Earlier this week, fishing games and sports handicappers alike were shocked to learn of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick’s new six year $100 million contract extension. The new contract officially signals a changing of the guard in Philadelphia, as gone are the days of Donovan McNabb and in are the days of Michael Vick. Now that Vick is being paid like an NFL betting lines elite level quarterback, does his name get included in the conversation?
Despite being paid on the same level as all world quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, people, much like Peyton’s younger brother Eli, are having a hard time calling Vick an elite level quarterback. Two years removed from exiting prison, Michael Vick now has the keys to the castle known as the Philadelphia Eagles.
Last season, Vick took over for an injured Kevin Kolb, and put up the best single season numbers of his career. By the end of the 2010 – 11 seasons, Vick along with Tom Brady, were the final two players in the MVP ballots. However, it was Brady and not Vick who received the honors, both because of better numbers, and because football writers from across the nation were not ready to commit to calling Michael Vick an elite level quarterback.
In theory, the lack of support at last season’s MVP voting, should have been indication enough for Eagles GM Andy Reid, to avoid spending a long term contract on Michael Vick. Look we aren’t saying that Vick is a bad quarterback, rather the style of game he plays, is both more in tune with a college pro style game then the NFL, as well he is an injury away from having to retire.
In theory, you want your elite level quarterback to stay strong in the pocket and not scramble as much as Vick does. What’s more, Brady and Peyton Manning have been models of both durability and consistency over the last decade. Michael Vick has yet to play a fully healthy season, and he is on the wrong side of 30 receiving his first major contract.
