Would you want Michael Vick on your NFL Team?

This is a really tough topic to discuss because it is not an easy question to answer. On the one hand you have one of the most talented athletes the sport has ever seen and on the other you have a cruel dog killing villain.

I know he has paid his debt to society, but is what he did forgivable? What he did is not the same as some of the other violations, such as failing drug tests or even drug possession, that have resulted in league suspensions as of late. This is worse than Plaxico shooting himself in the leg and I even believe it is worse than Adam “Pacman” Jones’ stripper nightclub shootings. (Both just standard Friday nights for anyone in America)

No, this is much worse and I will tell you why. Both Plax and Pacman did not go out those nights with the intention to shoot anyone (especially themselves) but Vick, over an extended period of time, was repeatedly and knowingly murdering innocent animals for the sake of a few dollars. I guess his 10-year, $130 million contract extension that guaranteed him an NFL-record at the time $37 million in bonuses was just not enough. That’s what makes it especially confusing. He was doing it the cruel intention of watching these dogs kill each other, the money could not have possibly had any influence on him, right? I guess we will never know.

But even with all that being said, with the recent emergence of the wildcat offenses it would be quite a sight to see the best combination of passer and runner the NFL has ever seen, part of it. No matter where he signs, I just hope it is with a team that plays against the Cleveland Browns. How do you think he would feel playing in one of the most hostile NFL environments nicknamed the “Dog Pound”?

Eric Feld

NFL Sleeper Team of 2009

Going into the 2009 NFL season there is one team that I believe is a true sleeper. I am not just talking about a team who might squeak into the playoffs either. I am talking about a legit Super Bowl contender.

A team that has never posted a winning record in franchise history; A team that is constantly overlooked by their three conference rivals, the Colts, Titans and Jaguars. The Houston Texans, that’s right I said it, the 2nd tier team of Texas, the Houston Texans.

I look at this roster and I do not understand how they are not being talked about amongst the scariest teams in the AFC. The offense is as potent as it gets with Matt Shaub chucking balls up to Andre Johnson, Kevin Walters and Owen Daniels. Not to mention the solid running attack from Steve Slaton.

As impressive as the offense is the improvement on the defensive side has what has made them such contenders this year. With stars such as Mario Williams and DeMaco Ryans already leading the way, the addition of Brian Cushing out of USC provides them with a potential Pro Bowl caliber LB for the upcoming season, who if anyone watched him in college would know he is a beast.

Having Jaguars enter what some are calling a rebuilding year does not hurt either. The Colts and Titans are the two teams that stand in the Texans way. The replacement of Indy’s coaching staff could prove fatal for them and open the path for the Texans to take the AFC South crown. A QB controversy between two low tier QBs: Vince Young and Kerry Collins could prove to disrupt the chemistry that carried the team last year.

The biggest question going into the season is whether Shaub can last a full year under center. Since joining the club in 2007 Shaub has only started 22 games (11 in each year) due to nagging injuries. If he stays in so does Houston’s chances.

Eric Feld
http://mvn.com/thefootballwire/2009/08/nfl-sleeper-team-of-09.html