If the words of the teams that recently have said they aren’t interested in quarterback Mike Vick can be believed, even more teams can be added to the Anti-Vick List.
According to the Associated Press, the Bears, Raiders, and Titans can be added to the list.
The first and the third are significant, in our view, because Vick’s adviser and mentor, Tony Dungy, is close with Chicago coach Lovie Smith and Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher. We previously have suggested that, if all else fails, someone with ties to Dungy will give Vick a shot.
Fisher left the door open a bit as to the question of whether the team could become interested in Vick if a need arises at the quarterback position.
“I’d have to cross that bridge when you come to it,” Fisher said.
Smith also seemed to imply that circumstances could change.
“I think Mike deserves a second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society,” Smith said. “He deserves a second chance. As far as we’re concerned, we like this team that we have right now.”
Raiders coach Tom Cable was less equivocal.
“We like who we have, so let’s move forward,” Cable said. “We haven’t had that discussion because it’s not relevant to what we’re trying to do and who we have.”
Still, the Commissioner’s decision to reinstate Vick has done little to persuade teams to take a chance on him. Assuming that the teams who have said they aren’t interested in Vick are telling the truth, there aren’t many options left.