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Michael Vick

NFC Notes: Eagles, Vikings, Saints, Panthers

March 6th, 2014 at 11:17am CST by Luke Adams

Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer dismisses recent rumors that have suggested the Eagles may be getting closer to parting ways with DeSean Jackson. While McLane acknowledges the team hasn’t been happy with all of Jackson’s off-field actions, the Inquirer scribe says that even if the Eagles got to the point where they wanted to part ways with the receiver, they “most certainly” wouldn’t cut him without getting anything in return. For now, Philadelphia has no interest in moving Jackson, according to McLane.

Let’s round up a few more items related to NFC teams….

Eagles Won’t Re-Sign Mike Vick

March 5th, 2014 at 6:41pm CST by Zachary Links

6:41pm: The two sides have talked and will continue to, even though Vick wants to start, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (via Twitter) has a similar take, saying that no doors are closed to Vick.

5:55pm: Michael Vick will not be back with the Eagles in any capacity in 2014, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Philadelphia is moving in a different direction with their backup role and, of course, the No. 1 slot is occupied by Nick Foles.

The news that the Eagles won’t re-sign Vick is far from surprising. While Vick’s injury history and age (34 in June) aren’t working in his favor, he stands as one of the most desirable free agent quarterbacks in an offseason where there are several teams looking. The former Falcons superstar believes that he’ll be a starter in 2014 and it’s hard to argue with him as the Jaguars, Texans, Browns, Vikings, Buccaneers, and Raiders are all looking for a new signal callers. Other clubs, like the Jets, could conceivably get in on Vick.

For a full rundown of Vick’s possibilities and the other QBs available in the 2014 free agent class, take a look at Luke Adams’ rundown from earlier this year.

AFC East Notes: Mallett, Byrd, Howard, Trades

March 2nd, 2014 at 10:51am CST by Rory Parks

Tom Brady is signed through the 2017 season, and the Patriots will be facing the same series of questions until that contract is up: should we draft his eventual replacement? Is the replacement already on the roster? Should we sign a veteran backup? Within the framework of those questions, Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald examines the status of current backup Ryan Mallett, who will be a free agent after the 2014 season.

There have been rumors that the Texans may be interested in Mallett, given his familiarity with the offense that Houston’s new head coach Bill O’Brien plans to install, and the Vikings might also have some interest. But despite Mallett’s potential and the fact that he has been mentored by Brady and Bill Belichick, his impending free agency might reduce the the return the Patriots could expect in a trade.

Further complicating the situation is the fact that, if New England were to take a QB in this year’s draft, that player’s rookie deal would expire at the same time as Brady’s. But with Mallett unlikely willing to wait until Brady plays out his contract before finally getting a shot, the Patriots probably have no choice but to trade him now or let him walk after this season. As such, the Pats will keep their eyes peeled for the next young quarterback to impress them the way Mallett did in 2011.

Some more notes from the AFC East:

  • The Bills have nearly $25MM in cap space, and Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News examines how the team might utilize that flexibility. Most notably, Gaughan writes that Buffalo has enough space to retain Jairus Byrd, whether they bring him back on a long-term deal or put the franchise tag on him. GM Doug Whaley said the team will “go after” all of its own free agents, and Gaughan observes that the most significant of those free agents beyond Byrd are Scott Chandler and Dan Carpenter. The team could create even more cap space–about $3.1MM– with the expected release of backup quarterback Kevin Kolb. Right tackle Erik Pears is also in danger of being cut, and his release would save about $2.9MM.
  • Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com expects the Jets to re-sign tackle Austin Howard before free agency opens on March 11. He also notes that, with all their cap space–which will increase following the expected release of Santonio Holmes–the Jets will also attack the free agent market for quarterbacks and wide receivers. Cimini expects the team to pursue quarterbacks Michael Vick and Josh McCown and wideouts Golden Tate, Emmanuel Sanders, and Hakeem Nicks.
  • James Walker of ESPN.com says it is “difficult to believe” that the Dolphins are seeking to trade Dion Jordan, Cameron Wake, and Mike Wallace, particularly since the team is in “win now” mode. We heard several days ago that Miami was shopping those players, rumors that the team quickly denied. Walker thinks the most “tradeable” of that group is Jordan, who had a difficult time finding a good fit on the Dolphins defense last year. However, Walker adds that Miami is not likely to give up on such a special talent after just one season.

 

 

 

Free Agent Stock Watch: Michael Vick

March 1st, 2014 at 10:52pm CST by Peter Sowards

The career arc of Michael Dwayne Vick is akin to the scariest roller coaster of which you used to dream as a young girl or boy — a series of sky-scraping peaks, each followed by a calamitous crash back down to earth at rocket speeds.

Vick enters the 2014 offseason as a free agent, the second time in his career he’s held that designation. PFR’s Luke Adams lists Vick, along with Chad Henne, Matt Cassel and Josh McCown, as the only first tier free agent quarterbacks. Rarely does a franchise quarterback make it to free agency.

His story is well told. The No. 1 overall pick in 2001 from Virginia Tech, Vick transcended the quarterback position. While not the most efficient or accomplished passer, his athleticism forced defenses to scheme for both his arm and his legs. He made the Pro Bowl in three of his six years in Atlanta, becoming the first QB to rush for 1,000 yards in 2006, though the Falcons missed the playoffs for the second straight season.

Then, Vick became a convicted felon and spent 548 days in prison.

Upon his release, a number of teams came out and, for one reason or another, publicly stated their disinterest in signing Vick. But the Eagles, lobbied by then-starting QB Donovan McNabb and looking to add a dynamic element to their offense, signed Vick to a modest two-year contract.

Vick played sparingly in 2009 as McNabb’s backup, then looked to back up Kevin Kolb in 2010 until an injury Week One sidelined McNabb’s heir apparent. The next 15 weeks were the best football Vick has ever played, finally becoming the efficient passer that had eluded him during his days in Atlanta, setting career-bests in completion percentage and passer rating.

But, as has been the case so many times with Vick, it came down to his (in)ability to stay on the field. Injuries forced him to the bench in each of the following three seasons, and he was kept there in 2013 by the stellar play of second-year passer Nick Foles.

In Vick’s favor is the improvement he showed in Philadelphia, making strides in every passing metric. Now we’ll see how much the rest of the league thinks of him.

ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported last month that the Buccaneers and Jets are likely to have some level of interest in Vick. The Jets offensive coordinator, Marty Mornhinweg, worked with Vick in Philadelphia as the Eagles OC from 2009-’12.

However, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported that a reunion between Vick and Mornhinweg is not likely, despite the obvious connection. Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times says the Bucs need to take some chances and implores the team to sign Vick.

Vick, who turns 34 this summer, told Dan Handuz of NFL.com that he’ll “absolutely” be starting Week One next season. If his market isn’t what he thinks it will be, the Bengals would be a potential suitor — they offered Vick a two-year deal worth about $2.3MM in 2009, according to FOXSports.com.

At this stage in his career, Vick is likely still one of the 32 best quarterbacks in the world. But, teams will be wary of making a substantial financial investment in an aging veteran who has only played all 16 games once in his 11 season. Thanks to a weak free agent QB crop, though, he’ll likely get a shot to at least compete for the starting job, and we may get to watch the “Michael Vick Experience” once again.

AFC North Notes: Bengals, Ravens, Browns

February 27th, 2014 at 3:12pm CST by Luke Adams

The Bengals could scour free agency this offseason for a backup quarterback, but don’t expect the team to look at a high-end free agent like Michael Vick to push Andy Dalton. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that the Bengals don’t have any interest in the prospective free agent, and adds that the club doesn’t want to “shake Dalton’s faith” by injecting Vick into the mix.

Here are a few more items from around the AFC North:

  • There’s still a “great gap to bridge” in negotiations between the Ravens and free agent left tackle Eugene Monroe, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Talks continue between the two sides, with the team hoping to lock up Monroe before the free agent period.
  • La Canfora adds in another tweet that he wouldn’t be shocked if Dennis Pitta and the Ravens reach a multiyear contract agreement before the franchise tag is necessary, or perhaps shortly after tagging him. In other words, it doesn’t sound like he expects the situation to reach a point where an arbitrator needs to make a decision on Pitta’s position (tight end or wide receiver).
  • Punter Sam Koch is a potential cap casualty for the Ravens, but with the salary cap increase expected to be larger than originally anticipated, the team could potentially carry Koch’s $2.8MM number, writes Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com.
  • In the wake of D’Qwell Jackson’s somewhat surprising release, Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com takes a look at a few other players with whom the Browns may part ways in the near future.

QB Rumors: Vick, Cassel, McCown

February 25th, 2014 at 4:11pm CST by Luke Adams

As Andrew Cohen writes at OverTheCap.com, at least two former starting quarterbacks, Mark Sanchez and Matt Schaub, will likely be cap casualties in the coming days or weeks. Both players are expected to be released, as their respective teams move on to alternative options and take advantage of the cap savings.

While Sanchez and Schaub haven’t reached free agency yet, several other signal-callers appear poised to hit the open market in a couple weeks, assuming they don’t re-up with their current teams before March 11. Here are the latest rumors on a few of the top options on the QB market, mostly courtesy of Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com:

  • A strong market is forming for Michael Vick, and while the Jets have been mentioned as a potential suitor, league sources believe the team may refrain from spending in the range that Vick would require, says La Canfora.
  • The Raiders are considering multiple free agent quarterbacks, and Oakland may represent the best spot for Vick to start immediately. However, it’s still possible that Vick re-signs with the Eagles.
  • The Vikings, 49ers, Buccaneers, and Texans are exploring free agent options as well, according to La Canfora.
  • Matt Cassel is viewed as a decent bet to return to Minnesota, but if he doesn’t, the Texans are a likely suitor for him.
  • Josh McCown is drawing interest from several teams, including, as we’ve already heard, the Bears and Jets. However, New York’s interest will again be dependent on how much the club is willing to spend on a veteran QB.
  • Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com makes a case for why the Jets should re-sign Vick.

AFC East Links: Jets, Dolphins, Albert

February 24th, 2014 at 10:08pm CST by Ben Levine

While various reports may claim the contrary, the Jets are a “realistic possible landing spot” for quarterback Michael Vick, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports (video link). Rapoport cites the team’s desire for a veteran alternative to Geno Smith, as well as Vick’s connection to offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. 

A few other notes from one of the Jets’ rivals in the AFC East…

  • The Dolphins and Brent Grimes continue to make progress, and the cornerback is “pretty optimistic” about returning to Miami, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Grimes also said that the franchise tag has not been brought up in negotiations.
  • In the same article, Jackson mentions that the Dolphins have not yet made offers to impending free agents Randy Starks or Paul Soliai. The team has expressed interest in bringing back both players, though.
  • The Dolphins have made signing offensive tackle Branden Albert a “high priority,” league sources told Ian Rapoport (via NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal). The Cardinals are also zeroing in on Albert.
  • Dolphins’ Philip Wheeler isn’t likely to be a casualty of the June 1st cut day, writes Ryan Feder of OverTheCap.com.

AFC Notes: Jets, Raiders, Colts, Texans

February 24th, 2014 at 1:26pm CST by Luke Adams

Local beat writer Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News doesn’t view the Jets as a likely candidate to sign Michael Vick, but it seems that isn’t the consensus perception around the NFL. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), the Jets are considered a “legitimate possible landing spot” for Vick, based on conversations he has had at the combine this week. I expect the Jets to look a tier or two below Vick if they pursue a free agent quarterback, and would be surprised if a reunion between Vick and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg actually materialized, but it sounds like we shouldn’t rule out the possibility.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

  • Raiders owner Mark Davis and the team’s brass met with Johnny Manziel this weekend and came away “very impressed,” tweets Eddie Borsilli of SiriusXM NFL Radio. Oakland is expected to strongly consider drafting a quarterback with the No. 5 overall pick in May.
  • The Colts aren’t expected to splurge in free agency this offseason, but they could take an approach that would allow them to spend in future years, according to Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star, who suggests the possibility of signing shorter contracts, or frontloading deals.
  • The Ravens conducted a formal interview with Minnesota defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman at the combine, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
  • Mike Rodak of ESPN.com examines the Bills‘ options at kicker, where it’s no certainty that Dan Carpenter will return.
  • Jadeveon Clowney isn’t an ideal fit for the Texans, even if the team decides not to take a quarterback, in the view of the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain. McClain’s colleague Jerome Solomon thinks the club’s interest in Clowney should be a moot point, suggesting in a separate Houston Chronicle column that Houston needs to draft a QB with the first overall pick.

AFC East Rumors: Vick, Jets, Grimes, Bills

February 24th, 2014 at 9:27am CST by Luke Adams

On Sunday morning, we passed along word that the Jets are eyeing Josh McCown as a potential quarterback option in free agency. Today’s first round of rumors out of the AFC East includes a couple more updates on potential QB targets for the Jets, so let’s dive right in….

  • A reunion between free-agent-to-be Michael Vick and Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg is not likely, reports Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. The two men spent several years together in Philadelphia, when Vick was the Eagles‘ quarterback and Mornhinweg was the club’s offensive coordinator.
  • According to Mehta, Matt Schaub is also an unlikely target for the Jets. The Texans are expected to release their longtime starter, but if he hits free agency, Schaub won’t be interested in backing up Geno Smith, sources tell the Daily News.
  • Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes is “cautiously optimistic” he’ll sign a long-term contract with the team this offseason rather than receiving the franchise tag, tweets Chris Perkins of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Grimes expressed his desire for a multiyear deal earlier this month, suggesting that being franchised “is not what anybody wants.”
  • There’s a disconnect between the younger members of the Bills‘ front office and the so-called “lifers,” writes Tim Graham of the Buffalo News. According to Graham, head coach Doug Marrone and GM Doug Whaley are looking to shift the team’s “this-is-the-way-we’ve-always-done-it culture” and want more say in personnel decisions, but are facing pushback from execs like CFO Jeffrey C. Littmann, senior VP of football administration Jim Overdorf, and senior VP of communications Scott Berchtold.

Michael Vick Believes He’ll Start In 2014

February 2nd, 2014 at 11:41am CST by Luke Adams

SUNDAY, 11:41pm: ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter tweets that the Buccaneers and Jets are likely to have some level of interest in Vick. Vick would likely have the chance to compete for a starting job with either of those clubs.

THURSDAY, 2:52pm: Teams in search of a starting quarterback may be best off addressing that need through the draft or a trade, as this year’s crop of free agent QBs is relatively uninspiring. Michael Vick is the most intriguing name on the list, and although he finished 2013 as a backup in Philadelphia, he doesn’t expect to begin next season on the bench. Vick told Dan Hanzus of NFL.com today that he’ll “absolutely” be starting in Week One next season.

Vick has shown flashes of brilliance since returning to the NFL in 2009, including a Pro Bowl season in 2010. He’s been plagued by injuries though, and will turn 34 this summer, meaning many of the physical tools that made him special are on the decline, limiting his upside.. In 2013, Vick was replaced in Philadelphia by Nick Foles, who threw 27 touchdowns and just two interceptions while leading the Eagles to a playoff berth.

While Vick would be an excellent backup for just about any NFL team, it remains to be seen how many starting jobs will be out there. Perhaps a non-playoff team unable to land a top QB prospect like Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles, or Teddy Bridgewater in the draft would turn to Vick as a Plan B. Given Vick’s injury history, any team counting on him as a starter would likely have to pair him with a reliable second option.

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