Last ride for Vick?
The move by the Atlanta Falcons to hold on to backup quarterback Matt Schaub could speak to the future of starter Michael Vick.
Yes, I know, I'm a moron - but hear me out.
At some point, Vick, the top pick in the 2001 NFL draft, has to stop being the quarterback of the future. It's great having potential, but the Virginia Tech product is entering his sixth NFL season this fall.
The future is now - and that means no more passer ratings in the low 70s, no more second-half fades that take the team from the playoffs to the scrap heap.
Here's where the maneuverings involving Schaub get my attention. The Falcons were offered defensive end John Abraham for Schaub by the New York Jets, who reportedly wanted to install the Virginia product as their starter.
That the team decided instead to give up its first-round pick was not done to protect a backup quarterback who has one year left on his contract, in my mind.
Vick has struggled in the West Coast offense that coach Jim Mora prefers. Guess who ran the West Coast in college? Yes, that would be Matt Schaub.
And guess who was Schaub's quarterbacks coach in college while he was running the West Coast offense? That would be new Falcons quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave.
Are things starting to add up here now?
Vick's job is on the line, by all indications. One more 8-8 season, one more quarterback rating in the 70s, and Vick could be on his way out of Hotlanta.
Or the light bulb in his head goes off, he leads the Falcons to the promised land, finally starts earning all the millions that have been thrown into his lap - and Schaub rides off into the free-agent sunset.
I prefer the latter scenario, incidentally. That way, both guys end up winners.
You could say that's the compassionate side of the moron in me.
- Chris Graham