As quarterback Mike Vick moves toward an inevitable release by the Eagles (so much for that $100 million contract), the question becomes the location of the continuation of his career.
From Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports comes something we’ve likewise heard recently: Vick could be bound for Buffalo.
Last year, Vick told GQ that he preferred playing for the Bills or the Bengals when he returned to the NFL in 2009. “I think I can say this now, because it’s not going to hurt anybody’s feelings, and it’s the truth. . . . I didn’t want to come to Philadelphia,” Vick said at the time. “Being the third-team quarterback is nothing to smile about. Cincinnati and Buffalo were better options.”
Sources close to Vick insist there will be a significant demand for his services, and that he will be motivated to prove once again that he’s one of the better quarterbacks in the game.
That motivation arguably subsided a bit in 2011, after he had arguably the best season of his career in 2010 -- but only after an injury to Week One starter Kevin Kolb opened the door for Vick to have a rebirth.
The fact that the current Buffalo coaching staff, which has Wildcat master David Lee as its quarterbacks coach, would create a natural attraction to Vick. But concerns that his best days are behind him coupled with an inability to avoid contact (and in turn injury) could make teams leery. Also, the possibility that owner Ralph Wilson will hit the reset button after the season would lead to a new band of decision makers who may not be interested in Vick.
Still, he’s as good or better than plenty of current starting quarterbacks, and teams will be interested. Right or wrong, the dogfighting stigma has subsided, and while he may not be handed a starting job, he at least will have a chance to earn one.