AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > July > 22
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Has Vick lost his ability to lead?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
The Falcons’ options on the future of Michael Vick read like a honcho’s playbook. Start him. Suspend him. Mandate a leave of absence with pay — or without. Maybe just stall for comedic value until Roger Goodell’s head explodes (seemingly the current course of action).
But three days before the start of training camp, Arthur Blank needs to answer a question far more important than whether his quarterback can absorb a new offense.
That is: Has Vick lost his ability to lead?
This isn’t about talent. Vick has talent, and those who doubt his skills to play quarterback ignore the inferior subjects who’ve already played in Super Bowls (Rex Grossman, David Woodley and Trent Dilfer come to mind).
But Vick’s talent and leadership abilities are equals. His work ethic and study habits in his first six seasons have been poor (even if coaches have labored to cover that up in the past). Vick has been slow to accept responsibility when things go wrong, or maintain perspective when things go right.
Credibility and image go way beyond a new haircut.
Some believe Vick can change his ways. Here’s the problem. The Falcons are coming off two non-playoff seasons. Even with a talented coach like Bobby Petrino, expectations haven’t been this low since Dan Reeves was duct-taped to a passing train. Several draft picks and free agents haven’t panned out. There are significant personnel issues, with little salary cap room to provide a quick fix. Petrino brings a new offense that would give Vick more responsibility than he has ever had before. But Flowery Branch has been Distraction Central, between Vick, injuries and, well, Vick.
It’s not an atmosphere conducive to, “OK, guys, it’s a new day! Let’s get focused!”
We’ve already seen protesters outside of NFL offices. We’ve already seen Nike retreat, and Al Sharpton attack — and who could have imagined either?
We’ve already seen season-ticket holders threatening to cancel (if they haven’t already). Sponsors will follow (if they haven’t already). A case could be made that the same will occur if Vick’s not around. But by keeping him, the problems certainly won’t go away, because Vick is the cause of the problems.
Blank must know things will get worse. Protests outside of practices, games, maybe the team hotel. Players hounded by the media, answering questions about dogfighting instead of anything related to football. The story will be played out daily, on the air, on the Internet and in print. Players will hear comments in the produce aisle at Kroger.
Petrino could be Vince Lombardi and it wouldn’t matter. He’ll be one man with a fire extinguisher in the middle of a forest fire.
The NFL is about structure and discipline. Petrino defines that. This situation doesn’t.
It would help if Vick handled adversity well. It would help if he had a long resume of success. It would help if he were a better leader. But he hasn’t, he doesn’t, he isn’t.
“Leaders aren’t born,” the late, great Lombardi once said. “They are made.”
But for too long, Vick has acted like the intangibles necessary to lead in the NFL came free with two fast legs and a shotgun arm. These aren’t ideal circumstances for suddenly turning into Patton.
Remember, this season had the potential to be a one-and-done for Vick even before the mess at the Miami airport, the Congressional blow-off, the dogfighting indictment, et. al. Indications are that Petrino was empowered with a far greater say in personnel in general, and Vick in particular, than Jim Mora had. If Vick didn’t show significant improvement this season, he likely would be gone.
Amid all of this, should we expect significant improvement?
For all of the nightmarish projections with Joey Harrington at quarterback, exactly what greatness is being projected with Vick playing and practicing between attorney meetings, court hearings, trying to function with a new coach, new offense and screams from protesters, politicians and even a hip-hop mogul (Russell Simmons already has weighed in)?
“Leadership rests not only upon ability, not only upon capacity; having the capacity to lead is not enough,” Lombardi said. “The leader must be willing to use it. His leadership is then based on truth and character. There must be truth in the purpose and will power in the character.”
Something for Blank to think about before his next move.
Permalink | Comments (197) | Categories: Jeff Schultz
.JPG)
-1.JPG)
Services »
