The Controversy of the Hurtling Herpes... I Mean, Hermes.

****Note 9/21 Michael Vick has just been named the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. While that invalidates some of what I've said here, other points should stand out in stark relief.********

Michael Vick had a nice game yesterday against the Lions, throwing for 284 yards and 2 touchdowns. He ran for another 34 yards. The debate about keeping Vick as the Eagles starting QB is going to simmer until it reaches a boiling point next weekend, especially if Kolb has another bad game.

Right here, right now, I'm going to say that Michael Vick is the best option at quarterback this season if the Eagles want to win. That's a point that should be obvious, because:

1. The Eagles offensive line looks like it was constructed by the army corps of engineers. As he proved with some nifty escape moves against the Lions, Vick can elude pressure behind a leaky offensive line and still make big plays. Conversely, Kolb is going to suffer concussion after concussion behind the Eagles line. If a defense decides to blitz early and often as Detroit did, only Vick has a prayer of avoiding the rush.
2. The Eagles offense is currently better suited as a vertical passing game, and Vick throws a tremendous deep ball as evidenced by a 60 yard bomb that he dropped in DeSean Jackson's lap (splitting double coverage). Kolb's deep ball needs improvement.
3. Vick's mobility almost forces the opposing defense into designating a "spy" player who has the sole duty of shadowing him, which means that there is one less defensive player in coverage or rushing the passer.
4. Speaking of his mobility, Vick can make big plays with his feet- he ran for over 100 yards in roughly half a game of work in week 1. Having two running threats on the field at the same time- McCoy and Vick, is a big advantage for the Eagles. Defenses have to be aware of Vick's speed at all times because he can out-run defenders if they don't take proper pursuit angles. Vick can draw defenders toward him by scrambling and then burn them by passing before he reaches the line of scrimmage.
5. Vick's field vision and pocket awareness is much better than Kolb's. Kolb eyes his target so much that he oughta blush, and he has no idea when pressure is coming. Vick instinctively moves away from (and escapes) pressure.
6. Everybody says that Kolb is a more accurate passer than Vick. I don't think that's true right now.

 So, I say again- The Eagles have a better chance of winning right now if Vick is behind center.

The thing is, though, if the Eagles wanted to win this season, they wouldn't have traded McNabb and gutted the team. This team is in no shape to make a serious Super Bowl run, and winning a few extra games with Vick at the helm is only going to cost them draft position in the offseason. People are starting to say on Philadelphia sports radio that the Eagles have a chance in the division because the Cowboys are off to a terrible start and the Giants got smoked by the Colts- I say, stop that noise right now. The 'Boys are by no means buried in the division- they are one game back! They will come around. Meanwhile, the Giants are a strong team, they just ran into a Peyton Manning buzzsaw last week. Getting beaten by the Colts doesn't say anything about a team because the Colts beat everybody. So, the Cowboys and Giants still need to be considered the favorites in the NFC East. The Eagles are a long shot to take the division with or without Vick.

And, even if the Birds do miraculously win the NFC east, or, more likely, grab a wild card spot, they can't keep up with elite playoff teams. Beyond their NFC East rivals, the Saints, Falcons, and Packers are all much more talented and multidimensional than the Eagles. And to push the point further, the teams the Eagles would meet in the Super Bowl- the Colts, Texans, Ravens, Jets, Dolphins, Steelers, or Bengals- would embarrass the Eagles. We'll get two previews of a Super Bowl butt-whipping when the Eagles face the Colts and Texans this season.

Nope, the Eagles shouldn't play Vick just to squeeze out a few more wins. This team is all about the future, and Vick is not the future. The team needs to see if Kolb can develop as they planned, and then build a quality squad around him. If Kolb can't develop, then Kafka gets a shot next year. Vick, who is only signed through this season, is too old (especially considering his style of quarterbacking) to warrant an investment on a rebuilding team.

I assume that Eagles brass know this and that Kolb will be the starter next week. So, I have a revolutionary idea for the Birds. Trade Vick now while the season is young and his stock is through the roof. A ton of teams pulled their starting quarterbacks this week and would love to have a shot at signing Vick long term. Strike while the iron's hot and get something for him. Because Vick is gone after this season and useless on this team despite his ability.

Now, I'd try to pry a 1st or 2nd round pick from a desperate team for Vick's services. If that fails, then I'd be all about grabbing a useful, young, and maybe out of favor player from another team. What team would want Vick? Glad you asked, because I've identified 13 teams that I'm sure would love to have him. Here is my wish list of trade partners and players:

Team: Buffalo Bills
Reason they want Vick: Both Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick are terrible quarterbacks, and they're all the Bills have.
Who they'll give up: RB Marshawn Lynch. He's a perfect compliment to Shady McCoy because he's a tough, straight ahead, running back. The Bills buried Lynch on their depth chart and he's clearly in the doghouse. The Eagles should give him a second chance, since they're so fond of giving second chances.

Team: Arizona Cardinals
Reason they want Vick: Every player on the team is ready to win now- except the quarterbacks.
Who they'll give up: CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. No, the Cardinals don't want to give up their 24 year old star corner, but they should be desperate and he's what I'm taking.

Team: Seattle Seahawks
Reason they want Vick: Matt Hasselbeck is in the twilight of his career, and Charlie Whitehurst is an unknown.
Who they'll give up: I don't want any of their players, honestly. I'd take a draft pick unless I could wrestle LB Lofa Tatupu from them.

Team: San Fransisco 49ers
Reason they want Vick: Alex Smith is bad. With Vick in place, this team is a super bowl contender.
Who they'll give up: I doubt they'll give him up, but the Eagles could use OT Joe Staley.

Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Reason they want Vick: Matt Cassel is not working out like they Chiefs thought he would when he signed a massive contract.
Who they'll give up: Draft picks. The Chiefs will want to keep their young talent, and the Eagles don't need veterans.

Team: Oakland Raiders
Reason they want Vick: Jason Campbell has already fallen out of favor in Oakland, having been benched for Bruce Gradkowski. Al Davis loves players with speed and questionable character- he probably wants Vick more than any GM in the league.
Who they'll give up: RB Michael Bush. The Raiders want to give Darren McFadden every chance to be their featured running back, and his hot start this year means that Bush is going to be spending his time on the sideline like he did last year. He's a powerful back and a terrific compliment to LeSean McCoy.

Team: Detroit Lions
Reason they want Vick: Matthew Stafford's latest injury should have the Lions wondering if he'll ever be able to stay on the field. Backup Shaun Hill has the arm strength of Michael Cera.
Who they'll give up: They probably won't give him up, but I'd make a play for RB Kevin Smith since Jahvid Best is clearly the Lion's starter at running back.

Team: Minnesota Vikings
Reason they want Vick: The Vikings need to win now, which is why they went to such great lengths to bring back Favre. With the old gun slinger off to a rotten start on one good ankle, the Vikes should be worried that he can't carry them at quarterback.
Who they'll give up: WR Sidney Rice. Hear me out. Rice won't be back until at least November, and even then there is no guarantee that he'll be healthy or effective this year. Since the Vikings are gunning for the super bowl right now, they should pull the trigger on the rumored trade for Vincent Jackson of the Chargers. With Jackson in hand, Rice becomes somewhat expendable, and the Eagles could really use a big target like Rice in their passing game. It's a long shot, but I think it's a win for both teams.

Team: Cincinnati Bengals
Reason they want Vick: Carson Palmer seems like he'll never return to elite Quarterback status. Vick would be an upgrade at the position, and the Bengals love players with checkered pasts.
Who they'll give up: Probably a draft pick, but I'd ask for rookie QB Dan Lefevour to compete with Kafka and Kolb. One of those guys is going to be an NFL quarterback.

Team: Cleveland Browns
Reason they want Vick: When Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme are battling for your starting QB spot, your team is in trouble. Vick's mobility could really open up their offense.
Who they'll give up: RB Jerome Harrison. Coach Mangenius hates Harrison, and drafted his replacement in the offseason. And when his replacement went down, Harrison has had to suffer the indignity of splitting carries with an inferior back in Peyton Hillis. Not sure what Mangenius' beef is, but Harrison is a useful back who would fit well in the Eagles offense.

Team: Carolina Panthers
Reason they want Vick: Matt Moore has thrown 4 interceptions, been sacked 8 times, and boasts a 41% quarterback rating in this young season. John Fox is battling for his coaching job, and Mike Vick might just be his only lifeline.
Who they'll give up: RB Jonathan Stewart. The oft-injured but very talented Stewart is in the last year of his contract, and he won't be re-signing with Carolina as long as DeAngelo Williams is top banana. If the Eagles can trade for Stewart and sign him to an extension, he'd immediately become the top RB option in Philadelphia. Stewart and McCoy would be the best 1-2 running back combo in the league.

Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Reason they want Vick: David Garrard was just benched after throwing 4 interceptions. He's a mediocre quarterback at best, and Vick would be a far superior option.
Who they'll give up: RB Rashad Jennings. He's a big back and would be a good compliment to Shady McCoy.

Team: Tennessee Titans
Reason they want Vick: They just benched Vince Young for Kerry Collins. In the words of the immortal Stan Lee, 'Nuff said.
Who they'll give up: Draft picks.