Michael Vick’s return to the Georgia Dome is as nondescript as his 2009 season and return to the NFL
Scott Pharr, Atlanta, GA
When the Atlanta Falcons host the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday, the notable significance of the game will be which team can prevail and keep wildcard playoff hopes alive. At 6-5, the Falcons face another must-win situation and will be doing so without the services of their starting QB and most likely without their starting tailback. The Eagles, one game ahead of Atlanta in the wildcard standings, may be without key playmaker DeSean Jackson due to lingering symptoms of a concussion suffered in last week’s game. There is one other minor subplot lingering, however. Mike Vick returns.
Vick last laid cleats on the Georgia Dome turf in 2006. After breaking on the scene in 2001, Vick spent 6 seasons leaving mouths open and lungs void of air with his never-before-seen otherworldly football skill sets. In 2004 he led the Falcons to an 11-4 record, stopping one game short of the Super Bowl with a loss at Philadelphia in the NFC title game. Over the next two years the Falcons would hover around .500, and in the summer of 2007, everything came to a conclusion in Atlanta as Vick was busted for having a lead role in an illegal dog-fighting ring in Surrey County, Virginia.
Everyone knows the line from Spiderman: “With great power comes great responsibility.”. There had never been anyone like Vick before, or for that matter, since. And, the ‘since’ part will have to include the current version of Vick himself. After paying his debt to society in Leavenworth, Kansas, Vick was reinstated to the NFL in August of this season. The Eagles then became the organization to pick him up and provide him a new lease on life in pro football. They also did so sight unseen. The Eagles, like everyone else, had not seen Vick play football in 2 years. Everyone had a memory of the blinding speed and cheetah-like agility Vick sported, and there was no reason to believe his skills had greatly diminished. Additionally, the cutting edge wildcat formation seemed tailor-made for an athlete with Vick’s abilities. Just snap it to him and watch..would he run, would he pass, and could he ever be contained in that situation?
Through 11 games, the great return of Michael Vick has been about as noteworthy as a 10th sequel to the Friday the 13th series. 
After being suspended for the first 2 games of the year by Commissioner Roger Goodell, Vick has seen sparse action at best. His performance on the field and contribution to the Eagles offense has been even less noticeable or impactful. Passing: 3 of 9 for 6 yards, no TDs, no INTs. Rushing: 15 carries, 65 yards (4.3 YPC), no TDs. What has been noticeable is that Vick shrunk just a bit while ‘away’. His arms are smaller, his legs are thinner, and he has yet to flash any of the ‘now you see me now you don’t’ elusiveness that made him must-see television when he was at his best.
The Falcons have also changed appearances. After enduring one highly tumultuous year following Vick’s departure, the Falcons completely overhauled the franchise, on the playing field, on the sidelines, and in upper management alike. Then, after finishing 11-5 in 2008, the team had completed the recovery process. What will be interesting will be the crowd reaction to Vick once he steps on to the field in Eagle green on Sunday. With both he and the Falcons now in better places respectively, the opportunity for forgiveness is there, and one would hope the cheers drown out the boos as he trots out. But more important for Atlanta is a victory over Philadelphia, which would pull them into a tie in the wildcard race with just 4 weeks left in the regular season. For a few moments the Atlanta fans will indeed reminisce about the days #7 flashed up and down the field like none had before. But a Chris Redman to Roddy White touchdown pass will bring everyone back to present day, a day where Vick is wearing green and not black, and a day when Vick losing doesn’t equate to the same happening for Atlanta.
December 7th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Great Article, well balanced opinion