Let’s take a quick inventory, shall we?
The Patriots have Tom Brady, Matt Gutierrez, Kevin O’Connell, and Brian Hoyer at quarterback.
The receiver position is stocked with Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Joey Galloway, Brandon Tate, Sam Aiken, Greg Lewis, Matt Slater, Shun White, Terrence Nunn, and quarterback-turned receiver Julian Edelman.
The running backs feature Laurence Maroney, Fred Taylor, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
Why in the world do the Patriots need Michael Vick for?
According to Vick, there are a handful of teams interested in signing him after being released from prison. Which teams are interested is unknown. Some experts suspect the New England Patriots as one of those teams.
Why? Because when head coach Bill Belichick was asked about Vick, he gave Michael a compliment of being a tremendous athlete, but Belichick didn’t say he had no interest in signing Vick.
The media immediately picked up on that and the speculation began. By reading between the lines, a conclusion was reached: Since Belichick didn’t flatly say he had no interest in Vick, maybe he’s interested in Vick.
When’s the last time Belichick said anything at a press conference? Bill has mastered the art of talking without saying anything. He always makes general statements that are ambiguous. All Belichick said was Michael Vick is a heck of an athlete. That’s 100 percent true. But it doesn’t say whether or not the Pats are interested in him.
Why would the Pats be interested in Vick? Enough respect to the athlete he is, but where would he play?
Could Vick be a back-up quarterback? Considering the complexities of the offense, I doubt Vick would ever understand how to run it.
Michael could be a fit as a Wildcat QB. But why would New England need a third Wildcat QB when they drafted Edelman and have O’Connell already on the roster? Edelman has already lined up in the formation during mini-camp. And O’Connell in his senior year at San Diego State led the team in passing and rushing. If I remember correctly, O’Connell ran a 4.5 at the NFL Combine. O’Connell also was a prolific passer for the Aztecs, meaning he’s better from the pocket than Vick.
Moving on to wide receiver. The top three spots are locked up. I can’t imagine keeping Vick as a developmental receiver when Edelman is on the squad and Tate a third round selection waiting his turn. Since Vick can’t be stored on the practice squad, there isn’t room for a project at the position.
Running back? Please! Michael was a great running as the quarterback because of the element of surprise. He wouldn’t be as dangerous a ball carrier with teams expecting Vick to get the ball. I also doubt whether Vick can withstand the pounding a running absorbs.
More than anything else, the Patriots have greater interests than player development. The Pats are built to win now. They set their goal for Super Bowl XLIV. If they’re gonna add a player to the roster now, he better be able to contribute now. New England isn’t rebuilding and looking for the best athletes.
It would be one thing if Vick was an accomplished pass rusher or a shut down corner before his conviction. Those are areas of need. New England’s offense is stacked. Adding Michael Vick to the offense for developmental purposes won’t immediately improve the offense.
Vick will sign with someone. Maybe it will be with a team not in the NFL. But a team with high aspirations won’t have much need for him. One exception is Baltimore now that receiver Derrick Mason retired. Otherwise, I expect Vick to sign on the dotted line with a rebuilding team.
The Patriots aren’t in that category. Gutierrez, your number is safe.
Questions? Comments? Send to talktome@randolphc.com
