Pedigree, Potential Earn Marcus Vick Another Chance
by Neal Turnage
May 16, 2006
In an off-season filled with risky moves, the Miami Dolphins rolled the dice again Monday and signed former Virginia Tech signal caller, Marcus Vick.
In a news release from the team, Coach Nick Saban said, “giving Marcus an opportunity as a free agent is a risk worth taking.” The team hopes for a big payoff from at least one of its gambles this year.
The franchise has already seen one dud when it welcomed back Ricky Williams after his brief “retirement” only to have him commit yet another violation of the NFL substance abuse policy. Banned from the NFL for one year, he will likely play the next season in the Canadian Football League if the Dolphins grant him permission.
Given that Miami has not had a solid quarterback since the days of Dan Marino, the team picked up Daunte Culpepper from Minnesota and Joey Harrington from Detroit. Culpepper slogged through an uncharacteristically terrible first few games last year before suffering a season ending knee injury. He is not set to return to action until sometime after the next season begins.
Harrington, considered a bust in Detroit by many, will act as the starter until Culpepper returns or until he plays his way onto the bench. The Dolphins are hoping that a change of scenery and a few more offensive tools are what Harrington needs to realize his potential.
Vick, however, is not expected to challenge for a quarterback slot on the depth chart. In his workouts at rookie camp he appeared small by NFL quarterback standards and was moved to wide receiver. He was ultimately signed as a “receiver/quarterback/specialist”.
Vick can thank the Steelers for his new contract, as Pittsburgh’s corps of wide receivers featured two high-profile former college quarterbacks. Antwaan Randle El was a standout at Indiana University while Hines Ward played quarterback and wideout at the University of Georgia. Both players’ throwing and catching skills were instrumental in the Steelers’ championship run.
If Vick is going to be successful in making the transition, Miami is the place to do it. The Dolphin’s offensive coordinator is Mike Mularkey, the man who earned the nickname “Inspector Gadget” in Pittsburgh from his use of trick plays to maximize the multi-dimensional talents of Ward and Randle El.
The Sporting News’ Dan Pompei, on ESPN’s Cold Pizza said that the decision to give Vick a shot came out of a one-on-one meeting between coach and player. Pompei said Vick convinced Saban that he’s not the evil monster his track record may imply and that his willingness to change positions shows his commitment to making the most of the opportunity.
The move from quarterback to receiver, however, does not guarantee success in the NFL. Just ask Kordell “Slash” Stewart. He earned the nickname by having the talent to play as a quarterback/receiver/kick returner, but eventually was slashed from the Steelers’ roster.
Former Virginia high school superstar and University of North Carolina quarterback, Ronald Curry, is another whose transition from passer to catcher has been lackluster thus far. Since being drafted in 2002 by the Oakland Raiders, Curry has started just five games at wideout, has recorded no touchdowns as a kick returner and has torn his Achilles tendon twice.
Vick can also thank the Mannings and the Barbers for planting the seed of hope that brothers can be successful in the NFL. Sharing genes with arguably the NFL’s most exciting player can’t hurt either.
Vick is one of many college quarterbacks being asked to switch positions in the NFL this year. Also making the jump to receiver are Texas A&M’s Reggie McNeal for the Bengals, Penn State’s Michael Robinson for the Forty-niners, Missouri’s Brad Smith for the Jets and Virginia’s Marques Hagans for the Rams.