Rumor that Vick to Start at Tailback

Because of injuries to starting and back-up tailbacks Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood, there have been rumors circulating talk radio and "the internets" that the Falcons are pondering the possibility of starting quarterback Michael Vick at tailback and starting backup quarterback Matt Schaub at the quarterback position for their Saturday night game against Dallas. Head coach Jim Mora has called out since the rumors began circulating that it's too late in the season to make any kind of drastic change like that. But, if it were true, I will give reasons why it'd be one of the dumbest moves the Falcons could make:

1) Vick is not built like a running back. The guy attempts to fall down, dive, or get out of bounds as much as he possibly can when his hands are on the football to avoid hits. The guy is not a running back.

2) The move would make Vick much more susceptible to an injury. Atlanta still has two games to go following their Saturday night contest with Dallas. Even if they lose to the Cowboys, they'll be right in the thick of the playoff race at 7-7 with games left in 6-7 Carolina and 7-6 Philadelphia. Now's not the time to put your star quarterback in extra harm's way.

3) Vick's biggest weakness is his sometimes careless manner of carrying the football. He's been known to fumble it a few times and this is just in the backfield or when he carries the ball five to ten times a game. This isn't when the guy is lined up as a tailback and expected to carry it 20 to 30 times.

4) Justin Griffith, the guy who would ordinarily get the start if Dunn and Norwood were both hurt, is a solid tailback. For a starting fullback, he's very quick, athletic, and versatile and can do a lot of things out of the backfield, including block, catch, and run. The guy outran Dunn, Norwood, and Vick last weekend against Tampa. Why make a drastic move by switching your quarterback over to running back when your #3 guy is very fit for that position in the first place?

5) Matt Schaub has taken how many snaps this year? Under ten? How many balls has he thrown? Three? He has no rhythm or chemistry with the rest of the offense right now. Starting him and moving Vick to running back for a game would completely obliterate the offensive chemistry that the Falcons have built through thirteen games.

6) Moving Vick to running back would take the ball out of his hands on many snaps in the game. Vick is one of the most dangerous players when his hands are on the football and fortunately, for the Falcons, his hands are on the ball every offensive snap.

7) This move would show a lack of confidence in Griffith as a running back and Vick as a quarterback. The coaches may say that they're only moving Vick for this one game due to injuries, but will he see it like that? Griffith put on a solid showing last week. What's his reward? To go back to fullback when both true halfbacks are hurt. Why tinker with the mental and emotional chemistry of the team?

8) It's crazy and ludicrous to make these moves in the fourteenth game of the season, especially when you're right in the thick of the playoff race. If the Falcons were 4-9 and had nothing really to play for, then I guess they could toy around with the idea, to see what happened. But, that's not the case. They're 7-6 and currently tied for 5th in the NFC. Now's not the time to move a quarterback to running back, a backup quarterback to starting quarterback, or a place kicker to tight end.

9) What will this due for fans in Atlanta? Saturday night is a home game. The last time the Falcons played at home was in their loss to the Saints, when a Falcon fan had some unkind words for Vick and Vick returned the favor by raising a couple fingers (no, not a peace sign). Atlanta also isn't the most "black friendly" city in the country. I've read from several sources that many in Atlanta want to see Schaub start. Nevermind the fact that Vick is second in team history in wins, is third in NFL history in rushing yards for a quarterback, has led them to the NFC Championship all but two years ago. No, they want to see Schaub. I'll never forget the ovation Schaub received a couple games ago at home when Vick was out for one play. He received a huge ovation. What will truly happen if Schaub starts at quarterback and Vick at running back? It could get ugly.

10) Dallas coach Bill Parcells basically said that he hopes Vick starts at running back, for the simple fact that he won't have his hands on the ball every snap. If the opposing coach says it's in his best interests, then guess what, it's not in yours!