10 Years Ago You Would Sign Him......6 Years Ago, No Way........Now?

michael89156 · 2014-02-14T08:20:29Z

Bucs should sign quarterback Michael Vick Tom Jones, Times Sports Columnist? ? Thursday, February 13, 2014 4:26pmIf this was 10 years ago, you wouldn't think twice. You would take this guy in a second and gladly hand him the keys to your franchise. If this was six years ago, you also wouldn't think twice. You wouldn't want anything to do with him. But today, here in 2014, the answer is not so clear either way. He's still controversial. He's still an enigma. At this point, there are no guarantees that he has much of anything left in his tank. But if you're the Bucs, you could use talent anywhere you can find it. If you're the Bucs, you need to take some chances. If you're the Bucs, you should just do it. Sign Michael Vick. His career and his life are well documented. Up and down. Glorious and dark. He went from first overall pick in the 2001 draft out of Virginia Tech to star quarterback for the Falcons to a felon guilty of being involved in a dog-fighting ring and murdering dogs. He went to prison, seemingly turned his life around and has spent the past five seasons with the Eagles, where he has played, been injured and been benched. He has looked good at times, not so good at others and now, a few months shy of his 34th birthday, he finds himself looking for a starting job in the NFL. I know what many of you are thinking: Why in the world would the Bucs be interested in Vick? Here's what I say: Why wouldn't they be? Have you forgotten last season? This is a team that went 4-12. It was dead last in the league in passing. It was dead last in total offense. It can't get any worse. As the Bucs head into this pivotal offseason under new coach Lovie Smith, they have three options at quarterback. They can draft a quarterback with the seventh overall pick. They can stay with the status quo, meaning Mike Glennon returns as the starter. Or they can go out and sign a free agent in March while they figure out what they have in Glennon. As far as drafting a quarterback, if the Bucs can draft Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel. Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater or UCF's Blake Bortles, they should absolutely do that. But if they do, that guy is now your franchise quarterback. You don't take a quarterback with the seventh pick and then wait and see if he develops. You have to be convinced he is your man from the get-go and give him every chance to become your franchise quarterback. The problem is, no one in this group is a sure thing and, besides, there's a good chance all three will be gone when the Bucs pick. As far as sticking with Glennon, well, that's a big risk. He wasn't awful as a rookie. He started 13 games. He threw 19 touchdowns, only nine interceptions. Not bad. But he won only four games. He didn't have much around him. The offensive line was beat up. Running back Doug Martin missed most of the season. So did No. 2 receiver Mike Williams. But, as far as Glennon goes, I still just don't see it. I never saw that magic moment, that flash of brilliance that convinced me he can be a future star. Frankly, he looks like a career backup. Even if you like Glennon, what's the harm in bringing in a veteran? And that veteran should be Vick. He's the best of what will be available, and it's believed he is interested in Tampa Bay. Is he still a special player, an elite player? No. If he was, he wouldn't be available. He tends to break down. He has been inconsistent and ineffective at times with the Eagles. But there's a lot to like, too. He can still run, he can still move around, and that has become an important quality in today's NFL. He has experience with more than 100 NFL starts. He still throws a good ball. He went 20-20 as a starter with the Eagles. Not too shabby. Of course, there's more to it than just signing Vick. The Bucs will have to hold the news conference explaining why they're bringing in a convicted felon who once did some deplorable things. That will not be easy. Some fans will turn their back on the Bucs forever. Some will refuse to buy a ticket while Vick is on the team. But most should understand that Vick has paid his price to society and, by many accounts, learned his lesson. For the most part, that chapter of his life and the stigma associated with it is old news. Most have moved on. Heck, Vick might even sell some tickets at this point. Bring Vick in. Draft an offensive lineman or a pass rusher with the seventh pick. Keep working with Glennon. The best thing that can happen is Vick turns back the clock a few years, wins you a bunch of games and helps Glennon along the way. The worst thing is Vick gets hurt or doesn't pan out, but he still helps Glennon. Maybe Glennon turns into Nick Foles, who went from Vick's understudy in Philadelphia to a solid QB in 2013. Either way, you're no worse off than you are now. It's worth the risk. The Bucs shouldn't even think twice.

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Cabin Boy Guest

Wow, great beating those guys. Average qb's did that.Wait...glennon IS average.

Well, using that logic, both EJ and Geno should be released?

Posted : Feb. 14, 2014 11:52 pm

Anonymous (@Anonymous) Posts: 0 Cabin Boy Guest How about Glennon earns something... and imvho to date that hasn't happened IIRC, he was the best rookie QB last season? And who was the tallest midget? Both have the same importance... Posted : Feb. 14, 2014 11:54 pm Anonymous (@Anonymous) Posts: 0 Cabin Boy Guest Never have I said glennon should be released.I think he's an excellent backup, and once he learns under actual good coaching (and drinks some weight gainer) he might be good, but that will take some time.Now that it's lovie's/tedford's system, he might as well be a rookie all over again. Because he's essentually starting all over like any rookie would (sans physical experience). Posted : Feb. 15, 2014 12:03 am Anonymous (@Anonymous) Posts: 0 Cabin Boy Guest How about Glennon earns something... and imvho to date that hasn't happened IIRC, he was the best rookie QB last season? And who was the tallest midget? Both have the same importance... Fair point, but as I asked Bench, all rookie QB's should be released or benched, because Glennon was better than them?It won't happen, because those teams will see how those guys look this season. Posted : Feb. 15, 2014 12:04 am Anonymous (@Anonymous) Posts: 0 Cabin Boy Guest Everyone is starting at ground zero for sure. Now to find some talent at the qb position... Posted : Feb. 15, 2014 12:04 am Anonymous (@Anonymous) Posts: 0 Cabin Boy Guest Never have I said glennon should be released.I think he's an excellent backup, and once he learns under actual good coaching (and drinks some weight gainer) he might be good, but that will take some time.Now that it's lovie's/tedford's system, he might as well be a rookie all over again. Because he's essentually starting all over like any rookie would (sans physical experience). Released or benched. But it won't happen because the Jets and Bills, will want to see how those guys look this season. Posted : Feb. 15, 2014 12:06 am Anonymous (@Anonymous) Posts: 0 Cabin Boy Guest How about Glennon earns something... and imvho to date that hasn't happened One year is not enough time for any QB to be decided upon unless they do an epic Crash and Burn. And considering both Glennon's performance and the circumstances he was thrown into, it is even more assuredly not enough time to decide on him. And I disagree on him not earning anything. I think he definitely did enough to earn a shot this year. That shouldn't preclude us drafting another QB, but I think it's ridiculous to say he didn't earn a shot. Posted : Feb. 15, 2014 7:22 pm Anonymous (@Anonymous) Posts: 0 Cabin Boy Guest Glennon was handed the starting gig last year. He didn't earn it. He has earned nothing. He was handed the starting job by a coach and GM who are now fired. Gone. If there is no a QB competition this year in training camp it would be a very bad sign regarding our new management team. Posted : Feb. 15, 2014 7:27 pm Anonymous (@Anonymous) Posts: 0 Cabin Boy Guest How about Glennon earns something... and imvho to date that hasn't happened One year is not enough time for any QB to be decided upon unless they do an epic Crash and Burn. And considering both Glennon's performance and the circumstances he was thrown into, it is even more assuredly not enough time to decide on him. And I disagree on him not earning anything. I think he definitely did enough to earn a shot this year. That shouldn't preclude us drafting another QB, but I think it's ridiculous to say he didn't earn a shot. Do you like him as a qb? I ask because your posts are on both sides of the issue. What did he accomplish that leads you to believe he is a NFL qb capable of leading a team to the a winning record, playoffs and the grail of the SB? That is what some on this board say is meaningful insofar as a qb being successful - a group that in the past includes you iirc. What one earns would therefore be accomplishments that lead one to believe he can do his part for a SB team... so your disagreement is noted, but not too consistent the earnings and goal. JMVHO Posted : Feb. 15, 2014 10:59 pm Anonymous (@Anonymous) Posts: 0 Cabin Boy Guest PLEASE...PLEASE...PLEASE...SIGN VICK...forget about his past, i have 2 pitbulls that i love but it's not our job to judge this or any man, plus this is football, i want him as a football player, he is not what he was but he is lights ahead of what we have, vick adds speed, to our Off. and will open holes for the great D. Martin.......get Vick and draft Walkins if possible, and plug the Def. hole through FA. I would be the Happiest Buc Fan EVER if we got vick and Walkins....... Posted : Feb. 15, 2014 11:15 pm Anonymous (@Anonymous) Posts: 0 Cabin Boy Guest I still think Mike gives us the best 2014 prospects of any QB we could sign or draft. He's tissue paper and obviously not a long term solution though. I would be all over him if we could land him for 5/6 per on a 2/3 year contract, but I doubt that is realistic. My guess is he'll get real starting QB $ from someone, and if that's the case I would pass. Posted : Feb. 15, 2014 11:25 pm Anonymous (@Anonymous) Posts: 0 Cabin Boy Guest ..He gives us a shot at three really good games starting out.After he does that, he'll go back to clutching his ribs. Posted : Feb. 16, 2014 12:33 am Anonymous (@Anonymous) Posts: 0 Cabin Boy Guest Tom Jones: Doing his best to make Sander Philipse and Leo Howell look less like unique morons with every article he writes. Huzzah, I didn't make the moron list! :P Posted : Feb. 16, 2014 12:46 pm Anonymous (@Anonymous) Posts: 0 Cabin Boy Guest On topic, though, I think Vick may be the tallest midget. We need a vet to compete with Glennon, Vick may have a tiny bit of juice left. As long as they don't hand him the starting job and a ridiculous contract I say why the heck not?As for the dog thing...he did his time for that crime. I'm sure seeing it wrecked his life that he gets the point that what he did was bad. No reason to continue to crucify the man over it. Posted : Feb. 16, 2014 12:48 pm Anonymous (@Anonymous) Posts: 0 Cabin Boy Guest Whoever told Tom Jones he should leave Las Vegas and become a Sports Writer should be shot. Posted : Feb. 16, 2014 12:56 pm

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10 Years Ago You Would Sign Him......6 Years Ago, No Way........Now?

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