Michael Vick: 2012 NFL Season Is His Last Shot at a Super Bowl

Three years ago, Michael Vick was in his cell at Leavenworth reflecting upon his dark past and probably wondering if he would get one more chance to revive his career.

He knew he would be released before the end of the year and would be able to make amends once he was a free citizen; however, football was nothing but a dream.

Andy Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles rolled the dice and signed him to a one-year contract on August 13, 2009. He spent the season as Donovan McNabb’s backup.

The majority of the fans were against his presence on the Eagles’ roster and that did not change even when he replaced Kevin Kolb in the 2010 season-opening game against the Green Bay Packers, where he almost pulled a comeback.

Reid named him the starter a couple of days later and that’s where the Vick era began for Philadelphia. With time, more and more people saw change in Vick’s stare and most of the fans accepted him in the Eagles' family.

Vick had a magnificent season in 2010, earning his fourth Pro Bowl selection and giving the NFL world some spectacular highlights. Unfortunately, the following season was not as good for Vick or the Eagles: The team didn’t make the playoffs and had many subpar performances.

Despite the growing unrest and the heavy criticism, Jeff Lurie decided to keep Reid and ignore the fan cluster that demanded the exact opposite.

Although Reid enjoyed success in the past, it’s clear that the time has come for him to conquer the top with the Eagles or depart for a new adventure. It’s no secret that the 2012 season is “make it or break it” for Philly, even though there’s not an official word about it.

Michael Vick knows that too. Reid was the guy that offered him a chance to reestablish himself as a football player and brought him out of bankruptcy. Less than six months ago, Vick signed a six-year, $100 million deal ($40 million guaranteed) that made him rich again and tied him with the Eagles for the long term.

In spite of that massive contract, Vick is more expendable than it seems. He will be 32 years old next season and his playing style is taking years away from his career.

Vick never was a pocket quarterback and he will never be. The Eagles tried to keep him under protection, but that limited his efficiency and, therefore, the team’s offensive production.

Ahead of the upcoming season, Vick declared that he will try his best to stay healthy and play in all 16 games by sliding more and taking fewer risks; however, I don’t expect him to be a sitting duck, and neither should he be.

If the Eagles win the Super Bowl next year, the discussion will begin anew from a different ground. Nobody will force Reid out of town, though he may choose to retire as a champion.

On the other hand, if Philadelphia’s season ends in failure (still not sure where the “success/failure” borderline is drawn), there are not many alternatives. Andy Reid will be gone and Vick will either follow him or will be released.

I think Vick staying as the starter with a new head coach is not a realistic scenario. If he does, I doubt he will be able to perform the way he does under Reid.

If Vick signs with another team in 2013, he will either be a backup or a starter for a team with low expectations. He will be approaching the age of 33 with three consecutive seasons as a team’s starter, which translates to a fair amount of fatigue and hits.

With all that, the 2012 season is of great importance for Vick, like it is for Reid and the Eagles. Lifting and holding a Lombardi trophy in the air is the ultimate goal for every NFL player and coach; Vick and Reid are no exception.

Reid owes himself a championship as the capstone of his achievements. He also owes one to Philly for being his employer the last 13 years, while making him the longest tenured coach among active NFL coaches.

Vick owes a championship to Reid for giving him the chance to revive his career and undoubtedly, to restore balance in his life. Whether he and Reid get it, that remains to be seen.