Michael Vick, A Modified Direction for the New York Jets

As the headline suggests, I was prepared to come out here and tell you why Michael Vick is a must start for the New York Jets come Sunday and possibly from here on out. Yet, Thursday, news broke that Vick admitted to reporters he wasn’t ready to take the field when his number was called Sunday against the San Diego Chargers. (see: Jets’ Michael Vick admits he was unprepared vs. Chargers).

The admission changed my mind and I now know that I don’t know who should start for the Jets, but what I do know is the Jets season is doomed. This team is worse than the winless Jacksonville Jaguars. Simply put, unlike the Jaguars who are just bad, the Jets have talent but they lack organization, work ethic, and motivation.

From personnel to the players, there are so many issues with the team. Rex Ryan is not a head coach, I think that much has been clear for a while now. Ryan is a defensive coordinator at heart, yet, last week against the Chargers the defense couldn’t stop anything. Over the last four games (all losses), they have given up approximately 28 points per game.

“Maybe I didn’t prepare or I wasn’t prepared, but I’ll tell you what, it won’t happen again.” — Michael Vick

Circling back to Michael Vick. I was stunned by the unprofessionalism Vick exhibited when he told the New York Post he wasn’t ready. I have one question, why was a veteran and former starter in his 12th season not prepared for the opportunity to come in and impress. This wouldn’t be the first time he has had to win the starting job, so why wasn’t he ready and waiting for his chance. Also, why was a veteran who has been in a NFL locker room before admitting this to the press? Keep it to yourself.

Although it may not seem it, I have calmed down slightly after seeing Vick’s admission, so I will still say that Geno Smith, should not be starting. He was bad last year and doesn’t appear to be getting any better. Despite Vick’s lack of preparation, he is still clearly a better quarterback. In his six years as a starter since they started calculating QBR, Vick never had a season as low as Geno’s rating from last year. Nor has Vick ever thrown 21 interceptions in a single season. I can understand Geno is only in his second season, but those numbers are not justifiable.

Michael Vick has a lot more experience at the position than Smith and can teach Geno a lot. Lets not ignore the fact that Smith models his game after Vick, he likes to move around a lot and run the ball if given the chance. He could potentially learn a lot from how Vick operates and thinks when he is playing.

Lastly, if you give Vick the ball and provide him with protection he can rival the arms of best. The way he moves around the pocket and fires the ball down field is very impressive. He has a keen eye and sense of knowing whether the ball will get through, he just needs time. The lack of time he had in Philadelphia, with their weak offensive line in his last few seasons, led to the dismantling of his game. He became a joke because he was trapped in a tight pocket without the ability to move freely.

Michael Vick: Must Start Sunday for New York Jets

By Brandon Roertgen | Oct 9, 2014