These rumors have absolutely no basis in fact. They have been launched by no-name bloggers who cannot correctly conjugate the verb 'to-be' and have not been reported by any credible source in the real media. It is wishful thinking on the part of two strange Ram fans who idolize Vick for some strange reason.
Spagnolo stated emphatically that the first order of business was developing the character of the team. Like the Giants he came from, he would would rather have a collection of anonymous workmen than glamorous and flashy showboats. He wants dependability, reliability, durability, longevity, certainty, credibility. I don't think Vick quite conforms to this objective checklist.
Although he has not specifically said so, I dare it safe to say Spagnolo doesn't want a rap sheet. He does not want a probation officer around the team. He doesn't want the Ft. Levanwoth Kansas Oxycontin recovery program calling him to ask how Vick is doing. He doesn't want Oxycontin induced delusions of godhood and legal invincibility. I don't think he wants 35 tons of attitude. I don't think he wants animal rights activists disrupting practice and games with protests.
In years past, I would say the Raiders are the only potential home for Vick. I don't know about that today. Al is out to prove that he didn't make a mistake with Jamarcus Russel. Frankly, Al would be better off with Michael Vick. That could be the spark that sends the Raiders over the top. Still I don't believe it will happen.
So, just a brief comment or two about Vick. Yes, Vick is a less dastardly criminal than a bunch of chaps I can mention in the NFL history. Certainly, he cannot be compared with O.J. Certainly, he cannot be compared with the two drunk driving manslaughter cases around the NFL right now. Vick is not as bad as that. Also, 'tis true that society has beaten the living shit out of him. He has been personally laid to waste by this series of judgements against him. The NFL should lift the suspension. He should be given a chance to seek employment somewhere. Honestly, despite the fact that 20 teams have serious problems at the QB position, I don't know who will want a throwing tailback with ponderous baggage.
There are many sayings about pro football. It is a game of inches. It is a game of momentum. It is a game of emotion. Now hear this saying: It is a Public Relations game. Like it or hate it, the Quarterback is the default face and identity of your football team. If you bring Mike Vick on as your starting QB, you are making him the default face and identity of your football team. That brings some ponderous baggage with it. This is one of the several reasons why I have suggested that Vick may not be able to find employment unless he is willing to play the slash like Paul Hornung or Cordel Stewart. Certainly, there are teams would embrace him in this capacity. Perhaps even Miami. He would make one hell of a Wildcat back.
Much has been said about Marc Bulger's 22 TDs and 17 INTs over the course of the past two seasons. We could have easily drafted Mark Sanchez as we were faking we would. We did not. Everybody knew it was pure draft deception intended to pimp the New York Jets into doing a deal with us. Spagnolo has already met with Bulger and told Marc he has no reason to fear replacement in 2009. 2009 belongs to Bulger. 2010 is not guaranteed to anyone.
Why? Why shouldn't 22 & 17 over two seasons get Marc the fucking boot? Because Marc has been able to argue very persuasively from the video tape that he has been trying to pass from a horizontal position in the air. As I have said many times here and everywhere, the Rams have been the second worst team in the NFL for 2 straight years because they have had the worst offensive line--period--for two straight years. Marc has suffered a pocket so poor that, at times, he has been unable to complete a simple 3 step drop without getting hit in the face by blitzes up the middle.
The Rams have upgraded the two most important positions on the offensive line. This is not nearly enough. The Rams still lack a pair of guards. At this time, they are likely to be Adam Goldberg and Ritchie Incognito. Barely adequate at best, even if they stay healthy.
The 2010 draft is the moment when the Rams will next select a serious candidate at the QB position. We'll see whether that is Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford or (my personal favorite) Tim Tebow.
