Michael Vick Buying Guide
Posted by Adam Bierenbaum on August 25th, 2011
When Michael Vick joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2001, everyone asked the same two questions: How good can he be, and how good will he be? Nearly a decade later, with Michael now the quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, those questions remained unanswered.
An outstanding athlete, Vick began attracting scouts while playing high school football in Virginia. He spent two seasons as quarterback for Virginia Tech and carried the team to the 2000 BCS national title game. Tech lost to Florida State 46-29, but the game confirmed Vick’s dazzling talents and made him a hot prospect for the pros.
The Atlanta Falcons made him the first pick of the 2001 NFL draft, making Vick the first African American quarterback to be taken first overall. Vick played sparingly in 2001, but went to the Pro Bowl in 2002, 2004, and 2005. In 2004 he agreed to a 10-year contract with the Falcons worth $ 130 million. Vick’s strong arm, foot speed, and amazing improvisational skills made him a crowd favorite and one of the NFL’s most promising players. In 2005 he led all NFL quarterbacks in rushing yards (597) and rushing touchdowns (6), while leading Atlanta to the NFC championship game.
Vick’s career took a dive in 2007 after police investigating a dog-fighting ring found 30 dogs and evidence of dogfights at a Virginia home owned by Vick. Initially he said he wasn’t involved, but after his associates agreed to testify against him, he said he would plead guilty. In December 2007 Vick was sentenced to 23 months for his involvement. After Vick announced his intention to plead guilty, the NFL suspended him indefinitely without pay.
After he was released from jail in 2009, Vick received a conditional okay to rejoin the NFL. He signed the next month with the Philadelphia Eagles. On September 21, 2010 Eagles coach Andy Reid named Vick the Eagles starting quarterback. On November 15 2010 in a Monday Night football match up against the Washington Redskins, Vick had the game of his life. He passed for 333 yards and four touchdowns, while also rushing for an additional 8o yards and two touchdowns. All of this led to a 59-28 victory for the Eagles. Vick finished the season passing for 3,018 yards, rushing for 676 yards, and scored a total of 30 touchdowns.
Since returning to the game Michael Vick has established himself as one of the leagues top quarterbacks. He is now set to make 2011 his best season yet.
