Pro Say: Can Vick Do It Again?

Let me address a couple of items before I proceed with my post. First, I believe that Michael Vick was the most entertaining player in the NFL (or, as every ESPN analyst insists on calling it upon every single mention, the “National Football League”) last season. Second, as we San Francisco 49ers fans enter what is looking like another decade of Bengal-like futility, I find myself interested in what other teams are up to more than ever before. Last year, I became an Eagles supporter because of the resurgence of Michael Vick (and also because the team is on its way to becoming the first pro franchise to maintain a completely sustainable, “off the grid” stadium). Lastly, about nine months ago, I wrote a column attempting to persuade even the most stringent Vick hater to forgive and move on.

And then there’s today. Where, instead of writing about something fresh, instead of trying to address a topic that is not leading SportsCenter, I find myself drawn back into the Vick saga.

Because today, Michael Vick is once again a rich man.

Unlike last time, I am not interested in Vick the person. He has maintained a nearly flawless image since his return to the National Football League (wow, that’s contagious). Even former Eagles kicker – the kicker! – David Akers has found more controversy than Vick the past couple of years. (Just realized Akers is the new 49ers kicker after 3-time team MVP Ray Finkle Joe Nedney retired. Wow.)

This time, I am interested in Vick the player. You know, this player:

This one too:

To hit you with some stats, last year with the Eagles, Vick went 8-3 as a starter, had a 63 per cent completion rate, threw 21 touchdowns to only 6 interceptions, passed for 251 yards per game, and maintained a ridiculously high 100 passer rating. Oh, and he rushed for 56 yards per game and scored nine times running the ball. Philly won its division and was eliminated in the first round by Green Bay, which won the Super Bowl.

As my new favorite wrestling announcer, Booker T, would say, “Oh my goodness!”

Vick’s 2010 stats warranted nothing less than the serious MVP consideration he received. And yet…it would have been nice if he could have done it again in 2011 before Philly cut him a check for $40 million. Here’s why:

In six years with Atlanta, Vick’s stats were as follows: 38-28-1 as a starter, 54 per cent completion rate, 71 touchdowns to 52 interceptions, 156 passing yards per game, with a fair-to-midland 76 passer rating. He rushed for 52 yards per game and scored 21 rushing touchdowns. He went 2-2 in the playoffs, with the team winning one division title.

While I don’t doubt that he possesses the unique skill set to have a repeat of 2010, six out of his seven years as a starter in the league indicate that Vick is not a $40 million quarterback. Beyond his inconsistent play prior to last season, his style of play, demonstrated in the clips above, leaves him susceptible to injury. He missed several games last year due to injuries sustained while playing like that.

Still, watch the highlights of that game against the Giants last year, where the Eagles rallied to win from about 50 points down in the fourth quarter. Or what about the game against Washington, where Vick scored about 100 fantasy points in the single most dominant performance by a single player last season?

So, the question is, will he do it again? Either way, we’ll have an answer. Either we’ll see a reprisal of the spectacular 2010 season, where nobody can argue that Vick earned every penny of that $40 million; or Vick will return to his meddling, mediocre Atlanta days and leave everyone wondering yet again, “what happened?”

We should all hope that Vick earns his $40 million. For me, so I have a distraction from another season of Alex Smith. For fans of the NFL, so we can all sit back, entertained by and in awe of (potentially) the most exciting player the league will have in 2011.