Back To The Present

In case you did not hear, Michael Vick is in a little trouble. Oh, you did hear? Good, that saves us some time. For a minute, forget about your feelings towards man's best friend and Vick's apparent lack of understanding of that phrase. Let's not get riled up on the morality of Vick's actions, for that is an issue better suited for "Good Morning America". There seems to be a common theme with the media's actions towards athletes that, as far as sports goes, is not very important. What is this theme? Making the decisions of tomorrow and completely forgetting about the decisions to be made today.

Look, I realize that when Vick gets out of jail, his career (or lack thereof) will be the top story of every writer, radio host, and television personality that is given the oxygen necessary to speak. But is there a reason that should be the top story today? We don't know what will happen. As I'm writing this, Vick is one day away from making his plea. Regardless, his uncertain future is spoken of in certain terms by everybody and anybody who gets a chance to talk. There seems to be this need to figure out what will happen in this case before all of the information is out, and for one, I have had enough. Why is valuable air time repeatedly dedicated to asking "experts" what teams would take Vick in 2009? Who has any idea what the quarterback landscape will look like in two years? As a matter of fact, aren't most of the sports media figures in this country completely unaware of the quarterback landscape of 2007? What is served by a mindless prediction of future events that couldn't possibly be understood by anyone not currently owning a Delorean that runs on plutonium? There are things in the present that do need attention.

On Sunday, September 9th, the Atlanta Falcons will open their season against the Minnesota Vikings. There will be one position on the field that will be watched the most; the quarterback. But the quarterback everyone will be thinking of will not be on the field. Rather, Joey Harrington will be suited up and asked to lead a team that seems as unlikely to make the playoffs as the Saints did just a year ago. Only, unlike the Saints, the football fans of America will not be rooting with all of their hearts for the Falcons to succeed. It won't be the first time either. You might recall week 3 of the 2006 season, where the Falcons traveled to New Orleans for the Saints' home opener. That night, perhaps much like this season, the Falcons didn't stand a chance. But where most see a tragedy, I see an opportunity. And that opportunity lies with Joey Harrington. This is his last chance. This will be his third strike in the NFL if not tapped of all its potential, as Harrington could not get it done with either the Lions or Dolphins. I have not yet given up hope for Harrington's future. I would not be surprised if the Falcons shocked the world by not picking up coach Bobby Petrino's former quarterback, Brian Brohm, with the #1 pick in next year's draft. I will not have to reread articles about a .500 Atlanta team with paragraphs about picking up #13 for your fantasy team. For the first time in his career, there is absolutely no pressure on Harrington to perform. This can only serve him well. And now that I think about it, the media heads can continue to ask questions about the future, while Joey Harrington answers my questions about his.