After the 49ers 2008 season concluded with back to back wins over the Rams and Redskins interim head coach Mike Singletary was rewarded with a new 4 year contract as the teams new permanent fixture at head coach. For Singletary it was a moment that many saw coming for quite awhile. The former Super Bowl champion and Ravens assistant guided the 49ers to a 5-4 finish after a very rocky 2-5 that saw the firing of former coach Mike Nolan. First on the new coach's to do list was to address offensive coordinator Mike Martz. At times the 49ers were very inconsistent and the chosen one (by Martz anyway) by the name of J.T. O'Sullivan was quickly benched after Singletary took over. So it wasn't much of a surprise then when the 49ers fired Mike Martz after just one season. Now the team is looking for yet another play caller, for the 7th time in as many years in fact. One could certainly point at the 49ers failure to have a long term coordinator as one of the many reasons the team hasn't made the playoffs since 2002. Many names have surfaced for the position including several current NFL assistants and former head coaches (one, Scott Linehan, turned the 49ers down several days ago to accept the same position with the Detriot Lions).
The newest names on the list are former NFL head coach (and multiple time Super Bowl loser) Dan Reeves and current Ravens assistant Hue Jackson. While the names are very familiar to modern NFL fans there is something else possibly brewing that could surprise some. Reeves and Jackson are both connected, not by any blood lines no sure, but by a player they have both coached in the past. That player is a 3 time pro bowler and was an advertisement super star. That player is also currently not in the NFL, rather he calls prison his home 7 days out of the week instead of just Sundays. Sound familiar yet? If that's your jaw hitting the floor your not alone. For some 49er fans it would be a media nightmare, but for others it could actually bring wins to the field if it actually happens (Vick is one of the few players to win a playoff game in Lambeau Field, which he did in 2002). There is a strong possibility that Vick will be released from prison this summer (as early as July) and will have another chance at an NFL career. Where that may be is uncertain, although some rumored teams have been the Raiders, Cowboys, Bucs (when Gruden was the coach) and now the 49ers.
The 49ers should sign Mike Vick? Much needs to be taken into account before one cancome to a final say.
The X-Factor(s)
Roger Gooddell. If released from prison and if Vick is looking to re-start his NFL career it all starts with the NFL commissioner. Adam Jones was suspended from the NFL for a year before he was allowed to play again after being traded from the Titans to the Cowboys before the 2008 season, and even that was without Jones having served any serious prison time like Vick has endured for the past 23 months. Gooddell has been criticized by some in the media and even some players (see Joey Porter) for his lack of discipline with some, while cracking the whiphard on others (like a PacMan jones). Vick reportedly lied to Gooddell about his involvement with dog fighting and has had several other off field issues in his past, which include marijuana use. Some may argue that if Pac Man Jones can have as many offenses as he has had, with or without jail time, and somehow found his way back into the league then Mike Vick should have no problems (Leonard Little killed a woman due to his drunk driving in 1998 yet he has somehow still playing in the NFL without severe penalty, although that wasn't on Gooddell's watch). Stay tuned.
Mike Singletary. He wants to win and establish that smash mouth football mentality his Bears teams from the 1980's possessed (as did so many other NFL teams throughout the years). He also hasn't declared a starting quarterback for the 2009 campaign and could be looking to the draft and free agency for some depth. Vick would be an upgrade over the 49ers current talent level (though Shaun Hill is 7-3 as an NFL starter) and would give more running ability to a Singletary offense. However ego would have to come into question and in the past Vick hasn't been the most hush hush of players. Singletary clashed with tight end Vernon Davis during his NFL coaching debut, a battle that seems to have simmered since. How these 2 would co-exist would be interesting to see.
The Positive (yes there may actually be some)
A Comeback. Everyone loves a feel good story. There is nothing that warms a person's heart more than seeing another turn their life around and begin a new, which could be a huge problem for the anti-Vicks out there. Kobe Bryant was down, very down. All of his endorsement deals were evaporating and his career looked to be in shambles. His wedding was a fraud and his personal life shrouded in controversy. Yet somehow he managed to fight through it all and return to the top of the heap as one of the NBA's best players. Yes, the argument will be made that he never served jail time or killed innocent animals and then returned to stardom. However, it does show that a career can be salvaged. In Vick's case it is possible. If he shows that he has changed, stays on course and is truly a changed person, America may "bite". We do love underdogs after all, and in Vick's case he will be a huge one when his time to return to the league comes.
Wins. It's what the NFL is all about. Wins, Championships, Super Bowls. Bring Vick to your team you may get to the promised land sooner than you think. His arm one of the strongest the league has ever seen, his accuracy on the other hand is one of the most average. The running ability he possesses appears to be that of a running back, and his moves are scattered all over youtube on various highlight reels. Combine his arm and his feet, and you have a weapon. The Falcons made it to 2 NFC title games earlier this decade with him and suffered mightily (up until this year) without him since he arrived in 2001. He wins games and sells tickets in the process.
The Negative
PETA. Any NFL team take note, you sign Mike Vick your sure to bring millions of protesters right along with him. PETA has been on Vick's case ever since his disgusting acts were discovered. PETA offered to do an anti-dog fighting public service announcement with Vick, something he agreed to only if PETA would support his return to the NFL. Something the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals declined. “Saying sorry and getting his ball back after being caught enjoying killing dogs in hideously cruel ways for many years doesn’t cut it,” said Ingrid E. Newkirk, the president of PETA. Any time willing to take a chance on him is also taking a chance on some unwanted attention (something the 49ers know nothing about since they parted ways with Terrell Owens nearly 6 years ago).
Media. Not just by PETA either. You can bet that an NFL franchise is going to take some hits in the front office department with a move like this. With the recent success of rookie quarterbacks (look at Ryan and Flacco this season or the recent success of the 2004 rookie qb class) why would a team gamble on an aging mediocre passer who hasn't played in almost 2 years? Why would a team risk bringing in someone like that just for the sake of winning? Those questions and more will flood NFL front offices and be one of the top questions during press conferences before, during, and after the season. Which leaves the question to be asked. Why bother?
Lockeroom Impact. Bring a bad seed into an NFL locker room and watch how quickly that once championship-caliber team can fade. Bring in an ego, a hot head, or just someone who doesn't get along often with his quarterbacks. No T.O. this isn't just a message to you, it can happen to any NFL team. Now magnify that by 10. Sure, maybe some NFL players won't care but you have to wonder about the ones that will. Can a team trust a Mike Vick? The scrutiny could be huge and Vick would possibly have to earn back the respect he so ignorantly tarnished. Likely no one will soon forget the disaster that he put the Atalnta franchise through because of his legal and personal woes. An Owner should remember that, players may or may not. Sure some players see dog fighting as something that was around growing up, a life style, or just no different than hunting. Other players could ask themselves "is that enough to throw away a $100 million contract?".
Bottom Line
The 49ers haven't had a winning season since 2002. They haven't had a consistent quarterback since 2003 when Jeff Garcia was still playing at a high level. The team needs an upgrade and while Vick certainly presents a nice one, there's just to many variables to take into consideration for the 49ers to actually make the move. If Dan Reeves does end up with the 49ers the possibility of Vick playing in the Bay Area will grow, but it just seems so unlikely for any of it to actually become reality. The 49ers are in need for a new stadium and talks have been stalling for months. The addition of Vick could help or hurt, depending if Vick truly is changed and the team wins or if he hasn't and the team continues to lose. Vick is an enticing option and I'm sure the Yorks will remember the type of financial ability Vick brought to the Falcons before his off field issues caught up with him. However, with a franchise that has been the home to Bill Walsh, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Steve Young, and so many others... adding the name "Vick" just doesn't seem right.
Go ahead Raiders, take em.
