Sep 29, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (7) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
One of the awkward parts about following a nationally irrelevant team is when the experts give their analysis on what they should do. It’s obvious they don’t follow those teams as much as the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, or big-market teams who are a consistent playoff contender, especially on the East Coast.
A perfect example of this came when Pro Football Talk reporter Mike Florio reported that Michael Vick could be moving toward a decision (HERE). Florio brings up the idea that the Tennessee Titans are a perfect fit for incoming head coach Ken Whisenhunt, implying that it could have a Kurt Warner-like effect on them.
Here’s a snippet of what Florio stated:
"There’s one other team that bears watching: the Titans. Jake Locker is recovering from surgery to repair a LIsfrance injury in his foot. (One league source recently remarked that Locker may still be on crutches.) Beyond Locker, the options are Charlie Whitehurst, Rusty Smith, and Tyler Wilson.When did new Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt have his greatest success in Arizona? When using a youngster or a proven veteran in the final years of his career?Maybe Vick, the starter in Philly when Whisenhunt made the ill-fated trade for Kevin Kolb, gives Whisenhunt a way to quickly turn things around in Tennessee, at least for a year or two. Yes, Vick has injury concerns, but the presumed starter in Tennessee has had an even harder time staying healthy during the first three years of his career."
To this idea, I say
- The Titans just signed Charlie Whitehurst to replace Ryan Fitzpatrick. This deal included two years for $4 million with another $4 million available through incentives (rotoworld). Pretty sure they didn’t bring him on as a No. 3 quarterback behind Locker AND Vick.
- Comparing Kurt Warner with Vick solely because they’re veterans in the final years of their career…no. They’re two completely different players with different personalities and playing styles. The similarities stop at their experience, which means nothing.
- Since 2012, Locker has appeared in 18 games. Vick has appeared in 17 games. Vick’s unavailability is a combination of injuries and losing his starting job to Nick Foles.
Florio suggests Vick plus Titans equals Cardinals plus Warner. Here’s a closer equation: Vick plus Titans equals Cardinals plus Derek Anderson. Anderson was the first veteran quarterback who received a starting chance after Warner retired. It failed.
What kind of turnaround does this team desire? Vick isn’t bringing anybody to the Promised Land. The Titans are better off seeing what they have in Locker (or if he can even stay healthy) then moving on in 2015. Not tricking themselves into a 2010-like Vick season that makes the organization commit to him for three seasons. No need for prolonged mediocrity.
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