Thursday, December 23, 2004

Worth it? $$$$



With a 7-year contract extension on the horizon, this should make Vick the highest paid player in the NFL. This deal will keep him in Atlanta until 2013 and the contract is believed the guaranteed money will top the $34.5 million signing bonus Peyton Manning received. How would you like to be Vick's agent, earning 5% (for you math knuckleheads, that is roughly $1.73 million)?

But is Vick really worth it? Since coming into the league in 2001, his passing statistics aren't anything to discuss. By far his best tangible on the field is his rushing ability, having rushed for more then 2200 yards since his rookie season. Was on pace to rush for over a 1000 yards this season before the management in Atlanta decided to bench him to keep him healthy for the playoffs.

Vick is without a doubt the most electric player in the NFL today, fun to watch and has GREAT athleticism. But he really hasn’t proven himself to be a top paid player and lead his team to promise land. With a career 76.4 passer rating, 35/26 TD/INT ratio and 13 rushing TD, just makes you wonder what teams find important. I see Manning’s contract and now Vick’s and wonder why Tom Brady isn’t making that much. Brady is a proven winner who doesn’t toss up Manning type numbers, but in the past 3 seasons his record is 35-11, has thrown for 3000+ yards in each of those seasons, Super Bowl trophy, not to mention his Super Bowl MVP. So my question, is Vick really worth it?

**Posted by Steve

12 Comments:

Blogger RED said...

By far Vick is worth every single penny! I believe that Vick has more effect on a team then anyone in the NFL and with that proof being exposed last year by seeing what the Falcons did without him. Last full season he played he beat Green Bay in Green Bay. he is the Man and he will take the Falcons to the Super Bowl and he will win one this year. I am a fan of the Falcons and Vick. They are my 2nd favorite team next to the Broncos and might be my 1st if they don't get there shit together. Michael Vick has more effect on a game then anyone in the NFL. he can single handidly win or lose a game. He is lightning fast and has the arm of John Elway without the accuracy, but that is something you can work on.

Michael Vick put Atlanta on the map and is bringing so much money into the franchise and he is earning pennies compared to what the Falcons make of of having him. he is the man and yes he is worth every single penny! Stats might not be all great but he WINS games! That is why he is gonna take them to the Super Bowl. Mark my words!

11:34 AM  
Blogger Steve said...

Well, I can't certainly argue his presense on the field, just seeing what the Falcons did last season without him and what happened when they got him back, plus his playoff victory in GB was awesome. He is an explosive player, fun to watch, I just can't justify spending that much $$ on someone without him proving he can take this team to the Super Bowl.

Will he make it there? Probably, but hasn't yet - and quoting you Jesse, the NFL is "What have you done for me lately." Winning games is great, but doesn't matter if you can't get to the main dance. I'd like to see Vick it all someday, but I just can't justify spending all that $$ on someone who has yet to prove he can accomplish that. Heck, even a Super Bowl berth can give justification...just hasn't done it yet.

This is why I am scratching my head as to why Brady isn't making these types of numbers. Sure Brady doesn't rush for close to a 1000 yards in a season, but he is consistently throwing 3000+ yards, 20+ TD and more importantly, he's winning playoff games.

11:42 AM  
Blogger RED said...

Well I can compare Brady to Rothlebooger for the reason that they are sorrounded by great coaching and a great team that makes him look better. In Vicks Case he makes coaches, players and his team look better. He is like Michael jordan of football. Brady isnbt gonna ever get paid top dollar because they have to pay other players on the team like Dillon, Law, Brewski and other stars. I mean cmon with Vick you don't need too many other superstars on the team but who knows because that might be what is needed to get them over the top. So I say dump the loot into Vick but it might come back to bite ya when a big time free agent defender or WR becomes available and you don't have the coin to throw at him. Only time will tell and questions will be answered in no time. Stay tuned to #7. Besides how could you go wrong with a #7.

1:26 PM  
Blogger Steve said...

Plenty of #7's out there who are worthless as QB's in the league. Shall I name a few? Kyle Boller for starters, has had a few decent games but wouldn't consider him a QB that gives praise to ole #7. How about Drew Henson or Ken Dorsey, AJ Feeley. Anyway, you get the point...

I will say Brady has excellent talent around him. I'd just like to compare Brady and Vick against Elway.

Brady vs Elway - Obviously, I won't be comparing stats, basically this is comparing apples vs oranges. But Elway didn't win the Super Bowl without great talent around him. Same as Brady.

Vick vs Elway - Elway didn't win the big game until he had other great talent, Vick won't either. I just don't see Vick leading his team to the Super Bowl by himself as Elway did.

Now, enough with the stupid comparisons, we know both of them don't compare with Elway, atleast not yet. However, Vick needs to prove something. Just like Manning. He isn't worth all them big bucks unless he can win in the playoffs. And not just 1 wild card game or even get the AFC/NFC Championship game...gotta get to the Super Bowl, gotta put yourself in that position that you can actually taste the Lombardi Trophy.

1:37 PM  
Blogger RED said...

Well would you rather pay aplayer after they get you the SB trophy like they did Favre and havn't got anything in return or would you rather pay Vick the money to motivate him to bring home the gold?

1:44 PM  
Blogger Steve said...

I would rather spend that much $$$ on 3 players who could make an impact to a team. There are 53 men on a roster and really the cap room is about 80 mil/season, so Vick takes up about 10% per year. That just means your other players will be paid less and in return, probably have less talent, which only decreases your opportunity to get to the big dance, let alone win it.

1:48 PM  
Blogger RED said...

Like the Broncos did with Bailey, Lynch & Plummer. Believe me man Vick is the real deal. The guy is unbelievable. Situations like the one vs Carolina that we both seen in KC when it was 4th and goal from the 10. He made a play that nobody can match. Just watch... Atlanta Falcons are going to the Super Bowl, especially now that Philly is out of the way. Really who is gonna stop them?

1:55 PM  
Blogger Steve said...

Bottom line is to answer that question is TB shut them down big time, Carolina should have won that game (that was a great play on the 4th down though, I'll give you that). Atlanta doesn't play very well on the road, even though they are 4-2, if you look at their road wins, their only solid play was unfortunately against Denver. They beat SF by 2, Carolina before they started to emerge from under the rock, barely beat the Rookie sensation debute of Eli Manning by 4 and was pounded by TB.

So if they have to face Philly in Philly (assuming Atl and Phil win their Divisional Playoff games) then Philly will probably go to the Super Bowl. As far as any team in the NFC...well, you know as well as I do, they are weak this year. I honestly think GB can beat them, but more specifically, I think Carolina can beat them. But only time will tell.

2:02 PM  
Blogger RED said...

It's gonna be cool to see either way. I wonder if having Vick sit out the last 2 games will affect his play. It's kinda like basketball , you come out rusty when you take time off. it might hurt the Falcons to bench Vick those games.

2:04 PM  
Blogger Steve said...

This week I think they have to, because of his shoulder injury, but if he's healthy enough to play in the final week, atleast give him until half time. Because Atl will have the other bye, so that is 3 weeks off from not seeing action. As beneficial it is to have that bye week in the playoffs, it can really hurt a team that is riding high on momemtum. I don't feel the Falcons team is good enough to really get a win if Vick is sitting for the next three weeks.

2:07 PM  
Blogger K.J.R. said...

Had he not had his knee/leg injury- I'd say he MAY deserve that kind of money.

Yes, he is an electrifying player and a tremedous athlete, but he does not dominate his position- nor does he dominate the game. His stats alone do not command the kind of pay he is receiving. He is nowhere near the top echelon of QB's currently in any of the stats, with the exception of rushing yards for a QB.

He hasn't won a Super Bowl and although the future might be bright for him- it is still nothing more than a crystal ball.

Don't get me wrong- I like Vick too. I think he's one of the most exciting players to watch, but his performance simply doesn't justify the pay.

2:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Money makes the world go round. I think that it will motivate Vick to take Atl to the Superbowl. As for winning it. I doubt it. I think the Steelers have the right stuff to take it all. I'm from Pitt so that could be a biast opinion. GO STEELERS!!!!

2:38 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home