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Report User Michael Vick: The Most Overrated Athlete of our Time? By: Coby DuBose, December 14, 2005
Photo Courtesy: StarPulse
Pardon me for asking the obvious, but how good is Michael Vick? He runs a 4.3 second 40 yard dash and has moves that would make most running backs jealous, but exactly how effective of a quarterback is the guy? Annointed by most sports networks as the best thing to happen to pro football since Jim Brown, Vick has done little or nothing to provide supporters with any evidence that he can, indeed, be the leader of an NFL football team. In a way that only George Godsey or Dan Marino could embody, Vick has quickly turned into the most one dimensional signal caller in all of football.
In 13 games this season, Vick has a passer rating of 76.6, placing him just below names like Dilfer, Sims, and Collins. He has thrown 10 interceptions while only hooking up for 13 touchdowns thus far on the season. To call Vick a disappointment would be a profound understatement. Still, his running ability makes up for some of the offense that his passing ability neglects. He always has the ability to go the distance every time he touches the ball. How long can a quarterback keep that up in the NFL, though? Ask Steve Young about what happens when a linebacker gets that perfect hit. The fact remains that there are no hall of fame scramblers. The position of quarterback requires leadership, toughness, decision making, and a precise throwing ability, all things which seems to lack.
The Falcons have rewarded Vick for his stellar play in his five seasons by giving him a ten year contract, worth over 100 million dollars. Who can blame them though? Vick puts bottoms in the seats and keeps eyes glued to the tube, just to see what he will do next. Proponents of Vick will argue that the Falcons need to surround the QB with some weapons and then his real talent will be exposed. Blaming the talent around Vick for his inadequacies however, is like blaming spoons for David Wells' fatness or blaming the crack pipe for Michael Irving's recurring drug problem. The receivers can not catch it if its thrown 10 feet over their heads.
In order to be overrated though, an athlete must be highly rated. While his stats do not concur with the media sensationalism and he has never led his team to the Super Bowl, networks such as ESPN annoint Vick as a hall of fame talent and worship his every move. His exit from Virginia Tech's Lane Stadium in a game earlier this year recieved more attention than Phillip Rivers and his baby. Wait, Phillip Rivers has a kid? I digress. When will the sports world and sports media realize what Michael Vick is? An average quarterback with a short NFL lifespan is all that he will amount to. One day, Vick's lucky star will come crashing down and once again, the running quarterback will go the way of the dinosaur. Until then, hold on tight and enjoy the "Michael Vick Experience".