NFL: Vick's future bright in San Diego

This Saturday, the San Diego Chargers will make quarterback Michael Vick the first pick in the annual NFL draft. While I harbor doubts about Vick's future in the NFL, joining the Chargers will benefit Vick in the NFL. He joins a team that enjoys some stability, the Chargers will not ask him to start next season and he has an experienced quarterback with which to work.

Even though the Chargers recorded a 1-15 record last season, they are actually more stable than comparable teams. In the 1990s they played in a Super Bowl and since then attempted to improve their condition. The organization hired a competent general manager in Bobby Bethard and now employs Jon Butler, the former GM for the Buffalo Bills. In addition, the team has a decent coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Norv Turner. In comparison to the disastrous football franchises in Cincinnati and Phoenix, they actually attempt to improve their lot and make good decisions. Of course, this organization drafted Ryan Leaf, but that choice may look bad only in hindsight. When they drafted him, he looked like a can't-miss prospect and they did not pass over Peyton Manning to select him. In sum, though, the team is relatively stable in comparison to the other terrible teams in the NFL.

The Chargers will not ask Vick to start next season and this is to his advantage. Vick, a sophomore in college, needs seasoning and experience at any level of football. Ideally, he should finish his apprenticeship in college, but in today's sports world, this is not tenable. Thus, Vick needs to sit behind a solid starting quarterback in the NFL and learn the game. This way, Vick will not learn bad habits and suffer through a terrible season. Despite the Chargers' stability, it would be too much to expect them to make the playoffs next season. It is better for Vick to learn on the bench than on the field. Take, for example, two of this year's playoff quarterbacks: Duante Culpepper and Donovan McNabb. Both men spent either all or part of last season learning the pro game on the sidelines. To their credit, they spend all four years in college and learned the game there, but still Vick, like these quarterbacks will benefit from apprenticeship.

Essential to the apprenticeship is a stable veteran quarterback. Culpepper had Bubby Brister and Randall Cunningham, and Vick has Doug Flutie. Flutie's actions last season in Buffalo tarnished his reputation, but he is a winner and has played football for more than a decade. Flutie can teach Vick the pro game, hopefully for Vick, and develop the young quarterback. Flutie's career is ending and Vick should benefit from his expertise.

Vick can benefit from the team he is joining. In comparison to other NFL teams, the Chargers have attempted to field competitive teams in the NFL and actually played in a Super Bowl a few years ago. In addition, Vick will not have to start and can benefit from veteran leadership. Hopefully for Vick, he can use these advantages and become the next Peyton Manning, not the next Ryan Leaf.