Minnesota Vick-ings: Could it happen?

In case you're anti-televisionist or you've just been distracted by the Michael Phelps drama, I'll give you a quick rundown on a situation that's been in the NFL news. The Vikings are in need of a quarterback as Tavaris Jackson has been nothing short of disappointing. Jackson also tore his MCL, which could affect his ability although it's said he won't miss any games. Brett Favre claims to be retired, so we'll talk about him when he changes his mind again here in about six months. It's obvious that the Vikings only offense comes from running back Adrian Peterson, and 31 other teams know that. That's why the Vikings are so desperate to get a better QB than current starter Sage Rosenfels, to balance out the offense. No offense, Sage, I think everyone can agree that you have the coolest name out of all the quarterbacks. With Michael Vick eligible to play starting Week 6, he HAS to be on the radar for Minnesota.

So curious to see what fellow writers have to say, I've asked a few different bloggers what they would do if they were the Vikings GM--would they pursue Vick, risking fan support and locker room distractions to get a proven QB? Vick is likely pretty rusty, but his trainers have come up with a new system to get his arm back to full strength. Instead of throwing footballs to his receivers he's been throwing bones to his retrievers, and it seems to be generating positive results.

No, I'm kidding, but here's their answers:

Bill Williamson, ESPN.COM

It’s not about what I think the Vikings should do, it’s what I think they will do and I don’t think Vick will be signed. The Vikings may be desperate, but the Vikings want a new stadium. They will not, I don’t think, risk losing in the court of public opinion, pursuing Vick just because of a need .I really don’t see it happening.



Shakey1, STYLE POINTS

Michael Vick is an off the wall talent who can electrify an offense with just the threat of him handling the ball. Most teams would kill for a playmaker of his caliber, and now they can get their hands on the best in the game for free.

Teams need to look past his obvious shortcomings and give him a shot. If it doesn't work out, they can cut him and wash their hands of the situation. The Vikings should be jumping up and down at the thought of adding a weapon like Vick to their quarterbacking crew. But they'll probably just sign Jeff George and call it a day.




paneech1472, PANEECH
I think it might be easier to lure Favre back into football than to assimilate Vick back into a role of acceptance with any NFL team.

Vick would be helpful and would remind the Vikes faithful of a young Randall Cunningham, but from a PR standpoint, the move would be a "dog".



Pat Yasinskas, ESPN.COM

If I were the Minnesota Vikings, I would not pursue Michael Vick. He would come with distractions from the media and the protest groups. He's a wonderful athlete, but he's been out of football completely for two years. There's no way he can come in and pick up the offense fast enough to help this season. Go out and look for other available veterans and watch who comes available later when teams have to release players.



MidwayIllustrated.com, MONSTERS OF MIDWAY ILLUSTRATED

Nope I would not pursue Michael Vick. From a purely football stand point I wouldn't do it. Not for anything related to his legal troubles, just his inability to be a good solid accurate QB.
Vick can run the ball, but what the Vikings need is that other dimension of a QB who is good with his throws, accurate and can consistently move the chains to take the heat off of Adrian Peterson.
Michael Vick in my opinion does not bring that type of experience and talent to the table.




There you have it, folks. The majority say no to Vick, but only time will tell what happens to the scrambler. Feel free to tell me what you think!



Airdisch

5 Interesting Quarterbacks

After announcers, emails, and conversations were pounded into my head about what a great guy Kurt Warner is, with his story about being a grocery store bagger and marrying a woman with a kid in a wheelchair, I decided to find some things about other quarterbacks.

1.Jay Cutler-On May 1, 2008, annouced he had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and needs daily insulin shots. Cutler does volunteer work for mentally challenged young people through Vanderbilt's "Best Buddies" program. He works with Dedicated to Diabetes, which is a Denver-based organization that aims to improve public knowledge about diabetes as well.

2.Tom Brady- played college football for and graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan. He was a backup his first two years, the current starter was future NFL quarterback Brian Griese.When he enrolled at Michigan, Brady was seventh on the depth chart and had an intense struggle to get some playing time. At one point, Brady hired a sports psychologist to help him cope with frustration and anxiety and even considered transferring to California.

3.Chad Pennington- and his wife Robin created the 1st and 10 Foundation in 2003 with the mission to build stronger communities by funding programs and institutions that seek to improve quality of life throughout West Virginia, Tennessee and the New York Metropolitan area. Since its inception in 2003 the foundation has given gifts of over half a million dollars to various organizations.

4.David Garrard -Garrard was 14 years old when his mother died from breast cancer. When Garrard began his NFL career, he created The David Garrard Foundation to promote breast cancer awareness and research.Doctors diagnosed Garrard with Crohn's disease in 2004. Despite undergoing surgery in June 2004 to remove a nearly 12-inch portion of his intestines, Garrard played during the 2004 NFL season. Garrard now starts for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

5.Phillip Rivers - Rivers worked as a waterboy at Decatur High School, in Decatur, Alabama, where his father Steve was the head coach of the football team. As part of a fifth-grade project, he had to make a poster about his dreams and aspirations. On the poster, he pasted his face over that of a Minnesota Vikings player who had appeared on a cover of Sports Illustrated. He has worn the number 17 since ninth grade; it is in honor of his father, who wore the same number in high school. Rivers and his wife, Tiffany, began dating in the seventh grade.

aWAKEn

Currently the number two team in the nation, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons have bounced back from some of their worst years in history. In 20 tournament appearances, the Deacons have won 27 games, never bringing home a championship. Players like Tim Duncan, Josh Howard, and Chris Paul have done their best in their time at Wake, but none of the above players have even made it to the Final Four. In 2005, the Deacons entered the tournament as a number two seed, but failed to make it past the second round. Wake Forest basketball has struggled recently, and with the death of former head coach Skip Prosser, things did not get any easier.
This year, however, the Deacons have come out of nowhere starting the season an astounding 15-0. Wake even upset the powerhouse North Carolina Tar Heels where standout sophomore Jeff Teague dropped 34 points. Teague, who has the roll of filling the point guard role since Chris Paul left, has exploded this year averaging over 21 points per game. He has a strong shot and excellent penetrating ability, keeping defenses on their toes. His athleticism is outstanding and puts pressure on any defense. ESPN.com's Chad Ford considers Teague to be a top 2009 NBA draft point guard prospect.
Along with Teague, Wake Forest has been fortunate to have another strong young player in Al-Farouq Aminu, the freshman forward. Aminu has contributed solid play game in and game out, which is essential to any team's success.
The Deacons have proven to be one of the best teams in their history, with strong play from their younger athletes. Some believe they won't do well in the tournament due to inexperience, but within a next year the Deacons could possibly go all the way. Though the Deacons have been through tough times recently, things have started to change. The past few years they've seemed asleep, but this year, the team has truly aWAKEn.