The Red Zone Report

So the ankle bracelet is now off Michael Vick and teams will start training camp as soon as next week. That doesn’t make it easy for Vick to find a new team.

Apparently, he has been staying in-shape despite an 18-month stay in prison and an additional two months under house arrest.

Vick has also hired renowned personal trainer Tom Shaw. Shaw has trained NFL players such as Tom Brady, Jay Cutler, and Peyton and Eli Manning as  well as former player Deion Sanders and Derrick Brooks.

Now his return hinges on the decision of Commissioner Roger Goodell. For all we know, Goodell could reinstate him without suspending him or could suspend him for a full season. That is how unpredictable Goodell can be (and that is why we love him!).

I am by no means an expert, but I can think of some good destinations for Vick if he were reinstated relatively soon.

Here are five places I think he might end up this season.

5. New Orleans Saints

Yes, Drew Brees already runs the Saints high powered offense, but imagine if they were to splash in some of Vick’s explosiveness. Look out! If there is anyone in the NFL who can capitalize on an offensive player’s strength’s it would be Saints head coach Sean Payton.

Vick would probably play the role of a slash (receiver and quarterback), the quasi-position made famous by former Steelers quarterback/receiver Kordell Stewart. Brees, Reggie Bush, and Marques Colston would probably lick their chops at the thought of adding a weapon like Vick.

4. Miami Dolphins

Wildcat offense: meet the original wildcat quarterback. Could you imagine Vick lining up behind center to run that option-esque offense? From what we have seen in the past, Vick can throw, run, and lining up as a receiver doesn’t seem far fetched.

It seems like a logical destination. Vick would be a gimmicky player to relieve or assist Chad Pennington. However, the Dolphins drafted former West Virginia quarterback Pat White, who ran a spread offense in college similar to the wildcat. Signing Vick could hinder White’s development and bury quarterback-of-the-future Chad Henne on the depth chart.

3. San Francisco 49ers

Mike Singletary expressed his interest in adding Vick to the roster earlier this offseason. However, general manager Scot McCloughan shot down that possibity in June on SIRIUS NFL RADIO saying the franchise was “not going to go that route.”

Realistically, this is the one franchise that would fit the mold of Vick’s game the best. There is no doubt the 49ers are going to one thing consistently on offense: run the football. If Vick were to beat out the lackluster Shaun Hill, Alex Smith, or Damon Huard (not too difficult), and if he were to team up with Frank Gore, it would be very reminiscent of the old Vick-Warrick Dunn tandem of the Atlanta Falcons. The game plan would be a heavy dose of the run mixed in with the occasional deep ball.

2. New England Patriots

The Patriots don’t need Vick. They have arguably the best quarterback in the game in Tom Brady. Besides, if they wanted to move him to receiver, they have Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Joey Galloway.Yes, the move would puzzle many around the league and in the media, but just remember this: who is behind Brady? If he is not as healthy as expected, the Patriots need a capable back-up.

Sure, Vick isn’t the best passer, but when your head coach is the best in the game and squeezes as much potential out of anybody, he could work. Even if Brady were healthy, Bill Belichick would find a way to use him. Heck, they would probably use a hybrid of the wildcat. I know I would get a good laugh seeing Brady line up as a receiver.

1. United Football League (UFL)

The UFL is an upstart football league that will begin playing football this fall on Thursdays and Fridays on Versus. So, they will need as much publicity as possible to draw attention. Vick would give the league plenty of publicity. Sure, it might be remembered as the league where PETA buys front row seats to every game, but it will stick in people’s heads.

Vick’s rights are currently owned by the UFL’s Orlando franchise, which is coached by Jim Haslett. Haslett, who saw plenty of Vick when he coached the Saints, said he would “love to have him” and thinks he will from playing in the UFL.

“It would be a great way for him to knock off the rust and get in true football playing condition,” Haslett said. “Obviously, we know his abilities and we’d certainly tailor to his strengths.”

Vick would also have the opportunity to make more money in the UFL, where he would most likely be their star attraction. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen said that several sources have informed him that the league is willing to pay him around $1 million, far more than any other player.

It seems like most owners in the NFL are scared to take on someone like Michael Vick. If he were to go to the UFL and play well, there is no doubt the NFL teams would come calling. By then, his negative reputation might start fading away.