Top 5 Mike Vick Replacement Options

by theoriginaljd, Six Pack Sports Report

Right now the Atlanta Falcons are opening their camp with Joey Harrington taking snaps as the starting quarterback. I've seen the Lions, and I've seen the Dolphins and trust me when I tell you - Joey Harrington certainly is not the answer. But who is? Who out there in the wide world of sports can Arthur Blank offer a nice fat paycheck to fill in for The Dogfather while he awaits trial? I've looked through every piece of video available. I turned over news racks full of US Weekly in an attempt to find a hidden gem, and then I narrowed the list down to the Top 5 candidates and I present that list now to you - the Epic Carnival fans.

Honorable Mention: Chris Chandler - An ageless wonder Chandler is already beloved in Atlanta and I'm sure he can get a few months off from his job as a Used Car Salesmen. You obviously lose a lot of mobility with Chandler under center but he makes you forget about that lack of speed with a lack of arm strength, or winning ability.

5. Paul Crewe - Crewe has been known to pull a team of rag tag criminals together to play an organized game of football. He might be better suited for the Bengals starting job at this point but with Carson Palmer already there it seems unlikely that Crewe will get a chance with them. A MAJOR red flag has to thrown when talking about his sordid past with gambling but he assures us that he has overcome his demons. Has spent considerable time behind bars which makes it less likely that he will be allowed to travel for road games.

4. Mike Winchell - On the plus side Winchell led his last team after a horrible injury to their star running back in the first game of the season. A downside is obviously Winchell has a history of being inconsistent although following in the footsteps of Mike Vick should make that old hat for the Falcons players. Definite concern on Winchell's inability to win the big game but again he is following Mike Vick. Gets major points for having documented success taking criticism and dealing with a new Head Coach both things that will help him under first year head man Bobby Petrino.

3. Junior Floyd - Right off the bat a reason to be cautious around Junior Floyd is the fact that he is a child. He has however reached that age where he is interested in girls, even if they happen to be manish chicks who play football. There is no doubting his good looks though with that blond hair he should be the perfect face to put on posters and game programs. Floyd has shown a tendency to help teammates who have problems catching the ball, and is an inspirational team leader which will come in handy when dealing with the average at best receiving corps of the Falcons. Floyd has also been known to have a great relationship with his Coach even when that coach is outmatched in every sense of the word - again a good sign for Petrino. There is also the unmistakable fact that Floyd unlike Winchell has shown a tenancy to win the big game when it counts and much like Tom Brady even though he lacks some other necessary skills, being a winner is tough to teach. Also has no problem carrying out trick plays.

2. The Star Wars Kid From YouTube - On the bright side this kid is agile. He doesn't have cat like quickness but he can fight off incoming lasers with his light saber. Improvisation is a strong point with him which will fit seemingly into the Falcons offense coming off Vick. On the downside much like Junior Floyd he is a child which should make it difficult to get him past the NFL Players Association. He is also out of shape which is not a quality you want in the starting quarterback and may even be a waterhead which might make comprehending an NFL playbook difficult. A definite plus though is that he seems to have control of the force - and there is no telling how powerful that will be in Bobby Petrino's offense.

1. Willie Beamen - Without question the top quarterback available. Beamen's talent is through the roof as he has a very strong arm, and quick feet. It's almost as if Beamen's entire game was fashioned after Mike Vick which should make the transition from his last job with the Albuquerque Aztecs under Coach Tony D'Amato of the AFFA a lot smoother. Beamen is a survivor as he went from third string quarterback in Miami to starter and became an overnight sensation. There is some cause for concern because Beamen has been known as a lockerroom cancer with some of his attention being diverted by a singing career, and consistent run ins with fellow teammates and coaches. Beamen seems to have been reigned in by the old school discipline of D'Amato and we don't know how that will translate to a different style coach like Petrino. There is also the fact that before major games and important plays Beamen has a tendancy to vomit which might not sit well with other players in the huddle. There is however no denying that he has the raw talent and skill set to be a dominant player in the NFL like he was in the AFFA. If Petrino can convince Beamen not to call his own plays he might be able to turn Willie into a franchise level quarterback and make the people of Atlanta forget all about Michael Vick.

So there you have it Mr. Blank - options abound for who you could find to replace Mike Vick as the starting quarterback for your Atlanta Falcons. I realize that Joey Harrington seems like a good replacement at the time because there is nobody trying to actually hit him or making him look bad. But ask around the league if Joey Harrington is a franchise level quarterback. You need to find someone to lead your team Mr. Blank and I hope this list opens some doors that you had not previously looked into.