Do you remember the tale about the scorpion and the fox? It’s the one where the scorpion makes a deal with the fox that he won’t sting him if the fox helps him across the river. As they cross the river, the scorpion stings the fox anyway. The fox asks why as they both sink into the water and the scorpion says “Because it’s in my nature.”
I’ve had passing interest in the Michael Vick Show down in Atlanta ever since the Falcons came up to Lambeau and spank the Packers in their own house in the Playoffs in early January 2003. Vick is an unbelievable athlete. Vision, top-shelf speed, quickness. Faster and more elusive than Barry Sanders, and with an arm. But I saw some things in the beat-down they took at the hands of the Saints that have been percolating for awhile, so I thought I throw them out there and see what sticks.
But in the last season or so, he’s been trying to work against his nature. He’s a QB that can run better than he can throw, but he seems to want to become a pocket passer. I don’t know if it’s Jim Mora (the Falcon’s head coach) trying to protect Vick from getting ripped in half, coaching him to stay in the pocket. Maybe it’s a pride thing, Vick not wanting to be remembered as another Randall Cunningham, a QB that would only go as far as his own legs would carry him. Maybe he’s thinking about the race thing; that black QB’s can’t be pocket passers, and he wants to prove them* wrong. (side note - Byron Leftwich may end up with a hall of fame career, and he couldn’t outrun his offensive line.)

I think Vick needs to stop denying his nature.  He is the scorpion.  He can take that entire Falcon team deep into the playoffs.  He did a few years ago.  But with that comes the scorpion’s risk; a blown ankle or knee, or broken bones the next time he charges headlong into defenders.

But you can’t deny his nature.  He has a molasses-slow delivery, and it doesn’t appear like he’s able deceive pass coverages by looking off receivers.  Without his legs, he’s just an average QB.  He should get out there and use those wonderful tools God gave him and let the chips fall where they may.  It makes for spectacular football and is the only shot the Falcons have at getting back to the Big Game.
*them may be the silent majority of white football fans. Them might also just be the ghosts of opinions past that continue to haunt this guy.

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