Dolphins sign Marcus Vick (and 3 others - Lehan, Newman, Heinrich)

[pats1]

http://www.miamidolphins.com/pressbox/pressreleases/pressreleases.asp?contentID=4491&lid=4491

The Miami Dolphins signed a pair of unrestricted free agents in tight end Keith Heinrich (pictured from Cleveland) and linebacker Keith Newman (from Minnesota). Both players signed one-year contracts. Also on Monday, the team announced that it signed cornerback Michael Lehan as a free agent and wide receiver/quarterback/specialist Marcus Vick as an undrafted college free agent.

...

Like Lehan, Vick attended the Dolphins’ rookie mincamp from May 5-7 on a tryout basis. He played two seasons at Virginia Tech (2003, 2005) as a quarterback. Last year with the Hokies, he completed 177 of 289 passes for 2,393 yards with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, as he led the team to an 11-2 record. Overall in his career, he connected on 207 of 346 passes for 2,868 yards with 19 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. The younger brother of former Virginia Tech and current Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, Marcus attended Warwick High School in Newport News, Va. He was born on March 20, 1984.

“I want to make it very clear that we will not condone any behavior issues in the future relative to Marcus Vick,” said Dolphins Head Coach Nick Saban. “Marcus acknowledges that he has made some mistakes, all of which has resulted in severe consequences for him. They have helped him learn that he will need to make much better choices and decisions in the future or risk similar consequences that could jeopardize his career as a professional player.

“As an organization, we did an enormous amount of research, including consulting with professionals in detailed, in-depth analysis to feel comfortable that giving Marcus an opportunity as a free agent is a risk worth taking. Marcus has made a commitment to this organization and our fans to represent the Miami Dolphins in a first-class manner.”

 

[The Gr8est]

It saddens me that I am forced to lower my opinion of a BB protege so drastically. Signing Marcus Vick makes me sad for Nick Saban and the NFL.

Just because this guy has some talent, Saban is willing to overlook his unacceptable behavior.

After being kicked off Virginia Tech team, didn't he say something to the affect that he would just take his game to the next level for big money?

His recent contriteness is just his realization that he had a winning lottery ticket and lost it. Saban helped him find it.

I KNOW there is no way BB and the Pats would have anything to do with Vick.

 

[richpats]

It saddens me that I am forced to lower my opinion of a BB protege so drastically. Signing Marcus Vick makes me sad for Nick Saban and the NFL.

Just because this guy has some talent, Saban is willing to overlook his unacceptable behavior.

After being kicked off Virginia Tech team, didn't he say something to the affect that he would just take his game to the next level for big money?

His recent contriteness is just his realization that he had a winning lottery ticket and lost it. Saban helped him find it.

I KNOW there is no way BB and the Pats would have anything to do with Vick.

The Fins have reached the "Denver Bronco" level of controversial player acquisition. I pray Vick is playing us this year, I hated him at Virginia Tech (b/c I hate ALL things Virginia Tech) and that's not going to change w/ Miami. He's a lot like his brother, talented, big ego, and GUTLESS. Marcus is worse b/c he was spoiled by his brother and was considered royalty in Blacksburg because he was "Michael Vick's brother". Fitting that Vick is playing for a Florida team cuz he could never beat one in college.

 

[GoWhalers]

Ahhh, it's a little bit different.

Overlooking personality problems for pure athletic talent is one thing when you're drafting your first round pick -- i.e. Pac-Man Jones. In that case you've committed a ton of money (in a signing bonus), and a draft pick to a player that for all intents and purposes should be around for a while, impacting your locker room. You can't cut him, you can't trade him, he's going to be a part of this team for the next 3-4 years minimum, whether he's a problem or not.

Picking up a undrafted free agent with a history of problems is a much lower-risk scenario. Saban has - literally - nothing on the line if he decides he needs to cut Vick tomorrow, or at any other point during training camp. If, on the outside chance that Vick is truly changed his ways, you get a talented player at a bargain price. Sure, he'll probably want to re-sign somewhere else for big $$ at the end of the season, but at least you got to use his services for bargain prices for one season.

 

[bronk37]

trifecta

are you kidding they signed vick, the trifecta is complete Joey Harrington complete bust, Culpepper thinks throwing to the defense is a completion, and now Vick a real turd in the making. I would love to see wilfork sack vick

 

[wrangler]

Saban is smart like a fox me thinks. Marcus will be the spotlight, not the QB
situation, and or team.

Saban is sending a great message to the youth of America, NOT!!!!


Next will be Judge Judy in her official capacity as team legal analyst. :singing:

TV revenues alone will make the Fins the richest team in sports history. They'll
still lose but who will care or notice.

 

[tombonneau]

So will they keep Vick on as #3 QB? Or as returner/WR? If as a QB, does that mean they are getting rid of Cleo Lemon?

I recall Marty Schottenheimer was pissed when AJ Smith traded Lemon to Miami. He thought very highly of him. Might be worth a look if the Fins let him go.

 

[DarthPatriot]

This is professional football, not the college game. There is only one result that is acceptable.....WINNING.... If Vick can help his team, then the signing is the right thing to do. If he is trouble off the field, he will be let go. Its a good risk for them.

Hi. NEM hate to disagree with such a respected poster so soon but..What is this guys upside? It seems like all risk and no reward.

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

I stated before the Harrington trade was just plain dumb, so I agree with bronk37 that the Vick signing does in fact complete a sick tri-fecta including Culppeper.

It's one thing to prod your team by showing them there will competition any every spot, a la BB. It is quite another, misguided thing, to point out to your team that even whackos like Vick, gross underachievers like Joey, prima donna QB's like Culppper, all might have a place on your team. It reeks of desperation or ineptitude, neither one is good.

 

[PatsRI]

Just as long as when Vick is on the field Seymour, Bruschi and the rest watch out for thier legs being stomped on.

 

[Pats/Hokies Fan]

I am very upset with what lil' Vick did to his career @ VT. He always looked like a leader on the field & played well. But between "the stomp" and his off-field activities it was highly unacceptable.

However, you know that if the Pats signed him, folks on this board would be saying that "BB can show him how to be disciplined & focused", "It's a no-risk signing for someone who can learn a lot & improve", "This is the 2nd chance that he needs".

It's amazing the difference if the Pats make the move or if another team does.
Let's not forget, we're not always right (see Duane Starks), and they're not always wrong. This move is low risk and will not cause the downfall of the Saban regime.

That being said, I doubt Vick will make the team... but I'd choose Marcus Vick over Joey Harrington in a second. Harrington is a turnover machine.

 

[Weishuhn]

Small risk, possible big reward. What have they got to lose? It isnt costing them much.

I agree, to a point. If I am Saban, I put it in his contract that he isn't allowed to go back to the Norfolk/Newport News area anymore, even for a visit. Just like Allen Iverson, 90% of Vick's transgressions occured there, when he was back with his boyhood crew of thugs. He didn't get in any trouble when he lived in Atlanta with his brother. I don't think Marcus is a saint, or a genius for that matter, but keeping him out of his old stomping grounds seems to be half the battle.

ps- I am aware that you cannot put that type of language in his contract, that was just said for effect.