Vick's Value... Justified or Too Much Hype?
 

It's that time of year - looks like most fantasy draft 'cheat sheets' have Michael Vick comfortably positioned as one of the top three QBs. I picked him in 2002 for my fantasy team and wound up on the good end of several blowouts, thanks largely to his rushing yardage and scores.

We all know he's a gifted athlete and special player who is quite valuable to his team, but I can't help but feel a little gun-shy of him this year... how's he going to fare in the West Coast offense? And will the broken leg still be in his head? What do you guys think?

this is the redskins website i am more worried about Brunnell and Ramsey looking stupid than Vick. Hell if anyone is over valued its Patricvk Ramsey we could have gotten a good DE and he couldve been in Miami with the rest of the crack heads. Cant blame Joe gibbs cant blame spurrier. Until he shows me he can play QB in the NFL I say cut Ramsey cut Ramsey or trade him.

Dude... he asked a simple question. If you don't want to answer it, there's a little X in the top right corner of your browser.

Vick is oh so talented. If he didn't get hurt last year the Falcons offense would have been awesome; Reeves might still be coaching (the defense still sucked) and we wouldn't be talking about the West Coast offense.

The WC offense isn't ideal for opening up running lanes for Vick to scramble through, and it will make him work on his accuracy big time. It may not make the best use of his God-given talents, but it will help him stay healthy. He is talented and physically gifted enough to be successful in any system that's not the fun and gun.

I picked him up in the 2nd round of one of my drafts and I thought he was a steal that late, I understand there's some concern about him playing in a new system, but the guy is a fantasy stud regardless.

You know he's going to run for at least 700 yards and at least 5-7 TD's, so he's almost like having another RB. Anything he does through the air is gravy in my mind. He's still got alot to learn in the passing game, but he's getting there. I'd put him in my top 3 FF QB's along with Manning and Culpepper.

Vick's got all the tools. He's for real, though he needs a decent team around him, like any other QB.

JoeTheisman: Give Ramsey a few more weeks before casting him to the wolves (or the dolphins, or whatever). We've all seen him play poorly, but we've all seen him play well. Maybe a few SEASONS under Gibbs and co is what he needs? With an arm like that, he's worth the risk.

Vick's good.... but get Peyton and Dante FIRST. They are a lower risk.

Culpepper had a big year last year and won't repeat. Who's running opposite of Randy Moss? A man named Marcus Robinson. Ever heard of him? Don't think so. HIs biggest help will be klessiner and that amazing 3 man RB core they have.

I still feel Vick's a strong pick at QB.

Who was playing across from Moss last year? Whoever it was I can guarantee Robinson is a more accomplished WR.

We'll see then, matty 8)

robinson is a solid WR, check his stats.

Yup... normally a decent WR, however he's been hurt and Tice has been trying to motivate him by threatening to give Burleson the starting spot.

Moss did ok with guys like Nate Burleson and Kelly Campbell, so I think he'll manage with Marcus Robinson.

who said they have never heard of marcus robinson. hes not a bad receiver by anymeans. Thats definitly an upgrade at number 2 for them. and for that matter, whats it matter. You think theres a time when Moss doesnt have two guys on him? I dont care if you have TO next to moss. you still put two guys on moss and he still prodcues. Daunte will have a great year as long as the Randy Factor or whatever its called is still there. Plus the Vikings have three backs taht could start for most teams. Their running game has been good in recent years, definitly a big enough threat that you cant consider moss the only guy on that team. Daunte will get his stats and put up big numbers

very good points SnC.

Vick is loaded with potential and has shown flashes of brilliance. But it hasn't been consistent for an extended period of time yet. No question he's going to be great but at this very moment I think I'd rather have Culpepper.

MOss is the man, but I think Daunte struggles this year. That's just me.

I think the injury made Vick mature and he'd be my choice, personally. Only time can tell.

Personally, I avoid Culpepper for fantasy. He's too hit or miss for me. Last year he rocked it, but the year before left many a Culpepper owner out of the playoffs. I just think he's too careless with the ball. Last year may very well be the first of many good ones, but I'm not convinced yet.

Two years ago when I had Vick, I won my league title and will pick up Vick again if I can. He's too explosive and too dangerous not to... especially if you have a well balanced team. I'd take him over a Brunell any day.

;)

well its not like everyone has the choice between manning and vick, theres two other teams that need starting qbs. Daunte is picked high becuase he offers more fantasy potential.

Good thing I didn't listen and dropped Vick way down on my draft list... ended up with Priest Holmes, Randy Moss, Rudi Johnson, Steve McNair, Alge Crumpler, and the Redskins Defense! If this game against the Falcons would have counted, the Redskins D would have scored me 34 points in my league!!! Lookin' good!

holmes and moss? how many people are in your league?

lol... 12, but some seem to be a little slow... The Bronco's D was the 2nd overall pick of the draft, right behind my Holmes pick. It was like shooting goldfish in a toilet bowl.

The Broncos D was 2nd overall!!!! Dude, if you don't win that league you should just quit playing fantasy football

no doubt... amd after the draft I picked up Stephen Jackson, Willis McGahee, and Larry Fitzgerald on waivers to back-up my back-ups.

vick is the real deal,but even the greatest atheletes need practice.when you play at the high school and college levels it does'nt show as much.in the pros there are 2 teams of players as equally or more talented than you are.if you do'nt practice or play in preseason it shows.

crlesh: you must be playing with some real hardcore baseball or star-trek fans, cause they ain't watching football on sundays like that... fitz undrafted??? he was a 3rd rounder in some of my league, and never below 5th... no one took jackson or mcgahee either? man... next time invite me, i'd love to have a team like that...

star trek fans!

:lol:

seriously, how can I get in a league like that

That Guy - many people think Fitz will crash and burn, especially in that hole they call Arizona. If Marcell Shipp and Anquan Boldin were healthy he may be worth a 5th or 6th, otherwise he's useless.

Vick is suffering from Kurt Warner syndrome. The fact that he got hurt has his head screwed up. In Warner's case it is permanent and debilitating. Vick will get over it.

Vick has his legs to fall back on until he gets comfortable in the new offense

[QUOTE=Daseal]That Guy - many people think Fitz will crash and burn, especially in that hole they call Arizona. If Marcell Shipp and Anquan Boldin were healthy he may be worth a 5th or 6th, otherwise he's useless.[/QUOTE]

Daseal, never mind what "many people" think, do you think that, do you believe that Fitz will crash and burn and without a healthy Shipp and Boldin he's useless?

I do think that, I think you meant to type "you think that" however in talking with about 10-15 other people I know that play fantasy very few people thought Fitz would be a decent pickup for a starting receiver. I don't think he'll have anything near in the Pro's that he had in college. Shipp is much more important than Boldin, they have no real run threat. People aren't stacking 8 in the box to stop Emitt anymore.

We'll see by the end of the season, Smoot. Rookie WRs typically don't do overly well. This year a lot of talent came out, I see a few of them having big years. I just don't see Fitz as one of them.

Fair enough Daseal. I think you're right about Emmitt, he's not the threat he once was. Shipp, on the other hand, has yet to live up to whatever potential he ever had stamped on him. If I remember right, it wasn't until about midseason last year that he became a starting back for the team, and his numbers were pretty piss poor. I remember because that bastard was on my fantasy team last year :banghead:

Anyhow, with a weak running game and no legit receiver beside him Anquan Boldin still managed to have a monster rookie season. On the one hand you could argue that Boldin had the benefit of a veteran QB in Jeff Blake-something Fitz won't have. On the other hand the Cardinals had a defensive minded head coach in Dave McGinnis last year, not Dennis Green-something Fitz will have.

[QUOTE=joethiesmanfan]this is the redskins website i am more worried about Brunnell and Ramsey looking stupid than Vick. Hell if anyone is over valued its Patricvk Ramsey we could have gotten a good DE and he couldve been in Miami with the rest of the crack heads. Cant blame Joe gibbs cant blame spurrier. Until he shows me he can play QB in the NFL I say cut Ramsey cut Ramsey or trade him.[/QUOTE]

It's a good thing you didn't take that aproach for your name sake, Joey T.

Vick goes much too early for me to ever take him. In the second round, I would take a very strong WR or even a RB before I would take a QB with a high injury probability. If he misses even 4 weeks (which is optomistic), you have 4 matches without your 2nd round pick, leaving you at a disadvantage for the season. If you like longshots, go for it. He has great potential if he stays healthy. I just try to go with a steady team that has high odds to be among the playoff teams. The playoffs are probably 80% luck - anyone can win. If you consistently make the playoffs, you will win championships.

As far as rookie WR's, I agree with Daseal - extremely low odds. Of all the rookie wide receivers since 1990 that were FAIRLY HIGH FANTASY PICKS, I can only think of 3 or 4 that justified their draft position. Moss and Galloway had excellent rookie seasons and paid off for their early draft position. Many, many dozens of others did not. So I wait for the late ones and try to luck out with a good sleeper at almost no cost. Boldin was DRAFTED in 80% of our leagues last year (always very late, of course). That really paid off for the guys that took him. The guys that squander early picks on the big name rookie WR's really hurt their chances. We have large rosters, so you have the opportunity to grab some guys that look promising to you and see if they pan out. To me, that is what fantasy sports is all about - not a mad dash for a free agent (like Boldin) after he ALREADY proves himself. It is much more rewarding the other way.

well, by the 5th-6th round, you're getting fitz as your 2nd WR, and for his potential, plenty of people think he's worth the risk... he's definately the safest rookie bet, but even if he doesn't do so well, he's not being drafted before moss or joe horn, when you get to the 70-90 2003 points, that's where he's being taken. I do think he'll have a good enough year to merit that at least (though i never got a chance to take him)... still, he shouldn't go undrafted by 12 teams with 15 rounds... who could possibly be a better 4th WR pick in the 15th round??

If you are getting Fitz in the 5th round, and he is your 2nd WR, your team is in trouble. He has not gone nearly that early even in any of our $2500 16-team Elite leagues with very, very good competition. You want solid guys for your top 2 WR's, THEN go for the longshots. (and don't kid yourself - rookie WR's are longshots). If you take him in round 5 of a 12-team league, you are bypassing a lot of very solid players like Lloyd, Branch (now #1 in NE), or even Chambers or McCareins in some leagues. Get a solid base, THEN go for good gambles - there will still be plenty out there.

Another suggestion to anyone that is still to draft in a 12-team league. The strategy that came into popularity last year of drafting 2 RB's in the first two rounds no matter what, can be consistently taken advantage of, and beaten. There are a lot of decent RB's out there, and you can gain much more advantage at other positions and still get decent RB points by going with WR's in the first two rounds if you draft late. It worked GREAT for me last year in several leagues, and I just finished a 12-team draft tonight drafting #8 - another high-dollar league with very good, experienced competition. But most of the guys started with the 2 RB strategy last year. This league uses 2 RB's and 3 WR's. Using this strategy, I ended up with Randy Moss, Chad Johnson, Charles Rogers, Lloyd, Pennington, Griffin (and got his backups late) and Kevin Jones, Ravens and Redskins as a nucleus. Another sure playoff team, and will have a great shot at the championship. Most of the other teams in the league will get more points at RB than this one, but we will MUCH more than make up for it at WR and DT.

BOTTOM LINE: If you draft late, DON'T take 2 mediocre RB's in the first two rounds - you will not make the playoffs. If you feel you HAVE to take one, at least get a great WR first.

i drafted 8th twice and i ended up with jamal in one league and a. green in the other ;) when you play for cash its a little different though.

[QUOTE=That Guy]i drafted 8th twice and i ended up with jamal in one league and a. green in the other ;) [/QUOTE]

NICE!!!!!!! Ahman has been going in the first 3 picks in every draft.

yeah, i was shocked... i understand jamal, he's not blazing fast and he has the drug trial... most of my leagues went PH, LT, CP, AG... though i think green will probably have a better year than portis honestly.