Michael Vick to Eagles

As we all know, the big story this week is Rick Pitino. Haha just joking, obviously the big story is Michael Vick signing with the Eagles. But Mr. Pitino is probably thanking God that Vick stole the headlines and people aren’t talking about his adultery situation anymore.

I know everyone and their grandma have an opinion on Vick going to the Eagles. It’s great that we all have opinions, but since this is my blog, I’m going to give you mine. First, if you’re a closed-minded Vick hater you should stop reading right about…here.

Ok, so we all know Vick is an average quarterback, as far as QB stats, he’s super athletic, he’s around six feet, making him pretty short, he has a cannon of an arm and he’s probably faster than most receivers in the NFL. Oh yea, and he’s black, but we would like to think that doesn’t really matter in today’s world. So yea, Vick is all of those things… well at least he was back in 2006, the last time we saw him play.

All I’ve been hearing on sports television shows is what Vick will and will not do for whatever team that signs him. At this point, we know that team is the Eagles, but how can anyone, especially people that haven’t been in direct contact with Vick, say what he can and can not do for a team? Have we all forgotten the guy hasn’t played in two seasons? Yes, I know that people close to Vick have said he kept in good shape while in prison, but come on, I know he wasn’t doing NFL workouts. So while he was trying to prevent himself from getting fat and weak, the real question is how long will it take him to get back to the shape he was in two years ago?

Moving on to the Eagles—I know a lot of people are wondering why the Eagles wanted Vick. To me the answer is simple: he’s another weapon. Obviously, the Eagles aren’t looking for Vick to take Donovan McNabb’s starting QB spot, or even compete for the spot for that matter. At best he will become the number two QB on the depth chart, replacing Kevin Kolb. For whatever reason, some people feel that, since Vick is so fast an athletic, he can play receiver or maybe return kicks and punts. I don’t understand how you can assume that. If anything, every receiver should take it personal that people think just because your athletic or fast that you can be a good receiver. I’m not saying it’s impossible for Vick to fill these roles, but I don’t think it is something that should be assumed. Taking this back to the Eagles, with Brian Westbrook, LeSean McCoy, Jeremy Maclin, DeSean Jackson, Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis on the roster, there doesn’t appear to be much space for Vick to fit in as a skill position player. This is where I ask everyone to please think a little deeper.

Vick will most likely become a situational player. This could mean he only comes in on special plays and the wildcat formation. That may mean that Vick sees five to ten plays a game. Who knows, obviously the Eagles have some plan or they wouldn’t have went after him. Regardless of what Vick’s role is on the team, the Eagles are the winners here. They managed to sign Michael Vick for two years, the first year for $1.6M and the second with a team option for $5.2M. If Vick sucks and the Eagles never use him, they only used $1.6M, and they can then let him go at the end of the season. If he happens to show signs of the old Vick and can be a playmaker, the Eagles get a steal that could possibly be the final piece to them winning a Super Bowl. If anything, the Eagles have prevented any other team from signing Vick and using him in a positive way.

The only real downside to signing Vick is all the animal rights activists who just aren’t ready to forgive Vick. Hopefully their worries will be eased if the Eagles’ plan works and Vick contributes to some wins. I guess the Eagles’ ownership is tired of being close to being a title contender every year, yet coming away with no rings. Hey, I can’t blame them.

I’ve never been an Eagles fan or a Falcons fan. But I do appreciate what Vick can do on the football field. Although I will not be rooting for the Eagles, I hope the whole situation with Vick works out. I think it is time to forgive, but not forget, what Michael Vick has done, if you haven’t done so already. The guy has committed a crime, been humbled and served his time in prison.

Good Luck Mike.