Vick to the Bills in 2010 draws mixed reactions

Former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy made headlines Sunday night by saying the Bills were a darkhorse candidate to obtain Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick next season. The news got a mixed reaction in the Bills' locker room on Monday.

Safety Donte Whitner gave an enthusiastic thumbs up to Vick coming to Buffalo. Whitner said there is no doubt in his mind that Vick can get back to the exciting player he used to be with a full offseason of conditioning and good coaching.

"If we had the opportunity to get Michael Vick and it came down to that, I believe yes [the Bills should make the deal],'' Whitner said. "I believe he's a great football player. I believe Michael Vick would be a good fit and I would encourage whoever to bring Michael Vick in.''

However, wide receiver Lee Evans expressed doubt that Vick would be a good fit with the Bills and doesn't see the team making such a move.

Quarterback Trent Edwards was indifferent about the whole thing, saying whatever the Bills did is out of his control. Whitner said if a guy isn't doing the job he should be replaced, which seemed to suggest (though not intentionally) that he thinks Vick might give the Bills a better chance to win than Edwards.

"If you're not getting the job done then they're going to bring in other players. That goes for myself and that goes for anybody in the National Football League,'' Whitner said. "I think it's more so a competition thing. I dont think you're downing anybody who is in that position. But you bring in other guys to help you win. I would welcome bringing in Michael Vick.'' 

Dungy indicated on NBC's Sunday night pre-game telecast that the Bills had conversations about Vick prior to his signing with the Eagles after serving 18 months in prison for his involvement in a dog fighting ring. Dungy has been Vick's adviser since his release.

Even if the Bills considered Vick I'm doubtful as to how serious the talks got because they were committed to Edwards and signing Vick would send the opposite message. But it wouldn't have hurt for Edwards to have someone like Vick to push him.

As for whether the Bills will go after Vick in the offseason, there are a couple of flaws in Dungy's thinking.

First, Vick is under contract for two years with the Eagles so they would either have to trade or release him. My guess is they signed him for the purposes of making a future trade.

Second and probably most important, we don't know who will be calling the personnel shots for the Bills in 2010. Head coach Dick Jauron is on shaky ground and will likely be gone if he has another losing season. There also could be a shakeup in the front office if the Bills don't show improvement during the second half of this season.

There is no guarantee that a new coach and/or general manager would have any interest in Vick.

---Allen Wilson

 

Comments

[Louis Martin]

Section127, yes I have, so you named a few good QB's That have excellent grunts working on the line. I can go down the list of horrible QBs that have played for Buffalo ( Rob Johnson, Vince Ferragamo, Bledsoe, Losman, Wright, Edwards, Todd Collins, Frank Reich, Kelly Holcomb, Fitzpatrick, just to name a few), league wide there's a whole bunch more. Your point is?

[Nichols "recruiter"]

FIRE HIM NOW !!!!
PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[VI7CK]

BuffaloHoosier: The stats you cited for Vick are MUCH MORE and MUCH BETTER than what can be said of Messrs. Losman and Edwards.

[Section127]

White QB's are the thing of the past. The game has evolved and they are not keeping up. They should stick with punting and grunt work.

That's a pretty stupid comment Lewis. Have you looked at Brees, Manning, Favre, Rothlisberger, Rodgers this season?

[Louis Martin]

Rich, The trade deadline has come and passsed. The only way the Bills will get Vick is in the off season if ever. Lou, there is a good white receiver at the University of Texas, Shipley is his name. I'd take him. White QB's are the thing of the past. The game has evolved and they are not keeping up. They should stick with punting and grunt work. Chuck Wagon is on point, and that passion travels all the way to High School, College and the NFL.

[rich rokosz]

I would bring in Michael Vick and give him and the offensive coordinator 3 week's to develop an offense utilizing him (if they POSSIBLY can). For the next 2 games I would play Hamdren. We've already seen all we need out of Edward's and Fitzpatrick. Give Gabe a chance to show what he could do...then let Vick run wild for the last 5 games. Next year...I'd take Tebow if his was still available...or trade up to get him.

[Chris]

Vandy Adam and Matt have it right.

More jokes are on the way from One Bills Drive.
Did you hear that Lee Evans says the offense has some tricks up their sleeves?

What a farce this organization is

[Chris]

More jokes are on the way from One Bills Drive.

Did you hear that Lee Evans says the offense has some tricks up their sleeves?

What a farce this organization is.

[BuffaloHoosier]

Michael Vick Stats:
Games-80 Yards-11,511 TD's-71 INT-52 QB Rating-75.6 Fum-55 Comp% 53.7. That is below average, so what, he used to be able to run. We need a QB that throws and throws well and often, we have the deep threats lets use them

[VI7CK]

And just WHAT, beastfan, is so wrong with being a Michael Vick defender? Doesn't freedom of thought ring a bell with you, sir?

[Chuck Wagon]

Some real retards left in Buffalo. Not smart enough to get out apparently.

1. Rent a U-Haul.
2. Pack your stuff.
3. Leave.

One thing I noticed in coaching ten years of pee wee. Hispanics and blacks play the game with passion - the white kids are incredibly soft and lazy with an overwhelming sense of entitlement.

[beastfan]

I'm noticing 2 sides on this issue: On one side you have the animal lovers, compassionate human beings, socially constructive, and selfless indiviuals.

On the other side, you have Vick's defenders.

[Lou]

I concur Joe, what's next, a black punter? Are there really no good white running backs or recievers in college worth drafting?? I think the NFL is a bit biased.

[Joe]

Come on! 90% of the team is black, do we really need a black qb too, it's one of the few positions we have left.

[Alex]

"vick" would be perfect for Buffalo get rid of DJ. If you notice are o line sucks and both qb sucks at scrambling. Its time to make some changes even bigger changes then signing T.O

[Matt]

Vick can't play QB b/c he can't throw the ball. He is very inaccurate. Sorta like Fitzpatrick. All Vick can do is scramble and he seems to have even lost that ability! The last thing this team needs is Vick. Forget about Dungy as well. I want a coach that plays an agressive D! Haven't the passed 4 years of the awful Tampa 2 shown you anything? It only worked in Tampa for a few years with great players and never really worked in Indy! It was the offense in Indy. Plus we all know the Ills certainly don't have any great players on D, except maybe Byrd, but time will tell.

[VI7CK]

I'm with Mott. The only way Michael Vick comes here is if Tony Dungy(or Cowher, Shanahan, Gruden, or Holmgren) comes here as head coach... with FULL AND FINAL POWER concerning player personnel and coaching/training associates.

Otherwise, what's the sense in bringing Vick here to play on a rudderless team? Maybe as another way to lure more dummies into buying train-wreck tickets, just like the current TO ploy?

And as for firing Di--less Wonder Jauron: Ralphy shouldn't have to worry about paying him at all if he were to fire him now. Three straight 7-9, non-playoff seasons... and not motivating this team to get to the next level... that is more than sufficient cause to send his sorry a-- packing, and the collective a-- of the "Pop Warner" coaching staff with him.

In any other line of work, non-production is cause for firing. What's so different with One Bills Drive? It defies logic.

[Mott]

I am for it if Dungy comes with him.

[realNFLfan]

I am fine with Vick getting a second chance in the NFL. I hope he can take this second chance and be productive yet again. I just don't think Buffalo is the right spot for him at this time. There are too many negatives against Buffalo at this time. A coach will be owed $6 million on his current deal after the season. I am of the opinion that DJ will be back in 2010, no matter how this season turns out. I do not see Ralph paying DJ millions not to coach this team. The football operations department of this team is still here with Guy and Modrak heading it up. This franchise needs a top shelf franchise QB, and I don't think Vick provides that to them.

[Phil]

Nice idea, Tom....I hope Russ Brandon has enough common sense not to sign that loser...or else St John Fisher should take back his marketing degree

[floydboyz]

HEY! I'm for what ever it takes for the Bills to be a better team.Be it from the top on down to the water boy.

[Abboe]

It is a good thing Vick wasn't playing for the Miami Dolphins with their single wing formation. They would be undefeated this year!

[Tom]

It is bad enough we have Lynch on this team after he could have left someone for dead for all he knew...but if Vick comes here, I am giving up my season tickets I have had for 15 years.

I agree that everyone deserves a second chance.....so if the Bills sign Vick, I hope you will all give me a second chance after I put Russ Brandon on a rape stand, attach electrodes to his hairless, elf chest....then waterboard him in the sink of the men's bathroom at The Ralph. I am sure I can find 20 other fans to hold their feet down on the sink pedal with me.