yards per game and has not thrown less than 26 TD’s a season.

Tom Brady in seven full seasons only went below 3000 yards once and topped 4000 twice, he averages 234 yards per game and and only once did he not throw for 20 TD’s in those seven seasons.

Just on that alone, it’s clear Vick is a mediocre passer in his prime, no less. He is a glorified running back who had the good luck to begin his career when scrambling quarterbacks were in vogue and a coaching staff that let him get away with his lack of discipline. The Vikings don’t need an exciting quarterback, they need a consistent one who can make clutch passes and force defenses to respect his arm! The Vikes have a great runner already. A good passer is needed and that is not Vick!

by Purple And Gold Forever on Jul 28, 2009 2:10 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks, We'll Get Back to You on That (NOT)

Not everyone suggesting who should be the Viking starting quarterback has the best interests of the Vikings at heart. Once a team approaches legitimate contention status, all manner of beasties emerge from the depths of hell to undermine things for the benefit of various other NFL teams.

by Elgar on Jul 28, 2009 2:19 PM CDT reply actions

Favre? Vick????????

Personaly feel that we dont need either one/ Ones washed up and the other carries too much bagage/ You can quess wich is wich/

Star City Viking

by norwegian on Jul 28, 2009 2:46 PM CDT reply actions

Even if Jackson’s better the Viking’s can’t go into the season with him starting. Fans won’t like it I mean they could hardly sell out the playoff game last year which shows really there isn’t much confidence in the team. The Vikes need a guy that gets fans interested and the only guy who’s going to do that is Favre.

"If at first you don't succeed - Skydiving isn't for you"

by Zoxide on Jul 28, 2009 3:43 PM CDT reply actions

Playoff tickets

Your point is valid. I have a lot of faith in Jackson still, but if the Vikings want to get momentum for a stadium and avoid getting games blacked out we need to create buzz more than we need to win. I don’t believe we’ll win more with Favre at the helm but I do believe the buzz will be worth the extra interceptions.

by Cobra312004 on Jul 28, 2009 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Vick vs T Jack

Vick also had the best RB in the game right?… Way to omit that glaring fact. Also Vick had no support, and his offense was based on him scrambling and creating. Vick has never been put in offense where he had to drop back and be a pocket passer. He has the arm strength, his accuracy numbers are deceiving because he so frequently passes on the run. We are not going anywhere with TJack or Sage Rosenfals (no one named Sage will ever be prosperous in the NFL).

by PistolWOLVERINE10 on Jul 28, 2009 9:31 PM CDT reply actions

VICK OVER ANY CURRENT VIKING QB

TJ OVER VICK YOU PEOPLE ARE INSANE! VICK NEVER HAD THE TEAM IN ATLANTA THAT TJ’S GOT IN MN. THE VIKINGS NEED A QB AND IT’S NOT TJ, BRETT OR SAGE. I DON’T AGREE WITH THE THINGS VICK DID IN HIS PAST BUT HE HAS DONE HIS TIME AND PAID MORE THAN THE PRICE FOR THE CRIME. HE DESERVES A 2ND CHANCE AND IF THE VIKES DON’T PICK HIM UP THEY WILL REGRET IT. FOR THOSE WHO SAY VICK CAN’T THROW YOU ARE MISTAKEN HE HAS A CANNON FOR AN ARM AND WITH THE RIGHT OFFENSE AND DECENT LINE HE WILL PICK A DEFENSE APART. THE VIKES WILL WIN WITH VICK NOT WITH THE 2 QB’S CURRENTLY ON THE ROSTER. ALL YOU NAY SAYERS WILL EAT YOUR WORDS WHEN THE PLAYOFFS ROLL AROUND!

by HH on Jul 28, 2009 10:25 PM CDT reply actions

Caps lock or not

Michael Vick stinks. He stunk then, he stinks now, and he’ll always stink as an NFL QB.

And he sure as hell isn’t worth bringing to Minnesota.

Brett Favre wouldn’t have been enough to make me consider abandoning ship with the Minnesota Vikings. Michael Vick, on the other hand, just might be.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Christopher Gates on Jul 28, 2009 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Vick not better then jackson?

Are you kidding me? In no way was what he did right. But it’s funny how people are more then willing to give others a second chance for far worse things then what Vick has done. But to say that he would not be an upgrade for the vikings is ridiculous. All anyone has mentioned is Vick’s passing stats. Yea they both are pretty equal when it comes to passing, but who were Vick’s receivers in atlanta besides Crumpler, Peerless Price?? I guess everyone forgets that excluding his rookie season and 2003 where he only started a total of 6 games, Vick averaged over 800 yds rushing per season, not to mention about 5 td’s!!! So if your telling me a defense would rather play the Vikings with Vick behind center then TJ, somethings wrong with you. He may not be as good as he was in the past, but for a talent like his, it most certainly could pay off. You put the athletic ability of Vick, AP, Berrian, and Harvin on offense, and it spells nightmare for opposing defenses. To say the Vikings can’t benefit from Vick is ridiculous.

by kroos43 on Jul 28, 2009 10:38 PM CDT reply actions

??

how could a guy who hasn’t played in 2 years going to be better than anybody? i don’t care good a player is, when you’re out of the game for 2 years you can’t play. college guys take a year or three to adjust to the nfl. and they’ve been playing competetive football for years. vick played on the prison team. i think he’ll need a year or three to reacclimate himself to the game.

just not with the vikings.

by iseepurplepeople on Jul 28, 2009 11:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Insanity

by Purple jesus on Jul 29, 2009 12:30 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

VICK IS BETTER THAN ANYONE WE HAVE FACE IT!

by Purple jesus on Jul 29, 2009 12:32 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

WASN'T CHAD PENNINGTON A BAD QB WITH HIS WATER GUN FOR A ARM? I GUESS WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT TO HE RUNS ALL OVER US AGAIN TO REALIZE "MAN, WE SHOULD HAVE TAKEN HIM."

by Purple jesus on Jul 29, 2009 12:35 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

desperate coaches

do desperate things. I hope the front office is smart enough to avoid Vick because he never was a good passer and I seriously doubt he still has his speed after being in jail for about 2 years. If Vick really is better than TJ or Rosenfels it means they really suck, not that Vick is good. I think that might be true of TJ but I haven’t seen enough of Rosenfels to form an opinion yet.

by ZakInOmaha on Jul 29, 2009 7:18 AM CDT reply actions

WOW

IM GLAD EVERY ONE SEE’S VICK AS AN AMPUTEE! EVERYONE KEEPS MENTIONING THE FACT THAT HE’S BEEN IN JAIL FOR TWO YEARS AND HE WONT BE ABLE TO RUN…HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN HOW TO RIDE A BIKE AFTER 15 YEARS OF DRIVING A CAR? DIDN’T THINK SO. THE GUYS BEEN RUNNING FROM THE LAW AND DEFENDERS HIS WHOLE LIFE I’D BET MY TOP DOLLAR HE CAN STILL RUN FROM MOST PLAYERS IN THE NFL…SURE HIS ARM ISN’T GREAT BUT ID LOVE TO SEE HIM RUN A PLAY ACTION ON 3RD AND 8TH AND POSSIBLY RUN FOR THE FIRST. COME ON LETSALL STOP AND THINK A LITTLE.

by Purple jesus on Jul 29, 2009 8:59 AM CDT reply actions