"If"

Since Michael Vick's release from federal prison, I've heard the word "if" a lot. "If" Mike Vick can still play at a high level. "If" he can still run and change direction. "If" he still has the 4.3 speed.

Now, I understand why the reporters and commentators are asking "if". I mean two years away from doing something that you've done all your life is a very long time.

I am not sure if I'm being optimistic or outrageous, but why the "if"? Seriously, Michael Vick was not the most fundamentally sound quarterback. He thrived off of his natural God-given abilities. You know those things that God gives you that so many play-by-play announcers and commentators often describe as "things you can't teach".

Do you mean to tell me of the 32 starting quarterbacks in the NFL that all of them are better than Michael Vick? Give me a break. Now you can say, what few fundamentals Vick had may now be eroded, which may not be a bad thing because he can re-learn how to play quarterback. But please believe, those physical skills that wowed fans and increased the popularity of sleep aids among NFL defensive coordinators are still there. Muscle memory is a hell of a thing, and as cliche' as it may sound, running around and making athletic plays is as easy for him as riding a bike.

If anything a two year absence from the NFL means Vick will have the freshest body in all the league. Think of all the pounding that he would have taken had he played the past two years. We all know trying to get Vick to stay in the pocket was about as successful as getting kids with attention deficit disorder to pay attention in class without their medicine.

As the season nears, Vick's home confinement ends, he is reinstated, and eventually signed the "if's" will grow even louder. Don't be the drone that listens to everything you hear from sportswriters who probably never played the game. Be wise and think about it, a two year layoff, is not all that bad, in fact it could be a good thing.


I'll see you in two years and be as potent as ever,


Riverboat Ricky