Vick to the Panthers?

Rumors have been circulating about the Carolina Panthers as a possible suitor to free-agent QB Michael Vick. Vick's personal mentor and former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy said that he believes Vick's return to the NFL is not a question of "if" but "when".

Dungy said that he believes a deal is imminent with a team by the end of this week. Vick's agent Joel Segal also said. "there are a lot of teams interested" in signing his client. Dungy, who has been serving as Vick's personal advisor since his recent release from prison has fielded calls from various head coaches and has recommended Vick, saying that he is "a better person and very determined to come back and do well".

The Carolina Panthers have been a popular pick by many experts to be the team for Vick. The Panthers are coming off possibly the most dissapointing loss in team history aside from the Super Bowl. After a 12-4 regular season record and NFC South title, QB Jake Delhomme turned the ball over six times in a 33-13 divisional home playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

The Panthers recently signed Delhomme to a lucrative 5-year extension, but the QB is reaching the golden years of his career at 34 and many experts have questions about his ability to take care of the ball with his aggressive style. Delhomme has the guts of a burglar and can often pull off the impossible, but in some cases, the "Brett Favre" style isn't always the most rewarding.

Delhomme will be the starting QB this year, but Vick would play a nice supporting role and could possibly serve as the starter down the road. Vick's running style could also prove to be a deadly combination with the Panthers' two-headed monster in the backfield with Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams.

The Panthers were one of the top running teams in the NFL last year and with Vick could have a deadly, ball-control offense with the ability to break open a big play. Vick also has a rocket for an arm and along with Steve Smith and DeAngelo Williams could give the Panthers one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL.