Michael Vick, Free Safety
by connie mack on Feb 6, 2009 3:59 PM PST
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PrintThe Niner's defense seems to lack the big play element in the secondary. We all agree the Free Safety position is the biggest hole to fill.
So here's the thought, convert Michael Vick, a quarterback, to Free Safety. It worked with John Lynch ( I realize he was more of a hitter, while Vick is a speedster, but I bet Vick would be a total ball hawk). Quarterback's tend to be very aware athletes (on the field) and Vick has such amazing speed and instincts that he might be incredible as a Free Safety.
On a roster note, this frees up salary and 1st and 2nd round draft picks for a Defensive End and Offensive Lineman.
Imagine what he could bring on an interception return.
I also think this might be an easier, instinctual return to pro football for his first year back than coming back as a quarterback. and a fresh start.
I know Niner's Nation likes its stats, I'm a half-assed saberhead over at Athletics Nation, but imagine Michael Vick as a Free Safety.
One More thing: weekly film studies with Ronnie Lott to get his head right and keep it right.
For the purpose of this thread, I left character out of the conversation. Clearly the man has issues. But he has gone to jail, been bankrupted and served time. America loves a redemption story.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.
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would you trust him to give back change?
They're called RUNS for a reason.
Free safety
I think there are teams out there stubborn enough to continue trying to turn him into a good QB. Hopefully the 49ers are not one of those teams.
more than 20 plays/game
without committing to him as a QB, the Niners could get him in the game that often as a #3 QB.
kick returns 4
punt returns 4
dime safety 4
nickel safety 5
wildcat QB 3
hold on XP 2
up back on punts 4
All this while serving as the 3rd string QB and learning the offense for later, and more importantly proving to everyone he can keep his nose clean.
just the thought of him on the field would weaken the other team’s Special Team performance. He is a special athlete.
They're called RUNS for a reason.
this guy
can be a great qb, he has a rocket of an arm, and with a little help he can improve his accuracy, give him a chance, i always liked vick, give the guy a second chance
Give the dogs a second chance while you’re giving them out.
"We'd like to think that tickets will be hard to come by." Bill Walsh
as far as im concerned
they let OJ live his life, while he took innocent lives, vick aint a criminal, he just did something wrong to animals, and as far as im concerned, animals aint as high as humans
isn't a criminal?
Moral judgments aside, he technically is a criminal. Not quite the level of OJ, but still a criminal.
by David Fucillo on Feb 6, 2009 10:26 PM PST up reply actions
That doesn't make any sense!
Just because he broke the law, was convicted and spent time in jail, that makes him a criminal???
"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler
uh...yeah
I do believe you nailed the definition there
I've been dying to use this one day...
Guess what you just fell in?
"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler
Well said....
You got that right. Nobody wants that dog killer on this team whether or not he’s done his time and paid for his crimes. Go to Canada Vick, you’re a straight up proven LOSER.
I think he's proven he can't be a great a QB
He was decent in his prime but he’s sure to be past that now.
by methodrampage on Feb 9, 2009 7:49 AM PST up reply actions
I don't think the arm is his issue
I think the reason he hasn’t made it as a great quarterback is because of the intangibles. The processing necessary to pick the right receiver and hit him in stride in a crowded field.
Lots of guys have rocket arms and don’t make it as NFL QBs
They're called RUNS for a reason.
I think the reason he hasn’t made it as a great quarterback is because of the intangibles
……….so put him at FS?? I dont really follow that logic at all. Seems like an athletic QB with a poor arm but strong intangibles (ie Lynch) would make a far better FS than the other way around, no?
"It’s a hobby of mine. Kind of like collecting your fingernail clippings or pooping in jars." -olympic mike
i would love to see it
but for some reason i just don’t see it happening. I mean hes gonna give Sf negative media attention like Terrell Owens and Pacman Jones. you know i think id rather see shaun Hill grow and mature into a better QB. Give him another chance, not Vick. you know.
A bay area lova
If you love Redemprion stories from America,
how about playing Lawrence Phillips on his work furloughs from Prison?
"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."
Phillips couldn't block.
And they don’t allow players to drive motor vehicles on the field.
by Bob In Beaverton on Feb 8, 2009 9:27 AM PST up reply actions
Vick
I’ve always been underimpressed with Vick as a quarterback. His passing stats are actually worse that Alex Smith’s.
As far as the dog-fighting stuff, I figure if he’s served his time, he’s served his time. He still has to get past the moralist Commissioner, though. I wouldn’t be against him trying out for any position. Who knows if he’d want to be a safety?
by Bob In Beaverton on Feb 8, 2009 9:37 AM PST reply actions
R U SERIOUS? MICHAEL VICKS STATS ARE WORSE THAN ALEX SMITHS? WHAT FOOTBALL HAVE U BEEN WATCHING!!! ALEX SMITHS BEST YEAR WAS WHEN HE THREW FOR 2800 YARDS AND 16 TD’S AND 16 INT’S! WITH A 7-9 RECORD! VICKS BEST YEAR WAS ABOUT DA SAME BUT HE ALSO HAD 1000 YARDS RUSHING!!! AND WENT TO THE NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME! VICKS WINNING PERCENTAGE IS A LOT BETTER THAN SMITHS! ALL VICK DID WAS WIN FOOTBALL GAMES! I KNO HE’S NOT UR TRADITIONAL SIT IN DA POCKET AND THROW DA BALL BUT U SO-CALLED NINERS FANS NEED TO REALIZE THIS AINT A TRADITIONAL LEAGUE ANYMORE! U GUYS NEED TO REALIZE THAT WE NEED A QB… EXCUSE ME… A GOOD QB THAT MAKES DEFENSES QUIVER! THATS WAT VICK DID EVERYTIME HE STEPPED ONTO THE FIELD! DEFENSES HAD TO PLAN AROUND HIM! THATS EXACTLY WAT WE NEED! IF U GUYS HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT WE’RE GONNA DO GOOD NEXT YEAR WITH ALEX SMITH OR SHAUN HILL THAN U SERIOUSLY NEED TO GET UR HEADS EXAMINED! HILL IS OK AT BEST! HE ONLY DID WELL AGAINST MEDIOCRE TEAMS! I DONT EVEN WANNA TALK ABOUT SMITH! HE IS SUSPECT! CANT RELY ON HIM! THERE ARE MORE PRO’S THAN CON’S IF WE ACQUIRE VICK. HE’LL BE CHEAP CUZ NO ONE IN THERE RIGHT MIND WILL PAY BIG MONEY FOR A QB THATS BEEN OUT FOR 2 YRS! THEN WE SHOULD LET ALL THREE OF THEM FIGHT IT OUT IN TRAINING CAMP TO SEE WHICH ONE DESERVES TO START FOR US. WE NEED A PRO BOWL QB IF PLAN ON DOING ANYTHING NEXT YEAR AND VICK IS THAT GUY… HE WOULD BE THE STEAL OF THE CENTURY IF WE GOT HIM. THE ONLY CONS ARE THE NEGATIVE MEDIA FROM PETA! AND I THINK THEY NEED TO GET A LIFE! CUZ WAT VICK DID WAS WRONG BUT HE DOSENT DESERVE TO BE HUNG FOR THAT! FOR THOSE PEOPLE SO HIGH ON ANIMAL RIGHTS, WHY DONT U CASTRATE SARAH PALIN! SHE KILLS ANIMALS FOR FUN ALSO BUT ITS CONSIDERED A SPORT! I DONT HEAR ANYONE CLAMORING TO SEND HER TO JAIL. U PEOPLE ARE BIGGEST HYPOCRITES IN THE WORLD! I GUESS SOME ANIMALS DESERVE RIGHTS AND OTHER ANIMALS DONT! SOUNDS JUS LIKE THE AMERICAN SOCIETY THAT I LIVE IN. U GUYS NEED TO QUIT AND GET A LIFE. I HONESTLY DONT WANT MY TAX MONEY GOING TOWARDS ARE FEDERAL AGENTS HARASSING PEOPLE ABOUT DOG FIGHTING OR CHECKING TO SEE WHO DOES STEROIDS IN BASEBALL! 2 YRS IN PRISON! R U KIDDING ME? I BET MADOFF, WHO STOLE 50 BILLION DOLLARS FROM INVESTORS ONLY GET A SLAP ON DA WRIST! THATS DA KIND OF SOCIETY WE LIVE IN! U ALL ARE HYPOCRITES! LET ME MAN BE AND LET HIM GET ANOTHER CHANCE TO PLAY BALL!
Wow.
Vick is a terrible QB. There’s no denying that. There’s not a single way of measuring a QB that can really say otherwise. Makes loads of mistakes mentally. Too anxious to pack up and run, instead of letting plays develop more. Hell, even when he did throw it, his accuracy was terrible.
While I agree that a lot of that stuff could be fixed, it does not mean that they WILL be fixed. Atlanta tried for YEARS to make him a better QB. Before he threw his career down the crapper, he was still a very bad decision maker who had a hard time hitting targets but had a great set of feet carrying him around. Vick doesn’t want to change that, so no one can change him.
Let it be known, though, that I have nothing against letting him play football again. I just don’t think he fits in SF, as he doesn’t really bring a whole lot to the table that they don’t already have other than happy feet.
RE: Vick is a terrible QB
I don’t know if I’d go that far. Vick was at worst, a league average QB. As a passer he’s less that desireable but he’s always thrown more TDs than INTs (except his rookie year where he threw 2 TD and 3 INT in limitted playing time) and was rarely helped out by his WRs. However, once you factor in his rushing ability I think he’s atleast an average QB. I also think he was misused.
by methodrampage on Feb 9, 2009 9:57 AM PST up reply actions
YEA OF COURSE VICK WAS A TERRIBLE QB… THIS IS ME BEING SARCASTIC! ALL TERRIBLE QB’S GO TO THE NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WHILE THROWING TO MEDIOCRE WIDE RECEIVERS! U GUYS DONT KNO FOOTBALL… U DONT NEED TO BE A POCKET QB TO BE AND NFL QB THESE DAYS! VICK DOES SOMETHING TO DEFENSES THAT GIVES HIS TEAM THE ADVANTAGE. HE FORCES DEFENSES TO SPY ON HIM… THAT MEANS THAT DEFENSES CANT DO WAT THEY WANT TO DO WHEN THEY PLAY HIM. THEY HAVE TO PLAY VICK AND NOT THE OFFENSE. SO THAT MEANS GORE, VD, MORGAN AND WHOEVA OUR OTHA WIDEOUT IS WILL HAVE MORE OF A CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING. IM NOT SAYING VICK IS A MANNING OR A BRADY BUT HE DAMN SURE SCARES DA HELL OUT OF DEFENSES… AND IF WE DO GET THAT TOP TIER WIDEOUT THAN THAT MEANS MORE TROUBLE FOR DEFENSES. THESE DAYS, THE WAY U WIN FOOTBALL GAMES IS U CREATE MISMATCHES AND U GIVE DECEPTION! ITS A HUGE CHESS GAME. AND VICK GIVES U THAT ADVANTAGE. U GUYS ARE MAKING IT SEEM LIKE HE’S DA WORST QB AVAILABLE! DO U GUYS UNDERSTAND THAT WE WILL BE AN INSTANT PLAYOFF CONTENDER IF WE PICK UP VICK… AND THATS WHAT IS LOOKING FOR… TO BE A PLAYOFF CONTENDER… AND WE WONT BE ONE WITH ANY OTHER QB OUT THERE… ESPECIALLY THE ONES ON OUR TEAM.
caps lock
Could you turn off your caps lock when you respond? It makes it hard to read. Thanks.
by David Fucillo on Feb 9, 2009 10:01 AM PST up reply actions
There's some truth to your tirade...
Mismatches and deception are keys to the game. But they aren’t everything. Remember a dude named Rice? Whenever he was single-covered, Montana or Young inevitably found him for many of his TD’s. Mismatch? Yes. Deception? No, just a dumb DC.
You think deception got LFitz the highlights this year? No – talent and desire.
How’d the great Vick work out on Atlanta, during his prime? Some playoffs, but never a serious contender. Seems to me we need a leader of men who can read defenses and win games, rather than “great athletes” (Vince Young, Kordell Stewart and Randall Cunningham).
We may...
… be making him seem terrible, and we may be wrong. However, you’re making him sound like the 49ers’ messiah, which is also wrong. There is no way Vick will single-handedly improve the 49ers’ offense to a playoff caliber team. The team has a freak of a TE who knows how to block but can’t catch. They have a RB who is shouldering more of the load than he should. They have no WRs of to really speak of that will be with the team beyond this next season. Heck, even the offensive line is kind of a question mark: will fans see the 2007 OL or the 2008 OL?
Basically, if I’m wrong about Vick being a terrible QB, I can’t be so wrong that I’m completely missing Superman.
I’ll proudly admit that I didn’t read a word of that mess.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Feb 9, 2009 9:16 AM PST up reply actions
You should read
This guy could be my new favorite poster here at NN. I’m thinking of subscribing to his newsletter, where the word “the” is replaced by the word “da.” Good bathroom reading.
"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler
Nah, I’ll read it when he makes it readable.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Feb 9, 2009 11:27 AM PST up reply actions
i think Michael Vick sucked before he killled dogs
Maybe not sucked as an athlete but sucked as a QB. There’s no denying the dude is talented, but he just isn’t a great NFL QB. That has nothing to do with what he did to dogs. IMO he did his time for his crime and he should be allowed to go back into society and earn a living. I’d rather he went and looked for work elsewhere, not because he is a dog killer, but because I don’t want him as our QB.
Simply by pulling on both ends, Patrick Willis can stretch diamonds back into coal
I feel it necessary to point out
That Vick has done work for PETA recently, and they’ve even stopped protesting him. As I understand it, they’d even back him if he got another chance in the NFL.
I also feel it necessary to point out that Bob on the Coast, as well as pretty much everyone here, feels that he’s done his time in the pokey, so let him get back out there and play. Most people have been pretty underwhelmed by Vick’s abilities as a QB. Your amazing diatribe, therefore is completely useless.
"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler
Sorry, I stopped mid-thought
Most people have been pretty underwhelmed by Vick’s abilities as a QB…
And therefore don’t want him on the 49ers for THAT reason.
"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler
stop shouting!
Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.
Vick as a FS?
So, he’s a better choice than other guys who’ve actually played the position for a few years, know tackling techniques, know how to cover a receiver, etc.? Think there might be some FA’s that run fast and have the tools you seek at FS? Maybe some kids from college? You’d choose Vick because he, what, runs fast? Well, you’d get an “experienced NFL player with freakish atletic ability,” right? Last time I checked, there’s lot’s of fast guys in the NFL. There’s also alot of fast guys who tried to play in the NFL that couldn’t hack it.
As a QB, you’d pick him because he runs fast, can throw the ball decently and has experience reading defenses. You could sign him for a pittance (cap-friendly word) as a backup QB and see what happens. He’d still make the same pittance as a FS (maybe even less), but would be lost trying to figure out how to be a FS. I guess it’s like going from Master Dog Handler at the Westminster Kennel Club to Master Dog Killer at Gangsta Farms. Wait, he actually was successful dong that. Well, sign him up, then!
Why stop there?
Let’s also take Boldin and move him to RB, draft Pat White and move him to Dlineman, draft Matthew Stafford and put him at punter.
I declare you Sanchez.
huh?
why would you throw these names into the mix? these 3 guys are more proven in their respectful positions than vick is. why stop there………we should make suggs a fullback or haynesworth a TE, that makes as much sense as putting Boldin a RB or Stafford a punter……..i just dont get why those names are being compared to Vicks rating as a QB
by sundaysfinest on Feb 9, 2009 2:20 PM PST up reply actions
sundaysfinest, thank you for your excellent suggestions.
Haynesworth is a big person, so naturally, he would make an excellent target as a TE.
Suggs is hard to take down, making him a natural fit at FB.
I declare you Sanchez.
Suggs - RB
I don’t know…it didn’t work out so well for Lee Suggs.
by David Fucillo on Feb 9, 2009 2:55 PM PST up reply actions
Sweet Jesus
I avoided this thread for a few days, just knowing what would be inside. I finally caved and I can’t say I’m happy with myself. It has everything: horribly insane ideas, overreaction by illiterates, and painfully obvious sarcasm that is completely misinterpreted. Congrats on the greatest/worst thread ever.
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips
Neglectful father of David Quinowski
by marcello on Feb 9, 2009 3:06 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Swearing unnecessary
I just deleted a comment. Swearing is really not necessary to express that you don’t like this post.
1st ammendment baby!!
If you had a lineup of 9 Jack Custs who hit(Cust career average) .239 AVG, .382 OBP, and .475 SLG, then your team would score 6.12 runs per game-totalling to 991runs a season.The 08 rangers lead the majors in runs score with 901.
this is true
But just a heads-up, we had this post in November: http://www.ninersnation.com/2008/11/23/668826/site-decorum
Can I call myself a Fooch-tator? Maybe not…sounds like some kind of tater-tot
by David Fucillo on Feb 9, 2009 10:18 PM PST up reply actions
Fooch-tator?
Nah, sounds too much like some kind of frenched fry.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Feb 10, 2009 7:10 AM PST up reply actions
mmmmmm Fooch-tator
Simply by pulling on both ends, Patrick Willis can stretch diamonds back into coal
the whole point is that there is a limited downside
the upside is excitement, and possibly some touchdowns and interceptions.
to all the commenters above who criticized the idea, so be it, but a couple responses.
First of all,
Vick isn’t just fast, he’s fast, strong and an incredible athlete. Lots of guys are fast, and some guys are fast and strong, but fast, strong, incredible athletes are very rare commodities.
Vick isn’t Lawrence Phillips, OJ, or any of those guys. He paid his dues, served (site decorum) jail time, ruined his career, and almost went bankrupt. I have a brother in prison. I believe that people that serve time deserve a second chance.
He is REALLY exciting to watch.
The FS position tends to be a hang back, instinctive position, where speed is a tremendous asset. Vick in a nickel/dime package with loose responsibilites: (Mike, go out and make a play). might just work. I didn’t say start him off as the starting Free Safety.
Like I said earlier, just get him in the game 20 to 25 plays per game, and try to get him five to ten touches and see what happens. He could score six to ten touchdowns in a season, while not really taking touches from anyone (with the exception of Rossum).
They're called RUNS for a reason.
You know, I’m not sure why people continue to get hung up on arguing that he’s served his time, so he should get a second chance. The reason I don’t get it is because nobody here seems to be arguing that he SHOULDN’T get a second chance.
Everyone here (except maybe TripTheNinja) seems to agree that he’s served his time and should be given a fair shake. So please, connie and 954Ninersfan, and anyone else… Stop telling us all we’re wrong for thinking Vick shouldn’t be allowed back into football, when nobody is saying that he shouldn’t be allowed back.
Otherwise, you make a fairly interesting case, and it’s definitely outside-the-box thinking. But the big question is, would Vick really be interested in transitioning to safety? Even if he’s still going to be the 3rd string QB?
"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler
Vick sounds like fun
I think that its a interesting idea. I say use him a little every where! He could play safety but once in a while they could put him in as QB. That would be a nightmare for defenses he could throw or run, hell let him return some kicks as well. He is such an elusive player and I bet he has gotten much stronger in the joint. I don’t care what he has done off the field you don’t win games or score TD’s by being a good person!
On one hand
I think it’d be kind of entertaining. On the other hand, the last thing I want is Vick on this team. Now before people jump all over me, I’m not saying “booo!!! chase the dog killer out!!!!” I just was never a huge fan to begin with.
The problem I have is that all this is is a big wet dream folks. Some team will grab Vick, just to play QB. Do you seriously think he’d want to play all those other positions? Especially return man?
The above is a general post to everyone getting their panties wet over Vick. Why I’m replying to Julz specifically is the following comment:
you don’t win games or score TD’s by being a good person!
So you’re telling me Rice, Montana, Young, Marino, Sanders, Ward, Fitzgerald, they’re all bad, bad people to have scored so many TD’s and won so many games for their teams. That’s what bugs me. We excuse TO, 85 and Moss for being little punk, primadonnas just because they’re oh so good, and you can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em. Which to me is crap. I say, you wanna be a little (site decorum), and whine and make everything about you… bye, get out, you are band from the league. There are plenty of great players who do not need they’re name on every show, all the time. Players who are good people, good role models, and amazing athletes. Just look at Bam Bam. If he wanted to, he could be the cockiest bastard out there. So yes, you can score TD’s and win games and be an elite player while also being a good person.
Sorry for the rant, some of these players just sicken me…
well
let try to get Chris McAlister. He just got release by the Ravens today. That seems to be a pretty solid pick up.
by warriorfan4life on Feb 16, 2009 2:01 PM PST reply actions
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