Vick's "Great" First Night

First of all, I'd just like to acknowledge BK's latest post about the changeover in Baltimore. Usually it's about this time of year that the changeover begins. The Orioles are usually a little out of playoff contention, and the Ravens are a couple weeks from their regular season opener. However this year, the Orioles have been out of contention since the first series after the All-Star break, meaning I've been waiting for this changeover to happen for an extra month. Of course it's exciting watching all the young talent (BK forgot to mention the young offensive talent such as Matt Wieters and Nolan Reimold, and even Adam Jones and Nick Markakis), but at 52-76, not much else to look forward to, so LET'S GO RAVENS.

But that's not what I'm writing about. I'm writing about Michael Vick's great first outing. Now, I wish there was some way I could bring out the sarcasm in that statement, because Vick's outing was not "great." It wasn't even "good." Everyone, and I mean everyone, is overstating the "greatness" that was Vick's first NFL game since 2006. He went 4-4 for 19 yards. He made one pass for a first down. Otherwise, he pretty much shovel-passed his way to 4-4. That first down pass he made is what irks me. I must have watched ESPN for five minutes today and I saw that pass to Hank Baskett about thirty-seven times. People are talking about this completion like Vick is a high-school kicker who came in and saved the day by completing a game-winning touchdown pass in the super bowl. NO. Vick is a QUARTERBACK, who made a thirteen-yard first-down pass in a pre-season game. What's a quarterback's primary job? To COMPLETE PASSES. Congratulations, Michael Vick, on doing your job.

Yes, Vick has been away from the game for two years, but that didn't mean he was gonna lose every skill he ever had. He was an NFL quarterback before he went to prison. He's not just going to magically forget how to play football. If I hear one more person drool over Vick's performance in this preseason game, I'm gonna throw up. Yes, Michael Vick proved that he can play in the NFL again under a lot of pressure, but what were people expecting? Were people expecting Vick to take his first snap, run to his own end zone, and spike the ball for a safety? That's what it sounds like people were expecting, considering people love his initial numbers (an average of an amazing 4.75 yards per pass). I hate to break it to all of you, but he's not going to forget how to play football. He's not going to forget how to throw the ball. He's a professional football player. Yes, Vick has been through a lot, all due to his awful choices, but 4-4 for 19 yards should not show everyone that Vick is back and ready to run over the opposing defense.