Rams Should Be Cautious With Vick Pursuit

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There are a lot of things you can accuse Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid of. Being a bad coach isn’t one of them. Running a bad organization isn’t one of them.

Since taking over in Philly before the 1999 season, Reid has compiled a 108-67 record. He has had just two losing seasons. He’s been to the playoffs eight times. He’s gotten to a Super Bowl. Obviously the man knows what he’s doing.

Reid took a team that had been as down as down can be and has turned it into one of the league’s most consistent winners. Reid and Joe Banner oversaw a rebuilding project that has served as the model for others, including Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo, a former Eagles assistant under Reid who still has close ties to that organization.

And since Spagnuolo has those close ties, many have speculated that the Rams are leading contenders to land Eagles backup quarterback Michael Vick this off-season – either through free agency or trade.

Earlier this week, Michael Lombardi of the NFL Network and The National Football Post reported the Eagles have no intention of letting Vick go anywhere. Lombardi is a former executive with the Raiders and Browns. He’s been around the block more than a few times. I don’t doubt him when he reports something. His sources are impeccable. If he reports that someone inside the Eagles organization told him Vick isn’t going anywhere, then I believe it. But, I also believe the Eagles are putting up a smokescreen.

To put it simply there is no way the Eagles can bring all three of their quarterbacks to camp next summer. Donovan McNabb, who may or may not be available, is still playing at a high level. The team believes that Kevin Kolb is the heir apparent, and if you saw any of the three games he played in this past season you would probably agree with them.

And then there is Vick, who walked out of a Kansas jail last July and into Eagles camp in August. He didn’t play much (passing for 86 yards and a touchdown, running for 95 yards and two touchdowns), but he has said he still considers himself a top ten quarterback in the league. That means he might not be very happy being the second or third QB with the Eagles again, despite what he has said publicly. Remember, what is said publicly and what is said privately could be two very different things.

The Eagles need to let one of the three quarterbacks go. If they think Kolb is the future – and they do – then there is probably no way they get rid of him. McNabb makes big money, and that’s going to be a factor as well. That leaves Vick as the best candidate to be moved. The Eagles – in an uncapped year – would have no problem picking up Vick’s 5.2 million dollar option, especially if they can get something in return.

They would rather trade Vick for a draft choice and watch him return to form somewhere else as opposed to cutting him and getting nothing in return. That’s why I believe they planted the “We’re not trading him” story to Lombardi. They are driving the price up. Or at least, they’re trying to drive the price up.

The Rams need a quarterback. Even if they draft their quarterback of the future in April, they need someone to bridge the gap from the present to the future. Vick – seemingly – could be that bridge.

But the Rams aren’t the only team that would show interest in Vick. The feeling around the league is that Buffalo – with new head coach Chan Gailey – would like to have Vick on his roster. Gailey is credited with developing Kordell Stewart from the raw quarterback he was in college into ‘Slash.’ He also made Tyler Thigpen look like a serviceable NFL quarterback. You would think he can bring out the best in Michael Vick – or at least whatever is left in his tank.

By putting it out there that they are happy in keeping Vick, the Eagles are hoping to create a bidding war between the Rams, Bills, and anyone else who might have interest. It’s a bidding war the Rams should stay out of.

It isn’t that they don’t need a player with Vick’s ability. We just don’t know how much he really has left. We didn’t see nearly enough from him this past season. What if that’s all there is? Do you really want to give up a second or third round pick for him – especially if those picks are at the top of those rounds? I wouldn’t. Not with everything the Rams need.

Those who want to see Vick here look at the 76 yard TD pass he threw to Jeremy Maclin in the playoffs and say that Vick is worth the risk. But keep in mind that Vick has playmakers around him in that offense. Maclin had a terrific rookie season. DeSean Jackson had a Pro Bowl season. Brent Celek had 971 yards and eight touchdowns.

Compare what Vick has around him in Philly to what the Rams have. Outside of Steven Jackson it isn’t even close. There are talented players (and you have to have talent to play in this league), but the talent level here compared to what the Eagles have is very different.

If the Rams give up a high second or third round pick for Vick and he doesn’t live up to his potential, then it’s a bad trade. And the Rams can’t afford that.

Now, if the Eagles would accept a fourth rounder, then we can talk. A fourth rounder was what it took for the Patriots to acquire Randy Moss a few years ago. I wouldn’t give up anything more than that to acquire a soon to be 30-year old quarterback that may or may not have a lot left in the tank.

Anything more than that would be too much. Vick may be exactly what the Rams need. But he also might not be able to give the team what they need him to give.

The Eagles know that as much as anyone else. I think they put feelers out there to say what they can get for Vick. I don’t think they liked what they heard. That’s why the story that they’d be happy to keep him was reported this week.

P.T. Barnum once said “There’s a sucker born every day.” I say let the Bills or some other desperate team overpay for Vick.

I wouldn’t put my reputation on the line to bring him in. At least not for the price the Eagles are looking for.