The worst thing to happen to the Washington Redskins on Thursday night wasn’t losing their preseason opener. No one will remember it come September.
No, the loss that may haunt Washington for years will be Michael Vick signing with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Redskins should have pursued Vick as a long-term quarterback option and short-term energizer for an offense that needs help.
The Examiner first reported the Redskins’ decision not to pursue Vick in June. It seemed a reasonable position then given the offense appeared good enough to contend alongside the team’s highly-regarded defense.
The first two weeks of training camp revealed an offensive line not good enough to contend in the smashmouth NFC East, though. Quarterback Jason Campbell doesn’t appear the problem; neither are the young receivers. It’s a suspect line that likely won’t protect Campbell any more than it did late last season during a 2-6 slide. Coach Jim Zorn later conceded lacking time to call long passes.
The Redskins should have read the hard reality — they need help. A wildcat formation featuring Vick is hard to counter. Vick was a fabulous runner before his conviction relating to dog fighting, gaining 3,859 yards with 21 touchdowns. He’s also a solid passer so it’s not necessarily a run.
“He’s going to be very difficult,” Zorn said. “It will be interesting to see how he works with the Eagles.”
Campbell would have still played upon Vick’s arrival. Clinton Portis would have remained the prime back. Vick simply strengthens the offense.
Signing Vick might have been enough to turn Washington into a contender. Instead, Philadelphia just found its successor to Donovan McNabb. The Eagles reloaded. The Redskins didn’t.
The Redskins didn’t want the drama that comes with signing Vick, who spent nearly two years in prison over dog fighting charges. Certainly, this has been long debated — you’re either willing to give Vick a second chance or you’re not.
“I know some people won’t agree,” Philadelphia coach Andy Reid said. “I expect the public to have questions initially, but at the same time trust that we do the right things here. I think the majority of the public wants Michael to do well. That’s us as human beings — we give people an opportunity.”
Vick’s first game could be Oct. 26 at FedEx Field before a national Monday night audience. The Redskins will soon know whether they should have taken a chance.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail [email protected].
