AP
Imagine yourself walking with your Terrible Towel in hand, heading up to the large, steel-gated entrance at Heinz Field for the season opener against Tennessee. You’re in line waiting to get into the stadium when you see a crowd of people near Gate A. When you take a closer look, you see signs that say things like “dog killer” and “the Steelers support people who torture dogs”.
That’s not going to happen to this team. No way. No how.
ESPN NFL analyst Chris Mortensen said on Sportscenter Monday that the Pittsburgh Steelers would be a perfect fit for Michael Vick, who was recently released from jail after serving nearly two years for charges related to dog fighting.
I agree Mortensen. Yes that’s right, 100 percent.
It is a good fit for Vick. A good fit for the Steelers? Not so much.
Some media members actually believe they should give him a shot. Ridiculous.
Before going into the reasons why it would be absurd to sign the recently partially reinstated QB, let’s talk about why it just wouldn’t happen.
The Rooney’s would never do it. Even if it would make sense to do it, they wouldn’t. They have a history of shying away from the media spotlight and not signing big name free agents or anyone that has a ton of emotional baggage. The Rooney’s won’t even consider it.
Mortensen was right when he said that the Steelers are a perfect fit for Vick. It’s a stable, low-key organization that does virtually everything the right way. Vick could keep a level-head better here than going to say Dallas, Washington, or Oakland.
But why in the world would the Steelers want him?
The last thing the team needs as a returning super bowl champion is a distraction. They got that last week when sexual assault charges were filed against Ben Roethlisberger. Take that media circus and multiply it by two or three if the Steelers sign Michael Vick.
How about sponsorships?
Not only would it be possible for pet-related company’s to pull their sponsorships, it’s also possible that businesses that have no ties at all to pets to spend their money elsewhere. Losing a sponsor or sponsors is something no sports team wants to do.
It’s the same story about Vick on the playing field.
The Steelers have 20 of 22 starters back and are a favorite to repeat as super bowl champions. They don’t need Vick to help them do that. Sure he’s a great athlete, but he’s only played one position his entire NFL career and wasn’t even that good at it. The coaches don’t need to worry about trying to mess around with the ‘Wild Cat Offense’ or getting him playing time at receiver and kick-returner at the expense of other players. When you have a clutch quarterback like Roethlisberger, why would you take him off the field for five to ten plays per game?
Vick just isn’t worth the effort.
Comments
On the other hand, daily contact with a dog lover like James 'Silverback' Harrison might be good for Vick's conciousness growth. :<)
I absolutely agree with your article. Who needs that headache? Maybe Dallas? They are always ripe for some drama. Or, Buffalo - Vick can join the T.O. circus.
Best point in the article....The Steelers are favorites to repeat without him! Why mess with a championship team. No need to worry though because as Dan said it will never happen.
Please no!!!!!! Don't sign him!
you are way too biased and not very intelligent. you clearly just do not like Vick, when in reality he is a talented played and could serve as a great backup.
The Steelers will never sign this dog killer. It's a preposterous suggestion that Mortensen made. We don't want that crap in the Burgh.
Anonymous -
I appreciate your comments. On the contrary, I think Vick is one of the best 'athletic' quarterbacks of all-time. However, I wouldn't keep a guy with that much baggage around just to be a great backup as you say. It's not worth it in my opinion.
The Steelers are set at the quarterback position. No need for him here. Though, he deserves a second chance somewhere in the league.
Sign him up! Forget the baggage, he did his time. After his first TD, Heinz Field will go crazy. Talk about getting value for a great player/athlete. The Steelers will get great value and that IS the Steeler way! Go Steelers! With Vick we can actually run the Wishbone... Parker, Mendenhall, Moore or the rookie FB and Vick. Think of the possibilities in the backfield!
He should get a shot somewhere else. We do not need him in the 'burgh, purely from a football standpoint. We have a young back-up qb for the future, and we have Batch for the immediate near- term. Our backfield is crowded with the return of Mendenhall, we have a short-yardage option with Summers. Nothing against Vick...He has not really won much before, and we probably do not need him to win now. If we take him, who would you get rid of?
Sign Vick! We could run the Wing T or the Full House of the 20's and 30's. Ben at QB, Parker and Vick at the TB and Mendenhall or Frank the Tank at FB. Or you could bring in Moore at the slot, Have Ben come out from under center and split out, Bring Vick under center. Snap, run right, run left double reverse pass ... TD. Even better, bring in Dixon now we got three QB's in the game. Imagine the possibilities!
I say sign him. He's an exceptional playmaker who'll touch the ball 10-12 times per game, he'll come cheap, and the media will leave him alone after 2-3 weeks. Vick could be the perfect role player.
www.draftsharks.com
Thanks everyone for your comments.
Draftsharks.com - That's exactly why the Steelers shouldn't sign Vick. I wouldn't want to have him touch the ball 10-12 times a game at the sacrifice of either pulling Roethlisberger off the field OR slowing a younger guy's natural progression. Too much to worry about and be enamored with.
How many of you do things behind closed doors that you would never tell anyone about? How many of you are human? How many of you have made stupid mistakes? How many of you are saints? How many of you voted for Bush?......Yes, he did something really stupid, but what he did, had nothing to do with his talent or physical ability. His personal life has nothing to do with his job! His job is to entertain the people and take the team to the Superbowl, not explain what he does behind closed doors or his personal life.
Me, myself, I'm an animal lover and a vegetarian. I can't stand anyone who harms animals, but I love football too. What he was involved in was cruel, but it is not my place to determine someone's punishment or fate. It is not my place to judge. Vick has served his time, and after sitting in jail; thinking about the stupid mess he was involved in, and how it has negatively effected his career, I know he's not gonna be a dummy and repeat the same mistake.
When we make mistakes, we must learn from our mistakes. I'm sure he has learned his lesson and ready to put his life back together. His case will serve as an example to others; what not to do, when you have a career and in the public eye.
We want Vick back in the game. Vick, you deserve a second chance. You're human, and I hope at least half of America is too. Sign him up, lets play some football!!!!
All of you sound like prejudice KKK members this man did almost 2 years in prison for his role in dog fighting, and you still are talking about whether he is good enough for your team or not. If a team can use a good QB then they sign him, if they dont need him dont sign him, but lets see some of you go to prison and come out and try to find work to feed your family. Keep it human
Do you think Obama would let this happen? He did appoint Rooney as Ambassador to Ireland....
dreedknowsbest24: Not a single person mentioned race in their comments yet you jump to the conclusion that they are all racist KKK memebers.
I agree with this entire article. I really hope Vick doesn't come to the Steelers. I might have to throw in my towel.
Pittsburgh will not take Michael Vick. We don't want or need him. I do love how everything somehow comes back to race...EVERYTHING...keep it human! Ridiculous.
dreedknowsbest24
Anonymous
Draftsharks.com
We appreciate your comments...well not dreedknows nothing.
Mike Vick is an excellent *athlete* with lots of *talent*, but the problem is…he is a below average Quarterback. We had one, we know for 8 long years we know… Kordell stewart was his name (technically Mark Malone was very gifted as well) and he was ALL the rage and he was SLASH and he was awesome, until they put him behind center as a starter. We had 4 offensive coordinators trying everything and anything to make him a good QB. Try Slash QB, pocket QB, roll out QB…etc. He was a poor QB.
Should a team pick Vick up? Sure, if they are desperate for a novelty and have zero QB depth. First thought would be Detroit, but then again you really don’t want to expose the #1 pick Stafford to Vick as a learning tool/experience.
We respectfully and most certainly do not need this again, so let us kindly pass on Mike Vick.
Sign him up! We have our franchise QB already, Vick will be ask to be a weapon no pressure, Ben is the pillar of this team and there is proof he can handle it.
Gorgeous - I'm proud I voted for Bush. Just look at the morons you put into power - Pelosi & Obama - Talk about losing freedom and the american way.
As for Vick - He did his time but the Steelers don't need him. Sign your kicker to an extention.
Studies have shown a direct relation between animal cruelty and violence towards people. The Rooneys (and Steelers) have always maintained a stable level of class in their organization, getting rid of players who don't live up to their standards of integrity. Vick, while he may be a good football player, has shown that he has absolutely zero integrity. And although he claims he is remorseful for his deeds, unmercifully killing living beings on multiple occasions is something for which I seriously doubt he's truly sorry. Michael Vick has nowhere near the amount of class, integrity, and respectability necessary to be a part of the world class Steelers organization. The Baltimore Ravens, perhaps; but not the Steelers.
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