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Wildcat offense might be Michael Vick’s ticket back to NFL

When Michael Vick cashes the first paycheck from his NFL comeback, perhaps he should offer a percentage to Dan Henning and David Lee.

The Dolphins assistants have been credited with the latest offensive mini-craze in the NFL: the Wildcat.

And the Wildcat, it seems, is Vick’s ticket back into the league.

The Chicago Tribune spoke with four front-office executives and two offensive coordinators about Vick, who was released from prison last week. Each said Vick was not an option for his team. But they agreed Vick could fill a role with another team as a "package player" in the Wildcat.

With his combination of speed, passing skill and athleticism, Vick would be the ultimate Wildcat weapon. An NFC offensive coordinator pointed out Vick is probably a better passing threat than any of the players who ran the scheme last year, and every bit the runner.

The Falcons used Vick in a package that was similar to the Wildcat starting in 2006. It didn’t get as much notoriety only because the Falcons didn’t give it a cute nickname, and it was perceived as an offense that was unique to Vick.

"The Wildcat offense will guarantee him an opportunity because he can come in and contribute quickly in a specific package without a lot of learning," one NFC general manager said.

As a personnel director pointed out, Vick probably will have no off-season to learn a complicated playbook. He might not be reinstated by the league until August. And then he could face a suspension at the start of the regular season. So he really isn’t a viable candidate to be a starting quarterback.

Even as talented as Vick is, or was, he should not be expected to immediately pick up where he left off. He has not played in a game that counted since December 2006, so there is concern about his skill level, his conditioning and his timing.

"Two years away from it, and he might not be the same athlete," the general manager said. "If he loses 10 percent, he’ll still be an above-average athlete. But he won’t be a deluxe athlete."

The aging process might be cruel to the soon-to-be 29-year-old because his game is so dependent on speed and quickness. "His best asset is his legs," said an NFC West front-office man. "If he loses that, he loses what he is. His problem as a passer always has been accuracy. Either you have it or you don’t, and he doesn’t. He’s not accurate. So he needs to have that dimension of running the ball."

At the very least, Vick should be given a grace period in which he can re-acclimate to the game.

"No matter how gifted you are, you can’t just stroll off the street after two years away and get back to where you were," a second general manager from an NFC team said. "It could take a while."

The Wildcat could ease Vick back in the game. He wouldn’t be under the same kind of scrutiny as he would be as a starting quarterback.

"I think you think about him as a package guy," said the NFC offensive coordinator. "Maybe he’s not even listed as a quarterback."

By Dan Pompei / Chicago Tribune