Search articles from thousands of Examiners
Write for us
Philadelphia Sports Houston Sports Examiner
Houston Sports Examiner

Will the Texans be interested in Michael Vick?

May 20, 8:52 AMHouston Sports ExaminerFred Faour
4 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe


Get alerts when there is a new article from the Houston Sports Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.
Email Address


  Include other special offers from Examiner.com
Terms of Use


Michael Vick is out of prison. What's next?

Michael Vick was released from prison on Wednesday. He still has time left in home confinement, but by August, he should be available to return to an NFL team.

Vick has done his time, and while he is still under contract with the Atlanta Falcons, expect him to be released. The Falcons would love to trade him, but no one will give up anything to take on a big contract.

So Vick will be released by the Falcons and will be a free agent. The biggest question: Who will want him?

Several callers to our talk shows have suggested he would be an excellent fit for the Texans -- bring him in as a third quarterback and use him in a slash-type role. When Matt Schaub inevitably gets hurt, you have an experienced backup who has had some time to get back in shape and could be an explosive player.

It won't happen.

Owner Bob McNair has been steadfast about avoiding players with questionable character issues. Whether or not Vick is changed man or not, McNair would not risk the PR hit.

Plus, the Texans don't really need him. Schaub came into his own last season, and is poised to have a big year. The distraction would not be worth the effort for a team looking to make its first run at the playoffs.

However, Vick might be a good fit for Texas' other team.

The Dallas Cowboys have a quarterback in Tony Romo and a veteran backup in Jon Kitna, but there are reasons why Vick might be a fit.

Owner Jerry Jones has never been afraid to take on players with a past. Even though many have backfired -- Pacman Jones, for instance -- Jones is not afraid to gamble.

The Cowboys thrive on soap operas, and who would be a bigger soap opera than Vick? Jones loves to keep the Cowboys on the national map, and this would do it. The initial PR hit would be offset by the curiosity it creates.

Plus, it makes sense from a football perspective. Romo has been inconsistent; everything is now on his shoulders since Terrell Owens was released. If the offense struggles, Romo will take the heat.

It's possible Romo is just not that good. We will find out this season.

Signing Vick would provide insurance. The Cowboys could bring him along slowly, let him get back in football shape. If Romo is fine, then they could use Vick as a slash player. If Romo struggles, the Cowboys have a ready-to-roll replacement.

Of course, there is no guarantee Vick ever gets back to what he was, and if not, the Cowboys haven't really lost anything.  He won't cost much, and if they wind up not needing him, so much the better.

Vick a Texan? No chance. But Vick in Texas makes sense.

More About: Texans · Vick

Comments

Name:


Comments:
characters left

NOTE: Do Not Alter These Fields:

Inside 'New Moon'
Get inside info on all things New Moon.
Robert Pattinson | Taylor Lautner

Recent Articles

Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Listen to Fred Faour on the Blitz on ESPN 97.5 every Mon. through Fri. from 1-3 p.m.or catch the stream at espn975. com. …
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Listen to Fred Faour on The Blitz on ESPN 97.5 in Houston every Monday through Friday from 1-3 p.m. or on the steam at espn975.com. …