Roto Arcade - Fantasy


For the past two weeks across terrestrial radio and in traditional print, fantasy pundits have been repeatedly interrogated about a certain NFL quarterback responsible for the heart-sinking ASPCA spots played every break of every preseason game (Seriously, if the depressing ads don't stop soon, the Evans compound will be overrun with three-legged dogs).

Since Michael Vick's(notes) reinstatement, it's been extremely difficult to dodge questions about the Eagle's expected fantasy impact: Is he rosterable? Where should he be drafted? What do you foresee? Do you think he and McNabb will share a bowl of chunky New England clam chowder with Donovan's mom?

Minus the latter question, the Noise has answered the inquiries with the same uncharacteristically bland tone: "At this time, Vick is largely fantasy irrelevant."

The mass media's Favre-level fascination with Vick is understandable. He's a polarizing figure who entices eyes and ears to the conversation, a selling point. It's not at all surprising green and black No. 7 jerseys have become the Cabbage Patch Kids of NFL merchandise.

For the fantasy masses, the persistent Vick coverage is the reason why he's owned in a ridiculous 30 percent of Y! Plus formats. Nostalgic owners drafting the artist formerly known as Ron Mexico are hoping he can recapture the statistical prowess that propelled him to three top-10 QB seasons in 2002, 2005 and 2006.

Visible in his 15-yard completion to Hank Baskett(notes) versus Jacksonville last week, Vick still possesses a bazooka arm. Though he was easily contained on a 1-yard bootleg, it's also assumed his electrifying speed hasn't disappeared (Highlights here). But he's clearly a work in progress, a significant distance away from regaining the lucidness emitted by his once vibrant star.

When Vick officially reaches full reinstatement after Week 6, his value will largely be undeterminable due to the gadget manner in which Marty Mornhinweg plans to utilize his services. In other words, his fantasy impact will be in-game dependent, a highly unpredictable variable. From the Associated Press:

"Every game will be different. There will be games where we use him situationally. There will be games where we won't use him quite as much and there will be games where that's just a part of us. It will change game to game by game plan. We'll do whatever we think is the best thing that will help us win the game."

Ultimately, owners who foolishly circumvent upside commodities at other positions in the later rounds for Vick (i.e. James Davis, Glen Coffee(notes) and Jermichael Finley(notes)) are throwing away a potential diamond-in-the-rough. Once bye weeks kick in starting Week 4, the three-time All-Pro will be massively cut, which is the primary reason for his irrelevancy.

Sadly, the constant Vick attention has overshadowed McNabb, making him one of virtual pigskin's thriftiest bargains (60.63 ADP). The laidback QB is commanding arguably the NFC's most explosive offense behind a terrific line. Kim Jong-Il wishes he had Philly's nuclear weapons. Assuming the Chunky Soup Maestro stays healthy, he could easily finish the season top four at his position.

Sans the googly eyes and greenback body, Vick is basically an insurance policy for McNabb. But until the incumbent is felled by injury, he's essentially just as valuable as Houston's Dan Orlovsky(notes).

Fearless Forecast (Vick): 288 total passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 3 interceptions, 194 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs, 4 receptions, 49 receiving yards 

Fearless Forecast (McNabb, 15 G): 261 passing ypg, 23 passing TDs, 10 interceptions, 176 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs

What are your thoughts about the Vick situation? Would you draft him? In terms of fantasy, do you think McNabb is being disrespected? Discuss below.

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Image courtesy of Getty

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189 Comments

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  1. mark_ban69
    1. Posted by mark_ban69 Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:27 am EDT

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    VIck is God
  2. A Bad Influence
    2. Posted by A Bad Influence Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:33 am EDT

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    Unless McNabb goes down with an injury, Vick is the most realistic bench player you could draft for your team (I.E. that's where he should stay if you want him on your team so dang bad).
    If McNabb does go down with an injury, Vick has the same commodity as any backup QB in the league (if he gets the full reinstatement) and could have the chance to re-live his glory days, but really, let's be honest, when you're drafting a FF team, you can only go so far on hopes and dreams - I think the fearless predictions for Vick's year are pretty spot on.
  3. William S
    3. Posted by William S Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:35 am EDT

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    No way I would draft Vick...maybe a wire pick up after 4 weeks or so, but not likely even then.
  4. Zack A
    4. Posted by Zack A Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:37 am EDT

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    Real fearless Evans... McNabb's almost identical stats as last season.
  5. 50 Desert Eagle
    5. Posted by 50 Desert Eagle Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:38 am EDT

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    Vick will feud with McNabb before its over. I would still take McNabb everyday.
  6. Long T
    6. Posted by Long T Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:41 am EDT

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    I am not wasting a draft pick on Vick.
  7. MikeP
    7. Posted by MikeP Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:42 am EDT

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    He was a marginable QB1 when he was in Atlanta....hopefully some fool will waste a pick on him in my upcoming drafts
  8. MikeP
    8. Posted by MikeP Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:42 am EDT

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    He was a marginable QB1 when he was in Atlanta....hopefully some fool will waste a pick on him in my upcoming drafts
  9. Rishi
    9. Posted by Rishi Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:47 am EDT

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    Zack,
    What are you talking about? McNabb had 261 yds/gm, 23 TDs and 11 INT in 2008. Brad is fearlessly forecasting 261 yds/gm, 23 TDs and just 10 INTs. How could you say they are identical? :o)
  10. Mike
    10. Posted by Mike Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:48 am EDT

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    I wouldn't draft Vick if he was the last player available for the NFL.
  11. Three And Out
    11. Posted by Three And Out Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:00 pm EDT

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    Chunky soup and 3-legged dogs (the adoption of, not the sad fact) - one of your more clever articles, Brad.
    Ugh, Vick is just a distraction - why didn't a team that actually needed him take him? (This of course eschews the debate of whether he should ever be allowed to play again, but that's been settled w/o asking me so I have to deal with it)
  12. Isaac M
    12. Posted by Isaac M Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:01 pm EDT

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    "the artist formerly known as Ron Mexico"
    Love it.
  13. 50 Desert Eagle
    13. Posted by 50 Desert Eagle Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:03 pm EDT

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    Hey Rishi, Remember it's FEARLESS.....Where is MDS to defend Evans and his fearless prediction for one LESS INT....
  14. Nick M
    14. Posted by Nick M Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:05 pm EDT

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    Vick is ranked like 1967 out of 1989 players. He's not just Fantasy irrelevant he's actual football irrelevant. I wouldn't even draft Vick if he was starting as my 3rd QB in a 20 man league. He's going to be suspended the full 6 games, goodell isn't going to go easy on him. He looked horrible in the jax game. People are fooled by the 4/4 however he looked slow and couldn't scramble. If Michael Vick can't scramble he cant even play QB!
    50% career comp and 155 YPG and people are thinking about drafting a guy whose main source of excercise is running around the prison yard? What a Joke I just wished someone was stupid enough to draft him in my league. Oh well.
  15. Nick M
    15. Posted by Nick M Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:05 pm EDT

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    Vick is ranked like 1967 out of 1989 players. He's not just Fantasy irrelevant he's actual football irrelevant. I wouldn't even draft Vick if he was starting as my 3rd QB in a 20 man league. He's going to be suspended the full 6 games, goodell isn't going to go easy on him. He looked horrible in the jax game. People are fooled by the 4/4 however he looked slow and couldn't scramble. If Michael Vick can't scramble he cant even play QB!
    50% career comp and 155 YPG and people are thinking about drafting a guy whose main source of excercise is running around the prison yard? What a Joke I just wished someone was stupid enough to draft him in my league. Oh well.
  16. therealcoltseavers
    16. Posted by therealcoltseavers Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:09 pm EDT

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    I think Vick will start now just because Evans wrote this article. He is the worst fantasy analyst. Thanks for writing an article that was so obvious to anyone with half a brain.
  17. mcbrizzle
    17. Posted by mcbrizzle Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:11 pm EDT

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    As long as Vick is considered a QB I will never draft him, make him flex eligible and then it would become interesting. I hope Reid keeps McNabb on the field at all times, Vick should work his way back into the NFL as a gimmick rb/ gimmick wr.
  18. BigNoise
    18. Posted by BigNoise Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:18 pm EDT

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    therealcoltseavers: Congratulations. You just insulted 30 percent of the Yahoo! community. Word on the street, it's comprised of large, bearded, short-tempered men who resemble Steve Hutchinson. For the sake of you safety, hopefully your 40 time is sub-6.00.
  19. A Bad Influence
    19. Posted by A Bad Influence Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:22 pm EDT

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    Three And Out - IMHO, it was a huge gamble with a potential GIANT pay off in the end when the Eagles picked him up. They knew he wasn't of use to them this year, but next year, as long as he stays A) healthy and B) productive to some degree, there will be a team that needs a QB and will give the Eagles exactly what they need to take him away from them.
    Say ... Arizona when God finally gives up on Warner.
  20. adam G
    20. Posted by adam G Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:35 pm EDT

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    does anyone remember vick EVER being a valuable fantasy QB? or a consistent one? b/c i surely don't...why would it change now??? ESPECIALLY in a back up role?!?!
  21. wjamesbaker
    21. Posted by wjamesbaker Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:40 pm EDT

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    i drafted vick and im loving it.. hes going to lead philly to the bowl!
  22. wjamesbaker
    22. Posted by wjamesbaker Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:40 pm EDT

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    i drafted vick and im loving it.. hes going to lead philly to the bowl!
  23. The Tuna
    23. Posted by The Tuna Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:43 pm EDT

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    i traded michael vick and visanthe shiancoe for lee evans....im still in shock that that happened

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