Venturing into Hypotheticals: Vick as a Redskin

At this point, placing Michael Vick, whose sentence ends July 20 after two months of home confinement, with an NFL team is the wildest of conjectures, an exercise in prognostication that assumes several truths -- including the one in which commissioner Roger Goodell reinstates the disgraced quarterback and a team decides to take the inevitable PR hit to sign him.

There's a real possibility Goodell might ban Vick for life. Even if he doesn't, Vick is facing at least two years away from football (three, if he sits out 2009). Having already reportedly lost 25 pounds, Vick would face an uphill climb to get back into football shape ... assuming a team signs him.

He could lift weights all he wanted while he was in prison; nothing Vick experienced in Leavenworth, Kan. could accurately simulate the speed and ferocity of an NFL game.

But let's assume the NFL does reinstate Vick -- and let's assume teams will want him. Let's face it, for all his shortcomings as a pocket quarterback, Vick was easily one of the most dynamic and unpredictable athletes the league had ever seen -- and this was before the advent of the Wildcat.

Would owner Daniel Snyder be interested in Vick? At this point, I can't think of a reason why not. Snyder loves the splashy move, bringing in the big name -- regardless of any potential risks and consequences. He'll probably realize that signing Vick would result in almost daily protests by PETA and other animal rights groups, he'll probably be aware that life on the road would be hard for the former Virginia Tech star, as fans of other teams mock and taunt him for his deeds.

Hell, Redskin fans might do that, at least at first. There's even the chance some season-ticket holders would boycott.

Let's assume Goodell suspends Vick for the 2009 season and reinstates him for 2010. We already know the quarterback situation in Washington could be in flux, with Jason Campbell in the last year of his contract and the team having shown on more than one occasion this offseason that it might be willing to look in a different direction. The Redskins already tried to go after Jay Cutler and rookie Mark Sanchez, to no avail.

There have been no talks between Campbell and management regarding an extension, meaning Campbell would likely have to put up monster numbers and lead the Redskins to the playoffs before one is even considered.

If Campbell winds up somewhere else in 2010, that would leave Washington (at this point) with Todd Collins, Colt Brennan and rookie free agent Chase Daniels. Collins is too old to be a long-term solution, while Brennan showed flashes of talent in the preseason last year. But do you really see head coach Jim Zorn (assuming he's still around in 2010) making Brennan or Daniels the face of the franchise in 2010?

I don't.

If Campbell leaves, the Redskins will have to look somewhere else for the answer behind center. Given that -- and again, assuming Vick won't be eligible until after the 2009 season -- it would make sense for Washington to at least look at Vick. Vick will never be a true pocket passer, though, which might be what the team is looking for. Sure, Campbell (and Cutler and Sanchez) has mobility, but he's always been a throw-first quarterback. The Redskins' offense doesn't really have a place for a slash-type athlete like Vick.

Nor do I see the Redskins adopting a version of the Wildcat offense to find a place for Vick. Though that formation has grown in popularity, thanks in part to the Miami Dolphins' success with it last season, few teams in the NFC have adopted it -- and no one in the NFC East. I also don't think Washington has the personnel to run that offense, though I suppose an argument could be made for Antwaan Randle-El.

At this point, the only way I see Vick as a Washington Redskin would be if he switched to a different position. While Vick certainly has the speed and athleticism to find success as a running back or wide receiver, I don't think his sense of pride or his ego would let him make that move.

Vick would want to be a quarterback.

Snyder will probably give Vick a look -- you know, kick the proverbial tires and what not -- but unless Zorn leaves and his replacement embraces Vick's style of play, he wouldn't fit with the team's offensive philosophy.

At this point, the Redskins not signing Vick wouldn't even be about the bad PR or the thought of bringing a convicted felon into the locker room. It would be about bringing in a guy who wouldn't fit what the team was trying to do offensively, and trying to change Vick to make it work would be unfair -- both to the player and the team.

If things fall into place just right, Vick might wind up a Redskin. I just don't see it happening.

Favre in Washington? Don't Bet on It

Though I haven't seen any reports suggesting retired Packers legend and Jets quarterback Brett Favre might try a comeback in Washington, owner Daniel Snyder's history gives the idea some possibility. Snyder likes to make splashy moves -- even if they don't always work -- and he's already shown twice this offseason he isn't above trying to get another quarterback.

The Redskins tried to get Jay Cutler from the Broncos, but the Bears swept in and got the disgruntled Denver singal-caller instead. Then Washington toyed with the idea of trading up to get former USC quarterback Mark Sanchez in the first round of the NFL Draft. The possibility was so real, current Redskins QB Jason Campbell asked for a trade if Sanchez was indeed wearing burgandy and gold.

The Jets beat Washington to Sanchez, filling their gaping hole behind center. That leaves Campbell as the team's starter going into the final year of his contract. I haven't seen any reports the team is working on an extension with Campbell, which usually means the team isn't sold and might be looking for other options.

You think?

Still, I don't see Favre coming to Washington. By all accounts, if Favre does come back, it will only be with the Vikings. Head coach Brad Childress has made no secret that he wants Favre, and why not? Minnesota is a quarterback away from being a Super Bowl contender. They have the game's best back in Adrian Peterson and a defense that would scare anyone in the league -- running teams especially.

But with Tavaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels behind center, there is a glaring need for the Vikings. A lot of experts say Minnesota's wideouts are nothing special, but maybe that's because they have average quarterbacks trying to get them the ball. Favre, assuming he's healthy and committed, would probably fix that.

Favre's relationship with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell -- who used to be quarterbacks coach in Green Bay -- is a large reason why Favre would consider the Vikings, as is the fact that the Vikings run a system similar to the one Favre ran in Green Bay. Favre wanted to go to the Vikings last season, but the Packers wouldn't hear of it. Favre might also have that in his mind; wanting to get back at the Packers twice a season.

The Redskins won't play the Packers at all this season -- unless they meet in the playoffs.

If Favre comes out of retirement again, it will only be for the Vikings. As enticing as the idea of No. 4 trotting into FedEx in burgandy and gold might be for Snyder, I don't think all the dollar signs in the world would make it happen. Good thing, too; I don't want a quarterback coming in with a bum shoulder and a questionable motivation trying to learn a new offense for a second-year head coach.

That would most likely throw off whatever chemistry the Redskins have, which would lead to a disastrous season. Besides, Favre wouldn't be a long-term solution; he might wind up being good for a year, maybe two. With Campbell in the final year of his deal -- and young guys Colt Brennan and Chase Daniels on the team -- Washington needs to find a long-term solution at quarterback, and Favre wouldn't be it.

Brett Favre as a Redskin would be a bad idea, and I'm comfortable in saying I don't think it will happen. So maybe Jason Campbell can finally start breathing again.