Dolphins Should Collar Vick
Dolphins should be the first ones to call his probation officer, er, agent
By TODD WRIGHT
Updated 3:32 PM EST, Wed, May 20, 2009
Disclaimer: No dogs, cats, manatees, Dolphins or Marlins were harmed in the writing of this article.
Now that we have satisfied our PETA requirement, let’s get on with the business of why the Dolphins should be Michael Vick’s second leash on life.
Or is that lease?
Either way, the dog-fighting, felon ex-QB deserves another shot. More importantly, Vick will get another shot this season with someone.
There may be no better fit than Miami.
Vick will be released from Leavenworth State Pen on Wednesday and plans to start football-related drills while on home confinement in Virginia for the next two months.
Is it a coincidence that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the man who holds the keys to Vick’s NFL future, is currently in South Florida at the owners’ meeting? Dol’fans should call it karma.
Assuming Vick is still in football shape and has 50 percent of the cannon he had for an arm when he was with the Atlanta Falcons, he is the prototypical Wildcat quarterback. He has the speed, agility, and the ability to read a defense – the perfect maestro for the improvisational symphony that is the Wildcat.
And Vick would come dirt cheap. The Dolphins wouldn’t lose a draft pick and probably could sign him for the NFL minimum. Would Vick really turn down a couple hundred thousand after being offered $200 per week by some minor league team?
Did we mention it's against the law to own a pit bull in Miami-Dade County?
After 23 months in the pen, Vick should be itching for some NFL action so drive won’t be an issue. There is no telling if Leavenworth zapped some of his speed. And despite countless push ups, no one really knows if Vick is in the mental shape to thrive in an NFL setting after getting out of the joint. Sleeping with one eye open can have its side effects.
But the risk-reward is higher than playing the penny slots.
For new team owner Stephen Ross, the signing of Vick would be a media bonanza and a box office hit that would make people forget he just made the sellout move of the century by renaming the team’s home Landshark Stadium. Who needs Margaritaville when you can sell tickets to Miami’s version of the Dog Pound in the stands?
Jimmy Buffett can’t fill the seats like Vick can.
Sure, fans would have to put up with PETA picketers equipped with signs and Vick chew toys being hung in effigy, but that can only last for a few home games.
Vick has already offered to work with the animal advocacy groups like the Humane Society after his release so that should smooth things over with that crowd.
After all, we have seen all types of reclamation projects in the NFL. Look at Ricky Williams, Ray Lewis, Tank Johnson, Randy “Straight Cash Homey” Moss. The list of felony offenders is endless.
And Vick has always been a relatively quiet character so coach Tony Sparano and GM Bill Parcells won’t need a muzzle to shut him up before he says something that could land him in more controversy.
Bottom line, if and when Vick convinces Goodell that he is remorseful for what he did, the Dolphins should be waiting with open arms.
First Published: May 19, 2009 7:28 PM EST
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