Jason Wood
Zoo York
2007 Player Spotlight Series
Over the course of the offseason, we will be evaluating a multitude of players at every fantasy position. One such way we go about that is through the Player Spotlight series. Think of the Spotlights as a permanent record on some of the more intriguing players for the upcoming season. Each Spotlight will be featured in an article on the main website.
Thread Topic: Michael Vick, QB, Atlanta Falcons
Player Page Link: Michael Vick Player Page
Each article will include:
Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules
In order for this thread to provide sustainable value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:
Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):
For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsBest of Luck and ENJOY!
Over the course of the offseason, we will be evaluating a multitude of players at every fantasy position. One such way we go about that is through the Player Spotlight series. Think of the Spotlights as a permanent record on some of the more intriguing players for the upcoming season. Each Spotlight will be featured in an article on the main website.
Thread Topic: Michael Vick, QB, Atlanta Falcons
Player Page Link: Michael Vick Player Page
Each article will include:
Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules
In order for this thread to provide sustainable value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:
Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):
For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsBest of Luck and ENJOY!
It's a 4pt per pass td, 1 pt per 25 pass, 1 pt per 10 rush, 6 pt per rush td and no negatives for turnovers, sorta normal, not quite standard.
I watched a lot of Atlanta games last year, because I had Vick as one of my QBs. IMO there are some reasons for optimism this year:1. To me, it has been obvious that the offense installed by Mora and his staff was not well suited to Vick's talents. As one example, consider how much better Vick was as a passer in his first year as a starter in 2002, the last time he played a full season under a coach other than Mora. He threw for 2936 yards (7.0 ypa), 16 TDs, and 8 interceptions (while also running for 777/8). It was also his only season with more than 388 pass attempts. I cannot imagine the new coaching staff not having a better offensive scheme for Vick.2. Last year, Atlanta had the worst receiving corps I have ever seen. Watching several of their games, it was literally unbelievable how many times they dropped balls, including quite a few TDs, and failed to make plays that were there to be made. WRs White and Jenkins are young, so there is hope they can improve. The addition of Joe Horn should be significant, both from a performance standpoint and for the mentoring he can provide for those younger WRs. I wouldn't normally expect much from Horn, but in this group, even at his age, he should make a difference.3. Despite the poor fitting offense and the poor WR play, Vick had 1 game with 3 passing TDs, and 2 games with 4 passing TDs. He had never before had more than 2 in a game. The flip side, however, is that he had 15 of his passing TDs in just 5 games, meaning he had 6 games with no passing TDs. Maybe that makes this poinit a wash... I guess what I want to say here is that, watching him, I believe he has improved his ability to throw passes at different speeds, with touch, etc.4. Also, while he will likely regress somewhat in terms of rushing yards, he had an abnormally low number of rushing TDs for a 1000 yard rusher. I'd expect him to have at least a couple more... hopefully enough to mostly offset a reduction in rushing yards.Of course, all of this assumes he is not affected by the dogfighting situation and plays 16 games.
I watched a lot of Atlanta games last year, because I had Vick as one of my QBs. IMO there are some reasons for optimism this year:1. To me, it has been obvious that the offense installed by Mora and his staff was not well suited to Vick's talents. As one example, consider how much better Vick was as a passer in his first year as a starter in 2002, the last time he played a full season under a coach other than Mora. He threw for 2936 yards (7.0 ypa), 16 TDs, and 8 interceptions (while also running for 777/8). It was also his only season with more than 388 pass attempts. I cannot imagine the new coaching staff not having a better offensive scheme for Vick.2. Last year, Atlanta had the worst receiving corps I have ever seen. Watching several of their games, it was literally unbelievable how many times they dropped balls, including quite a few TDs, and failed to make plays that were there to be made. WRs White and Jenkins are young, so there is hope they can improve. The addition of Joe Horn should be significant, both from a performance standpoint and for the mentoring he can provide for those younger WRs. I wouldn't normally expect much from Horn, but in this group, even at his age, he should make a difference.3. Despite the poor fitting offense and the poor WR play, Vick had 1 game with 3 passing TDs, and 2 games with 4 passing TDs. He had never before had more than 2 in a game. The flip side, however, is that he had 15 of his passing TDs in just 5 games, meaning he had 6 games with no passing TDs. Maybe that makes this poinit a wash... I guess what I want to say here is that, watching him, I believe he has improved his ability to throw passes at different speeds, with touch, etc.4. Also, while he will likely regress somewhat in terms of rushing yards, he had an abnormally low number of rushing TDs for a 1000 yard rusher. I'd expect him to have at least a couple more... hopefully enough to mostly offset a reduction in rushing yards.Of course, all of this assumes he is not affected by the dogfighting situation and plays 16 games.
I watched a lot of Atlanta games last year, because I had Vick as one of my QBs. IMO there are some reasons for optimism this year:1. To me, it has been obvious that the offense installed by Mora and his staff was not well suited to Vick's talents. As one example, consider how much better Vick was as a passer in his first year as a starter in 2002, the last time he played a full season under a coach other than Mora. He threw for 2936 yards (7.0 ypa), 16 TDs, and 8 interceptions (while also running for 777/8). It was also his only season with more than 388 pass attempts. I cannot imagine the new coaching staff not having a better offensive scheme for Vick.2. Last year, Atlanta had the worst receiving corps I have ever seen. Watching several of their games, it was literally unbelievable how many times they dropped balls, including quite a few TDs, and failed to make plays that were there to be made. WRs White and Jenkins are young, so there is hope they can improve. The addition of Joe Horn should be significant, both from a performance standpoint and for the mentoring he can provide for those younger WRs. I wouldn't normally expect much from Horn, but in this group, even at his age, he should make a difference.3. Despite the poor fitting offense and the poor WR play, Vick had 1 game with 3 passing TDs, and 2 games with 4 passing TDs. He had never before had more than 2 in a game. The flip side, however, is that he had 15 of his passing TDs in just 5 games, meaning he had 6 games with no passing TDs. Maybe that makes this poinit a wash... I guess what I want to say here is that, watching him, I believe he has improved his ability to throw passes at different speeds, with touch, etc.4. Also, while he will likely regress somewhat in terms of rushing yards, he had an abnormally low number of rushing TDs for a 1000 yard rusher. I'd expect him to have at least a couple more... hopefully enough to mostly offset a reduction in rushing yards.Of course, all of this assumes he is not affected by the dogfighting situation and plays 16 games.
I watched a lot of Atlanta games last year, because I had Vick as one of my QBs. IMO there are some reasons for optimism this year:1. To me, it has been obvious that the offense installed by Mora and his staff was not well suited to Vick's talents. As one example, consider how much better Vick was as a passer in his first year as a starter in 2002, the last time he played a full season under a coach other than Mora. He threw for 2936 yards (7.0 ypa), 16 TDs, and 8 interceptions (while also running for 777/8). It was also his only season with more than 388 pass attempts. I cannot imagine the new coaching staff not having a better offensive scheme for Vick.2. Last year, Atlanta had the worst receiving corps I have ever seen. Watching several of their games, it was literally unbelievable how many times they dropped balls, including quite a few TDs, and failed to make plays that were there to be made. WRs White and Jenkins are young, so there is hope they can improve. The addition of Joe Horn should be significant, both from a performance standpoint and for the mentoring he can provide for those younger WRs. I wouldn't normally expect much from Horn, but in this group, even at his age, he should make a difference.3. Despite the poor fitting offense and the poor WR play, Vick had 1 game with 3 passing TDs, and 2 games with 4 passing TDs. He had never before had more than 2 in a game. The flip side, however, is that he had 15 of his passing TDs in just 5 games, meaning he had 6 games with no passing TDs. Maybe that makes this poinit a wash... I guess what I want to say here is that, watching him, I believe he has improved his ability to throw passes at different speeds, with touch, etc.4. Also, while he will likely regress somewhat in terms of rushing yards, he had an abnormally low number of rushing TDs for a 1000 yard rusher. I'd expect him to have at least a couple more... hopefully enough to mostly offset a reduction in rushing yards.Of course, all of this assumes he is not affected by the dogfighting situation and plays 16 games.
assing TD 1-19 yards: 4Passing TD 20+ yards: 5INT/Fum lost: -3Rushing: 10 yards/pt, 6pts/TDIf you started him week 14, you probably didn't make it to week 15. And if I had him, I would probably have started him week 14, because that game was against the Buccaneers, a team he torched in week 2. So again, inconsistency at a position where you can least afford it. I don't have these stats for previous years but I recall '05 being even worse. With a new HC this year, who knows? Vick is not a "steal" for me in any round of the draft. Whether I'm targeting a stud QB early or waiting for a middle tier guy, I'll take just about anyone else over Vick because I'll know what kind of performance I can count on and I can make start/bench decisions that have a much better chance of being right. Since Vick is almost equally likely to have a monster game or an absolute disaster in any given week, regardless of opponent, you are stuck starting him and hoping for the best. So you could win your matchup by 20 points or lose by 20. That hurts a lot when most other QBs score closer to a weekly average -- your opponents' QBs are very likely to outscore yours in those off weeks. In a competitive league, that is a huge liability.
