Why the New England Patriots Should Sign Michael Vick

Jacob Donnelly (NCC News)

August 3, 2009

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Script from Podcast

Hello everybody, this is Jacob Donnelly here to discuss why the New England Patriots should sign Michael Vick. The Pats worked out veteran journeyman quarterback Cleo Lemon on Saturday and look like they're going to sign him, but this could be a big mistake. Owner Robert Kraft spoke on the "Movin' the Chains" Sirius Radio show about his reluctance to sign Vick, he's quoted as saying...

"for us, that's an academic problem. Because we've got the number one player in the world at that position, as far as I'm concerned. Why would we want to do anything that would take (quarterback Tom Brady) off the field for one play."

Kraft offers an intelligent argument, but Coach Belichek LOVES versatility and old-school play. He's the unconventional disciplinarian, it's a perfect fit; Afterall, this is the man who let Doug Flutie attempt (a successful, I might add) dropkick. Tom Brady wouldn't feel pressure from a Michael Vick signing, I mean, they're signing Cleo Lemon, who is nothing, but a poor man's Michael Vick. If Vick shows that he's still got it, then they can sign him to a one-year deal and ship him off just like Matt Cassel last year.

Coach Belichek must be salivating over the chance to sign Vick. Belichek is a historian of football and holds a soft spot in his heart for the Single-Wing Offense, whose most recent incarnation is the Wildcat Offense that tore up the Patriots last season when it was first revealed by the Dolphins.

If you think Belichek has forgotten the 38-13 drumming at the hands of the Dolphins last year then you haven't watched patriots football this past decade. Belichek rarely forgets a loss, and this one hurt bad. I was at that game, it was one of the first times I can recall since Belichek was at the helm that Patriots fans were booing. The game was a disaster, Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams did anything and everything they wanted to.... Don't you think Belichek, the football genius, wants to show the football world that he can do the Wildcat, and he can do it better than anyone else?

This is his thing, if he can't be the first, he wants to be the best. For all the people saying Vick will be a distraction and that one team can't hold him, just look at Randy Moss... Since Moss showed up at Patriots mini-camp two years ago he has been nothing, but an ideal teammate. The Patriots have shown time and time again with guys like Moss and Rodney Harrison that volatile players not only fit in, but thrive in the Patriots system. The Patriots win, and if theres one thing that brings teams together and ensures a good locker room atmosphere, its winning.