The Michael Vick Experience
Being as we are, downstream and downfield (sometimes with an illegal man or two) from the action, we are behind a bit in the news. However, that is not necessarily a disadvantage because our focus is on the analysis of news events and stories. We get to absorb the whole story and make an educated comment.
And so we begin:
The Michael Vick Experience at the outset was touted as a revolutionary change at the quarterback position. Not only could Vick pass, but he could run like a speedy running back when called upon, making it tough on the defense to keep track off. All was well as long as the Atlanta Falcons won games and made the playoffs. Times were good not only for the team, but for Vick himself, earning him millions of dollars in terms of his playing contract and endorsement deals.
Well you know what they say about money: More money, more problems! And boy did Vick conjure up some problems. It started with spats and verbal jabs at fans. The team soon began to lose games they were expected to win as favorites. Then it escalated to the infamous dogfighting ring he ran. Amazingly, if that were his only problem, he’d be relatively okay however we soon found out that he blew all his money. On top of that he lied to the commissioner Roger Godell about his crime, became suspended indefinitely byGodell, and for awhile we thought his career was over.
Surprise, surpise!
The Michael Vick experience is rebooted onto Version 2.0. He did his time and now is “supposedly” reformed. Godell gave him a second chance. I do not know for sure if he is truly reformed (and we may never know), but he seems sincere about it. I believe in giving people second chances based on that act alone (but that’s me). If Tony Dungy, a highly respected coach says so then you got to give the guy the chance. It can’t hurt that Dungy is mentoring him either.
That doesn’t mean however that he will necessarily play quarterback or quarterback on the par that he was before. Since he left, the league became introduced to the Wildcat offense (through the Miami Dolphins) and many believe that he will perform well in that type of scheme, but not as a full-time quarterback. He claims that he wants to be known only as a QB and nothing else. I might give him the chance, but for this year he is going to be a decoy.
Yes, you heard me say it, decoy!
Being away from the game for that long and wanting to play a such a critically skilled position requires a lot of training and in Vick’s case, “re-training.” Remember this guy just came out of jail and has lost a lot of football time, especially when you consider the ever increasing athletic ability of today’s players, even in a two-year time span. He might be able to play next year as QB. At the very least his troubles of yesteryear are in the past (or so we hope). He gets to go back to the job that many of us wouldn’t have been able to do if convicted of similar crimes . (The luxury of celebrity-hood). I consider that lucky in itself and he should cherish that moment this time around.
The road to redemption is not an easy one, but if one toils and works at it, the reward will be bountiful. It may not be what is expected, but it is better than before: A changed person working toward the good of society. We see that today as he is advising kids to stay out of trouble. To that I say bravo.
The new Michael Vick Experience ensues. I wish him luck and much success. There are those who may disagree with me, but to them I say, you can’t put him in the doghouse forever now can you? That would be cruel treatment, even to a real dog.
This reminds me of a song that supports such a change from a fellow Atlanta native who is going through similar circumstances. Boy is the world is full of coincidences or what?
Please do enjoy:
