by C. Michael Lowery

Created on: February 18, 2007   Last Updated: January 13, 2009

In defense of Vince Young's early career, which has been very bright, Michael Vick comparisons are not exactly a compliment. Michael Vick signs his autograph "m 7" because, one would assume, his name is just too long to bother wasting the effort. The same comparison can be made to Vick's tumultuous ride in Atlanta.
A sure fire all-star out of college, Vick was anointed the savior of Atlanta's dismal team and even called the future standard bearer for NFL quarterbacks. Let us hope he is not the future of NFL QB's, unless we strive for a more mediocre game. Vick's promise has largely went unfulfilled in the NFL. He has been hyped more than any one player in the league's history despite accomplishing middle of the road records in Atlanta. Is he fun to watch? Sure. But some would argue ANYONE is fun to watch if they are being chased by 350lb linemen. Vick has never taken his teams to the next level as one would expect from a QB that has that much talent. He is, in a sense, more comparable to a highly hyped Kordell Stewart in his prime in Pittsburgh- fun to watch, but never elevating his game to greatness. Maybe Vick has a better publicist.

Vince Young, on the other hand, has a ton of raw talent, but also has a more critical talent to NFL QB's- he has a burning desire to win at all costs. Young has an understated leadership and he shows up best in big games. Young can shoulder a team and inspire the other players to play over their level. A great leader like a Michael Jordan or a Joe Montana compare far more favorably to Vince Young. Both could single-handedly take over a game and direct their teams to victory. Young showed this ability in college, but more importantly, in the NFL when the teams' season was supposed to be a write-off. He played with heart and willed victories, something Vick has never shown.
While Michael Vick and Vince Young both display a similar physical style at the QB position, it will be Vince Young, not Michael Vick, that becomes the standard bearer for future NFL QB's.

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